title: T wave alternans and Torsades de Pointes after the use of intravenous pentamidine.
abstract: We report the case of a patient in whom dramatic T wave alternans with brief bouts of torsades de pointes and QT prolongation occurred in association with intravenously administered pentamidine. This ECG marker of a potentially fatal side effect, although uncommon, should be looked for in patients requiring the use of this drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7075, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kroll
authors.forename: Leonard S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Gettes
mesh_terms: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010419:Pentamidine