Postaortic Valve Replacement Bradycardia Induced Torsades de Pointes

Abstract

The authors present an unusual case of torsades de pointes (Tdp) in an elderly woman with a history of aortic stenosis, status post aortic valve replacement. She was admitted for atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response. At the time of admission, the patient was asymptomatic and not taking any medications known to be associated with QT prolongation. During hospitalization, she developed episodes of Tdp without any provocable cause. This case highlights the occurrence of Tdp secondary to conduction disturbance caused by aortic valve surgery.

Postanesthetic torsade de pointes in a patient with unrecognized long QT syndrome -A case report-

“…The present patient showed no evidence of congenital or acquired disorders according to family history, personal history or preoperative examination. A previous report showed that post-aortic valve replacement bradycardia (atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response) induced TdP due to trauma or ischemia of conduction pathway [11]. However, ECG of the present patient was normal except QTc interval prolongation after open heart surgery.…”