Generalized convulsions in a patient receiving ultrashort-acting beta-blocker infusion

Beta-receptor blocking agents are commonly used to treat patients with heart disease, and generalized seizures due to therapy with these agents are rare. All reported cases of seizures due to beta blocking agents have occurred only in those subjects who ingested large doses of the drugs. We observed generalized convulsions in a patient who was receiving therapeutic doses of an ultrashort-acting beta-blocking agent (esmolol hydrochloride) intravenously. A literature survey and possible mechanisms by which these agents induce seizures are presented.