RT Journal
A1 LASSER RP, ROSENTHAL N, LOEWE L
T1 DEath following use of tetraethylammonium chloride
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1949
FD January 15
VO 139
IS 3
SP 153
OP 154
DO 10.1001/jama.1949.72900200001008
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1949.72900200001008
AB The autonomic blockading effect of the tetraethylammonium ion was first reported by Acheson and Moe1 in 1945. Because of the multitude of possible therapeutic and diagnostic uses, this drug has received increasing clinical application. Reports of its use in hypertension,2 causalgic states, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease and gastrointestinal tract disease have appeared recently. In the vast majority of instances of its use, the effects produced were transient and inconstant and consisted mainly of a slight to moderate fall in blood pressure,3 tachycardia, decreased venous pressure, increased blood flow to the extremities, cutaneous flush, increase in skin temperature and decrease in sweating, salivation, bladder tone and gastrointestinal tract motility.4 All effects are apparently due solely to blockage at the peripheral autonomic ganglions of sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow. Toxic effects have been infrequent. The outstanding adverse effect has been noted in a small group of hypertensive