Short CommunicationEnergy Drinks and atrial fibrillation in young adults
Introduction
Today the consumption of Energy Drinks (EDs) spreads mostly among young people, who often consider the ingestion of large amount of such substances harmless [1]. Their adverse effects, not yet completely known, are usually considered secondary to a high concentration of caffeine. Here we focus on a particular acute cardiac complication of EDs overconsumption: the high rate atrial fibrillation (AF). Our experience, even if limited to three cases, can be considered a typical example of this condition.
Section snippets
Case #1
A 22-year-old man, with a negative family, personal, and pharmacological history, was referred to our emergency department for a precordial oppressive sensation, palpitations, increasing anxiety, and nausea. Three hours before, he has consumed 750 ml of ED. At admission, blood pressure was 110/65, with an accelerated and arrhythmic pulse rate. No other thoracic or abdominal physical signs were present. An ECG revealed a high rate atrial fibrillation at 135 bpm. The laboratory tests of thyroid,
Discussion
We have reported a common feature in all 3 cases: a rapid consumption of a big amount of EDs. These beverages contain 50 mg/100 ml of caffeine, taurine, carnitine and herbal extracts such as ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and guaranà (containing caffeine plus teobromine and theophylline). The toxicity of the EDs abuse was enhanced in case #2 by a recent increase in caffeine consumption, and in case #3 by a sporadic ingestion of alcohol.
In all cases a sign was predominant: the paroxysmal atrial
Conflict of interest
None.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Doctor Matteo Ballerini Puviani for his support in reviewing the article.
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