The influence of carbamazepine plasma level on blood pressure and some ECG parameters in patients with acute intoxication
Ciszowski, K.; Szpak, D.; Jenner, B.
Przeglad Lekarski 64(4-5): 248-251
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 17724878 Document Number: 614321
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug with tricyclic structure which implies its potential cardinotxic properties, especially in acute poisoning. To evaluate some cardiovascular effects connected with CBZtoxicity and tofind the relation between them and CBZ plasma level. 34 patients (18 males, 16 females; median age 24.5) hospitalized in our Department in 1996-1997 and 2005-2006 due to acute CBZ poisoning. Analysis included following parameters: systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, ECG parameters: heart rate (HR), duration of QRS complex, PQ interval and corrected QT interval (QTc) calculated with Bazett's (QTc(B)) and Hodges's (QTc(H)) formulas. These parameters were compared with reference values for general population available in the literature. Relations between above mentioned parameters and CBZ plasma level were studied by means of Generalized Additive Model (GAM). The reference values were exceeded most often for QRS (62%), DBP and QTc(B) (53%, both) and SBP (50%). The mean number of parameters with exceeded norms was 3.1 per patient (SD = 1.71). We failed to find any significant correlation between CBZ plasma level and any of the studied parameters. Positive correlation between SBP and DBP (r = 0.68; p < 0.001) and negative correlation between QRS and HR (r = -0.50; p = 0.003) were found. CBZ could affect different cardiovascular parameters which should be monitored in cases of acute drug poisonings.