[Amiodarone-induced torsade de pointes--five case reports]

Five patients with amiodarone-induced QT prolongation and torsade de pointes are described. Hypokalemia was present in three patients, marked bradycardia - in two, and T-wave alternans - also in two patients. Patients with negative T waves in precordial leads were at higher risk of ventricular fibrillation than the patients with positive T waves. Beta-blocker, lidocaine and, in two patients, tosylate bretylate were effective. All patients survived to hospital discharge, however, one patient died four months later.