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Published on: August 18, 2016
Life-threatening Vasospastic Angina Induced by Carteolol Eye Drops
Ryo Eto1, Hiroaki Kawano1, Ayaka Suzuki2
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan.
Abstract:
Vasospastic angina (VSA) can be worsened by oral nonselective beta-blockers. Ophthalmic carteolol eye drops are nonselective beta-blockers and effective against glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Systemic effects of ophthalmic beta-blockers on VSA have not yet been reported. We herein report a case of VSA that developed after a patient started carteolol eye drops for ocular hypertension. Even though benidipine, a calcium channel blocker, was started, a VSA attack with incessant non-sustained ventricular tachycardia occurred. Once the carteolol eyedrops were discontinued, the VSA resolved. This case demonstrates that carteolol eye drops can induce life-threatening VSA.
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