Management
Any drugs which are known to prolong the QT interval should be stopped e.g. quinidine, disopyramide or sotalol.
Some recommend increasing the heart rate by pharmacological means (e.g. isoprenaline 2-10 microgrammes/minute) or by overdrive pacing.
Alternatively a safe and effective emergency treatment is intravenous administration of magnesium sulphate:
- 1- 2 g of magnesium sulphate i.v. is given over 2-3 min
- 1-2 g is equivalent to 2-4 ml (4-8 mmol) of 50% magnesium sulphate
- a further 2 g bolus may be given if necessary
- a continuous infusion of 2-8 mg/min is commenced
- if this is ineffective then temporary ventricular pacing is indicated
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