Propranolol overdose--a dramatic response to calcium chloride.

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of severe propranolol overdose which responded dramatically to the administration of calcium chloride.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A 22-year-old female Caucasian who was unemployed arrived by ambulance to a hospital emergency department after propranolol overdose. She was convulsing and in electromechanical dissociation. An electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with broad QRS complexes. She had no relevant medical history.

INTERVENTION

Resuscitation with basic and then advanced life support and administration of oxygen, adrenaline, atropine, fluids and bicarbonate gave no response. Calcium chloride, however, repeatedly produced a dramatic restoration of blood pressure and a narrowing of the QRS complexes. She made a good recovery with no sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Calcium chloride may have a role to play in propranolol overdose.