Collapse in the elderly: rivastigmine-induced heart block and a literature review of the pharmacology of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used in Alzheimers disease

Falls resulting in neck of femur fractures are common in the elderly. Often multiple comorbidities can make management and diagnosis of such a polyfactorial condition difficult, particularly with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Indeed, poorly managed AD may contribute to falls. We present our management of an 87-year-old woman, on rivastigmine for AD, who presented with a collapse episode—attributed to rivastigmine—resulting in a neck of femur fracture. Furthermore, we perform a literature review of the pharmacology of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and how their use in AD may contribute to bradyarrhythmias.

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