DOCSLIB.ORG

“Torsade De Pointes” in a Patient with Variant Angina

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
“Torsade De Pointes” in a Patient with Variant Angina “Torsade de pointes” in a patient with variant angina Andrea Di Cori, Cristina Gemignani, Roberto Bini, Giulio Zucchelli, Paolo Caravelli, Mario Mariani Cardiac and Thoracic Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy Key words: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias have been well documented in patients with variant angina. Angina; Episodes of torsade de pointes have been described infrequently. Arrhythmias, ventricular; We report a case of a 60-year-old male with a previous history of one vessel artery disease and a Coronary spasm; Torsade de pointes. successful coronary angioplasty with stenting of the left anterior descending artery, who experienced an episode of angina at rest and electrocardiographic evidence of self-terminating torsade de pointes. After a negative coronary angiography and a positive hyperventilation test, the diagnosis of variant angina was considered and beta-blockers discontinued and calcium channel antagonists prescribed. No other episodes of angina were documented during the following 6 months of follow-up. (Ital Heart J 2004; 5 (7): 554-558) © 2004 CEPI Srl Introduction mitted for cardiological evaluation. The pa- tient’s cardiac risk factors included a fami- Received January 29, Variant angina may be associated with ly history of coronary artery disease and 2004; accepted February 25, 2004. serious complications such as myocardial dyslipidemia. Moreover, the patient had a infarction, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, previous history of one vessel artery dis- Address: and sudden cardiac death. ease and a successful coronary angioplasty Dr. Andrea Di Cori Although episodes of polymorphic ven- with stenting of the left anterior descending Divisione di Cardiologia I tricular tachycardia (VT) have been well doc- artery. His routine medications included as- Dipartimento umented, episodes of torsade de pointes have pirin, atenolol and atorvastatin. Cardio Toracico Università degli Studi rarely been described. Despite the typical At the time of admission, the patient’s Ospedale Cisanello ECG pattern, the etiology has to be carefully blood pressure was 120/80 mmHg and the Via Paradisa, 2 56124 Pisa investigated for an appropriate management. heart rate 53 b/min; ECG showed sinus E-mail: Indeed, short- and long-term measures are rhythm with normal PR and QT intervals [email protected] available for torsades de pointes associated and negative T waves in the anterior leads. with long QT syndromes (LQTS), including Chest X-ray and blood chemical analysis the removal of torsadogenic agents, the sup- were normal. Transthoracic echocardiogra- pression of early afterdepolarization with phy showed a normal cardiac structure and magnesium, the acceleration of the basic left ventricular contraction without abnor- heart rate with isoproterenol or cardiac pac- malities of the regional wall kinetics. ing and beta-blocker administration1. Differ- The day after, he complained of central ently, in patients with a normal QT, it is rec- chest tightness, associated with ECG docu- ommended to consider and treat torsades de mentation of nonsustained polymorphic pointes as a common polymorphic VT (poly- VT and a short run of self-terminating tor- morphic VT showing a pattern of torsade de sade de pointes (Fig. 1). Cardiac catheteri- pointes)2. Particularly, in patients with variant zation performed the same day revealed ir- angina, beta-blockade may prolong or precip- regularities of the left descending coronary itate coronary spasm and, consequently, is- artery without significant stenosis. The di- chemia-induced arrhythmias. Calcium chan- agnosis of variant angina was considered, nel antagonists and nitrates are very effective but pharmacological tests to demonstrate in preventing coronary spasm and the related coronary spasm were not performed in arrhythmias, including torsade de pointes. view of the recent life-threatening ventric- ular arrhythmia. Case report Two days later, a hyperventilation test performed in the morning was positive A 60-year-old male with a recent histo- (Fig. 2), with ECG evidence of ST-segment ry of two episodes of angina at rest was ad- elevation (> 0.2 mV) in the anterior leads 554 Ital Heart J Vol 5 July 2004 A Di Cori et al - “Torsade de pointes” and variant angina Figure 1. ECG recorded during an episode of chest pain, showing a self-terminating torsade de pointes (polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with a pattern of torsade de pointes). and short runs of VT associated with chest pain, effica- was associated with sudden death in patients with vari- ciously treated with intravenous nitroglycerin. Beta- ant angina. Ventricular arrhythmias precipitated by blockers were replaced with isosorbide mononitrate 80 coronary spasm tend to be rapid and polymorphic, are mg and verapamil 240 mg daily. A control hyperventi- usually not inducible during programmed stimulation, lation pre-discharge test was negative. During a follow- but may be induced by the hyperventilation test or by up period of 6 months the patient was free of symptoms ergonovine infusion3-5. The precise mechanisms are and no other episodes of ventricular arrhythmias were still unclear, but in animal models the production of an documented. injury current and the reexcitation of cells close to the ischemic border, or reentrant mechanism, have been as- sociated with their initiation. Thus, it is possible that is- Discussion chemia or reperfusion following a coronary spasm may induce or aggravate an abnormality of ventricular repo- Torsade de pointes, first characterized in 1966 by larization, providing the basis for the development of Dessertenne, is a polymorphic VT showing a peculiar polymorphic VT3,6. Dispersion of ventricular repolar- ECG pattern characterized by QRS complexes that ap- ization is an important electrophysiological feature that pear to “twist” around the isoelectric line. The most is considered fundamental for the initiation of VT and typical form is associated with syndromes character- fibrillation. This is particularly true in the setting of ized by an evident delay in myocardial repolarization myocardial ischemia. An inhomogeneity of ventricular (LQTS), an abnormality caused by mutations in genes repolarization has been documented in patients with encoding specific ion channels (congenital LQTS), by vasospastic angina using electrophysiological studies7 metabolic abnormalities or by drugs (acquired LQTS) and noninvasive methods. Particularly, in an attempt to and the resulting heterogeneity in repolarization allows quantify the dispersion of repolarization noninvasively the onset of a reentrant arrhythmia (torsade de pointes). in the clinical setting, the method of assessment of QT It is usually preceded by pauses (due to sinus arrhyth- dispersion (QTd), defined as the difference between the mia, sinus arrest or, more commonly, to “post-extrasys- maximum and minimum QT intervals on an ECG, has tolic” pauses) and in a typical sequence, longer post-ex- been proposed8. In spite of the various problems inher- trasystolic pauses are followed by longer and faster ent to the technology currently used to determine QTd runs of torsade de pointes (“pause-dependent” torsade from the surface ECG, over the last 10 years numerous de pointes). Torsade de pointes is a life-threatening ar- studies have used this noninvasive methodology to rhythmia because, even though it is often nonsustained quantify the inhomogeneity of ventricular repolariza- and is self-terminating, it may degenerate to ventricular tion in different subsets of patients with coronary artery fibrillation and require DC shock1. disease9. With regard to variant angina, Suzuki et al.10, Infrequently, this arrhythmia has been reported in determining the QTd before the induction of coronary patients with a normal QT interval and vasospastic spasm by the intracoronary injection of acetylcholine angina. Previous reports showed that coronary spasm and 30 min after the administration of isosorbide dini- may induce life-threatening arrhythmias, and that it trate, showed that the baseline QTd was significantly 555 Ital Heart J Vol 5 July 2004 A Di Cori et al - “Torsade de pointes” and variant angina Figure 2. Hyperventilation test. The patient was asked to hyperventilate vigorously for 6 min and a 12-lead ECG was recorded before (A), and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 min during (B, C, D, E, F, G respectively) and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 min after the test (a, b, c, d, e, f, g respectively). After hyperventilation, the pa- tient complained of severe chest pain and the ECG showed ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads, and ventricular premature contractions (a, b) and short runs of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (c). Intravenous nitroglycerin was immediately administered. The angina resolved immediately and the ECG showed evidence of deep negative