Hydrocortisone-induced symptomatic sinus bradycardia

Abstract

Steroids are commonly prescribed medications that have a wide range of adverse effects. Bradycardia is one of the rare but significant side effects of steroid use, and only a few cases have been reported with bradycardia as a side effect. In this report, we present a case of a woman in her early 50s who developed severe symptomatic sinus bradycardia following high-dose administration of intravenous hydrocortisone, initiated for acute exacerbation of Crohn’s disease. Her symptoms entirely resolved after discontinuation of the steroid. This case highlights the importance of obtaining baseline ECG and cardiac monitoring in patients treated with pulsed high-dose steroids.