Anticholinesterase-induced symptoms improved by pacemaker implantation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: analysis of 6 cases

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2012 Aug;27(5):311-4. doi: 10.1177/1533317512452040.

Abstract

Herein we describe 6 cases of patients with Alzheimer's disease presented with syncope, dizziness, and dyspnea soon after the initiation of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy. All patients had bradyarrhythmia on electrocardiogram (ECG). Two patients had complete atrioventricular block, 2 pateints had 2/1 type atrioventricular block, 1 patient had sinus bradycardia and hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome, and 1 had sick sinus syndrome. All these patients were treated with pacemaker implantation and the cholinesterase inhibitor therapy continued. At 13-month follow-up, no syncope, dizziness, or dyspnea was reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Atrioventricular Block / chemically induced
  • Atrioventricular Block / therapy*
  • Bradycardia / chemically induced
  • Bradycardia / therapy*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*
  • Syncope / chemically induced
  • Syncope / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors