QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes induced by propofol and hypoalbuminemia

Abstract

We report the case of a 70-year-old man presenting with the development of torsade de pointes (TDP) during infusion of propofol in the setting of severe hypoalbuminemia. TDP developed 15 hours after the beginning of a standard infusion of propofol, following the development of a prominent U wave and prolongation of the QTc interval. While the serum concentrations of electrolytes were within normal ranges, serum albumin as low as 1.4 mg/dL was observed. TDP disappeared during the infusion of isoproterenol, and QTc normalized after the discontinuation of propofol. We hypothesize that hypoalbuminemia increased the free fraction of propofol, causing marked QTc prolongation and TDP.