T waves (d, e, f). greater than in patients with atypical chest pain (69 ± threatening arrhythmias in the presence12, and even in 24 vs 44 ± 19 ms, p < 0.001) and that only in the first the absence, of signs of ischemia and that the noninva- group did the QTd decrease after administration of sive measurement of QTd may help identify patients at isosorbide dinitrate (to 48 ± 15 ms, p < 0.001). What is an increased risk of malignant arrhythmias. In our pa- more, in the subgroup of patients with variant angina tient, the ECG variables were determined using previ- and ventricular arrhythmias, the QTd was significantly ously described methods10, at the time of admission greater compared with the remaining patients. Similar- (baseline), after the spontaneous
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Drugs and Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk: Results from the DARE Study Cohort
    Open Access Research BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016627 on 16 October 2017. Downloaded from Drugs and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia risk: results from the DARE study cohort Abigail L Coughtrie,1,2 Elijah R Behr,3,4 Deborah Layton,1,2 Vanessa Marshall,1 A John Camm,3,4,5 Saad A W Shakir1,2 To cite: Coughtrie AL, Behr ER, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Layton D, et al. Drugs and Objectives To establish a unique sample of proarrhythmia life-threatening ventricular cases, determine the characteristics of cases and estimate ► The Drug-induced Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation study arrhythmia risk: results from the the contribution of individual drugs to the incidence of DARE study cohort. BMJ Open has allowed the development of a cohort of cases of proarrhythmia within these cases. 2017;7:e016627. doi:10.1136/ proarrhythmia. Setting Suspected proarrhythmia cases were referred bmjopen-2017-016627 ► These cases have provided crucial safety by cardiologists across England between 2003 and 2011. information, as well as underlying clinical and ► Prepublication history for Information on demography, symptoms, prior medical and genetic data. this paper is available online. drug histories and data from hospital notes were collected. ► Only patients who did not die as a result of the To view these files please visit Participants Two expert cardiologists reviewed data the journal online (http:// dx. doi. proarrhythmia could be included. for 293 referred cases: 130 were included. Inclusion org/ 10. 1136/ bmjopen- 2017- ► Referral of cases by cardiologists alone may have criteria were new onset or exacerbation of pre-existing 016627).
    [Show full text]
  • Amiodarone-Induced Torsade De Pointes in a Patient with Wolff
    Hellenic J Cardiol 2009; 50: 224-226 Case Report Amiodarone-Induced Torsade de Pointes in a Patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome 1 1 1,2 3 AAREF BADSHAH , BAKHTIAR MIRZA , MUHAMMAD JANJUA , RAJIV NAIR , 3 3 RUSSELL T. STEINMAN , JOHN F. COTANT 1Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Joseph Mercy-Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan, 2Department of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, 3Department of Cardiology, Saint Joseph Mercy-Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Michigan, USA Key words: Amiodarone is generally regarded to have a high safety profile with a low incidence of arrhythmias. However, Atrial fibrillation, there have been reports of torsades de pointes under certain conditions, such as electrolyte imbalance or amiodarone, T-wave alternans, Wolff- concomitant antiarrhythmic therapy. We describe a case of amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes early Parkinson-White after initiation of intravenous amiodarone in the setting of T-wave alternans. syndrome, torsade de pointes. miodarone is generally regarded to mate total dose of 1 g), sinus rhythm was have a high safety profile with a low restored. The analysis of the ECG upon A incidence of arrhythmias. How- cardioversion revealed a short PR interval ever, there have been reports of torsades with QT interval prolongation (QTm 582 de pointes under certain conditions, such as ms, QTc 582 ms) with evidence of pre-ex- Manuscript received: electrolyte imbalance or concomitant an- citation (delta waves) in the precordial December 25, 2008; tiarrhythmic therapy. We describe a case of leads (Figure 2) and macroscopic T-wave Accepted: amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes ear- alternans. In light of his electrocardiogra- March 3, 2009.
