title: Antipsychotic Medication and QT Prolongation.
abstract: The QT interval represents ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation. Prolongation of this interval can lead to life-threatening complications. These can include arrhythmias such as Torsades de Pointes and Ventricular Fibrillation, which may ultimately lead to death. Many risk factors have been identified in prolonging the QT interval, one of which is medication commonly used in the treatment of Psychiatric ailments. This article describes Antipsychotic drugs causing prolonged QT interval and the possible underlying mechanisms alongside the current best practice on the management of this potentially fatal complication.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Paramdip Singh Chohan, MBChB, DCH. Manor Court Avenue, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 5HX, UK.
authors.forename: Paramdip Singh
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chohan
authors.affiliation: Dr. Raman Mittal, MRCPsych. Manor Court Avenue, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 5HX, UK.
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Dr. Afzal Javed, FRCPsych, M. Phil. Manor Court Avenue, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 5HX, UK.
authors.forename: Afzal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Javed
keywords: Antipsychotics; QT Prolongation; Sudden Cardiac Death