SECOND DEGREE ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK, WENCKEBACH TYPE, TRIGGERED BY MEFLOQUINE

Mefloquine is a drug used in the prophylaxis and in the treatment of malaria. It is infrequently related to relevant cardiovascular adverse events. Among them, alterations in the atrioventricular conduction have been described. We present a male patient, aged 26, who consulted for asthenia, general discomfort and palpitations in the context of antimalarial prophylaxis with mefloquine during a journey in an endemic area. The patient did not present any relevant medical antecedent. A second degree atrioventricular block, Wenckebach type, was confirmed by electrocardiography. Studies were done ruling out other probably etiologies. Treatment of support was done recovering gradually a normal atrioventricular conduction after the drug was discontinued. A brief review of the etio-pathogenic relationship between mefloquina and atrioventricular conduction disturbances is presented.