QT Prolongation Preceding Ventricular Fibrillation After Amiodarone Administration: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common long-term arrhythmia in adults. Rhythm control in patients with AF involves efforts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm and is accomplished by medication, catheter ablation, or electrical cardioversion. Amiodarone represents one of the most commonly used antiarrhythmic medications. Prolonged use of amiodarone can lead to many side effects. One of the most severe side effects is drug-induced long QT syndrome (LQTS), which can cause malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We presented a case of a 52-year-old male who was admitted to the Coronary Unit due to first diagnosed AF with a rapid ventricular response. After amiodarone infusion was administrated the patient lost consciousness and the monitor displayed torsades de pointes (TdP) ventricular tachycardia with rapid conversion to ventricular fibrillation (VF). Cardiac resuscitation with two direct current (DC) shocks was performed. The patient was stabilized, and restoration of sinus rhythm with significant QT prolongation on the ECG was noted. This is a rare case of short-term amiodarone administration causing LQTS, TdP, and VF. The findings or observations emphasize the significance of diligent ECG monitoring during amiodarone treatment.