Case Report

A rare case of supraventricular tachycardia induced by Infliximab: a case report

Mukesh Singh^1,2 , MM Diwan² and Kiran CR Patel²

¹  Department of Internal Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Sciences at Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, 60064. USA

²  Selly Oak Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6JD, UK

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:147doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-147

Published:	5 October 2009

Abstract

Background

Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal immunoglobulin antibody to tumor necrosis factor-α, has been established as a safe and effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, active and fistulising crohn's disease. Infliximab is generally well tolerated drug. The commonly reported cardiac side effects of Infliximab include exacerbation of congestive heart failure, hypotension and syncope. Symptomatic disorders of cardiac rhythm have been reported only rarely in few case reports and to the best of our knowledge, no tachyarrhythmia has been reported in past.

Case report

We report the case of a supraventricular tachycardia that occurred within three hours of Infliximab infusion in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion

It is interesting to note that prior infusions in this patient did not precipitate similar consequences, thus, emphasising the importance of careful monitoring of patients on Infliximab therapy for possible reactions, even if prior exposures have been uneventful.