[Prolongation of the Q-T interval and hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias probably induced by terfenadine use in liver cirrhosis patients].

The authors describe the prolongation of Q-T interval and secondary appearance of ventricular sustained ectopic beats in a 57 years old cirrhotic female treated for 4 days with antihistaminic drug (terfenadine) 240 mg/die/os. The pro-arrhythmic properties of terfenadine may be due to the quinidine-like mechanism of the drug and is strictly linked to the direct effect of the drug on H1 histaminergic receptors, which cause the prolongation of the myocardial cells action potential.