Ciprofloxacin-induced torsade de pointes. 2012

Morhaf Ibrahim, and Bassam Omar
Division of Cardiology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.

A 65-year-old man with recently diagnosed urinary tract infection treated with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) presented to our institution with recurrent seizure-like activity. His rhythm revealed torsade de pointes, which required defibrillation. Subsequent electrocardiogram revealed severely prolonged QT interval, which near-completely resolved 7 days later off Cipro. This case highlights a rare but potentially fatal side effect of quinolone antibiotics, especially in combination with other QT-prolonging medications. Review of the literature with regard to prevalence, mechanism, and assessment and treatment of this potentially fatal incidence is provided.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D002939 Ciprofloxacin A broad-spectrum antimicrobial carboxyfluoroquinoline. Bay-09867,Ciprinol,Cipro,Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride,Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Anhydrous,Ciprofloxacin Monohydrochloride Monohydrate,Anhydrous, Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride,Bay 09867,Bay09867,Hydrochloride Anhydrous, Ciprofloxacin,Hydrochloride, Ciprofloxacin,Monohydrate, Ciprofloxacin Monohydrochloride,Monohydrochloride Monohydrate, Ciprofloxacin
D004562 Electrocardiography Recording of the moment-to-moment electromotive forces of the HEART as projected onto various sites on the body's surface, delineated as a scalar function of time. The recording is monitored by a tracing on slow moving chart paper or by observing it on a cardioscope, which is a CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY. 12-Lead ECG,12-Lead EKG,12-Lead Electrocardiography,Cardiography,ECG,EKG,Electrocardiogram,Electrocardiograph,12 Lead ECG,12 Lead EKG,12 Lead Electrocardiography,12-Lead ECGs,12-Lead EKGs,12-Lead Electrocardiographies,Cardiographies,ECG, 12-Lead,EKG, 12-Lead,Electrocardiograms,Electrocardiographies, 12-Lead,Electrocardiographs,Electrocardiography, 12-Lead
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000890 Anti-Infective Agents Substances that prevent infectious agents or organisms from spreading or kill infectious agents in order to prevent the spread of infection. Anti-Infective Agent,Anti-Microbial Agent,Antimicrobial Agent,Microbicide,Microbicides,Anti-Microbial Agents,Antiinfective Agents,Antimicrobial Agents,Agent, Anti-Infective,Agent, Anti-Microbial,Agent, Antimicrobial,Agents, Anti-Infective,Agents, Anti-Microbial,Agents, Antiinfective,Agents, Antimicrobial,Anti Infective Agent,Anti Infective Agents,Anti Microbial Agent,Anti Microbial Agents
D014552 Urinary Tract Infections Inflammatory responses of the epithelium of the URINARY TRACT to microbial invasions. They are often bacterial infections with associated BACTERIURIA and PYURIA. Infection, Urinary Tract,Infections, Urinary Tract,Tract Infection, Urinary,Tract Infections, Urinary,Urinary Tract Infection
D016171 Torsades de Pointes A malignant form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that is characterized by HEART RATE between 200 and 250 beats per minute, and QRS complexes with changing amplitude and twisting of the points. The term also describes the syndrome of tachycardia with prolonged ventricular repolarization, long QT intervals exceeding 500 milliseconds or BRADYCARDIA. Torsades de pointes may be self-limited or may progress to VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION. Torsade de Pointes,Pointes, Torsade de,Pointes, Torsades de,de Pointes, Torsade,de Pointes, Torsades
D016896 Treatment Outcome Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series. Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes

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