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Torsade de pointes and long QT syndrome following major blood transfusion
Author(s) -
KULKARNI P.,
BHATTACHARYA S.,
PETROS A. J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1992.tb02008.x
Subject(s) - medicine , long qt syndrome , blood transfusion , electrocardiography , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , cardiology , qt interval
Summary We report a rare complication following transfusion of a large volume of blood in an adult patient. An electrophysiological disturbance of the cardiac cycle with prolongation of the QT interval developed, which was followed by recurrent episodes of torsade de pointes, a unique form of ventricular tachycardia. The most likely cause of this acquired long QT syndrome was hypomagnesaemia secondary to massive blood transfusion. Treatment with a magnesium infusion restored the QT interval to normal and temporary ventricular pacing prevented further ventricular arrhythmias.