A 50-year-old man experiences recurrent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which is accompanied by palpitations and chest pressure. The echocardiogram shows normal biventricular function and no evidence of valvular disease. Coronary angiography shows no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. To alleviate his symptoms, the patient is started on medication. He is seen in the emergency department two weeks later for lightheadedness, weakness, and presyncope. The ECG shows sinus bradycardia at a rate of 53 bpm, with QTc prolongation (508 msec). Telemetry monitoring. Which of the following medications was most likely used to treat this patient's palpitations?

Question

A 50-year-old man experiences recurrent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which is accompanied by palpitations and chest pressure. The echocardiogram shows normal biventricular function and no evidence of valvular disease. Coronary angiography shows no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. To alleviate his symptoms, the patient is started on medication. He is seen in the emergency department two weeks later for lightheadedness, weakness, and presyncope. The ECG shows sinus bradycardia at a rate of 53 bpm, with QTc prolongation (508 msec). Telemetry monitoring.   Which of the following medications was most likely used to treat this patient's palpitations?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Sotalol has beta adrenergic blocking as well as class III antiarrhythmic (K+ channel blocking) properties and is occasionally used to treat atrial fibrillation. Sotalol's major side effects include bradycardia, proarrhythmia, and, most commonly, torsades de pointes caused by QT interval prolongation.

A 50-Year-Old Man Experiences Recurrent Episodes of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation