Schlienger R G, Haefeli W E, Lüscher T F
Departement Innere Medizin, Abteilung Klinische Pharmakologie, Kantonsspital, Basel.
Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1993 Feb 9;82(6):173-5.
Torsade de pointes, a polymorphous ventricular tachycardia, is a well-known but rarely occurring cardiac adverse drug reaction under amiodarone, a class-III antiarrhythmic agent. We report the case of a 60-year-old male patient who developed a life-threatening torsade after three weeks of amiodarone therapy. Considering some potential risk factors, amiodarone is an effective and safe antiarrhythmic agent for ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia. In most patients, Amiodarone can be used safely even in those who had developed a torsade de pointes with other antiarrhythmic agents.