Medication-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmia
Heart rhythm disturbances caused by medications, particularly common in elderly patients due to polypharmacy and altered drug metabolism.
Full Definition
Medication-induced cardiac arrhythmia refers to abnormal heart rhythms that result from pharmacological agents, a particularly significant concern in elderly patients due to age-related changes in drug metabolism, polypharmacy, and increased sensitivity to medication effects. Common culprits include antiarrhythmic drugs, psychotropic medications, antibiotics, and other agents that can affect cardiac conduction or repolarization. In elderly patients, even standard doses of medications may cause arrhythmias due to altered pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, or underlying cardiac disease. Recognition requires careful medication history review, temporal correlation with drug initiation or dose changes, and systematic evaluation of all potentially arrhythmogenic medications. Management involves drug discontinuation when possible, dose adjustment, or substitution with safer alternatives.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate compound adjectives; consider broader than just QT prolongation.
In Context
- "The patient's atrial fibrillation was determined to be a medication-induced cardiac arrhythmia related to her new antidepressant." — Clinical case analysis
- "Medication-induced cardiac arrhythmia should be considered in any elderly patient with new-onset rhythm disturbances." — Clinical practice guideline