title: Ventricular tachycardia and prolonged QT interval presenting as seizure-like activity.
abstract: Seizures can be difficult to distinguish from other causes of transient cerebral hypoxia in the emergency department. We present a case of seizure activity in a woman in whom EKG led to a diagnosis of intermittent monomorphic and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes), highlighting the need for careful consideration of alternative causes of seizures, even in patients with known epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, United States.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wentlandt
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, United States. Electronic address: stephenmorrismd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, United States.
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004232:Diuretics; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008012:Lidocaine; D008691:Methadone
keywords: Dysrhythmia; Seizure; Torsades de pointes