Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction
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Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction

Published on: January 31, 2019

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[CME ECC 66: Torsade de Pointes: The Danger of a Rotating Heart Axis]

Susanne Markendorf1, Ardan M Saguner1, Corinna Brunckhorst1

  • 1Universitätsspital Zürich, Klinik für Kardiologie.

Praxis
|September 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Torsade de pointes tachycardia is a dangerous heart rhythm disorder caused by QT-interval prolongation. Understanding its causes, diagnosis, and management is crucial for preventing life-threatening events like ventricular fibrillation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Torsade de pointes (TdP) is a polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
  • It is characterized by QT-interval prolongation, leading to triggered activity.
  • Causes can be congenital or acquired, with acquired causes often linked to pharmacotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide insights into the etiology of Torsade de pointes.
  • To outline diagnostic methods for Torsade de pointes.
  • To discuss prevention and management strategies for Torsade de pointes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Torsade de pointes.
  • Analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics, including the undulating QRS axis.
  • Discussion of clinical presentation and risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Torsade de pointes is identified by a unique twisting of the QRS complex on ECG.
  • While often self-limiting, it carries a risk of degenerating into ventricular fibrillation.
  • QT-interval prolongation is the primary underlying mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Torsade de pointes is a significant clinical concern due to its potential for fatal outcomes.
  • Early recognition and intervention are vital for patient management.
  • Prevention strategies, particularly concerning drug-induced QT prolongation, are essential.

Keywords:
Heart rhythm disordersHerzrhythmusstörungenLong-QTTorsade de pointesventricular tachycardiaventrikuläre Tachykardie

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