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   MeshID        = D016171 |
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{{SI}}
{{Torsades de pointes}}


{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}


==Overview==
==[[Torsades de pointes overview|Overview]]==


'''Torsade de pointes''' or '''torsades''' is a French term that literally means "twisting of the points" is a [[ventricular tachycardia]] associated with a long QT time on the resting ECG.
==[[Torsades de pointes historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]==


Torsade de pointes is typically initiated by a short-long-short interval. A ventricle extrasystole (first beat: short) is followed by a compensatory pause. The following beat (second beat: long) has a longer [[QT interval]]. If the next beat follows shortly thereafter, ther is a good chance that this third beat falls within the [[QT interval]], resulting in the R on T phenomenon and subsequent [[Torsade de pointes]]. During [[Torsade de pointes]] the ventricles depolarize in a circular fashion resulting in QRS complexes with a continuously turning heart axis around the baseline (hence the name ''Torsade de Pointes''). Read the chapter on the [[Long_QT_syndrome|Long QT Syndrome]] for an list of causes.
==[[Torsades de pointes pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==


Also, a more rare form of short coupled [[Torsade de pointes]] has been observed.<ref name="Leenhardt"> Leenhardt A, Glaser E, Burguera M, Nuernberg M, Maison-Blanche P, and Coumel P. Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. A new electrocardiographic entity in the spectrum of idiopathic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation 1994 Jan; 89(1) 206-15. PMID 8281648 </ref>
==[[Torsades de pointes causes|Causes]]==


==Historical Perspective==
==[[Torsades de pointes differential diagnosis|Differentiating Torsades de pointes from other Diseases]]==


* It was first described by [[Dessertenne]] in 1966<ref>{{cite journal |author=Dessertenne F |title=[Ventricular tachycardia with 2 variable opposing foci] |language=French |journal=Archives des maladies du coeur et des vaisseaux |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=263-72 |year=1966 |pmid=4956181 |doi=}}</ref> and refers to a specific variety of [[ventricular tachycardia]] that exhibits distinct characteristics on the [[electrocardiogram]] (ECG).
==[[Torsades de pointes risk factors|Risk Factors]]==


* The French term is largely due to the fact that the phenomenon was originally described in a French [[medical journal]] by [[Dessertenne]] in 1966, when he observed this rhythm disorder in an 80-year-old female patient with complete intermittent [[atrioventricular]] block.
==[[Torsades de pointes natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==


* There has been much debate in the ''Circulation'' journal among French and American scientist whether one should write '''Torsades de Pointes''' or '''Torsade de Pointes'''.
==Diagnosis==


* As for now ''Torsade'' is prefered (unless one sees rotations around more than one axis in one episode), but both forms are used in similar frequency.<ref>Moise NS. As Americans, we should get this right. Circulation 1999 Sep 28; 100(13) 1462. PMID 10500317 </ref>
[[Torsades de pointes history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Torsades de pointes physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Torsades de pointes laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Torsades de pointes electrocardiogram|Electrocardiogram]] | [[Torsades de pointes ekg examples|EKG Examples]] | [[Torsades de pointes echocardiography|Echocardiography]] | [[Torsades de pointes other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]
 
==History and symptoms==
 
[[Image:Tosadesdepointes.jpg|center|thumb|300px|Characteristic tracing showing the "twisting" (blue line) of Torsade de pointes]]
 
'''Torsades''' is a rapid, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with a characteristic twist of the QRS complex around the isoelectric baseline. It is also associated with a fall in arterial blood pressure, which gives rise to the syncopal symptoms experienced by patients. Although torsade de pointes is a rare ventricular arrhythmia, it can degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, which will lead to sudden death in the absence of medical intervention. The common symptoms associated with it are as follows:
 
*  [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]]
* [[Shortness of breath]]
* [[Chest pain]]
* Recurrent [[palpitations]]
* [[Dizziness]]
* [[Syncope]]
* [[Sudden cardiac death]] 
 
In young patients history of congenital [[long QT syndrome]], congenital deafness ([[Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome]] presenting with congenital sensorineural deafness and cardiac abnormalities), family history of [[sudden cardiac death]] should be asked. Also, medication history to rule out acquired causes of Torsade de pointes should be actively searched.
 
