title: Possible female preponderance in prenylamine-induced 'torsade de pointes' tachycardia. Short communication.
abstract: Episodes of ventricular tachycardia of the 'torsade de pointes' (VTTP) types provoked by prenylamine were observed in 7 patients: 5 females and 2 males. They all received prenylamine in a dose of 120-180 mg daily for anginal pains. Syncope or syncopal equivalents occurred in all 7 patients. Q-T intervals ranged from 0.52 to 0.64 s. Review of the literature revealed 11 patients with prenylamine-induced VTTP, of whom 8 were females. The female preponderance (72.2%), hitherto not commented upon in the literature, is highlighted. Prenylamine-indiced VTTP may appear late after initiation of therapy, consequently clinical and ECG long-term follow-up is mandatory. The drug should promptly be discontinued in symptomatic patients, and particularly in females showing prolonged Q-T.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011299:Prenylamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000139:chemically induced; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D011299:Prenylamine