Introduction. Although cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality regardless of gender, the female gender has remained an underrepresented population in studies in this field. Sustained initiatives by the European Society of Cardiology have brought to the fore the importance of studying gender differences regarding the safety profile of cardiovascular drugs in women. Common cardiovascular adverse drug reactions include atrioventricular conduction disorders.
Materials and methods. The present study followed the clinical and paraclinical features of female patients with a primary diagnosis of bradycardia in relation to bradycardic medication. We included a group of 359 female patients, divided according to the presence or absence of bradycardia medication into a study group (n=206) and a control group (n=153).
Results. Patients with associated bradycardic medication frequently required emergency admission (P < 0.001), with prolonged hospitalization (P < 0.001). The main atrioventricular conduction disorders identified were atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response (P = 0.028), sinus bradycardia (P = 0.009) and sinus pauses (P = 0.009). Among comorbidities, heart failure (P<0.001) and chronic kidney disease (P<0.001), were common in the study group. Echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (P=0.002) and biatrial (P<0.001) dilatation, as well as severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (P=0.009), showed statistical significance in this group. The most used drugs were beta-blockers, amiodarone, and digoxin.
Conclusions. Our results indicate, as factors associated with medication-related bradyarrhythmias in female gender: heart failure with severe systolic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, and left ventricular dilatation.
