Cesium chloride-induced torsades de pointes.
The chloride salt of cesium, a group 1A element, is gaining popularity as an alternative treatment of advanced cancers. Cesium chloride has primarily been used in cardiovascular research for arrhythmogenesis in animals because of its potassium-blocking effects. The present report describes a 45-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer who experienced repeated episodes of torsades de pointes polymorphic ventricular tachycardia after several months of oral cesium therapy. There was a clear temporal relationship between cesium ingestion and the arrhythmia, which later resolved following discontinuation of cesium therapy. Serial cesium plasma and whole blood levels were measured over the ensuing six months and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed.
Wiens
Matthew
M
Department of Pharmacy, Chilliwack General Hospital, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. mowiens@interchange.ubc.ca
Gordon
Wendy
W
Baulcomb
Daisy
D
Mattman
Andre
A
Mock
Tom
T
Brown
Robert
R
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002586:Cesium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002712:Chlorides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002712:Chlorides; D002586:Cesium; C028019:cesium chloride