Atrial Fibrillation in a Young Patient Using High-dose Oral Diclofenac: A Case Report

Diclofenac sodium is a widely used medication for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Although the adverse effects of diclofenac are well described, diclofenac-associated new-onset atrial fibrillation in a young, healthy adult has not been previously reported.

A 22-year-old man with severe pain following an ankle injury used diclofenac sodium at a dose of 50 mg orally three times daily for one week. At the end of the week, he presented to the emergency department (ED) complaining of palpitations for a few hours. The patient had no past medical history. His physical examination revealed no pathologic signs except for tachycardia and an irregularly irregular pulse rate. An electrocardiogram showed an irregularly irregular rhythm with a ventricular rate of 128 beats per minute (bpm) (rapid ventricular response) and absent P waves, consistent with atrial fibrillation. The patient was monitored in the ED, and a standard regimen of intravenous amiodarone was initiated for rate control. Approximately three hours after initiation, sinus rhythm returned and his heart rate stabilized at 60 bpm.

This case report describes a possible association between diclofenac use and new-onset atrial fibrillation in a young, previously healthy individual. The findings highlight the need for awareness of the potential arrhythmogenic effects of diclofenac and underscore the importance of taking a careful drug history in patients presenting with unexplained atrial fibrillation.