Torsade de pointes: The clinical considerations

Ramesh M. Gowda, Ijaz A. Khan, Sabrina L. Wilbur, Balendu C. Vasavada, Terrence J. Sacchi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Torsade de pointes is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia occurring in a setting of prolonged QT interval on surface electrocardiogram. Congenital causes of prolonged QT interval occur in individuals with genetic mutations in genes that control expression of potassium and sodium channels and acquired causes are numerous, predominantly drugs causing prolonged QT interval by blockade of potassium channels. Among the drugs, antiarrhythmic agents most notably quinidine, sotalol, dofetilide and ibutilide have the potential to induce the fatal torsade de pointes. Many non-antiarrhythmic drugs can also cause torsade de pointes. Although it is important to distinguish between the congenital and the acquired forms of long QT syndrome as the later can often be reversed by correction of the underlying disorder or discontinuation of the offending drug, both forms are not mutually exclusive. Clinical considerations and management of torsade de pointes are described.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology
Volume96
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Long QT syndrome
  • Sudden arrhythmia death syndrome
  • Sudden cardiac death
  • Torsade de pointes
  • Ventricular tachycardia

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