QT-tijdverlenging en psychofarmaca bij kinderen en jeugdigen: voorstel voor een richtlijn

- Several psychotropic drugs that are prescribed to children and adolescents can prolong the QT interval on ECG. QT prolongation can cause a potentially fatal type of ventricular tachycardia known as ‘torsade de pointes’.

- In 1999, the American Heart Association published a guideline on cardiovascular monitoring of children and adolescents receiving psychotropic drugs.

- A similar guideline does not exist in the Netherlands. A survey of Dutch child and adolescent psychiatrists revealed a need for guidelines on QT monitoring in children and adolescents taking psychotropic drugs associated with QT prolongation.

- A multidisciplinary panel of professionals drafted a proposed guideline for QT monitoring in patients treated with QT-prolonging psychotropic drugs.

- The proposed guideline is summarised in two flowcharts, one for the first consultation and one for follow-up visits.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2008;152:1765-70