title: [Sotalol and torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia].
abstract: Sotalol is together with amiodarone the most effective antiarrhythmic. Compared to class I antiarrhythmics it has less mortality. However, sotalol can, like class IA antiarrhythmics, release life-threatening attacks of torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia (TdP-VT), as proarrhythmia or by overdosing. TdP-VT appears in 2% of all patients treated with sotalol. In patients treated for ventricular tachycardias TdP-VT appears in 4%. Some factors increase the incidence of TdP-VT: reduced left ventricular function, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesiaemia, bradycardia, extended QT-interval and daily doses exceeding 320 mg. We recommend increased attention to these predisposing factors so as to prevent TdP-VT. Pharmacologically induced TdP-VT may be misdiagnosed as "genuine" ventricular tachycardia. This often results in increased doses of sotalol, which worsen the TdP-VT. Sotalol is renally excreted and TdP-VT can appear in patients with reduced renal function where normal doses are used. QTC prolongation above 550 ms. or severe bradycardia indicates risk of TdP-VT and should result in end of treatment or dose-reduction. Six case-stories are presented.
authors: Medicinsk afdeling B, Rigshospitalet, Kobenhavn.
authors: H H
authors: HH
authors: Petersen
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sandøe
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013015:Sotalol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013015:Sotalol
vernacular_title: Sotalol og torsade de pointes ventrikøulaer takykardi.