Korean J Med.  1997 Jan;52(1):137-142.

A Case of Phenothiazine-induced Torsades de Pointes

• Choi SH
• Cho MJ
• Park MJ
• Hong JP
• Lee SH
• Shim WB

Abstract

Torsades de pointes (TdP) is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with a prolonged QT interval or increased U wave. It may occur either in the congenital(idiopathic) form or in the aquired form. Although aquired TdP could be found in many clinical settings such as various drugs, bradycardia, or electrolyte imbalance, it is most commonly induced by drugs. The underlying mechanism is though to be the triggered activity arising as a consequence of early afterdepolarization. Phenothiazine has many derivatives that can lead to occur the cardiovascular events including hypotension, syncope, tachycardia and various ECG changes. Chloropromazine is a propylamine derivative of phenothiazine. We report a case of TdP occurred after chloropromazine usual dosage.

Keyword

Torsades de pointes; Chlorpromazine

MeSH Terms

Bradycardia
Chlorpromazine
Electrocardiography
Hypotension
Syncope
Tachycardia
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Torsades de Pointes*
Chlorpromazine