Antipsychotics and Torsade de pointes arrhythmia - Difficulties in causal attribution: Case report and review of the literature

Antipsychotics and Torsade de pointes arrhythmia - Difficulties in causal attribution: Case report and review of the literature Objective: Serious adverse effects of antipsychotics have been becoming a growing topic in medicine but also in general public. Sudden cardiac death and Torsade de pointes arrhythmia as one possible cause of sudden cardiac death are an issue in this debate. Method: In this paper, we report on a patient who showed Torsade de pointes arrhythmia. By the medical department this was attributed to the simple low dose psychopharmacological treatment. This attribution became revised after further inquiry and reference to additional causes. Discussion: The issue of a simplified, shortened, and rash causal attribution is discussed in the light of the literature since it may lead to an inappropriate and unjustified negative image of psycho-pharmacotherapy.