Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (torsades de pointes) after haloperidol overdose.
A 48-year-old woman developed QT prolongation and episodes of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) after intentional overdose of haloperidol and orphenadrine. The arrhythmia did not respond to conventional anti-arrhythmic therapy but was suppressed by atrial overdrive pacing. A literature review identified haloperidol as the most likely cause of the torsades de pointes.
Henderson
R A
RA
Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Lane
S
S
Henry
J A
JA
D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009966:Orphenadrine / Q000506:poisoning; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000187:drug effects
D009966:Orphenadrine; D006220:Haloperidol