Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial condition causing syncope and sudden death through
rapid ventricular tachycardia (torsade de pointes), which can deteriorate to ventricular
fibrillation, in otherwise fit and healthy young people. Prevalence is at least 1
in 5000 and may be up to 1 in 1000. Clinical diagnosis is made from a combination
of suspicious history, family history and the 12 lead ECG, which typically reveals
a heart-rate corrected QT interval (QT//R–R interval = QTc) of greater than 0.46 s in women and 0.45 s in men. Exercise testing is often helpful in making the diagnosis.
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Further reading
- Clinical and therapeutic aspects of congenital and acquired long QT syndrome.Am J Med. 2002; 112 ([review article]): 58-66
- Genotype-phenotype correlation in the long QT syndrome: gene-specific triggers for life-threatening arrhythmias.Circulation. 2001; 103: 89-95
- Effectiveness and limitations of beta-blocker therapy in congenital long QT syndrome.Circulation. 2000; 101: 616-623
- Risk stratification in the long-QT syndrome.N Engl J Med. 2003; 348: 1866-1874
- Drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval.N Engl J Med. 2004; 350: 1013-1022
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 25,
2006
Received:
October 12,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
