QTc prolongation and torsades de pointes associated with methadone therapy.
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.
Routhier
Denise D
DD
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
Katz
Kenneth D
KD
Brooks
Daniel E
DE
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*
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone