title: Brainstem infarct presenting as torsades de pointes.
abstract: Hypokalemia, as an adverse consequence of severe alkalosis, can prolong QT interval and cause torsades de pointes. This report describes a rare case of central neurogenic hyperventilation as a result of brainstem infarct, presenting primarily with refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmia due to secondary hypokalemia.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
authors.forename: Sivakumar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ardhanari
authors.forename: Balashankar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gomathi S
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anita
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harish
authors.forename: Mullasari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ajit S
authors.forename: Ulhas M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Pandurangi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000472:Alkalosis, Respiratory / Q000150:complications; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000209:etiology*