title: Torsade de pointes.
abstract: Torsade de pointes is a distinct electrocardiographic entity, characterized by a periodic undulation of the ventricular complex (QRS) around an imaginary line, simulating a cardiac ballet. It usually manifests in patients with abnormalities of repolarization, as evidenced on the surface electrocardiogram by a prolonged ventricular recovery (QT) interval and may degenerate into a fatal ventricular fibrillation following use of conventional antiarrhythmic agents. Therapy includes correction of the underlying cause, overdrive pacing, and isoproterenol infusion.
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis