Abstract
Background
Lithium toxicity has been associated with electrocardiographic abnormalities, such as QT interval prolongation.
Case report
An unresponsive patient with a history of alcohol abuse and recently diagnosed bipolar disorder was brought to the emergency department. An elevated lithium level of 4.7 mmol/L was found. The corrected QT interval was significantly prolonged at 727 ms. The patient was dialyzed and recovered fully.
Discussion
This case illustrates the importance of a systematic evaluation of all patients who may have been exposed to a toxic ingestion.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Lithiumvergiftungen können Veränderungen im EKG, wie eine Verlängerung des QT-Intervalls, hervorrufen.
Fallbericht
Eine Patientin mit Alkoholabhängigkeit und vor kurzem diagnostizierter bipolarer Störung wurde nicht ansprechbar eingeliefert. Eine erhöhte Lithium-Konzentration von 4,7 mmol/L wurde festgestellt. Es zeigte sich eine QTc-Verlängerung auf 727 ms. Die Patientin wurde dialysiert und erreichte eine vollständige Genesung.
Diskussion
Dieser Fall illustriert die Wichtigkeit einer systematischen Evaluierung aller Patienten, bei denen eine Vergiftung möglich erscheint.
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The authors have no conflicts of interest. This submission did not receive any external financial support.
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Prof. Dr. M. Fischer, Göppingen
Prof. Dr. K.-G. Kanz, München
Prof. Dr. W. Schreiber, Wien
Prof. Dr. F. Walcher, Magdeburg
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Becker, T., Hariri, H. A case of lithium toxicity with significant QT interval prolongation. Notfall Rettungsmed 18, 227–230 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10049-015-0008-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10049-015-0008-x