Fluconazole causing arrhythmia?

During a cardiac stenting procedure I developed a life threatening arrhythmia. I had an ICD implanted that same day. That was in May of 08. It has delivered therapy on one occasion. What an innocent choice of words! My HR was close to 300. My cardiologist suggested RX therapy for cronic (chronic) valley fever titer 1:16 may be causing the v tach. I take 600 mg  daily of Fluconazole. What are your thoughts?

[Bromley]

I thought that I had read someplace that fluconazole is thought to increase the elimination half-life of certain drugs that are correlated with an increase in qt interval (i.e. so called long qt drugs).  I dont believe it is currently identified as a long qt drug itself; it just doesn't mix well long qt drugs. I didn't know that it was capable of causing or worsening V-tach on its own, but I guess it does not surprise me.  Drugs and their interactions with the body and with other drugs is a subject I dont understand very well. I question just how well the experts understand them.   I have small issue with V-tach and would tend to want to pass on any drug that was suspicious and/or not studied well enough.

[2fast4u]

Thanks for the input. Stopping Fluconazole is not an option for me at this time. I should mention I have a ICD. It was placed in May of this year.  It shocked me 3 weeks ago while I was playing on-line video games. I think when I got excited and my heartrate rose, instead of returning to a normal hr, it reached 288 BPM, thats when the therapy was delivered. Gotta love that phrase... anyway, doctor says I can't drive for a little while...*******. I'm kinda scared to do much of anything for fear of V-tach. I'm looking for information on this condition. I prefer scientific/medical formats. Any suggestions?

[Bromley]

OK I have a couple of ideas,  but I would just consider these a starting point and nothing more. I am no expert on this stuff.  Online there is the emedicine website (use the professional version) and the medscape website (see heart rhythm specialty).  For books, I would try Eric Prystowski's "Cardiac Arrhythmias", if you can check it out from a local library, or have access to an interlibrary loan program. You could also post a question with the experts on the heart disease forum or heart rhythm forum asking for some references.  Come to think of it I probably should be asking this question too, since I can never seem to find enough information....

[2fast4u]

Your comments got me to put on my thinking cap. Where do I go for information? Why, college coarse books of course, and my Doreland's has reference notations. These seem to be reliable sources. I'm a medic (retired), so my knowledge is limited to the acute phase. The chronic or living with stage, we are NEVER taught in school. I will try your suggestions and again thank you. I'll let you know what I find...