Drug induced QT prolongation and torsades de pointes

Fig 1: Torsades de Pointes is a rapid ventricular rhythm caused by low potassium, medications (those that block potassium channels), or congenital abnormalities (e.g. Long QT Syndrome) that lengthen the QT interval. The rate is variable 250 and 350 per minute, in brief episodes.

Drugs that may cause torsade de pointes include:

• Disopyramide
• Dofetilide
• Ibutilde
• Procainamide
• Quinidine
• Sotalol
• Bepridil
• Amiodaone
• Arsenic trioxide
• Cisapride
• Erythromycin
• Doperidone
• Droperidol
• Chlorpromazine
• Haloperidol
• Thioridazine
• Pimozide
• Methadone.

Reference

1. Roden D.M. Drug induced prolongation of the QT interval. N Engl J Med 2004; 350:1013-1022.

Source: Fig 1,