torsades de pointes

Alternative forms

 * torsades des pointes, torsade des pointes
 * torsades des pointes, torsade des pointes
 * torsades des pointes, torsade des pointes

Etymology
From, , and , from the characteristic/classic appearance of the associated electrocardiogram image of a turning of the QRS complex's orientation around the isoelectric baseline (namely peaks which are at first f.e. pointing up are progressively seen to be diminishing in height and then pointing further and further down for subsequent heartbeats); term coined by the French physician in 1966.

Noun

 * 1)  A polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, predisposing to sudden cardiac death and more likely to occur during prolongations of the QT interval.