    [Show full text]
  • Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Presenting with Syncope Due to Torsades De Pointes: a Case of Long QT Syndrome with a Novel KCNH2 Mutation
    □ CASE REPORT □ Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Presenting with Syncope due to Torsades de Pointes: a Case of Long QT Syndrome with a Novel KCNH2 Mutation Orie Nishimoto 1, Morihiro Matsuda 1,3,KeiNakamoto1, Hirohiko Nishiyama 1, Kazuya Kuraoka 2, Kiyomi Taniyama 2,3, Ritsu Tamura 1, Wataru Shimizu 4 and Toshiharu Kawamoto 1 Abstract Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a cardiomyopathy of unknown cause that occurs in the peripartum period. We report a case of PPCM presenting with syncope 1 month after an uncomplicated delivery. Electro- cardiography showed Torsades de pointes (TdP) and QT interval prolongation. Echocardiography showed left ventricular systolic dysfunction and endomyocardial biopsy showed myocyte degeneration and fibrosis. Ad- ministration of magnesium sulfate and temporary pacing eliminated recurrent TdP. Genetic analyses revealed that recurrent TdP occurred via electrolyte disturbance and cardiac failure due to PPCM on the basis of a novel mutation in KCNH2, a gene responsible for inherited type 2 long QT syndrome. Key words: Torsades de pointes, long QT syndrome, peripartum cardiomyopathy (Intern Med 51: 461-464, 2012) (DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.5943) or heart failure (3). Moreover, in patients with drug-induced Introduction acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS), mutations have been identified in genes encoding cardiac ion channels, such as Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a disease of un- KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A, which have proven to be known cause that occurs from 1 month antepartum to 5 associated with congenital LQTS. Here, we report a rare months postpartum in women without preexisting heart dis- case of PPCM presenting with recurrent syncope due to TdP ease (1). In most cases, PPCM presents with signs of con- resulting from a KCNH2 mutation.
    [Show full text]
  • 4 EKG Abnormalities: What Are the Lifesaving Diagnoses?
    CASE c Nathaniel J. Ward, MD; Clinton J. Fox, MD; 4 EKG abnormalities: Kevin S. Kralik, MD; Samir Haydar, DO, MPH, FACEP; John R. Saucier, What are the MD, FACEP Tufts University School of Medicine, Maine Medical lifesaving diagnoses? Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland These conditions may not have [email protected] associated findings on physical The authors reported no potential conflict of interest exam. See if you can make the relevant to this article. diagnosis based on the EKG tracings. hen evaluating a patient with a history of chest PracTIce pain, palpitations, syncope, and/or new-onset recommendaTIons W seizures, an electrocardiogram (EKG) may be the › Consider placement of an key to identifying a potentially life-threatening condition. automatic implantable Here we present 4 cases in which EKG findings were the clue cardioverter-defibrillator to underlying medical conditions that, if left untreated, could for all patients with a type be fatal. Because each of these conditions may not have asso- 1 Brugada pattern on EKG ciated findings on a physical exam, early recognition of these accompanied by syncope, EKG findings can be lifesaving. documented ventricular arrhythmia, or aborted c sudden cardiac death. B CASE 1 A 15-year-old boy suddenly collapses while walking, and bystanders report seizure-like activity. The patient doesn’t › Always look for EKG remember the event. Vital signs and physical exam are normal, findings suggestive of Wolff- and his blood glucose level is 86 mg/dL (normal: 70-100 mg/dL). Parkinson-White syndrome in otherwise healthy patients He doesn’t take any medications and denies illicit drug use or presenting with syncope.
