Torsade de pointes in a patient with complete atrioventricular block and pacemaker failure, misdiagnosed with epilepsy

Journal of Electrocardiology
Si-Yu CaiJian-An Wang

Abstract

A case of torsade de pointes (TdP) with complete atrioventricular block and pacemaker failure that was misdiagnosed as epilepsy is presented herein. An 82-year-old female with recurrent seizure-like attacks showed epileptiform discharge during an electroencephalogram recording. A long QT interval and severe hypokalemia induced runs of TdP, which was related to pacemaker lead fracture, was detected during Holter recording and accompanied with episodes of seizures. After a DDD pacemaker with a new ventricular lead was replaced, there was no recurrence of any seizure-like attacks. Bradycardia-mediated TdP associated with complete atrioventricular block should not be missed in patients with recurrent seizure-like attacks even after pacemaker implantation.

References

Sep 24, 1983·British Medical Journal·F W BallardieJ Davis
Feb 6, 2007·Heart Rhythm : the Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society·Philippe ChevalierClaire Rodriguez-Lafrasse
Oct 27, 2010·Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society·Yuko OkaMinoru Horie

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 22, 2016·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part a·Eliecer CotoJuan Gómez

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias are slow heart rates. Symptoms may include syncope, dizziness, fatigure, shortness of breath, and chest pains. Find the latest research on bradyarrhythmias here.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.