title: [Amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes--five case reports].
abstract: Five patients with amiodarone-induced QT prolongation and torsade de pointes are described. Hypokalemia was present in three patients, marked bradycardia - in two, and T-wave alternans - also in two patients. Patients with negative T waves in precordial leads were at higher risk of ventricular fibrillation than the patients with positive T waves. Beta-blocker, lidocaine and, in two patients, tosylate bretylate were effective. All patients survived to hospital discharge, however, one patient died four months later.
authors.affiliation: Oddział Chorób Wewnetrznych z pododdziałem Kardiologii, Szpital Specjalistyczny im H. Klimontowicza, Gorlice, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kukla
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Słowiak-Lewińska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone