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Cardiotoxicity Associated with Midazolam in a Patient with Diphtheria
Jayendra R Gohil1, Sonal Jindal1
1Pediatrics Department, Government Medical College, Sir T. General Hospital, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India.
Background:
Adverse cardiorespiratory events are associated with midazolam continuous IV infusion, used for sedation.
History:
Here we are reporting a case of 5 year old male child suffering from diphtheria induced airway obstruction, and myocarditis, who received midazolam in the form of IV infusion for sedation while undergoing mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. Adverse Event: Six hours after starting midazolam infusion he started developing pulsus bigeminus and bradycardia and eventual death after two hours.
Conclusion:
Midazolam, although considered one of the safest drugs, need to be used cautiously in a child with myocarditis, because of the possible cardiotoxic effect in an already affected heart.
Insights
Midazolam infusion for sedation in a child with myocarditis led to adverse cardiorespiratory events, including bradycardia and death. Caution is advised due to potential cardiotoxicity in pediatric patients with heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Continuous intravenous (IV) midazolam infusion is commonly used for sedation in pediatric intensive care.
- Adverse cardiorespiratory events have been associated with midazolam use.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old male child with diphtheria-induced airway obstruction and myocarditis received IV midazolam for sedation during mechanical ventilation.
- Six hours post-infusion initiation, the patient developed pulsus bigeminus and bradycardia.
Findings:
- The patient experienced a fatal cardiorespiratory event two hours after developing pulsus bigeminus and bradycardia.
- This case highlights a potential cardiotoxic effect of midazolam in a pediatric patient with pre-existing myocarditis.
Implications:
- Midazolam should be administered with extreme caution in pediatric patients diagnosed with myocarditis.
- Further research is warranted to understand the cardiotoxic potential of midazolam in pediatric cardiac conditions.
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