title: QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes associated with methadone therapy.
abstract: Oral methadone therapy is an effective and increasingly popular treatment for opioid dependency and chronic pain. Although it is not typically considered pro-dysrhythmic, we present the unique case of a 52-year-old HIV-positive woman without underlying cardiac disease who developed QTc prolongation and pulseless Torsades secondary to high dose methadone therapy.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors: Denise D
authors: DD
authors: Routhier
authors: Kenneth D
authors: KD
authors: Katz
authors: Daniel E
authors: DE
authors: Brooks
mesh_terms: D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone