Drug-induced proarrhythmia: Discussion and considerations for clinical practice

JAAPA. 2020 Feb;33(2):1-7. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000651776.53223.e7.

Abstract

Clinical practice includes contributions from physicians, pharmacists, NPs, and physician assistants. Drug safety considerations are of considerable importance. This article discusses drug-induced proarrhythmia, with a specific focus on torsades de pointes, a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that typically occurs in self-limiting bursts that can lead to dizziness, palpitations, syncope, and seizures, but on rare occasions can progress to ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. A dedicated clinical pharmacology study conducted during a drug's clinical development program has assessed its propensity to induce torsades using prolongation of the QT interval as seen on the ECG as a biomarker.Identification of QT-interval prolongation does not necessarily prevent a drug from receiving marketing approval if its overall benefit-risk balance is favorable, but, if approved, a warning is placed in its prescribing information. This article explains why drugs can have a proarrhythmic propensity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
  • Dizziness / etiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / diagnosis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / etiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nurse's Role
  • Physician Assistants*
  • Physician's Role*
  • Safety
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Syncope / etiology
  • Torsades de Pointes / diagnosis
  • Torsades de Pointes / etiology*
  • Torsades de Pointes / prevention & control*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / etiology