FUADIN THERAPY OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS ASSOCIATED WITH VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AND DEATH: A CASE REPORT

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Abstract
A case of sudden death occurring in a 35-year-old woman receiving the trivalent antimony compound Fuadin for the treatment of schistosomal cirrhosis is reported. On the 15th day of therapy after the patient had received a total of 75 cc of Fuadin intramuscularly she developed repeated bouts of ventricular tachycardia and died. Postmortem examination revealed the heart to be normal. Electrocardiographic T wave depressions were described in patients receiving trivalent antimony compounds but their significance is not understood. The patient presented also showed these T wave alterations before any sign of cardiac toxicity became evident. A review of these ecg findings is presented as well as a discussion on the pharmacology of the trivalent antimony compounds. Fuadin therapy is associated with a significant, although small, mortality.