Lithium and EKG abnormalities. A review

Abstract

Introduction

The literature concerning possible cardio-toxic effects of lithium therapy in man is reviewed.

Methodology

A review was conducted to clarify the mechanisms associated with the occurrence of conducting abnormalities when using lithium and investigating (if so) whether these alterations depend on the dose. The literature search was conducted in PubMed data reviewing articles between 1982 and 2015.

Results

(1) Related to pathopsychiology/risk factors: reports indicate T wave morphology changes with lithium therapy. Of particular concern are cases of sinus mode dysfunction or sinoatrial block and the appearance or aggravation of ventricular irritability. The incidence of cardiac complications, in general terms, may increase with age. Recent findings (a retrospective study of bipolar patients) of lithium-associated hypocalcaemia showed that hypocalcaemia resulting from medical diseases and bipolar patients with lithium-associated hypocalcaemia had significantly higher frequencies of conduction defects. (2) Related/unrelated to dose: therapeutic and toxic levels of lithium have infrequently been associated with serious cardiac dysfunction. Several case reports demonstrate two important points about Brugada syndrome unmasking: electrocardiograph abnormality severity may correspond to lithium levels and unmasking may occur in the therapeutic range of lithium. Other report shows a case of lithium induced sinus-node dysfunction in a patient with serum lithium levels in therapeutic range.

Conclusions

Lithium abnormalities are rare and mostly not related to dose. Conducting heart anomalies may occur, especially when several factors are present (such as age or co-morbid illnesses that affect calcium serum levels).

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.