Roxithromycin Induced Torsade de Pointes in a Patient with Complex Congenital Heart Disease and Complete Atrioventricular Block

We reported a 6-year-old girl who developed torsade de pointes (TdP) after taking roxithromycin. The patient had congenital complete heart block and complex cyanotic heart disease. Before taking roxithromycin, her corrected QT interval (QTc) was 0.39 second with a ventricular rate of 55–60 beats/min. Repetitive bursts of TdP with prolonged QT interval (QTc = 0.55  s) developed after taking roxithromycin. After stopping the medication, her QT interval normalized (QTc = 0.38  s). This case demonstrated the potential of roxithromycin in causing TdP especially in a patient with other risk factors for prolong QT interval and TdP. (PACE 2003; 26:1424–1426)