Torsades du Pointes Flashcards
What is Torsades du Pointes a form of?
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
In who does Torsades du Pointes occur?
People with a long QT interval
What can Torsades du Pointes deteriorate into?
Ventricular fibrillation and hence lead to sudden death.
What is Torsades du Pointes?
It is when the ventricles continue to stimulate recurrent contractions without normal repolarisation
What are the two outcomes of Torsades du Pointes?
- Terminate spontaneously and revert back to sinus rhythm
- Progress to ventricular fibrillation
How is Torsades du Pointes diagnosed?
ECG
What might you see on an ECG with someone with Torsades du Pointes?
normal ventricular tachycardia but there is an appearance that the QRS complex is twisting around the baseline.
How are the QRS complexes affected on an ECG in someone with Torsades du Pointes?
QRS complexes progressively get smaller, then larger then smaller and so on
Prolonged QT interval
Why is there a prolonged QT interval with Torsades du Pointes?
Prolonged repolarisation of the muscle cells in the heart after a contraction
Why is the condition called Torsades du Pointes?
‘twisting of the points’- due to ECG changes
What is the management of Torsades du Pointes?
IV magnesium sulphate
What is the management of Torsades du Pointes if ventricular fibrillation occurs?
Defibrillation
What are the possible causes of a prolonged QT interval?
- Inherited- Long QT Syndrome
- Medications
- Electrolyte Disturbance
What medications can cause a prolonged QT interval?
Antipsychotics
Citalopram
Flecainide
Sotalol
Amiodarone
Macrolide antibiotics
Which electrolyte disturbances can cause a prolonged QT interval?
hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalcaemia
