Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
October 19, 1963JAMAOpen Access

Thioridazine Hydrochloride (Mellaril): Its Effect on the Electrocardiogram and a Report of Two Fatalities with Electrocardiographic Abnormalities

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

Does thioridazine cause electrocardiographic abnormalities and fatal arrhythmias?

Population

Patients receiving thioridazine (based on 28 electrocardiograms and 2 fatal case reports)

Design

Case_series

Authors

HKHolly KellyMedical College of WisconsinJFJ. E. FayQueen's UniversitySLSheila LavertyImperial College London

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Implication

Hypothesis-generating for thioridazine cardiotoxicity; leaves open confirmation of arrhythmia risk in controlled studies.

Key Points

  • To assess the effects of thioridazine on ventricular repolarization via electrocardiography and investigate terminal cardiac events associated with high-dose therapy.
  • Evaluated 28 electrocardiograms from individuals receiving thioridazine at doses starting from 200 mg daily.
  • Examined terminal electrocardiographic records and postmortem myocardial tissue from two fatal cases receiving daily doses of 1500 mg and 3600 mg.
  • Thioridazine produced quinidine-like effects on ventricular repolarization at doses as low as 200 mg per day, marked by T wave flattening or inversion, convex S-T segments, and prominent U waves.
  • Terminal tracings in both fatalities demonstrated heart block alternating with ventricular tachycardia, with one autopsy showing myocardial edema, muscle fiber fragmentation, and increased connective tissue primarily in the interventricular septum.

Structured PICO

Does thioridazine cause electrocardiographic abnormalities and fatal arrhythmias?

P
Population
Patients receiving thioridazine (based on 28 electrocardiograms and 2 fatal case reports)
I
Intervention
Thioridazine (doses ranging from 200 mg/day to 3600 mg/day)
O
Outcome
Electrocardiographic abnormalities (ventricular repolarization changes) and fatal arrhythmiassafety

Thioridazine can cause significant quinidine-like ECG changes and potentially fatal arrhythmias, warranting caution with high doses.

Cite This Study

Kelly et al. (1963) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a72c2a575498292b70bb784https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1963.03710030141099
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 2 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1TP-21, A NEW PHENOTHIAZINE1958 · 41 citations
  2. 2Visual Functions in Patients with Retinal Pigmentary Degeneration Following the Use of NP 2071958 · 31 citations