Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with torsades de pointes?

The electrolyte disturbances that have been reported to precipitate torsade include hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia.

Can low potassium cause torsades Depointes?

Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmogenicity is attributed to prolonged ventricular repolarization, slowed conduction and abnormal pacemaker activity. Prolonged QT interval reflects prolonged cardiac repolarization, which is a pathogenic factor in the genesis of torsade de pointes.

Do you give magnesium for torsades?

Magnesium sulphate suppresses torsade by decreasing the influx of calcium ions, which in turn results in decreased amplitude of EADs. The initial dose is 2 g (20 ml of 10% solution), given intravenously over one to two minutes.

Why do you treat torsades de pointes with magnesium?

Intravenous magnesium is the first-line pharmacologic therapy in Torsades de Pointes. Magnesium has been shown to stabilize the cardiac membrane, though the exact mechanism is unknown. The recommended initial dose of magnesium is a slow 2 g IV push.

Which antiarrhythmic drugs cause torsades pointes?

Antiarrhythmic drugs associated with torsade include the following:

• Class IA – Quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide.
• Class III – Sotalol, amiodarone (rare), ibutilide, dofetilide, almokalant.

How do you explain torsades de pointes?

Torsades de pointes is a ventricular tachycardia, meaning that it is a fast heartbeat with the electrical activity from the ventricles. The ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood first from the right side of the heart to the lungs, and then from the left side out to the rest of the body.

Can hyperkalemia cause torsades?

The deviations to both extremes (hypo- and hyperkalemia) are related to the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Potassium levels below 3,0 mmol/l cause significant Q-T interval prolongation with subsequent risk of torsade des pointes, ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.

What happens to the heart during torsades de pointes?

In the case of torsades de pointes (TdP), the heart’s two lower chambers, called the ventricles, beat faster than and out of sync with the upper chambers, called the atria. An abnormal heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. When the heart beats much faster than normal, the condition is called tachycardia.

What’s another name for torsades de pointes?

When the heart beats faster than usual, as in a case of torsades de pointes, it is called tachycardia. Torsades de pointes is French for “twisting of points” and refers to when the heart’s two lower chambers or ventricles, beat faster than the upper chambers, which are known as the atria.

What drugs can cause torsades de pointes?

Other drugs that can induce torsades de pointes VT include tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, and certain antivirals and antifungals (see CredibleMeds for an up-to-date list). Patients often present with syncope because the underlying rate (200 to 250 beats/minute) is nonperfusing. Palpitations are common among conscious patients.

How do you treat torsades de pointes?

If torsades de pointes is found to have an underlying medical cause, this will be treated first. If a medication is causing the condition, a doctor may recommend an alternative treatment. For people with a congenital form of LQTS , treatment includes: beta-adrenergic antagonists, such as propranolol .

What causes torsades de pointes?

Common causes for torsades de pointes include diarrhea, low blood magnesium, and low blood potassium. It is commonly seen in malnourished individuals and chronic alcoholics, due to a deficiency in potassium and/or magnesium.

What is torsade de pointes?

Torsades de pointes is a ventricular tachycardia, meaning that it is a fast heartbeat with the electrical activity from the ventricles. The ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood first from the right side of the heart to the lungs, and then from the left side out to the rest of the body.