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Successful treatment of severe atenolol overdose with calcium chloride

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

John O’Grady ,
Scott Anderson  and
Derrick Pringle
John O’Grady
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont
Scott Anderson*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont
Derrick Pringle
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont
*
EMA Office, London Health Sciences Centre, 375 South St., London ON N6A 4G5; fax 519 667-6769, sanderso@julian.uwo.ca

Abstract

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Atenolol, a selective β1-adrenergic antagonist, is commonly used to treat hypertension, ischemic heart disease and cardiac dysrhythmias. Few cases of severe atenolol intoxication have been described, and only one of these reports discussed the use of calcium chloride as a treatment. We present a case of atenolol overdose associated with shock and first-degree heart block, in which administration of calcium chloride led to dramatic improvement after failure of conventional treatment. In addition, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, toxicology and management of β-blocker overdose, focusing on the possible role of calcium chloride.

Keywords

atenololβ-blockerintoxication
Type
Case Report • Observations
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , July 2001 , pp. 224 - 227
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2001

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