Prolongation of the QTc interval (a QT interval that has been corrected for heart rate) increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, and is an important topic with regard to psychotropic medication. Several typical (e.g., pimozide, thioridazine, haloperidol) and atypical (e.g., sertindole, ziprasidone) antipsychotics may cause QTc prolongation [1] as well as some antidepressants in overdose (e.g., citalopram) [2]. We wish to present a case of QTc prolongation that was due to an overdose of propranolol (used in psychiatry for the treatment of akathisia, lithium-induced tremor, and performance anxiety; used in medicine for hypertension and congestive heart failure).
GlassmanAHBiggerJT. Antipsychotic drugs: Prolonged QTc interval, Torsade de Points, and sudden death. American Journal of Psychiatry2001;158:1774–1782.
2.
Author. Citalopram for depression. Medical Letter1998;40:113–114.
3.
MilneJRCammAJWardDESpurrellRA. Effect of intravenous propranolol on QT interval. A new method of assessment. British Heart Journal1980;43:1–6.
