Abstract
AIMS To investigate serial electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, haemodynamic changes and arrhythmias following venlafaxine overdose. METHODS The study included 369 venlafaxine overdoses in 273 patients presenting to a toxicology unit where an ECG was available. Demographic information, details of ingestion, haemodynamic effects [heart rate and blood pressure (BP)] and complications (arrhythmias and conduction defects) were obtained. ECG parameters (QT, QRS) were measured manually and analysed by visual inspection, including plotting QT-HR pairs on a QT nomogram. RESULTS The median ingested dose was 1500 mg [interquartile range (IQR) 600-3000 mg; range 75-13 500 mg). Tachycardia occurred in 54% and mild hypertension (systolic BP >140 mmHg) in 40%. Severe hypertension (systolic BP >180 mmHg) and hypotension (systolic BP <90 mmHg) occurred in 3% and 5%, respectively. No arrhythmias occurred based on continuous telemetry, and conduction defects were found in only seven of 369 admissions; five of these conduction defects were pre-existing abnormalities. In 22 admissions [6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4-10] there was an abnormal QT-HR pair, with larger doses being more likely to be associated with an abnormal QT. The median maximum QRS width was 85 ms (IQR 80-90 ms; range 70-145 ms) and the QRS was greater than 120 ms in only 24 admissions (7%, 95% CI 4-10). CONCLUSIONS Venlafaxine overdose causes only minor abnormalities in the QT and QRS intervals, unlikely to be associated with major arrhythmias, except possibly with large doses. � 2009 The Author. Journal compilation � 2009 The British Pharmacological Society.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 572-576 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |