| Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart's | | | | death, often at a young age. |
| electrical system. People with this syndrome are | | | | Causes of Long QT syndrome |
| susceptible to an abnormally rapid heart rhythm called | | | | The common causes and risk factor's of Long QT |
| "Torsade des pointes." Long QT syndrome is | | | | syndrome include the following: |
| characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval on | | | | LQTS can be caused by certain medicines, or it can |
| ECG and a propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmias, | | | | be the result of a stroke or some other neurologic |
| which may lead to syncope, cardiac arrest, or sudden | | | | disorder. |
| death. LQTS is usually inherited as an autosomal | | | | Heart medications. |
| dominant trait. In the case of LQT1, which has been | | | | Lipid-lowering medications. |
| mapped to chromosome 11, mutations lead to serious | | | | Psychotropic medications. |
| structural defects in the person's cardiac potassium | | | | Blood relatives of family members with LQTS. |
| channels that do not allow proper transmission of the | | | | You also have an increased risk for LQTS if other |
| electrical impulses throughout the heart. It is associated | | | | members of your family have the disorder. |
| with syncope (loss of consciousness) and with sudden | | | | Symptoms of Long QT syndrome |
| death due to ventricular arrhythmias. In the long Q-T | | | | Some sign and symptoms related to Long QT |
| syndrome, the above-described Q-T interval is | | | | syndrome are as follows: |
| prolonged. Arrhythmias in individuals with LQTS are | | | | Abnormal heart rhythms. |
| often associated with exercise or excitement. The | | | | Seizures. |
| cause of sudden cardiac death in individuals with | | | | Sudden shortness of breath. |
| LQTS is ventricular fibrillation. Congenital LQTS is a | | | | Fainting: In people with long QT syndrome, fainting |
| rare disorder that is usually inherited (passed down | | | | spells (syncope) are caused by the heart temporarily |
| through family members). | | | | beating in an erratic way. |
| It usually affects children or young adults. In other | | | | Sudden death. |
| cases, LQTS can be caused by certain medicines, or it | | | | Sudden chest pain. |
| can be the result of a stroke or some other neurologic | | | | In one type of inherited long Q-T syndrome, the person |
| disorder. LQTS can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm | | | | is also deaf. |
| (arrhythmia); fainting or loss of consciousness | | | | Treatment of Long QT syndrome |
| (syncope); or even sudden death. Long QT syndrome | | | | The common causes and risk factor's of Long QT |
| may explain some rare instances of sudden death in | | | | syndrome include the following: |
| young people where no obvious cardiac heart | | | | There are treatments for long Q-T syndrome, including |
| abnormality is found. People with this syndrome may | | | | medications such as beta blockers. |
| show prolongation of the Q-T interval during physical | | | | Some people may benefit from an implantable |
| exercise, intense emotion (such as fright, anger or pain), | | | | defibrillator. |
| or by a startling noise. In LQTS, QT prolongation can | | | | Propranolol and nadolol are the beta-blockers most |
| lead to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or torsade | | | | frequently used, though atenolol and metoprolol are |
| de pointes, which itself may lead to ventricular fibrillation | | | | also prescribed in patients with LQTS. |
| and sudden cardiac death. Individuals with LQTS have | | | | When LQTS causes uncontrolled ventricular fibrillation, |
| a prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG. The Q | | | | you might need an implantable cardioverter defibrillator |
| wave on the ECG corresponds to ventricular | | | | (ICD). An ICD is a device that sends an electric shock |
| depolarization while the T wave corresponds to | | | | to your heart to restore a normal heartbeat. |
| ventricular repolarization. The QT interval is measured | | | | For many people with LQTS, the implantable |
| from the Q point to the end of the T wave. People | | | | defibrillator is the best treatment. |
| who have LQTS are at risk for syncope and sudden | | | | |