[Acute cardiotoxicity of tricyclic compounds: remarks on a clinical case]

Tricyclic compounds have complex effects on the cardiovascular system, causing dangerous arrhythmias even in patients free of cardiac disease, especially after overdose. We report on a case of cardiac arrhythmia during low dosage therapy of post-herpetic neuralgia with Carbamazepine and Amitriptyline in a patient with chronic renal rejection and cirrhosis. Pharmacologic properties and side effects of these drugs are examined from the current literature. Both drugs prolong AV conduction, consequently You can observe AV blocks of various degrees of His bundle branch blocks also during low-dosage therapy in patients with hepatic failure. It seems to be judicious to provide to ECG monitoring during the complete period of therapy.