THE EFFECTS OF EMETINE ON THE MYOCARDIUM

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Abstract
Twenty-five East African patients with amebiasis were given intramuscular emetine hydrochloride and the effects on the ecg were watched. Changes occurred in all. The changes mostly affected the T waves and Q-Tc. In 2 instances the changes were so gross as to suggest acute myocardial infarction, although there were no Q waves. In 2 patients a pattern suggestive of acute pericarditis was seen. Comparisons are made between the cardiographic changes due to antimony and emetine. It is believed that in both they are due to myocardial injury. It is recommended that intramuscular emetine be only used in patients in hospital and resting in bed.