Drug-Induced Arrhythmias
Published: September 15, 2020
- Many commonly used medications from a wide array of drug classes may cause or worsen a variety of arrhythmias.
- While many clinicians and investigators realize drugs can induce QT interval prolongation and torsades de pointes (TdP), drugs can also trigger or exacerbate other atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
- This scientific statement is intended to increase awareness of specific drugs and drug classes that may cause arrhythmias, as well as awareness of distinct arrhythmias that drugs may induce.
Supporting Materials
- Commentary: Drug Proarrhythmia by John D. Fisher, MD, FAHA
- Top Things to Know: Drug-Induced Arrhythmias
- AHA News: Be aware of how drugs can affect heart rhythms, report says
- News Release: Identifying, preventing and managing heart rhythm side effects of medicines
Recommended Reading
- 2019 Focused Update of the 2014 Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
- 2017 Guideline for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- 2015 Guideline for the Management of Adult Patients With Supraventricular Tachycardia
- 2010 Prevention of Torsade de Pointes in Hospital Settings