Lithium intoxication causing ST segment elevation and wandering atrial rhythms in an elderly patient.
Mehmet Kayrak1, Hatem Ari, Cetin Duman
1Department of Cardiology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Cardiology Journal
|August 7, 2010
Summary
Lithium overdose can rarely cause heart problems. This case shows electrocardiogram changes mimicking heart attack in an elderly patient on lithium, improving after dialysis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Toxicology
Background:
- Lithium is a common mood stabilizer, but cardiotoxicity is a rare complication.
- Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia are infrequently reported in lithium overdose.
Observation:
- An elderly patient on chronic lithium treatment developed ECG changes mimicking inferior myocardial infarction.
- These changes occurred during the course of lithium therapy.
Findings:
- The patient presented with ECG findings characteristic of acute inferior myocardial infarction.
- Hemodialysis led to partial resolution of the observed ECG abnormalities.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious manifestation of lithium cardiotoxicity.
- Clinicians should consider lithium toxicity in patients with unexplained ischemic ECG changes, especially those on long-term treatment.
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