Ventricular fibrillation secondary to ergotamine in a healthy young woman

Authors
Roa, SV Preumont, N Mols, P Stoupel, E Renard, M
Citation
Sv. Roa et al., Ventricular fibrillation secondary to ergotamine in a healthy young woman, ACT CARDIOL, 54(5), 1999, pp. 283-286
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Journal title
ACTA CARDIOLOGICA
ISSN journal
00015385 → ACNP
Volume
54
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
283 - 286
Database
ISI
SICI code
0001-5385(199910)54:5<283:VFSTEI>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
A 34-year-old woman collapsed secondary to ventricular fibrillation 3 hours following the ingestion of ergotamine tartrate for migraine. She underwent defibrillation and recovered rapidly without any subsequent consequences. The mechanism of action and the side effects of ergotamine and other antimi graine drugs are discussed. We hypothesize that a coronary spasm induced by ergotamine could be the aetiologic factor leading to ischaemic ventricular fibrillation.