title: Life threatening torsades de pointes due to abiraterone-induced hypokaelemia in a patient with metastatic prostate cancer.
abstract: We present a case of a 77 year-old gentleman with previous coronary artery bypass grafting, admitted to hospital with recurrent torsades de pointes (TdP) due to abiraterone-induced hypokalaemia and prolonged QTc. The patient was on abiraterone and prednisone for metastatic prostate cancer. He required multiple defibrillations for recurrent TdP. Abiraterone is a relatively novel drug used in metastatic prostate cancer and we discuss this potential adverse effect and its management in this unusual presentation.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Trainee, Department of Medicine, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Tauranga.
authors.forename: Afrasyab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Consultant Cardiologist, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Tauranga.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kneale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068180:Aripiprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000068180:Aripiprazole