title: Ciprofloxacin-induced torsade de pointes.
abstract: A 65-year-old man with recently diagnosed urinary tract infection treated with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) presented to our institution with recurrent seizure-like activity. His rhythm revealed torsade de pointes, which required defibrillation. Subsequent electrocardiogram revealed severely prolonged QT interval, which near-completely resolved 7 days later off Cipro. This case highlights a rare but potentially fatal side effect of quinolone antibiotics, especially in combination with other QT-prolonging medications. Review of the literature with regard to prevalence, mechanism, and assessment and treatment of this potentially fatal incidence is provided.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Morhaf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Bassam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Omar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin