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