Escitalopram-induced prolongation of QT interval and Torsades de Pointes
10.3760/cma.j.cn114015-20200216-00122
- VernacularTitle:艾司西酞普兰致QT间期延长并尖端扭转型室性心动过速
- Author:
Lingyan GAO
1
;
Dongdong ZHAI
;
Sang GE
;
Hua LIU
Author Information
1. 航天中心医院药剂科，北京 100049
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Citalopram;
Long QT syndrome;
Torsades de Pointes
- From:
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal
2020;22(12):695-696
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
An 89-year-old female patient received escitalopram 10 mg once daily for depression. Three months later, the patient was admitted to hospital for sudden dizziness and a fall. Escitalopram was continued after the admission. On the 6th day of admission, the patient developed syncope again, transient ventricular tachycardia was found by electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, and the ECG showed the rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) 612 ms. Escitalopram was discontinued. However, the next day the patient developed ventricular tachycardia again, and the ECG showed Torsades de Pointes and QTc 727 ms. The serum potassium level was 2.84 mmol/L and the patient was given intravenous and oral potassium supplementation. On the 9th day of admission, the patient′s serum potassium level and ECG returned to normal, and the QTc was 487 ms. Escitalopram (with the same dose as before) was given again. The next 5 days, her QTc gradually extended to 506 ms, but serum potassium was normal. Escitalopram was discontinued again and the QTc shortened to 495 ms 2 days later. After 27 days of drug withdrawal, the ECG showed the QTc was 467 ms.