    [Show full text]
  • Drug Use and Torsades De Pointes Cardiac Arrhythmias in Sweden: a Nationwide Register-­Based Cohort Study
    Open access Original research BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034560 on 12 March 2020. Downloaded from Drug use and torsades de pointes cardiac arrhythmias in Sweden: a nationwide register- based cohort study Bengt Danielsson,1 Julius Collin,1 Anastasia Nyman,1 Annica Bergendal,1 Natalia Borg,1 Maria State,1 Lennart Bergfeldt,2 Johan Fastbom 1 To cite: Danielsson B, Collin J, ABSTRACT Strengths and limitations of this study Nyman A, et al. Drug use and Objective To study the occurrence of torsades de pointes torsades de pointes cardiac (TdP) ventricular tachycardia in relation to use of drugs ► This study used individual- based data from nation- arrhythmias in Sweden: a labelled with TdP risk, using two nationwide Swedish nationwide register- based wide registers on inpatient diagnoses and drug dis- registers. cohort study. BMJ Open pensations from pharmacies, making it possible to Design Prospective register- based cohort study. 2020;10:e034560. doi:10.1136/ estimate the incidence of TdP per 100 000 users of Setting Entire Sweden. bmjopen-2019-034560 prescribed individual drugs labelled with torsades Participants Persons aged ≥18 years prescribed and de pointes (TdP) risk. ► Prepublication history for dispensed any drug classified with TdP risk during ► To our knowledge, the study is, so far, the largest this paper is available online. 2006–2017, according to CredibleMeds. Persons with a To view these files, please visit in terms of number of patients with TdP diagnosis. registered TdP diagnosis during the study period, using the journal online (http:// dx. doi. ► One limitation is that the data on drug use do not in- drugs labelled with known (TdP 1), possible (TdP 2) org/ 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Prevention of Torsade De Pointes in Hospital Settings
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 55, No. 9, 2010 © 2010 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc. ISSN 0735-1097/10/$36.00 Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2010.01.001 SCIENTIFIC STATEMENT Prevention of Torsade de Pointes in Hospital Settings A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation Endorsed by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the International Society for Computerized Electrocardiology Barbara J. Drew, RN, PhD, FAHA, Chair; Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD, FACC; Marjorie Funk, RN, PhD, FAHA; W. Brian Gibler, MD, FAHA; Paul Kligfield, MD, FAHA, FACC; Venu Menon, MD, FAHA, FACC; George J. Philippides, MD, FAHA, FACC; Dan M. Roden, MD, FAHA, FACC; Wojciech Zareba, MD, PhD, FACC; on behalf of the American Heart Association Acute Cardiac Care Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, and the American College of Cardiology Foundation ardiac arrest due to torsade de pointes (TdP) in The purpose of this scientific statement is to raise awareness the acquired form of drug-induced long-QT syn- among those who care for patients in hospital units about the C drome (LQTS) is a rare but potentially cata- risk, ECG monitoring, and management of drug-induced LQTS. strophic event in hospital settings. Administration of a Topics reviewed include the ECG characteristics of TdP and QT-prolonging drug to a hospitalized population may be signs of impending arrhythmia, cellular mechanisms of acquired more likely to cause TdP than administration of the same LQTS and current thinking about genetic susceptibility, drugs drug to an outpatient population, because hospitalized and drug combinations most likely to cause TdP, risk factors and patients often have other risk factors for a proarrhythmic exacerbating conditions, methods to monitor QT intervals in response.
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic and Molecular Aspects of Drug-Induced QT Interval Prolongation
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Genetic and Molecular Aspects of Drug-Induced QT Interval Prolongation Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaría 1 , Kevin Llinás-Caballero 2,3 , Julián Miguel Corso-Ramirez 1 , Carlos Martín Restrepo 2 , Camilo Alberto Dominguez-Dominguez 1 , Dora Janeth Fonseca-Mendoza 2 and Carlos Alberto Calderon-Ospina 2,* 1 School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; [email protected] (D.B.-S.); [email protected] (J.M.C.-R.); [email protected] (C.A.D.-D.) 2 GENIUROS Research Group, Center for Research in Genetics and Genomics (CIGGUR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; [email protected] (K.L.-C.); [email protected] (C.M.R.); [email protected] (D.J.F.-M.) 3 Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena 130014, Colombia * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +57-1-2970200 (ext. 3318) Abstract: Long QT syndromes can be either acquired or congenital. Drugs are one of the many etiologies that may induce acquired long QT syndrome. In fact, many drugs frequently used in the clinical setting are a known risk factor for a prolonged QT interval, thus increasing the chances of developing torsade de pointes. The molecular mechanisms involved in the prolongation of the QT interval are common to most medications. However, there is considerable inter-individual variability Citation: Baracaldo-Santamaría, D.; Llinás-Caballero, K.; Corso-Ramirez, in drug response, thus making the application of personalized medicine a relevant aspect in long QT J.M.; Restrepo, C.M.; syndrome, in order to evaluate the risk of every individual from a pharmacogenetic standpoint.
