Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2013; 41(3): 241-244 | DOI: 10.5543/tkda.2013.72547

Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (Torsades de pointes) due to licorice root tea

Serkan Öztürk¹, Kayıhan Karaman², Mustafa Çetin², Alim Erdem^1
1Department of Cardiology, Abant Izzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey
²Department of Cardiology, Kahramanmaras Public Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Longed QT syndromes are cardiac repolarization disorders characterized by longed QT intervals on ECG. This electrophysiological abnormality may lead to syncope or sudden cardiac death due to rapid, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Licorice root (Glycyrrhizin glabra root) contains Glycyrrhizin, sterols and many flavones. Glycyrrhizin may have effects on cardiac repolarization and depolarization through the autonomic nervous system. We present a case of polymorphic VT (torsades de pointes) secondary to drinking 5-6 glasses of licorice root tea for constipation for 2 days prior to admission to emergency department. Licorice root consumption should be taken into account in all patients admitted to the hospital for cardiac arrhythmia. It may cause cardiac arrhythmia when consumed regularly and in excessive amounts.

Keywords: Glycyrrhiza/adverse effects, syndrome; hyperkalemia/ etiology; long QT syndrome/complications/diagnosis; plants, medicinal; tachycardia, ventricular.

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