Rivastigmine and QT interval prolongation

Abstract

Comments on the case report by E. Walsh and J. Dourish (see record 2002-13169-015) focusing on a 78-yr-old man with dementia who was commenced on rivastigmine for worsening of cognitive decline and behavioral difficulties. The current author argues that the QTc data reported in this case was inaccurate, and that this patient was already at risk for cardiac abnormalities prior to intervention. The current author suggests that the prolonged QTc described in this single case report is more likely to be due to confounding factors than to causal association with rivastigmine treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)