Flumazenil is a competitive benzodiazepine antagonist. It is indicated for reversal of excess benzodiazepine sedation under certain circumstances, including the reversal of overdosage effects when it is felt best to avoid ventilation, such as in the very old or the very young. We report a case where the use of flumazenil was associated with complete heart block in an elderly patient.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Short TG, Maling T. & Galletly DCVentricular arrhythmia precipitated by flumazenil. British Medical Journal1988; 296: 1070-1.
2.
Burr W. & Sandham P.Death after flumazenil. British Medical Journal1989; 298: 1713.
3.
Marchant B., Wray R., Leach A. & Nama M.Flumazenil causing convulsions and ventricular tachycardia. British Medical Journal1989; 299: 860.