==Physical examination==
Physical examination findings depends on the rate and duration of the episode and the effect on cerebral perfusion during the episode. The physical finding may include:
 
* [[Pallor]] and [[diaphoresis]]
* [[Bradycardia]] followed by [[tachycardia]]
* [[Loss of consciousness]]
 
==Causes==
 
Long QT syndrome can either be inherited as congenital mutations of ion channels carrying the cardiac impulse/action potential or acquired as a result of drugs that block these cardiac ion currents.
 
Common causes for torsades de pointes include [[hypomagnesemia]] and [[hypokalemia]]. It is commonly seen in malnourished individuals and chronic [[alcoholism|alcoholics]]. Drug interactions such as erythromycin or Avelox, taken concomitantly with inhibitors like nitroimidazole, [[Diarrhea]], dietary supplements, and various medications like [[methadone]], [[Lithium]], [[tricyclic antidepressants]] or [[phenothiazines]] may also contribute.
 
Factors that are associated with an increased tendency toward torsades de pointes include:
* [[Familial long QT syndrome]]
* [[antiarrhythmic drug|Class IA antiarrhythmics]]
* [[Hypomagnesemia]]
* [[Hypokalemia]]
* [[Hypoxia (medical)|Hypoxia]]
* [[Acidosis]]
* [[Heart failure]]
* [[Left ventricular hypertrophy]]
* [[bradycardia|Slow heart rate]]
* [[Female|Female gender]]
* Baseline electrocardiographic abnormalities
* Renal or liver failure
 
===The List of Drugs that Causing Torsades de pointes===
 
Drugs that are generally accepted to have a risk of causing torsades de pointes
 
* [[Amiodarone ]]
* [[Arsenic trioxide ]]
* [[Astemizole ]]
* [[Bepridil ]]
* [[Chloroquine ]]
* [[Chlorpromazine ]]
* [[Cisapride ]]
* [[Clarithromycin ]]
* [[Disopyramide ]]
* [[Dofetilide ]]
* [[Domperidone ]]
* [[Droperidol ]]
* [[Erythromycin ]]
* [[Halofantrine ]]
* [[Haloperidol ]]
* [[Ibutilide ]]
* [[Levomethadyl ]]
* [[Mesoridazine]]
* [[Methadone ]]
* [[Pentamidine]]
* [[Pimozide ]]
* [[Probucol ]]
* [[Procainamide]]
* [[Quinidine ]]
* [[Sotalol ]]
* [[Sparfloxacin ]]
* [[Terfenadine ]]
* [[Thioridazine]]
 
===The List of Drugs that Possible Causing Torsades de pointes ===
 
Drugs that in some reports have been associated with torsades de pointes and/or QT prolongation but at this time lack substantial evidence for causing torsades de pointes.
 
* [[Alfuzosin ]]
* [[Amantadine ]]
* [[Atazanavir ]]
* [[Azithromycin ]]
* [[Chloral hydrate ]]
* [[Clozapine ]]
* [[Dolasetron ]]
* [[Felbamate ]]
* [[Flecainide ]]
* [[Foscarnet ]]
* [[Fosphenytoin ]]
* [[Gatifloxacin ]]
* [[Gemifloxacin ]]
* [[Granisetron ]]
* [[Indapamide ]]
* [[Isradipine ]]
* [[Levofloxacin ]]
* [[Lithium ]]
* [[Moexipril]] / [[HCTZ ]]
* [[Moxifloxacin ]]
* [[Nicardipine ]]
* [[Octreotide ]]
* [[Ofloxacin ]]
* [[Ondansetron]]
* [[Oxytocin ]]
* [[Paliperidone ]]
* [[Perflutren]]
* [[Quetiapine ]]
* [[Ranolazine ]]
* [[Risperidone ]]
* [[Roxithromycin]]
* [[Sunitinib ]]
* [[Tacrolimus ]]
* [[Tamoxifen ]]
* [[Telithromycin]]
* [[Tizanidine ]]
* [[Vardenafil ]]
* [[Venlafaxine ]]
* [[Voriconazole ]]
* [[Ziprasidone]]
 
