A bizarre electrocardiographic pattern due to chronic lithium therapy.
Mehmet Kayrak1, Cetin Duman, Enes Elvin Gul
1Department of Cardiology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Summary
Lithium overdose can cause rare heart issues, including ECG changes mimicking heart attacks. Hemodialysis may help improve these cardiac symptoms in patients with lithium toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Toxicology
Background:
- Lithium is a mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder.
- Cardiotoxicity from lithium overdose is uncommon, with ECG changes rarely reported.
Observation:
- A case of chronic lithium treatment presented with ECG changes.
- These changes mimicked inferior myocardial infarction and showed QTc prolongation.
Findings:
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes resembling inferior myocardial infarction were observed.
- QTc prolongation was noted in the patient's ECG.
- Partial recovery of ECG changes occurred after hemodialysis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for lithium to cause significant cardiotoxicity.
- ECG monitoring is crucial in patients with lithium toxicity.
- Hemodialysis may be a beneficial treatment for lithium-induced cardiotoxicity.
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