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Bradycardia in toluene poisoning
S Einav1, Y Amitai, J Reichman
1Hadassah University Hospital Ein-Kerem, Israel.
Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Toluene cardiotoxicity typically causes fast heart rhythms (tachyarrhythmias). This study reports two human cases of toluene intoxication presenting with slow heart rhythms (bradyarrhythmias), suggesting a broader spectrum of cardiac effects.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Toluene cardiotoxicity is classically associated with tachyarrhythmias, potentially due to myocardial sensitization to catecholamines.
- Animal models demonstrate toluene-induced bradyarrhythmias, but human cases are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- Two patients with toluene intoxication presented with severe sinus bradycardia.
- One patient also exhibited atrial-ventricular dissociation, a complex cardiac arrhythmia.
Findings:
- Human toluene intoxication can manifest as bradyarrhythmias, not exclusively tachyarrhythmias.
- Cardiac rhythm normalized spontaneously within hours in both reported cases.
Implications:
- The spectrum of toluene cardiotoxicity in humans may include both tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias.
- Clinicians should consider bradyarrhythmias in patients with suspected toluene exposure.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of toluene-induced bradycardia.