Early proarrhythmia during intravenous amiodarone treatment.
We present a case of early (within the first 24 hours) development of malignant torsades de pointes (TdP) associated with intravenous amiodarone therapy. After correction of predisposing factors (heart failure, hypokalemia, digoxin) amiodarone again resulted in torsades. This observation suggests that in patients who have experienced amiodarone-induced proarrhythmia, amiodarone administration under different, more stable clinical conditions may still be hazardous.
Department Cardiology, National Korányi Institute of TBC and Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
J
J
Tomcsányi
B
B
Merkely
J
J
Tenczer
L
L
Papp
K
K
Karlócai
D000328:Adult; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012151:Resuscitation; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone