Prolonged ventricular asystole: a rare adverse effect of hydrocodone use
Sivakumar Sudhakaran1, Saherish S Surani2, Salim R Surani1
1Department of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, USA.
Background:
Prolonged ventricular asystole is a rare vagal reaction caused by hydrocodone use. Sinus bradycardia is a characteristic presentation of the vasovagal response; examples of other presentations include arrest or atrioventricular block. Physicians need to be aware of ventricular asystole due to vagally-mediated atrioventricular block caused by hydrocodone or other opiates.
Case Report:
We present a case of prolonged ventricular asystole in a young patient due to a vasovagal reaction caused by the hydrocodone found in the hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination.
Conclusions:
Ventricular asystole can be a rare complication of hydrocodone found in hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Physicians need to be aware of this adverse effect, rather then resorting to expensive diagnostic interventions.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids


