Torsade de Pointes

French for "Twisting of the Points," a rapid polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. It is usually caused by hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and malnourished alcoholics. Although Torsades de Pointes (TdP) is a rare ventricular arrhythmia, it can degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, leading to death without rapid medical intervention. TdP is associated with long QT syndrome, a condition whereby prolonged QT intervals are visible on the ECG.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TdP
• Polymorphic VT

[ctnave]

Thanks for posting. So much easier to understand once you see it.

[heylookacar]

It looks like two waves with different periods added and creating interference... looks like something you see on an oscilloscope a lot.

[tyra696]

awesome! thx for posting 

[angoulmois7]

Sulfato de magnesio como tratamiento

[led3excelnsgstud]

Thanks Master Train for posting these rhythms. They were great rhythm recognition for me before attending your ACLS Provider Course. See you this month for PALS! :-)

[Allibaby78]

Torsades de pointes is a specific form of polymorphic VT in patients with a long QT interval. It is characterized by rapid, irregular QRS complexes, which appear to be twisting around the ECG baseline. This arrhythmia may cease spontaneously or degenerate into ventricular fibrillation. It causes significant hemodynamic compromise and often death. Diagnosis is by ECG. Treatment is with IV Mg, measures to shorten QT interval, and DC defibrillation when ventricular fibrillation is precipitated.

[jjovereats]

No P or T waves are visible. The QRS complex could be considered "bizarre".

[Carolinoski]

magnesio bolo 2g en 10 cc de DAD 5% para 5 -10 minutos

Cuidado postparo:

 - Amiodarona (si no tiene prologando el QT) o - Lidocaina

[boston18967345]

That is some crazy ass heart rhythm.

[bigdaddycuba]

crazy. look at that heart rate bouncing around.