title: Cisapride-induced torsades de pointes.
abstract: Two cases of torsades de pointes associated with cisapride are presented, both in association with concomitant drug therapy that inhibits cisapride biotransformation. In one case, plasma cisapride was elevated days after the event, strongly supporting a role for accumulation of the drug in causing the arrhythmia. It is emphasized that these adverse drug reactions are not idiosyncratic, but rather are predictable based on an understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-6602, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vitola
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vukanovic
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Roden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000187:drug effects; D020117:Cisapride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D011188:Potassium; D020117:Cisapride