===The List of Drugs that Causing Torsades de pointes in Certain Conditions===
 
Drugs that, in some reports, have been weakly associated with torsades de pointes and/or QT prolongation but that are unlikely to be a risk for torsades de pointes when used in usual recommended dosages and in patients without other risk factors (e.g., concomitant QT prolonging drugs, bradycardia, electrolyte disturbances, congenital long QT syndrome, concomitant drugs that inhibit metabolism)
 
* [[Amitriptyline ]]
* [[Amoxapine ]]
* [[Ciprofloxacin]]
* [[Citalopram ]]
* [[Clomipramine ]]
* [[Desipramine ]]
* [[Doxepin ]]
* [[Fluconazole ]]
* [[Fluoxetine ]]
* [[Galantamine ]]
* [[Imipramine ]]
* [[Itraconazole ]]
* [[Ketoconazole ]]
* [[Mexiletine ]]
* [[Nortriptyline]]
* [[Paroxetine ]]
* [[Protriptyline]]
* [[Sertraline ]]
* [[Solifenacin ]]
* [[Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole]]
* [[Trimipramine]]
==Differential diagnosis==
 
* [[Ventricular Tachycardia]] (polymorphic, monomorphic)
* [[Supraventricular tachycardia]]
* [[Ventricular Fibrillation]]
* [[Sudden Cardiac Death]]
* [[Syncope]]
* [[Renal Failure]]
* Dialysis complication
* Drug toxicity like [[antiarrhythmic]], [[Antihistaminics]]
 
==Electrocardiography==
 
[[EKG]] is the main diagnostic tool in patients with [[Torsade de pointes]]. EKG findings that can be seen are:
 
* Progressive change in polarity of QRS about the isoelectric line occurs
* Prolonged QT interval ('''QT ≥ 0.60 s or QTc ≥ 0.45 s''')
* Pathological U
* Rotation of the heart's electrical axis by at least 180º
* Preceded by short long and short RR-intervals
* Triggered by an early [[premature ventricular contraction]](R-on-T PVC)
* Paroxysms of 5-20 beats at a rate ≥ 200 bpm
* Patients may revert spontaneously to a nonpolymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation
 
==Video: Torsade de pointes==
 
<youtube v=1ccTO6fNobU/>


==Treatment==
==Treatment==


===Acute Treatment ===
[[Torsades de pointes medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Torsades de pointes primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Torsades de pointes secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Torsades de pointes cost-effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Torsades de pointes future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]


If the episode of does not terminate on its own and degenerates into ventricular fibrillation,  [[cardioversion]] is required.
==Case Studies==
[[Torsades de pointes case study one|Case #1]]


[[Image:Torsades_converted_by_AICD_ECG_strip_Lead_II.JPG|thumb|center|800px|Lead II [[electrocardiogram]] showing [[Torsades]] being shocked by an [[Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator]] back to the patients baseline [[cardiac rhythm]].]]
==Related Chapters==
 
Once the patient is back in normal sinus rhythm, a vigorous search for and correction of  conditions that predispose to torsades de pointes which include [[hypokalemia]], [[hypomagnesemia]], and [[bradycardia]] should be made.  [[Magnesium sulfate]] (1-2 g IV over 30-60 seconds) reduces the influx of calcium thereby lowering the amplitude of early after depolarizations and should also be infused even if the magnesium is normal. <ref name="pmid15466950">{{cite journal |author=Hoshino K, Ogawa K, Hishitani T, Isobe T, Eto Y |title=Optimal administration dosage of magnesium sulfate for torsades de pointes in children with long QT syndrome |journal=J Am Coll Nutr |volume=23 |issue=5 |pages=497S–500S |year=2004 |month=October |pmid=15466950 |doi= |url=http://www.jacn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=15466950}}</ref><ref name="pmid16635167">{{cite journal |author=Hoshino K, Ogawa K, Hishitani T, Isobe T, Etoh Y |title=Successful uses of magnesium sulfate for torsades de pointes in children with long QT syndrome |journal=Pediatr Int |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=112–7 |year=2006 |month=April |pmid=16635167 |doi=10.1111/j.1442-200X.2006.02177.x |url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/resolve/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=1328-8067&date=2006&volume=48&issue=2&spage=112}}</ref>
Administration of [[lidocaine]] is generally not effective, but mexiletene may be helpful in suppressing the recurrence of torsade de pointes.
 
