Case Report | | Peer-Reviewed

Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease

Received: 12 February 2024     Accepted: 13 March 2024     Published: 13 December 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The case report presented in this article describes a 36-year-old male who experienced bradycardia and generalized weakness after receiving an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone for flu treatment. This adverse effect of the medication is a rare but potentially serious occurrence that highlights the need for close monitoring of patients, particularly those with pre-existing cardiac conditions or electrolyte imbalances, following dexamethasone administration. It is essential to promptly recognize and manage symptoms of bradycardia to ensure a favorable outcome for the patient. The mechanisms underlying dexamethasone-induced bradycardia are not fully understood, but may involve potassium channel modulation and other factors. Additionally, various factors such as rapid intravenous infusion rates, underlying cardiac or renal conditions, and electrolyte imbalances can predispose individuals to corticosteroid-induced bradycardia. Thorough evaluations are necessary to rule out other potential causes of bradycardia before attributing it to corticosteroids. While most instances of corticosteroid-induced bradycardia resolve on their own, it is crucial to exclude common etiologies of sinus bradycardia and rectify any electrolyte imbalances before initiating treatment. This case report sheds light on the importance of recognizing and managing dexamethasone-induced bradycardia and highlights the need for further research into the mechanisms and risk factors associated with this adverse effect.

Published in International Journal of Immunology (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12
Page(s) 48-51
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dexamethasone, Bradycardia, Hypokalemia, Paralysis, Flu

References
[1] Brotman DJ, Girod JP, Garcia MJ, et al. Effects of short-term glucocorticoids on cardiovascular biomarkers. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005; 90(6): 3202-3208.
[2] Fardet L, Petersen I, Nazareth I. Risk of cardiovascular events in people prescribed glucocorticoids with iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome: cohort study. BMJ. 2012; 345: e4928.
[3] Yang YJ, Bang JH, Kim JH, et al. Bradycardia induced by intravenous dexamethasone in a patient with myasthenia gravis: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017; 96(50): e9241.
[4] Chrousos GP. Glucocorticoid therapy. In: Kufe DW, Pollock RE, Weichselbaum RR, et al., editors. Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. 6th edition. Hamilton (ON): BC Decker; 2003.
[5] Brown ES, Chandler PA. Mood and cognitive changes during systemic corticosteroid therapy. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2001; 3(1): 17-21.
[6] Naranjo CA, Busto U, Sellers EM, et al. A method for estimating the probability of adverse drug reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1981; 30(2): 239-245.
[7] Jain R, Bali H, Sharma VK, Kumar B. (2005). Cardiovascular effects of corticosteroid pulse therapy: a prospective controlled study on pemphigus patients. International Journal of Dermatology, 44, 285–288.
[8] Vasheghani-Farahani A, Sahraian MA, Darabi L, Aghsaie A, Minagar A. (2011). Incidence of various cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances due to high dose intravenous methylprednisolone in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurological Sciences, 309, 75–78.
[9] Üsküdar Cansu D, Bodakçi E, Korkmaz C. (2018). Dose-dependent bradycardia as a rare side effect of corticosteroids: a case report and review of the literature. Rheumatology International, 38, 2337–2343.
[10] Dashore S, Pande S, Borkar M, Pande A. (2015). Late onset bradycardia: an unusual side-effect of high dose dexamethasone pulse therapy in patients of pemphigus vulgaris: a case series of five patients. Indian Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 1, 23–26.
[11] Kundu A, Fitzgibbons TP. (2015). Acute symptomatic sinus bradycardia in a woman treated with pulse dose steroids for multiple sclerosis: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports, 9, 216.
[12] John PR, Khaladj-Ghom A, Still KL. (2016). Bradycardia associated with steroid use for laryngeal edema in an adult: a case report and literature review. Case Reports in Cardiology, 2016, 9785467. [PMC free article]
[13] Tvede N, Nielsen LP, Andersen V. (1986). Bradycardia after high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 15, 302–304.
[14] Taylor MR, Gaco D. (2013). Sinus bradycardia symptoms following high-dose oral prednisone treatment. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 45, 55–58.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Aljalil, A. M. A., Abbas, Z. Y. (2024). Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease. International Journal of Immunology, 12(3), 48-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Aljalil, A. M. A.; Abbas, Z. Y. Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease. Int. J. Immunol. 2024, 12(3), 48-51. doi: 10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Aljalil AMA, Abbas ZY. Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease. Int J Immunol. 2024;12(3):48-51. doi: 10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12,
      author = {Abbas Mohammad Abd Aljalil and Zainab Yousef Abbas},
      title = {Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Immunology},
      volume = {12},
      number = {3},
      pages = {48-51},
      doi = {10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.iji.20241203.12},
      abstract = {The case report presented in this article describes a 36-year-old male who experienced bradycardia and generalized weakness after receiving an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone for flu treatment. This adverse effect of the medication is a rare but potentially serious occurrence that highlights the need for close monitoring of patients, particularly those with pre-existing cardiac conditions or electrolyte imbalances, following dexamethasone administration. It is essential to promptly recognize and manage symptoms of bradycardia to ensure a favorable outcome for the patient. The mechanisms underlying dexamethasone-induced bradycardia are not fully understood, but may involve potassium channel modulation and other factors. Additionally, various factors such as rapid intravenous infusion rates, underlying cardiac or renal conditions, and electrolyte imbalances can predispose individuals to corticosteroid-induced bradycardia. Thorough evaluations are necessary to rule out other potential causes of bradycardia before attributing it to corticosteroids. While most instances of corticosteroid-induced bradycardia resolve on their own, it is crucial to exclude common etiologies of sinus bradycardia and rectify any electrolyte imbalances before initiating treatment. This case report sheds light on the importance of recognizing and managing dexamethasone-induced bradycardia and highlights the need for further research into the mechanisms and risk factors associated with this adverse effect.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Dexamethasone-Induced Bradycardia and Generalized Weakness in Patient with Flu Disease
    
    AU  - Abbas Mohammad Abd Aljalil
    AU  - Zainab Yousef Abbas
    Y1  - 2024/12/13
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12
    T2  - International Journal of Immunology
    JF  - International Journal of Immunology
    JO  - International Journal of Immunology
    SP  - 48
    EP  - 51
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2329-1753
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.iji.20241203.12
    AB  - The case report presented in this article describes a 36-year-old male who experienced bradycardia and generalized weakness after receiving an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone for flu treatment. This adverse effect of the medication is a rare but potentially serious occurrence that highlights the need for close monitoring of patients, particularly those with pre-existing cardiac conditions or electrolyte imbalances, following dexamethasone administration. It is essential to promptly recognize and manage symptoms of bradycardia to ensure a favorable outcome for the patient. The mechanisms underlying dexamethasone-induced bradycardia are not fully understood, but may involve potassium channel modulation and other factors. Additionally, various factors such as rapid intravenous infusion rates, underlying cardiac or renal conditions, and electrolyte imbalances can predispose individuals to corticosteroid-induced bradycardia. Thorough evaluations are necessary to rule out other potential causes of bradycardia before attributing it to corticosteroids. While most instances of corticosteroid-induced bradycardia resolve on their own, it is crucial to exclude common etiologies of sinus bradycardia and rectify any electrolyte imbalances before initiating treatment. This case report sheds light on the importance of recognizing and managing dexamethasone-induced bradycardia and highlights the need for further research into the mechanisms and risk factors associated with this adverse effect.
    
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections