Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus with Peginterferon and Ribavirin May Trigger Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in An Intensive Care Unit Patient

Abstract

The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with peginterferon (Peg-IFN) α2b and ribavirin is more effective than with conventional interferon and ribavirin. Despite the important effects of Peg-IFN and ribavirin therapy, many side effects, such as fever, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, may be observed. In addition, cardiac arrhythmias and syncope are rare consequences of Peg-IFN therapy. In this study, we report an intensive care unit patient who developed atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), which is the most common type of reentrant supraventricular tachycardia, and presyncopal attack during Peg-IFN and ribavirin therapy.