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Prolonged Ventricular Asystole: A Rare Adverse Effect of Hydrocodone Use

Sivakumar Sudhakaran, Saherish S. Surani, Salim R. Surani

(Department of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, USA)

Am J Case Rep 2014; 15:450-453

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.891214

Background: Prolonged ventricular asystole is a rare vagal reaction caused by hydrocodone use. Sinus bradycardia is a characteristic presentation of the vasovagal response; examples of other presentations include arrest or atrioventricular block. Physicians need to be aware of ventricular asystole due to vagally-mediated atrioventricular block caused by hydrocodone or other opiates.
Case Report: We present a case of prolonged ventricular asystole in a young patient due to a vasovagal reaction caused by the hydrocodone found in the hydrocodone/acetaminophen combination.
Conclusions: Ventricular asystole can be a rare complication of hydrocodone found in hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Physicians need to be aware of this adverse effect, rather then resorting to expensive diagnostic interventions.

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