Torsades de pointes: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
*Most commonly occurs in pts w/ prolonged QT due to heart diseaes or meds.
*Torsades de Pointes is a form of polymorphic VTach, where there is a gradual change in the amplitude and twisting of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line
**Procainamide
*Associated with prolonged QT, which may be congenital or acquired. '''POINTES''' mnemonic for common etiologies:
**Phenothiazine
**TCAs
**Qunidine
**Disopyramide
 
*'''POINTES''' mneumonic
**'''P'''henothiazines
**'''P'''henothiazines
**'''O'''ther medications (tricyclic antidepressants)
**'''O'''ther medications (ie TCAs)
**'''I'''ntracranial bleed
**'''I'''ntracranial bleed
**'''N'''o known cause (idiopathic)
**'''N'''o known cause (idiopathic)
**'''T'''ype I anti-arrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide, dispyramide)
**'''T'''ype I anti-arrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide)
**'''E'''lectrolyte abnormalities
**'''E'''lectrolyte abnormalities
**'''S'''yndrome of Prolonged QT (aka Long QT Syndrome)
**'''S'''yndrome of Prolonged QT (aka Long QT Syndrome)

Revision as of 04:59, 8 January 2014

Background

  • Torsades de Pointes is a form of polymorphic VTach, where there is a gradual change in the amplitude and twisting of the QRS complexes around the isoelectric line
  • Associated with prolonged QT, which may be congenital or acquired. POINTES mnemonic for common etiologies:
    • Phenothiazines
    • Other medications (ie TCAs)
    • Intracranial bleed
    • No known cause (idiopathic)
    • Type I anti-arrhythmics (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide)
    • Electrolyte abnormalities
    • Syndrome of Prolonged QT (aka Long QT Syndrome)

Treatment

Increasing HR decreases QT interval

  1. Magnesium - decreases calcium influx
    1. 1-2gm IV over 1-2 min, repeat in 5-15min; then 1-2gm/hr (3-10mg/min) gtt
      1. Danger of hyperMag2+ → depressed neuromuscular function
      2. Supplement with K+
  2. Isoproterenol - Increases HR / AV conduction
    1. 2-8 mcg/min
  3. Overdrive Pacing - Atrial over ventricular pacing
    1. Goal HR 90-120
  4. Synchronized Cardioversion - Pt in extremis

See Also

Source

  • Tintinalli