Bradycardia-associated torsade de pointes and the long-QT syndromes: a case report and review of the literature.
We report a case of bradycardia-associated torsade de pointes in which the underlying long-QT syndrome appeared to be attributable to primary cardiac conducting system disease. Our patient presented complaining of presyncope and syncope. Serial electrocardiograms obtained over a period of 10 years demonstrated slowly progressive conduction system abnormalities, and evaluation revealed no other cause. The patient's dysrhythmia was refractory to magnesium but abated with cardiac pacing at a moderate rate. A review of the relevant literature on congenital and acquired long-QT syndrome is included.
Ashworth
Simeon W
SW
Madigan Army Medical Center/University of Washington Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98433, USA.
Levsky
Marc E
ME
Marley
Chad T
CT
Kang
Christopher S
CS
D000368:Aged; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008889:Military Personnel; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000150:complications*