Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Ondansetron, a widely prescribed antiemetic, has been implicated in drug-induced long QT syndrome. Recent patch clamp experiments have shown that ondansetron inhibits the apamin-sensitive small conductance calcium-activated potassium current (IKAS).Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine whether ondansetron causes action potential duration (APD) prolongation by IKAS inhibition.Methods
Optical mapping was performed in rabbit hearts with pacing-induced heart failure (HF) and in normal hearts before and after ondansetron (100 nM) infusion. APD at 80% repolarization (APD80) and arrhythmia inducibility were determined. Additional studies with ondansetron were performed in normal hearts perfused with hypokalemic Tyrode's (2.4 mM) solution before or after apamin administration.Results
The corrected QT interval in HF was 326 ms (95% confidence interval [CI] 306-347 ms) at baseline and 364 ms (95% CI 351-378 ms) after ondansetron infusion (P < .001). Ondansetron significantly prolonged APD80 in the HF group and promoted early afterdepolarizations, steepened the APD restitution curve, and increased ventricular vulnerability. Ventricular fibrillation was not inducible in HF ventricles at baseline, but after ondansetron infusion, ventricular fibrillation was induced in 5 of the 7 ventricles (P = .021). In hypokalemia, apamin prolonged APD80 from 163 ms (95% CI 146-180 ms) to 180 ms (95% CI 156-204 ms) (P = .018). Subsequent administration of ondansetron failed to further prolong APD80 (180 ms [95% CI 156-204 ms] vs 179 ms [95% CI 165-194 ms]; P = .789). The results were similar when ondansetron was administered first, followed by apamin.Conclusion
Ondansetron is a specific IKAS blocker at therapeutic concentrations. Ondansetron may prolong the QT interval in HF by inhibiting small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels, which increases the vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias.
SUBMITTER: Yin D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6982558 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Yin Dechun D Yang Na N Tian Zhipeng Z Wu Adonis Z AZ Xu Dongzhu D Chen Mu M Kamp Nicholas J NJ Wang Zhuo Z Shen Changyu C Chen Zhenhui Z Lin Shien-Fong SF Rubart-von der Lohe Michael M Chen Peng-Sheng PS Everett Thomas H TH
Heart rhythm 20190909 2
<h4>Background</h4>Ondansetron, a widely prescribed antiemetic, has been implicated in drug-induced long QT syndrome. Recent patch clamp experiments have shown that ondansetron inhibits the apamin-sensitive small conductance calcium-activated potassium current (I<sub>KAS</sub>).<h4>Objective</h4>The purpose of this study was to determine whether ondansetron causes action potential duration (APD) prolongation by I<sub>KAS</sub> inhibition.<h4>Methods</h4>Optical mapping was performed in rabbit he ...[more]