title: [Torsade de pointes].
abstract: Torsade de pointes (TDP) is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with a particular electrocardiographic pattern of continuously changing ("twisting") morphology of the QRS complex occurring in the setting of delayed myocardial repolarization (i.e., prolongation of the QT interval). TDP may develop in the setting of an idiopathic disorder (Jervell/Lange-Nielsen syndrome, Romano-Ward syndrome, sporadic long QT syndrome) or may be induced by pharmacologic agents which prolong the QT interval, as well as by other clinical circumstances under which repolarization is delayed (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, bradycardia) (acquired long QT syndrome). Since the treatment of TDP strongly differs from that of conventional ventricular tachycardia, correct diagnosis is critical as it guides the treating physician in selecting the appropriate mode of therapy. In this paper mainly the electrocardiographic criteria presently used for the correct identification of this unusual form of ventricular arrhythmia are presented. Additionally, the potential mechanisms and therapeutic modalities of TDP are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haverkamp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hördt
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hindricks
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kottkamp
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rotman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brunn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borggrefe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breithardt
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
vernacular_title: Torsade de pointes.