Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-4-21
pubmed:abstractText
Torsade de pointes is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia showing a peculiar electrocardiographic pattern characterised by a continuous twisting in QRS axis around an imaginary baseline. An abnormally prolonged QT interval is actually associated with torsade de pointes and it is constantly observed in the sinus beats preceding the onset of the arrhythmic event. Prolongation of ventricular repolarisation associated with the development of torsade de pointes can be observed in many clinical conditions, commonly referred to as prolonged QT syndromes, which can be divided into two major groups: (a) idiopathic long QT syndrome (LQTS), which include the Jervell-Lange-Nielsen and the Romano-Ward syndromes; and (b) acquired prolonged QT syndromes, which are largely iatrogenic and may follow treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines or macrolide antibiotics, and may be associated with metabolic disturbances (hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia). Clinical studies have provided criteria for the definition and guidelines for the management of torsade de pointes, while the electrophysiological mechanisms responsible for its onset are still unclear. Two pathogenetic hypotheses have been proposed to account for the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the condition: (a) re-entry due to a dispersion of refractory periods; and (b) triggered activity initiated by either early or delayed after-depolarisations. Both mechanisms are supported by clinical and experimental observations but a conclusive answer is not yet available.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0012-6667
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
47
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
51-65
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1994
pubmed:articleTitle
Torsade de pointes. Mechanisms and management.
pubmed:affiliation
Istituto di Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review