How does lithium affect the heart?

How does lithium affect the heart?

The cardiac manifestations of lithium toxicity include junctional rhythm, atrial fibrillation, ST-T wave changes, supraventricular tachycardia, and sinus node arrest. The cardiac effects of lithium are observed over a wide range of lithium concentrations at both therapeutic and toxic levels.

Why is lithium contraindicated in heart disease?

Heart disease: Lithium may cause irregular heart rhythms. This may be a problem, especially for people who have heart disease. Kidney disease: Lithium is removed from the body by the kidneys. In people with kidney disease, the amount of lithium that is given might need to be reduced.

Is heart affected in lithium toxicity?

Toxic lithium levels (>1.5 mEq/L) can cause sinoatrial block, intraventricular conduction delay, ST depressions/elevations, the Brugada pattern, atrioventricular conduction delays, QTc prolongation, and changes in the QTdR. This may result in ventricular instability, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.

Does lithium help your heart?

The medical literature since 1900 has been reviewed to determine the nature of lithium’s cardiovascular effects. In therapeutic doses, lithium produces reversible T wave flattening and inversion in the electrocardiogram: rarely, it may cause sinus node dysfunction or ventricular arrhythmias.

Does lithium cause AFIB?

Lithium therapy may be associated with development of atrial fibrillation in toxic doses,necessitating extreme caution in patients with older age and underlying cardiac diseases.

Does lithium cause fast heart rate?

Interaction or overdosage may cause serotonin syndrome (symptoms include mental status changes [such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, delirium]), fast heart rate, dizziness, flushing, muscle tremor or rigidity, and stomach symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea).

Can lithium cause atrial fibrillation?

What is contraindicated with lithium?

Lithium is contraindicated in patients with renal failure, cardiovascular insufficiency, Addison’s disease and untreated hypothyroidism.

Does lithium cause bradycardia?

Lithium-induced bradycardia is reversible upon discontinuation of lithium, but irreversible sinus node can occur and may warrant permanent insertion of a pacemaker to maintain sinus rhythm when long-term lithium therapy is required.

Can lithium cause heart block?

Introduction: Serious cardiac toxicity due to lithium toxicity is uncommon and generally only occurs in individuals with underlying heart disease. Cardiac impairment may result in dysrhythmias, including sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, and first-degree atrioventricular block.

How do NSAIDs interact with lithium?

When combined with lithium, NSAIDs can increase lithium levels in the blood resulting in an increased risk for serious adverse effects like confusion, tremor, slurred speech, and vomiting. Examples of non-prescription NSAIDs include: Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®)

How do ACE inhibitors increase lithium levels?

Multiple mechanisms for the lithium-ACEI interaction have been proposed. Inhibition of ACE leads to a decrease in the concentration of angiotensin II, which is responsible for the reabsorption of sodium and water in the proximal tubules and stimulates aldosterone production.

Does lithium cause heart problems?

Since then, lithium has been implicated in the causation of a variety of cardiac abnormalities—asymptomatic electrocardiographic changes, cardiac conduction defects, cardiac dysrrhythmias, myocarditis and congenital heart disease.

What should I know about lithium before taking it?

Any concerns should be related to a health care professional. Lithium may cause arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeat, throughout the course of therapy. If the patient experiences heart palpitations or uneven heart beat, he should seek medical care right away.

Is there a systematic literature search for lithium in electrocardiography?

A systematic literature search was conducted on 2 electronic databases-PubMed and Medline-for the time period between January 1970 and March 2016 using the key word “lithium,” along with “electrocardiography” or “ECG.” All articles and their references were then screened by title for relevance by 2 authors and a librarian.

What are the signs and symptoms of lithium toxicity?

Other findings include sinus node dysfunction, sinoatrial blocks, PR prolongation, QT prolongation/dispersion, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Some cases have shown lithium-treated patients experiencing serious cardiac outcomes, such as ST elevation myocardial infarction, heart blocks, and the Brugada pattern.