Torsade de Pointes after Administration of Droperidol for Nausea andVomiting

Abstract

We report an emergency medical services (EMS) case of self-limited torsade de pointes after administration of droperidol for nausea andvomiting in a patient with potential predisposing factors for the development of prolonged QT interval. Despite the reported association with torsade de pointes, many clinicians still consider droperidol to be a safe medication. Rare cardiac side effects may be avoided by reviewing risk factors for prolonged QT interval in individual patients prior to administering droperidol

Key words:

• droperidol
• torsade de pointes
• emergency medical services
• QT interval