Prolonged quinidine half-life with associated toxicity in a patient with hepatic failure.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-1997
Abstract
A markedly prolonged quinidine elimination half-life due to hepatic failure and resultant quinidine toxicity occurred in a 57-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation. A prolonged QT interval, development of torsades de pointes, and a serum quinidine concentration of 3.1 micrograms/ml contributed to a decision favoring permanent pacemaker implantation. The apparent quinidine half-life ranged from 66-99 hours and was associated with QT prolongation and persistent U waves. On discontinuing quinidine, all signs associated with toxicity resolved as serum quinidine concentrations decreased, which resulted in reversal of the decision to implant a permanent pacemaker. This case reports an extremely long quinidine elimination half-life and reillustrates the importance of drug pharmacokinetics in patient care.
Volume
17
Issue
3
First Page
622
Last Page
625
ISSN
0277-0008
Published In/Presented At
Stanek, E. J., Simko, R. J., DeNofrio, D., & Pavri, B. B. (1997). Prolonged quinidine half-life with associated toxicity in a patient with hepatic failure. Pharmacotherapy, 17(3), 622–625.
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
9165569
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article