Ginseng: a potential cause of long QT.
Ginseng is a frequently used food additive and considered to be relatively safe. Long QT syndrome can be hereditary or acquired. It presents as syncope, sudden cardiac death, or seizures. We report the novel case of a female patient without cardiovascular risk factors who developed prolonged QT with subsequent torsades de pointes during periods in which she was drinking large amounts of ginseng.
Torbey
Estelle
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA.
Abi Rafeh
Nidal
N
Khoueiry
Georges
G
Kowalski
Marcin
M
Bekheit
Soad
S
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005894:Panax / Q000009:adverse effects*