    [Show full text]
  • Methadone-Induced Torsades De Pointes
    CASE REPORT Methadone-induced Torsades de pointes LESLIE RUSSELL, MD; DANIEL LEVINE, MD 27 30 EN ABSTRACT CASE PRESENTATION Torsades de pointes is a polymorphic ventricular tachy- A 45-year-old woman with a history of intravenous drug cardia that can quickly evolve into ventricular fibrillation abuse on chronic methadone therapy presented with possi- and sudden death. This arrhythmia often occurs second- ble non-epileptic seizures. Her home medications included: ary to medication- induced cardiac repolarization dys- quetiapine, 200mg daily; methadone, 280mg daily; fluox- function with resultant prolonged QTc interval on ECG. etine, 40mg daily, and aprazolam, 1mg three times a day. Numerous medications can predispose patients to this Initial evaluation in the emergency room, including routine deadly tachycardia. We report a case of methadone-in- blood work, was unremarkable. ECG incidentally noted a duced Torsades de pointes complicated by ventricular nine-beat run of polymorphic wide-complex tachycardia fibrillation and cardiac arrest. Through rapid taper of consistent with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (Fig- methadone, the patient’s ECG normalized, allowing for ure 1). The QTc interval was 540 milliseconds. The patient safe discharge. This clinical vignette highlights the im- was admitted to the cardiology service for ECG monitoring. portance of close monitoring of patient medications. Per- Shortly thereafter, the patient experienced frequent runs forming periodic ECGs with prompt removal of offending of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia culminating in an agent when repolarization abnormalities are appreciated episode of Torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. is ideal. Most importantly, as the vast array of medica- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, amiodarone administration tions continues to grow, it is imperative that clinicians are and defibrillation resulted in successful return of sponta- cognizant of side effects and tailor treatment accordingly.
    [Show full text]
  • Long QT-Syndrome with Torsades De Pointes Managed Considering Financial Constraints Faced by the Patient
    Open Access Case Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.15892 Long QT-Syndrome With Torsades de Pointes Managed Considering Financial Constraints Faced by the Patient Ramesh Patel 1 , Sandeep Aggarwal 1 , Pal Satyajit Singh Athwal 2, 3 , Sandeep Randhawa 4 , Sukhmanii Kahlon 5 1. Cardiology, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, IND 2. Cardiovascular Division, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, USA 3. Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington Valley Medical Center, Renton, USA 4. Internal Medicine, University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA 5. Internal Medicine, Medical University of the Americas, Camps, KNA Corresponding author: Pal Satyajit Singh Athwal, [email protected] Abstract Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare arrhythmogenic condition characterized by abnormally long QT intervals on an electrocardiogram. The prevalence varies between 1 in 3000 and 1 in 10,000 but often remains undiagnosed. It is responsible for 3000 to 4000 sudden deaths among children and adults in the United States alone. LQTS can lead to torsades de pointes which is seen as twisting of QRS complex on electrocardiogram. We report a case of a 35-year-old patient with LQTS who presented with syncope and was found to have torsades de pointes. After acute management the patient was advised for automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) but because of financial constraints, she was placed on beta-blockers and permanent pacemaker. Categories: Cardiology, Internal Medicine Keywords: long qt syndrome, life threatening arrhythmia, congenital long-qt syndrome, sudden cardiac, torsades de pointes Introduction The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by abnormally prolonged QT interval and T-wave abnormalities leading to life-threatening arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes and is one of the leading causes of sudden death.
