Myocardial Irritability Associated with Lithium Carbonate Therapy

Abstract

CARDIAC symptoms have not been conspicuous in cases of human lithium carbonate intoxication,1 and the effect of therapeutic doses of lithium on the human myocardium has been described as "benign."2 , 3 In a recent report concerning a patient, taking thioridazine and lithium carbonate, who manifested major ventricular arrhythmias and was found to be hypokalemic, the authors attributed her arrhythmia to thioridazine and concluded, "We know of no evidence which would link lithium to the production of ventricular arrhythmias."4 In the following case symptomatic premature ventricular contractions were associated with ingestion of lithium carbonate, which produced an intracellular potassium depletion.Case Report . . .