The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2009 , Vol 51 , Num 4
Isotretinoin (13-Cis-Retinoic Acid)-Associated Premature
Ventricular Contractions
1Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, and 2Department of Dermatology, Hacettepe University Faculty
of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid), a synthetic vitamin A derivative, is used
to treat a wide variety of dermatologic conditions including severe acne.
Isotretinoin can trigger premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). We
describe a 17-year-old boy who presented with PVCs on electrocardiogram
during isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Roche) treatment for nodular facial acne.
Presence of documented PVCs -on electrocardiogram and Holter monitoringand
the disappearance of these PVCs after cessation of the treatment strongly
suggest isotretinoin-related PVCs in our case. The impact of isotretinoin on
ventricular rhythm can not be ruled out in our case as we have revealed
the presence of the temporal association of isotretinoin and documented
PVCs. Thus, clinicians should be aware of possible arrhythmogenic effect(s)
of isotretinoin.
Keywords :
isotretinoin, ventricular arrhythmia, acne.