title: Termination of drug-induced torsades de pointes with overdrive pacing.
abstract: Drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval is frequently encountered after medication overdose. Such toxicity can result in degeneration to torsades de pointes (TdP) and require overdrive pacing. We present 3 cases in which intentional medication overdose resulted in QTc prolongation with subsequent degeneration to TdP. Despite appropriate care, including magnesium therapy, each case required overdrive pacing for resolution of TdP. Although rarely encountered, patients with drug-induced TdP can be successfully managed with overdrive pacing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Holstege
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*