Torsade de pointes associated with the administration of intravenous haloperidol.

Torsade de pointes is a malignant dysrhythmia that has been reported in a variety of clinical settings and associated with several pharmacologic agents. Patients with a prolonged QTc for heart rate are at higher risk for the development of this arrhythmia. We review the literature supporting the relationship of haloperidol to the development of this malignant dysrhythmia. Clinicians in the critical care setting should be aware of potentially lethal drug-induced ventricular tachydysrhythmias such as torsade de pointes.