Torsades de pointes: Treatment, symptoms, and causes Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is torsades de pointes Medically reviewed by Uzochukwu Ibe, MD, MPH — By Tom Seymour — Updated on September 13, 2022Torsades de pointes is a type of atypical heart rhythm. It occurs when the lower chambers of the heart beat faster than the upper chambers. Though it can be life threatening, proper treatment can significantly improve a person’s outlook. Torsades de pointes is an uncommon type of ventricular tachycardia, or disturbance of the heart’s rhythm. It is a complication of a rare condition called long QT syndrome (LQTS), a heart rhythm disorder. Although around 50% of people with torsades de pointes do not experience any symptoms, it can cause several complications and may be life threatening in severe cases. This article will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment of torsades de pointes. What is torsades de pointes Share on PinterestTorsades de pointes is a form of tachycardia that shows up as a ribbon-like EKG pattern.Image credit: Jer5150Problems that occur with the heart’s rhythm are known as arrhythmias. When the heart beats faster than usual, as in the case of torsades de pointes, doctors call it tachycardia. Torsades de pointes is French for “twisting of points” and refers to when the heart’s two lower chambers or ventricles beat faster than its upper chambers, known as the atria. Some cases of torsades de pointes resolve on their own without treatment. However, it can develop into ventricular fibrillation, which can lead to cardiac arrest and may even be fatal. Symptoms and diagnosis A person can develop torsades de pointes without any warning. In some cases, the condition may be asymptomatic. In fact, health experts estimate that around 50% of people with torsades de pointes do not have any symptoms. Otherwise, symptoms of torsades de pointes may include:heart palpitationsdizzinessnauseacold sweatschest painshortness of breathrapid pulselow blood pressure Symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the length of the episode. In more serious cases, torsades de pointes can cause a lack of consciousness, known as syncope, or even a cardiac arrest, which can lead to death. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately diagnose torsades de pointes and distinguish it from other forms of ventricular tachycardia. Doctors can sometimes diagnose the condition by assessing a person’s calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels. However, they will usually make a diagnosis using an EKG. EKGShare on PinterestDoctors may use an EKG to diagnose and monitor torsades de pointes.Image credit: CardioNetworks An EKG measures the electrical activity of the heart. Electrical signals control the heart, starting at the top in the atria and working their way down into the ventricles. This process makes the organ pump blood around the body. An EKG tracks the electrical signals during this cycle and displays them as wavy lines that a doctor can review. In cases of torsades de pointes, these lines will form a distinctive shape, much like a party ribbon that has twisted. Causes Torsades de pointes is usually a complication of LQTS, which can be drug-induced or congenital, meaning the person is born with it. LQTS causes sudden and uncontrollable changes or arrhythmias in a person’s heart rate in response to stress or exercise. These arrhythmias can be very dangerous. Various conditions cause or influence the development of torsades de pointes. These include:intracranial bleeding, or bleeding inside the skullelectrolyte disturbances, such as hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemiaacute myocardial infarction, or a blockage in a coronary arterykidney injuryliver failuretoxins from heavy metals or insecticidesanorexiamalnutrition In cases with no known cause, doctors call the condition idiopathic torsades de pointes. What drug has associations with torsades de pointes Certain medications can cause torsades de pointes by altering the electrical activity of the heart. Some of the medications that have links to this condition include:antiarrhythmic drugscertain types of antibioticsantifungal medicationsantipsychoticsantidepressantsantiemetic medicationsdiuretics In addition to the medications above, other types of drugs known to cause torsades de pointes include opioids, such as methadone, as well as cocaine, donepezil, and cilostazol. Who is at risk for torsades de pointes While torsades de pointes is more common in females than males, anyone can develop the condition. In some cases, people are born with LQTS, which can lead to torsades de pointes. However, it can also occur due to certain types of drugs. Several conditions can also increase the risk of torsades de pointes, including heart, liver, or kidney problems, intracranial bleeding, and electrolyte disturbances. Though the condition can affect anyone, some people may be at a higher risk, including:femalespeople aged 65 and olderthose with a family history of the condition TreatmentShare on PinterestIn some cases, doctors will monitor torsades de pointes, instead of treating it. Image credit: AppleZoomZoom/Shutterstock Torsades de pointes can have life threatening complications, so immediate treatment is vital. Treatment will vary, depending on the individual’s symptoms and the cause of the atypical heart rhythm. Doctors may only monitor people without syncope, ventricular tachycardia, or a family history of the condition, rather than recommending treatment. The first thing a doctor will do after diagnosing torsades de pointes is to check the person’s calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels. If these levels are low, healthcare professionals may recommend supplements. Magnesium can also be an effective treatment in people who already have typical magnesium levels. If a person’s torsades de pointes has an underlying medical cause, this needs treatment first. If a medication is causing the condition, a doctor may recommend an alternative treatment. For people with a congenital form of LQTS, treatment includes:beta-blockers, such as propranololpacemakersan implantable cardioverter defibrillator, in rare cases, to detect and regulate atypical heart rhythms For people with acquired torsades de pointes, specific treatment is not usually necessary. This is because the arrhythmia should disappear once doctors treat the underlying condition. Outlook Torsades de pointes is a serious arrhythmia that can sometimes lead to sudden cardiac death. However, the outlook for people managing the condition with the appropriate treatment is positive. Arrhythmias are common but can be very serious, so individuals should always consult a doctor if they believe they have an atypical heartbeat. People with a history of torsades de pointes in their family may also wish to undergo screening for the condition as a precaution. Last medically reviewed on September 13, 2022Heart DiseaseCardiovascular / CardiologyMedically reviewed by Uzochukwu Ibe, MD, MPH — By Tom Seymour — Updated on September 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageVentricular fibrillation: What you need to knowMedically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH Ventricular fibrillation is an irregular rhythm caused by rapid, uncoordinated fluttering contractions of the heart's lower chambers. 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