EFFECT OF THE ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS, FUADIN AND TARTAR EMETIC, ON THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM OF MAN; A STUDY OF THE CHANGES ENCOUNTERED IN 141 PATIENTS TREATED FOR SCHISTOSOMIASIS

Abstract

The patients were American soldiers who contracted the disease on Leyte. They were treated according to 4 dosage schedules. 100% of the patients treated with tartar emetic and about 60% of those given fuadin developed T-wave changes in serial electrocardiograms. These changes have been graded one to four plus according to the degree of T-wave lowering or negativity. In 30% of the tartar emetic group, and from 6% to 14% of the fuadin group, depending on dosage the alterations were so marked, that without cognizance of the medication, they might have been interpreted as evidence of myocardial damage. The changes were reversible and disappeared within 30-60 days. There were no accompanying cardiovascular symptoms. The T-wave changes were of such distinct pattern, in the more marked alterations, that they may, within the limits of present knowledge, be recognized as a specific effect of antimony.