QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes associated with indapamide

• Published in: International journal of cardiology Vol. 112; no. 3; pp. 373 - 374
• Main Authors: Letsas, Konstantinos P., Alexanian, Ioannis P., Pappas, Loukas K., Kounas, Stavros P., Efremidis, Michalis, Sideris, Antonios, Kardaras, Fotis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 10.10.2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac dysrhythmias; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diuretics - adverse effects; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart; Heart Conduction System - drug effects; Humans; Hypertension - epidemiology; Indapamide; Indapamide - adverse effects; Long QT; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - epidemiology; Medical sciences; Torsade de pointes; Torsades de Pointes - chemically induced; Ventricular Fibrillation - chemically induced; Torsade de pointes; Indapamide; Long QT; QT interval; Wave burst; Arrhythmia; Prolonged QT interval; Cardiovascular disease; Conduction disorder; Phlebology; Excitability disorder; Association; Heart block; Heart disease; Circulatory system; Cardiology
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2005.07.055

Direct blockade of the delayed rectifier repolarising potassium current is the major underlying mechanism of drug-induced QT interval prolongation. Indapamide is a well known blocker of the slow component of the delayed rectifier current leading to prolongation of cardiac repolarization. The case of an acquired long QT and torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and hypertension receiving prednisolone and indapamide, respectively, is described in the present report.