TY - JOUR AU - Cristian Cobilinschi AU - Radu Tincu AU - Andrei Radu AU - Bianca Machedon AU - Denisia Dabija AU - Claudia Cobilinschi AU - Ioana Grințescu PY - 2022/01/06 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - METHADONE OVERDOSE-INDUCED TORSADE DE POINTES IN A HIV-POSITIVE PATIENT – A RARE CASE REPORT JF - Romanian Journal of Clinical Research JA - rjcr VL - 5 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - 10.33695/rjcr.v5i1.77 UR - https://rjcronline.com/index.php/rjcr/article/view/77 AB - Methadone belongs to the opioid class, being a synthetic compound that can be used as a replacement drug in heroin addicted patients. Patients on methadone can present with prolonged QT interval but progression to torsade de pointes (TdP) is highly uncommon. The aim of this report is to describe methadone-induced torsade de pointes in a HIV-positive patient. Case presentation. A 28-year old male taking methadone as substitution therapy was brought in the emergency department after purposely overdosing. On admission his hemodinamical and respiratory parameters were stable. Toxicology samples showed a urinary methadone level of 501 µg/l and a plasma level of 247 µg/l. Intensive care support was started. Soon after admission the EKG trace recorded short bygeminism aspect followed by torsade de pointes. The patient spontanenously converted to sinus rhythm with no need for resuscitation maneuvers. He maintained polymorphic arrythmic tracing that resolved with lidocaine 1% administration. Dynamical determinations showed a gradual decrease in plasmatic and urinary methadone levels, while QT interval became normal. Even though TdP is not commonly met in methadone users, this adverse event should not be overlooked since it has fatal potential. Regular cardiological evaluation and exclusion of additional risk factors are mandatory. ER -