Electrocardiographic Effects of Bupropion Toxicity Suggesting Dysfunction of the Gap Junction or Connexin 43.

This is a case of a 20-year-old pregnant female presenting EKG abnormalities associated with an overdose of bupropion. These ECG abnormalities are prolongation of the QRS, prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc), right axis deviation, and a terminal R wave. The propagation of electricity through the myocardium is dependent on many factors. It is dependent on the flow of sodium from the extracellular to intracellular space, flow of potassium from intracellular to extracellular space, and ultimately the propagation of the signal at the gap junction by Connexin 43 (Cx-43). We postulate that the ECG abnormalities in this case are secondary to bupropion's effect on the potassium rectifier channels (Kir) and or Cx-43 at the gap junction.