Clues to Bradycardia in a Psychiatric Patient can be Revealed by Good History-Taking: A Case Report and Literature Review
  • Mohammad Abu-Abaa
    Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton, NJ, USA
  • Maryam Al-Mohammed
    Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton, NJ, USA
  • Aliaa Mousa
    Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton, NJ, USA

Keywords

Lithium, bradycardia, pacemaker, hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism

Abstract

Lithium is a medication commonly used as a mood stabilizer and can have numerous long-lasting side effects. In this case report, we aim to remind clinicians of such consequences. A 68-year-old woman with a psychiatric history presented for mild COVID-19 and developed sinus bradycardia. A permanent pacemaker was planned for her but was cancelled following good history-taking which revealed prior lithium use. The patient was found to have hyperparathyroidism and hypothyroidism, treatment of which resolved the bradycardia. This case serves to remind clinicians that history-taking remains of paramount importance as in this scenario of bradycardia in a psychiatric patient. An invasive therapeutic measure was precluded by good history-taking. There are several mechanisms by which hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism can induce bradycardia. COVID-19 infection can also induce bradycardia.

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    Published: 2022-09-01
    Issue: 2022: Vol 9 No 9 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Abu-Abaa M, Al-Mohammed M, Mousa A. Clues to Bradycardia in a Psychiatric Patient can be Revealed by Good History-Taking: A Case Report and Literature Review. EJCRIM 2022;9 doi:10.12890/2022_003538.