• The QRS reverses polarity, and the strip shows a spindle effect.
• This rhythm is an unusual variant of polymorphic VT with long QT intervals.
• In French, the term means "twisting of points."

Rate: 200–250 bpm

Rhythm: Irregular

P Waves: None

PR Interval: None

QRS: Wide (greater than 0.10 sec), bizarre appearance

Clinical Tip: Torsade de pointes may deteriorate to VF or asystole.

Clinical Tip: Frequent causes are drugs that prolong the QT interval, electrolyte abnormalities such as hypomagnesemia, or the R-on-T phenomenon.