Intracoronary electrocardiogram during torsade des pointes secondary to intracoronary papaverine.
Papaverine, a potent coronary vasodilator, is now commonly used to measure coronary reserve. We recorded intracoronary electrogram in a patient who developed Torsade des pointes after 10 mg of papaverine. This was associated with marked prolongation of the QT interval. The ventricular tachycardia self-terminated with shortening of the QT interval. We believe that although papaverine is a good agent because of its short duration of action, it must be used cautiously because of its effects on repolarization, which can result in arrhythmias.
Jain
A
A
Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.
Jenkins
M G
MG
D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010208:Papaverine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D010208:Papaverine