A severe case of haemodynamic instability during anidulafungin administration

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2013 Jun;38(3):241-2. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12046. Epub 2013 Apr 3.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Anidulafugin is an echinocandin used for the treatment of candida infections in non-neutropenic adults. Echinocandins show few drug-drug interactions and are usually well tolerated. We report a case of acute hypotension, bradycardia and haemodynamic instability with consecutive cardiopulmonary resuscitation during anidulafungin administration.

Case summary: A 41-year-old man ICU patient received anidulafungin for a suspected Candida glabrata infection. During the first administration of the drug, he developed acute haemodynamic instability with hypotension and bradycardia. The infusion was discontinued immediately and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed successfully. The patient regained haemodynamic stability.

What is new and conclusion: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a life-threatening adverse event due to haemodynamic instability during anidulafungin administration. Cardiac toxicity associated with echinocandins has been described. Further studies seem to be mandatory to investigate this potential risk.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anidulafungin
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bradycardia / chemically induced*
  • Candida glabrata / drug effects
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / metabolism
  • Echinocandins / administration & dosage*
  • Echinocandins / adverse effects*
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / chemically induced*
  • Male

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Anidulafungin