QRS alteration-induced torsade de pointes in a patient with an artificial pacemaker and hypokalemia.
The present patient demonstrated torsade de pointes (TdP) after a pacemaker implantation without a decrease in heart rate or pacemaker malfunction. Marked QT prolongation and TdP were closely related to alteration of the depolarization pattern (appearance of junctional rhythm). Resetting the pacemaker to a rate that inhibited spontaneous rhythm was effective in preventing TdP.
Kurita
T
T
National Cardiovascular Center, Division of Cardiology, Osaka, Japan.
Ohe
T
T
Maeda
K
K
Isobe
F
F
Kamakura
S
S
Shimomura
K
K
D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008133:Long QT Syndrome; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology