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Home | Top 100 | TOP 100 ECG | ECG Case 022

ECG Case 022

by Dr Ed Burns, last update March 19, 2019

Post-intubation ECG of a young adult presenting with coma following a 6g quetiapine overdose. Describe the ECG.

TOP 100 ECG QUIZ LITFL 022

Describe and interpret this ECG

ECG ANSWER and INTERPRETATION

Main Abnormalities

This ECG displays the characteristic electrocardiographic features of quetiapine toxicity:

  • Sinus tachycardia due to anticholinergic effects.
  • Prolonged QT interval (QT interval > half the RR interval; QTc = 560ms).

A similar pattern would be seen with other atypical antipsychotic agents such as olanzapine or clozapine.

Significance of QT prolongation

  • QT prolongation is a common source of concern in patients with antipsychotic toxicity, because of the theoretical risk of Torsades de Pointes.
  • A QTc interval > 500 ms is commonly cited as a marker of increased risk of TdP.
  • However, tachycardia (which is almost ubiquitous in significant poisoning with quetiapine, olanzapine or clozapine) is actually protective against TdP.
  • For this reason, TDP rarely occurs with quetiapine toxicity.

CLINICAL PEARLS

QT interval nomogram

  • Many Australian toxicologists use the QT interval nomogram to assess risk of TdP.
  • The absolute QT interval is measured manually in multiple leads and the median QT interval plotted on the nomogram (read how to do this here).
  • Plots above the line indicate significant QT prolongation and consequent risk of TdP.
QT nomogram risk stratification for torsades de pointes

By my measurements, our patient has an absolute QT of ~320 ms with HR 120 so plots below the line — i.e. not at significant risk of TdP.


TOP 100 ECG SERIES



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About Dr Ed Burns

Emergency Physician in Prehospital and Retrieval Medicine in Sydney, Australia. He has a passion for ECG interpretation and medical education.

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