Transient cardiac arrhythmias related to lopinavir/ritonavir in two patients with HIV infection

Sex Health. 2009 Sep;6(3):254-7. doi: 10.1071/SH09005.

Abstract

A 42-year-old Thai man was administered the combination drugs liponavir/ritonavir and abacavir/lamivudine. On day 3 he was admitted and his electrocardiogram demonstrated sinus arrest with junctional escape rhythm with a rate of 42 min(-1). Three days after stopping the medication he reverted to normal sinus rhythm. A 55-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to hospital with triple vessel disease. He had a permanent pacemaker inserted 4 years previously for Mobitz type II AV block detected on stress electrocardiogram, which developed 1 month after initiation of lopinavir/ritonavir. These two cases highlight the importance of considering lopinavir/ritonavir induced arrhythmias when dealing with HIV-positive individuals.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Electrocardiography
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lopinavir
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidinones / administration & dosage
  • Pyrimidinones / adverse effects*
  • Ritonavir / administration & dosage
  • Ritonavir / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Lopinavir
  • Ritonavir