DRUG OVERDOSES REQUIRING TEMPORARY CARDIAC PACING - A STUDY OF 6 CASES TREATED AT ALTNAGELVIN-HOSPITAL, LONDONDERRY

Drug overdoses in general are increasing and overdoses of cardiac medi cations are also increasing; some are associated with a high mortality . Temporary cardiac pacing has a valuable role in cases of hypotension related to dysrhythmia, or when it is necessary to provide overdrive pacing. However, despite technically successful and uncomplicated pace maker insertion and restoration of cardiac electrical activity, patien ts developing bradyarrhythmia and hypotension after an overdose are in a high risk group.