Drugs Used in Cardiac Arrhythmias

Question 1

What is Torsades de Pointes?

Answer 1

-rapid form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that occurs in the setting of prolonged ventricular repolarization (long QT)

Question 2

What are the clinical manifestations of Torsades de Pointes?

Answer 2

• -typical HR of 160-250 bpm
• -palpations, dizziness, lightheadedness
• -htn, syncope
• -sudden cardiac death d/t v-fib

Question 3

Which anti-arrhythmic drug very rarely induces Torsades?

Answer 3

-amiodarone