Cardiac effects of sodium stibogluconate.

Sodium stibogluconate although potentially cardiotoxic is the drug of choice for Kalaazar and cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis. Increasing use of this drug in the British Army has necessitated a formal evaluation of its cardiac side-effects. Consequently a detailed study of the cardiac effects of sodium stibogluconate was undertaken in 22 male soldiers using for the first time modern non-invasive techniques. Intravenous sodium stibogluconate 600 mg daily for 10 days did not affect blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular contractile function or rhythm. Electrocardiography showed a reversible reduction of T wave amplitude.