Drug-Induced Proarrhythmia: QT Interval Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes

Authors

  • Konstantinos Letsas
  • Spyros Tsikrikas
  • George P Letsas
  • Antonios Sideris

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2015/hc.v6i3.395

Keywords:

drugs, long QT, torsades de pointes, sudden cardiac death

Abstract


Drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP), a life-threatening polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with prolongation of the QT interval, has been the main safety reason for the withdrawal of non-cardiac agents from clinical use over the last decade. This complication is commonly referred to as drug-induced proarrhythmia. The present review highlights on the mechanisms underlying the drug-induced QT interval prolongation and TdP as well as on the identification of easily recognized risk factors that predispose to this potentially life-threatening condition.

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Published

2011-05-31

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 3 (2011)

Section

REVIEWS

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