Non‐Invasive Assessment of Cardiac Function in Poisoning with Drugs

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Abstract
Systolic time intervals (STI) were used in evaluating cardic function in 21 patients who had taken an overdose of drugs [tricyclic antidepressants]. Registrations were made in all patients on arrival at the hospital and on the 3rd day. On arrival STI was abnormal in 16 patients (76%). At 2nd registration it was still abnormal in 10 (48%). Prolongations of total electromechanical systole (QS2) and preejection period (PEP) were the most frequent findings. The patients with abnormal STI at the 1st registration showed a significant improvement in QS2 (P < 0.01) and PEP P < 0.05) from the 1st to the 3rd day. Two of the 4 patients who had taken amitriptyline in a slow release form showed a prolongation of PEP and an increase in PEP/LVET [left ventricular ejection time] from the 1st to the 3rd day and 1 patient had a further prolongation on the 5th day. The findings may be explained by a reduction of cardiac contractility caused by the membrane stabilizing effect of the drugs.