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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Quinidine, a life-saving medication for brugada syndrome, is inaccessible in many countries
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Volume 61, No. 23, Year 2013
Notification
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Description
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the availability of quinidine throughout the world. Background Quinidine is the only oral medication that is effective for preventing life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias due to Brugada syndrome and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. However, because of its low price and restricted indication, this medication is not marketed in many countries. Methods We conducted a survey of the availability of quinidine by contacting professional medical societies and arrhythmia specialists worldwide. Physicians were e-mailed questionnaires requesting information concerning the quinidine preparation available at their hospital. We also requested information concerning cases of adverse arrhythmic events resulting from unavailability of quinidine. Results A total of 273 physicians from 131 countries provided information regarding the availability of quinidine. Quinidine was readily available in 19 countries (14%), not accessible in 99 countries (76%), and available only through specific regulatory processes that require 4 to 90 days for completion in 13 countries (10%). We were able to gather information concerning 22 patients who had serious arrhythmias probably related (10 cases) or possibility related (12 cases) to the absence of quinidine, including 2 fatalities possibly attributable to the unavailability of quinidine. Conclusions The lack of accessibility of quinidine is a serious medical hazard at the global level. © 2013 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.
Authors & Co-Authors
Viskin, Sami
Israel, Tel Aviv-yafo
Tel Aviv University
Wilde, Arthur A.M.
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Amsterdam Umc - University of Amsterdam
Guevara-Valdivia, Milton E.
Mexico, Mexico
Umae Hospital de Especialidades Centro Medico Nacional Siglo Xxi
Daoulah, Amin
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
Krahn, Andrew D.
Canada, Vancouver
The University of British Columbia
Zipes, Douglas P.
United States, Indianapolis
Krannert Cardiovascular Research Center
Halkin, Amir
Israel, Tel Aviv-yafo
Tel Aviv University
Shivkumar, Kalyanam
United States, Los Angeles
Ucla Health
Boyle, Noel
United States, Los Angeles
Ucla Health
Adler, Arnon
Israel, Tel Aviv-yafo
Tel Aviv University
Belhassen, Bernard
Israel, Tel Aviv-yafo
Tel Aviv University
Schapachnik, Edgardo
Argentina, Buenos Aires
Asociación Carlos Chagas
Asrar, Farhan M.
Canada, Hamilton
Mcmaster University
Rosso, Raphael
Israel, Tel Aviv-yafo
Tel Aviv University
Statistics
Citations: 89
Authors: 14
Affiliations: 9
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.jacc.2013.02.077
ISSN:
07351097
e-ISSN:
15583597
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative