title: [Methadone-induced heart arrhythmia].
abstract: There is an ongoing debate over whether it is necessary to screen patients with an ECG before and during therapy with methadone. We present two patients who developed QT prolongation and sustained ventricular arrhythmias during treatment. Our experience as well as a literature survey indicate that an ECG should be performed before and during long-term methadone treatment.
authors.affiliation: Hjerteseksjonen, Medisinsk avdeling, Sykehuset Telemark, 3710 Skien.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Østvold
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Topper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone