Systemic reaction to subconjunctival phenylephrine

Can J Ophthalmol. 1978 Oct;13(4):290-3.

Abstract

After a subconjunctival injection of phenylephrine, cocaine and atropine, a patient's blood pressure rose to 220/180 mmHg. This rise was followed by hypotension, pulmonary edema, and subendocardial ischemia, all of which resolved spontaneously within 12 hours. This report reemphasizes the hazardous effects on blood pressure of phenylephrine applied to the eye.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atropine / administration & dosage
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cocaine / administration & dosage
  • Conjunctiva
  • Coronary Disease / chemically induced
  • Drug Synergism
  • Endocardium / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Phenylephrine / administration & dosage
  • Phenylephrine / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Edema / chemically induced

Substances

  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Phenylephrine
  • Atropine
  • Cocaine