==Additional Information==


*[[Torsade de Pointes and Polymorphic VT]]
*[[Torsade de Pointes and Polymorphic VT]]
*[[Long QT syndrome]]


==External Links==
[http://www.torsades.org/medical-pros/drug-lists/drug-lists.htm Torsade de Pointes related drug list]
==Examples==
'''EKG's shown below are courtesy of [[C. Michael Gibson]] MS MD, and copylefted'''
<gallery perRow="3">
image:TdP.1.1.jpg|12 lead EKG at admission
image:TdP.1.2.1.jpg
image:TdP.1.2.2.jpg
image:TdP.1.3.1.jpg
image:TdP.1.3.2.jpg
image:TdP.1.4.1.jpg
image:TdP.1.4.2.jpg
image:TdP.1.5.1.jpg
image:TdP.1.5.2.jpg
image:TdP.1.6.1.jpg
image:TdP.1.6.2.jpg
image:TdP.1.7.jpg
</gallery>
'''Examples from different resources'''
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
image:shortcoupled_tdp1.jpg|Arrhythmias in a patient with short coupled torsade de pointes<ref name="Leenhardt"> Leenhardt A, Glaser E, Burguera M, Nuernberg M, Maison-Blanche P, and Coumel P. Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. A new electrocardiographic entity in the spectrum of idiopathic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation 1994 Jan; 89(1) 206-15. PMID 8281648 </ref>
image:shortcoupled_tdp2.jpg|Arrhythmias in a patient with short coupled torsades de pointes degenerating in [[ventricular fibrillation]]<ref name="Leenhardt"> Leenhardt A, Glaser E, Burguera M, Nuernberg M, Maison-Blanche P, and Coumel P. Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. A new electrocardiographic entity in the spectrum of idiopathic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation 1994 Jan; 89(1) 206-15. PMID 8281648 </ref>
</gallery>
</div>
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
image:shortcoupled_tdp3.jpg|Arrhythmias in a patient with short coupled torsade de pointes: frequent short coupled extrasystoles<ref name="Leenhardt"> Leenhardt A, Glaser E, Burguera M, Nuernberg M, Maison-Blanche P, and Coumel P. Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. A new electrocardiographic entity in the spectrum of idiopathic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation 1994 Jan; 89(1) 206-15. PMID 8281648 </ref>
image:shortcoupled_tdp4.jpg|Arrhythmias in a patient with short coupled torsade de pointes: frequent short coupled extrasystoles <ref name="Leenhardt"> Leenhardt A, Glaser E, Burguera M, Nuernberg M, Maison-Blanche P, and Coumel P. Short-coupled variant of torsade de pointes. A new electrocardiographic entity in the spectrum of idiopathic ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Circulation 1994 Jan; 89(1) 206-15. PMID 8281648 </ref>
</gallery>
</div>
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
image:12leadTorsade.jpg|A 12 lead ECG recording example of TdP<ref>Khan IA. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram of torsade de pointes Tex Heart Inst J. 2001; 28 (1): 69. PMID 11330748 </ref>
</gallery>
</div>


==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


{{Electrocardiography}}
{{Circulatory system pathology}}


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Latest revision as of 15:10, 24 October 2012

Torsade de pointes
DiseasesDB 29252
MeSH D016171

Torsades de pointes Microchapters

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Historical Perspective

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Torsades de pointes from other Diseases

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | EKG Examples | Echocardiography | Other Diagnostic Studies

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Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

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