Electromechanical dissociation following verapamil and propranolol ingestion: a physiologic profile

We present a case of combined verapamil and propranolol ingestion in a young woman with a DDD pacer from whom hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and toxicologic data were obtained simultaneously. Analysis of the data from these combined sources suggests a progression of (1) recovery of myocardial contractility, (2) return of systemic vascular resistance, and (3) return of intrinsic electrical activity of the heart. That contractility returns before intrinsic electrical activity strongly for the early use of transvenous temporary pacing wires. Furthermore, our patient's complete recovery after a prolonged electromechanical dissociation arrest would again argue for very aggressive resuscitation efforts in this setting.