Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia (Torsades de Pointes) after Haloperidol Overdose

Abstract

A 48-year-old woman developed QT prolongation and episodes of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) after intentional overdose of haloperidol and orphenadrine. The arrhythmia did not respond to conventional anti-arrhythmic therapy but was suppressed by atrial overdrive pacing. A literature review identified haloperidol as the most likely cause of the torsades de pointes.