Unexplained Fever and Chills Associated with Myocardial Infarction

¹ Section of Cardiology, Medical Service, FHD, Veterans Administration Hospital and the Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta
² Chief Section of Cardiology, FHD, Veterans Administration; Professor of Medicine, College of Georgia

Untoward side effects of procainamide thereapy have been the subject of many reports but usually with emphasis on the lupus-like syndrome. Though fever and chills have been reported, they seem to be a less frequently appreciated manifestation. This report deals with two patients, both with acute myocardial infarction, who had the sudden onset of chills and fever. In each instance infection and reinfarction were excluded. In each withdrawal of the drug caused complete and permanent abtement of these signs. Because prosuse diaphoresis may also be associated, and in our second case was a contributing factor to a shock-like state, the potential hazard of hypovolemia, especially in this clinical setting, is emphasized.