Induction of torsades de pointes by dobutamine infusion in a patient with idiopathic long QT syndrome.
We used a provocative test with dobutamine infusion to diagnose long QT syndrome (LQTS) in a girl with a history of syncope. When dobutamine was infused at a rate of 10 microg/kg/min, the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) was prolonged from 460 ms to 620 ms with abnormal TU complexes and torsades de pointes developed. In 5 control subjects the QTc did not change significantly during low-dose dobutamine infusion. Low-dose dobutamine, in addition to isoproterenol, may be useful for evaluation of prolongation of the QT interval and abnormal TU complexes in patients in whom LQTS is suspected.
Fujikawa
H
H
Department of Cardiology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi.
Sato
Y
Y
Arakawa
H
H
Mitsuhashi
T
T
Minezaki
K
K
Kuroki
S
S
Sekiguchi
H
H
Nakayama
T
T
Ikeda
U
U
Shimada
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D004280:Dobutamine