Octreotide-induced asystolic events in an intensive care unit patient with gastrointestinal bleeding

Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue used to control upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of a patient with no significant cardiac history who had multiple asystolic events during an octreotide infusion at a relatively low dose. Although octreotide leading to bradycardia and heart block has been documented in several case reports, to our knowledge, octreotide-associated asystole has not been described. It is pertinent that physicians must be aware of this significant cardiac effect for vigilant cardiac monitoring and management, preferably in an intensive care setting. Furthermore, this suggests that although dose- and route-related effects have been described, some individuals may be susceptible at low doses, even in the absence of heart disease. There were no further recurrences after the drug was discontinued.