Which of the following is a common cause of torsades de pointes?

Which of the following is a common cause of torsades de pointes?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hypotension
• C. Dehydration
• D. Acidosis

Answer: (A)

Torsades de pointes is a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia that is often associated with a prolonged QT interval. One of the common causes of this arrhythmia is hypokalemia, which refers to low levels of potassium in the blood. Potassium is crucial for maintaining the electrical stability of myocardial cells, and when levels drop, it can lead to disturbances in cardiac repolarization. This disruption in the repolarization process can lead to the characteristic twisting of the points seen in torsades de pointes.

Additionally, hypokalemia can enhance the effects of other factors that may prolong the QT interval, such as certain medications or genetic predispositions. This makes it particularly relevant in understanding the risk factors leading to torsades de pointes, emphasizing why maintaining normal potassium levels is essential for cardiac health.

While hypotension, dehydration, and acidosis can have various effects on cardiovascular function, they are not the primary contributors to the development of torsades de pointes in the same way that hypokalemia is recognized for its direct impact on cardiac repolarization and QT interval prolongation.