    [Show full text]
  • Anesthesia Management of the Patient with Long QT Syndrome
    Objectives • Briefly discuss the historical background of LQTS Anesthesia • Present a current definition of Long Q-T Syndrome • Compare the pathophysiology of the two major forms of Management of the Patient congenital (c) LQTS • Describe the clinical manifestations of the two forms of c- with Long QT Syndrome LQTS • Discuss current diagnosis and treatment options c-Long QT syndrome • Describe the pathophysiology and management of torsades de Christian Tekwe, SRNA pointes • Discuss the general anesthetic consideration and intraoperative Drexel University management of the patient with LQTS • Outline a proposed peri-operative plan of care for the patient with Long QT syndrome. Disclaimers • None GOAL la substantifique moëlle A concrete plan of approach with the at-risk patient Background • 1856: Friedrich Meissner in Leipzig town in Background German reports: – Deaf child drops dead after teacher yelled at her – When reported parents said two deaf siblings also died suddenly during emotional events – NO ECG then • 1957: Anton Jervell and Fred Lange-Nielsen LQTS – A Long Road describe: – 4 in 10 children in Norwegian family were deaf & had recurrent syncope – 3 died before age of 10 – Dramatic QT prolongation on ECG was noted – Inheritance appeared to be autosomal recessive Background Attempted Definition • 1963 Cesarino Romano of Italy and Arrhythmogenic disorder • 1964 Owen Connor Ward of Ireland Characterized by: • Independently reported similar clinical Prolongation of the QT syndrome: interval on ECG – Sudden death during exercise
    [Show full text]
  • Torsades De Pointes: a Rare Complication of an Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma
    1263 Hypertens Res Vol.30 (2007) No.12 p.1263-1266 Case Report Torsades de Pointes: A Rare Complication of an Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytoma Heiko METHE1), Martin HINTERSEER1), Ute WILBERT-LAMPEN1), Britt M. BECKMANN1), Gerhard STEINBECK1), and Stefan KÄÄB1) Pheochromocytoma is an infrequent secondary cause of arterial hypertension, often associated with parox- ysmal headache, sweating, weight loss, and palpitations. Cardiovascular complications of pheochromocy- toma include sudden death, heart failure due to toxic cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive encephalopathy. Here we report the case of a female with an acquired long-QT-syndrome as a rare complication of an extra- adrenal pheochromocytoma. Diagnosis was made after sotalol-induced Torsades de Pointes. (Hypertens Res 2007; 30: 1263–1266) Key Words: pheochromocytoma, long-QT-syndrome, Torsades de Pointes There was no family history of sudden death. Serum electro- Introduction lytes were as follows: sodium 139 mmol/L, potassium 5.1 mmol/L, calcium 2.7 mmol/L, anorganic phosphorus 4.1 mg/ Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of sustained hypertension dL, magnesium 1.97 mg/dL. Fasting blood glucose was ele- or hypertensive crisis and many cardiac complications have vated to 124 mg/dL. Renal, liver and thyroid tests were all been reported with this neuroendocrine tumor. Development normal. of long-QT-syndrome (LQTS) due to myocardial hypertro- Her baseline ECG showed sinus rhythm and deep T-wave phy in this patient group is an occasional but potentially life- inversion in V2–4. Most remarkably it showed a QTc interval threatening complication increasing the risk for arrhythmias. of 480 ms (Fig. 1A). Sotalol-treatment was discontinued immediately but during intensive care unit monitoring, a Tor- Case Report sades de Pointes tachycardia was recorded (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular and Genetic Basis of Sudden Cardiac Death
    Molecular and genetic basis of sudden cardiac death Alfred L. George Jr. J Clin Invest. 2013;123(1):75-83. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI62928. Review Series The abrupt cessation of effective cardiac function due to an aberrant heart rhythm can cause sudden and unexpected death at any age, a syndrome called sudden cardiac death (SCD). Annually, more than 300,000 cases of SCD occur in the United States alone, making this a major public health concern. Our current understanding of the mechanisms responsible for SCD has emerged from decades of basic science investigation into the normal electrophysiology of the heart, the molecular physiology of cardiac ion channels, fundamental cellular and tissue events associated with cardiac arrhythmias, and the molecular genetics of monogenic disorders of heart rhythm. This knowledge has helped shape the current diagnosis and treatment of inherited arrhythmia susceptibility syndromes associated with SCD and has provided a pathophysiological framework for understanding more complex conditions predisposing to this tragic event. This Review presents an overview of the molecular basis of SCD, with a focus on monogenic arrhythmia syndromes. Find the latest version: https://jci.me/62928/pdf Review series Molecular and genetic basis of sudden cardiac death Alfred L. George Jr. Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. The abrupt cessation of effective cardiac function due to an aberrant heart rhythm can cause sudden and unexpected death at any age, a syndrome called sudden cardiac death (SCD). Annually, more than 300,000 cases of SCD occur in the United States alone, making this a major public health concern.
    [Show full text]