Drug induced cardiotoxicity: long QT syndrome with arrhythmogenic potential

Cardiotoxicidad inducida por fármacos: síndrome de QT prolongado con potencial arritmogénico

The use of drugs that prolong the QT interval is associated with increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially torsades de pointe s (TdP) type polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, leading to long hospital stays, consultation to emergency services or even death. Thus, knowing about these drugs is important to prevent this type of reactions even before prescription. This review focuses on commonly used drugs that prolong the QT interval and may induce TdP in the hospital as well as in the outpatient setting, mechanisms of QT drug-induced prolongation, pre-disposing risk factors, prevention interventions and management for these arrhythmias. The drugs inducing prolonged QT must be identified and duly studied by the hospital staff as well as the outpatient clinic staff to prevent adverse reactions.

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