Abstract
Summary
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization characterized by prolonged QT interval on ECG with prevalence
close to 1/3000–1/5000. LQTS is characterized by the occurrence of syncopal episodes due to torsades de pointes ventricular
tachycardia (VT) and by a high risk for sudden cardiac death among untreated patients (1, 2, 3). In 12% of patients with LQTS,
sudden death is the first manifestation of the disease and only in 4% this happens in the first year of life (2). There is consensus that
all symptomatic children with LQTS should be treated with β-blockers which are effective in preventing cardiac events and reducing
mortality in 70%, but do not protect patients from sudden death completely (1,2,3,4). The prognosis is poor in untreated patients
with annual mortality 20% and 10 year mortality up to 50% (1, 2). Here we present a case of relatively rare congenital heart rhythm
disorders in an infant which required immediate treatment.
Key words: long QT syndrome; congenital arrhythmia
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization characterized by prolonged QT interval on ECG with prevalence
close to 1/3000–1/5000. LQTS is characterized by the occurrence of syncopal episodes due to torsades de pointes ventricular
tachycardia (VT) and by a high risk for sudden cardiac death among untreated patients (1, 2, 3). In 12% of patients with LQTS,
sudden death is the first manifestation of the disease and only in 4% this happens in the first year of life (2). There is consensus that
all symptomatic children with LQTS should be treated with β-blockers which are effective in preventing cardiac events and reducing
mortality in 70%, but do not protect patients from sudden death completely (1,2,3,4). The prognosis is poor in untreated patients
with annual mortality 20% and 10 year mortality up to 50% (1, 2). Here we present a case of relatively rare congenital heart rhythm
disorders in an infant which required immediate treatment.
Key words: long QT syndrome; congenital arrhythmia
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 111-112 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Acta Chirurgica Latviensis |
| Volume | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords*
- long QT syndrome
- congenital arrhythmia
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
Publication Type*
- 1.4. Reviewed scientific article published in Latvia or abroad in a scientific journal with an editorial board (including university editions)