Ventricular fibrillation coinciding with phentermine initiation

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Oct 12:2012:bcr2012006410. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006410.

Abstract

A 70-year-old woman developed ventricular fibrillation subsequent to initiation of phentermine therapy. She was hospitalised and experienced recurrent ventricular fibrillation. During cardiac catheterisation, she was found to have a right coronary artery vasospasm, which resolved with intravenous nitroglycerin. Her phentermine was discontinued and the patient remained symptom free at last follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Appetite Depressants / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Vasospasm / complications
  • Coronary Vasospasm / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nitroglycerin / therapeutic use
  • Phentermine / adverse effects*
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / chemically induced*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / complications
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Appetite Depressants
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Phentermine
  • Nitroglycerin