Propranolol overdose--a dramatic response to calcium chloride.

Med J Aust · 1991

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of severe propranolol overdose which responded dramatically to the administration of calcium chloride. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 22-year-old female Caucasian who was unemployed arrived by ambulance to a hospital emergency department after propranolol overdose. She was convulsing and in electromechanical dissociation. An electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with broad QRS complexes. She had no relevant medical history. INTERVENTION: Resuscitation with basic and then advanced life support and administration of oxygen, adrenaline, atropine, fluids and bicarbonate gave no response. Calcium chloride, however, repeatedly produced a dramatic restoration of blood pressure and a narrowing of the QRS complexes. She made a good recovery with no sequelae. CONCLUSION: Calcium chloride may have a role to play in propranolol overdose.