AIMSMedication is one of the main causes of long QT syndrome (LQTS) and torsades de pointes (TdP), and the older adult population is at particularly high risk. The aim of the present study was to describe the prescription patterns of drugs with a risk of TdP in the Colombian older adult population. METHODSPatients older than 65 years who received medication with a risk of TdP during three consecutive months were selected. The medication was obtained and classified according to the QT Drug List from Crediblemeds.org. The data were analysed using SPSS-22. RESULTSA total of 55 932 patients were chronically receiving QT-prolonging drugs; 61.9% (n = 34 ,632) were women and the mean age of the sample was 75.6 years. Drugs with a conditional risk were consumed by 95.2% of patients, 5.3% received drugs with a known risk and 2.9% received drugs with a possible risk. Two or more QT-prolonging drugs were consumed by 10.3% of the patients (n = 5786). Most of the sample (96.8%, n = 54 170) had at least one additional risk factor for LQTS, with a mean of 3.1 ± 0.9 risk factors. Patients receiving QT-prolonging drugs for psychiatric and neurological disease were at a higher risk of major polypharmacy [odds ratio (OR) 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.80, 3.22) and of receiving high doses of QT-prolonging drugs (OR 3.8; 95% CI 3.52, 4.05). CONCLUSIONSThe widespread use of medication that causes TdP and the high prevalence of additional risks in the older adult population raise the need for accurate prediction of risk and constant patient monitoring. Patients taking psychiatric drugs are at a higher risk of TdP. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Some drug classes are considered to be one of the main causes of long QT syndrome (LQTS) and torsades de pointes (TdP), and this serious adverse drug reaction has gained attention over time.• The older adult population using medication related to LQTS and TdP has multiple risk factors that may increase the probability of these adverse outcomes. • Studies have identified risk patterns for TdP in acute care but data on their chronic use are scarce. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• 10.6% of the older adult population in Columbia was found to consume chronically drugs with QT interval-prolonging potential. Most of these patients were consuming drugs with a conditional risk, but 98% of them had at least one risk factor for LQTS and TdP.• Use of QT-prolonging drugs for psychiatric and neurological disorders was higher among women, and increased with age. In addition, the use of this type of drug was associated with an increase in the risk of major polypharmacy, and of receiving concurrent use of more than one QT drug and high doses.• Clinicians should keep in mind that common cardiovascular and noncardiovascular drugs are associated with LQTS and TdP, and should routinely assess the associated risk factors, including an electrocardiographic study before and after prescribing these drugs.

RESUMENIntroducción: El trauma es un problema de salud pública en Colombia, siendo la primera causa de mortalidad en jóvenes con una tasa de incidencia de 331,99 casos por 100 000 habitantes, de los cuales aproximadamente el 30% mueren en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Estos pacientes de acuerdo a su severidad requerirán estabilización de signos vitales y monitoreo estrecho que incluye el estado ácido-base. Objetivo: Establecer la relación entre el desenlace y las variables del estado ácido base de los pacientes con diagnóstico de trauma de la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Universitario San Jorge de Pereira, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio tipo cohorte prospectivo en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, en pacientes con diagnóstico de trauma a los que se les tomó muestra de sangre arterial para gases sanguíneos al momento de su ingreso y se monitorearon a través del tiempo hasta el egreso. Resultados: Se incluyeron 38 pacientes con trauma donde el 68,4% fueron hombres. El promedio de edad fue de 35±19 años y el 18,4% de los pacientes que ingresaron fallecieron. Se realizó un análisis univariado, el cual mostró relación individual entre el desenlace y las variables sodio, saturación arterial de oxígeno, presión alveolar de oxígeno y el puntaje de APACHE II; en el modelo de regresión de Cox se encontró relación con las variables presión alveolar de oxígeno, presión arterial de oxígeno, frecuencia cardiaca y relación arterio-alveolar de oxígeno. Conclusión: Se encontró que las variables presión alveolar de oxígeno, presión arterial de oxígeno, frecuencia cardiaca y relación arterio-alveolar de oxígeno del análisis de los gases arteriales, tienen correlación con la supervivencia de los pacientes en estado crítico. Trauma is a public health problem in Colombia and is the first cause of death in young people with an incidence rate of 331.99 cases per 100 000 inhabitants, of which approximately 30% die in the intensive care unit. These patients according to their severity will require stabilization of vital signs and close monitoring which includes the acid-base status. Objetive: To establish the relationship between outcome and variables of acid-base equilibrium of those patients diagnosed with trauma in the intensive care unit of the Hospital Universitario San Jorge in Pereira, Colombia. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study in type was performed on the intensive care unit with general trauma patients who were taking blood gases on admission to the unit and were monitored over time until discharge. Results: The population of the study were 38 patients with trauma, 68.4% were men. Average age was 35±19 years and 18.4% of patients admitted died. The univariate analysis was found individual relationship with outcome and variables such as sodium, arterial oxygen saturation, alveolar oxygen pressure and APACHE II score. In the Cox regression model it was found a relationship between outcome and variables such as alveolar oxygen pressure, pressure oxygen pressure, heart rate a...