Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Long QT Syndrome

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart disease in which there is an abnormally long delay between the electrical excitation (or depolarization) and relaxation (repolarization) of the ventricles of the heart. It is associated with syncope (loss of consciousness) and with sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias in individuals with LQTS are often associated with exercise or excitement. The cause of sudden cardiac death in individuals with LQTS is ventricular fibrillation. more...

Home
Diseases
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Amyotrophic lateral...
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Labyrinthitis
Lafora disease
Landau-Kleffner syndrome
Langer-Giedion syndrome
Laryngeal papillomatosis
Laryngomalacia
Lassa fever
LCHAD deficiency
Leber optic atrophy
Ledderhose disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome
Legionellosis
Legionnaire's disease
Leiomyoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Leishmaniasis
Lemierre's syndrome
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
Leprechaunism
Leprophobia
Leprosy
Leptospirosis
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Leukemia
Leukocyte adhesion...
Leukodystrophy
Leukomalacia
Leukoplakia
LGS
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Lichen planus
Ligyrophobia
Limb-girdle muscular...
Limnophobia
Linonophobia
Lipodystrophy
Lipoid congenital adrenal...
Liposarcoma
Lissencephaly
Lissencephaly syndrome...
Listeriosis
Liticaphobia
Liver cirrhosis
Lobster hand
Locked-In syndrome
Loiasis
Long QT Syndrome
Long QT syndrome type 1
Long QT syndrome type 2
Long QT syndrome type 3
LSA
Lung cancer
Lupus erythematosus
Lyell's syndrome
Lygophobia
Lyme disease
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Lymphedema
Lymphoma
Lymphosarcoma
Lysinuric protein...
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Medicines

Individuals with LQTS have a prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG. The Q point on the ECG corresponds to the beginning of ventricular depolarization while the T point corresponds to the beginning of ventricular repolarization. The QT interval is measured from the Q point to the end of the T wave. While many individuals with LQTS have persistent prolongation of the QT interval, some individuals do not always show the QT prolongation; in these individuals, the QT interval may prolong with the administration of certain medications.

Genetics

The two most common types of LQTS are genetic and drug-induced. Genetic LQTS can arise from mutation to one of several genes. These mutations tend to prolong the duration of the ventricular action potential (APD), thus lengthening the QT interval. LQTS can be inherited in an autosomal dominant or an autosomal recessive fashion. The autosomal recessive forms of LQTS tend to have a more severe phenotype, with some variants having associated syndactyly or congenital neural deafness. A number of specific genes loci have been identified that are associated with LQTS. Following is a list of the most common mutations:

  • LQT1 - mutations to the alpha subunit of the slow delayed rectifier potassium channel (KvLQT1 or KCNQ1). The current through the heteromeric channel (KvLQT1+minK) is known as IKs. This mutation is thought to cause LQT by reducing the amount of repolarizing action potential current that prolongs action potential duration (APD). These mutations tend to be the most common yet least severe.
  • LQT2 - mutations to the alpha subunit of the fast delayed rectifier potassium channel (HERG + miRP). Current through this channel is known as IKr. This phenotype is also probably caused by a reduction in repolarizing current.
  • LQT3 - mutations to the alpha subunit of the sodium channel (SCN5A). Current through is channel is commonly referred to as INa. Depolarizing current through the channel late in the action potential is thought to prolong APD. The late current is due to failure of the channel to remain inactivated and hence enter a bursting mode in which significant current can enter when it should not. These mutations are more lethal but less common.
  • LQT4 - mutations in an anchor protein Ankyrin B which anchors the ion channels in the cell. Very rare.
  • LQT5 - mutations in the beta subunit MinK which coassembles with KvLQT1.
  • LQT6 - mutations in the beta subunit MiRP1 which coassembles with HERG.
  • LQT7 - mutations in the potassium channel KCNJ2 which leads to Andersen-Tawil syndrome.
  • LQT8 - mutations in the calcium channel Cav1.2 encoded by the gene CACNA1c leading to Timothy's syndrome

Other mutations affect the beta subunits ion channels. For example LQT6 affects minK (aka KCNE1) which is the beta subunit that coassembles with KCNQ1 to form IKs channels.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Identifying patients at risk for QT interval prolongation: case studies
From Journal of Family Practice, 6/1/05 by Jack L. Flyer

Case Study 1: A 75-year-old woman with pneumonia

A 75-year-old woman presented with pneumonia. She had a history of hypertension, was on no medication regimen, and had no significant family history of any cardiac disease, including cardiac arrhythmia. She had no other significant past medical history. The patient was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.

On physical examination, her blood pressure level was 132/82 mm Hg, with a pulse of 92 beats per minute, and respirations were 18. Her temperature was 100.9[degrees] F. The evaluation of head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat was within normal limits. Her neck was supple without adenopathy, and her lungs were clear to auscultation. Her cardiovascular profile revealed a regular rate, rhythm, and normal [S.sub.1] and [S.sub.2] sounds without murmurs, rubs, or gallops. Her abdomen was benign with positive bowel sounds and no hepatosplenomegaly. She exhibited no peripheral edema. Her neurologic symptoms were nonfocal.

The patient's baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed a QTc value of 485 msec, which is considered prolonged. QTc values greater than 470 msec in women and 450 msec in men are considered prolonged. (1) The patient had no known history of long-QT syndrome. An echocardiogram revealed moderately reduced left ventricular function with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% and mild mitral regurgitation.

A chest x-ray study revealed trilobar pneumonia. The patient was treated with moxifloxacin, 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 24 hours.

About 1 hour later the patient began to develop nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and subsequently developed torsades de pointes (TdP). The patient was pulseless during the arrhythmia. The episode of TdP self-terminated, and the patient returned to sinus rhythm with stabilized blood pressure of 120/70 mm Hg. She was transferred to the intensive care unit, and moxifloxacin was discontinued in favor of ceftriaxone.

What were the patient's risk factors for QT interval prolongation? Female sex is a risk factor for drug-induced QT interval prolongation. Approximately 70% of cases of drug-induced TdP occur in women. (2) The patient's advanced age indicates that she may have had other underlying risk factors such as heart disease.

What was the patient's medication history? The patient was not currently taking any medication, so there was no risk for drug interactions.

Should a baseline ECG have been obtained? Given the patient's advanced age and presentation, an ECG was ordered.

What were the patient's risk factors for QT interval prolongation? She had a prolonged QTc value at baseline and exhibited reduced cardiac function. In addition to female sex, the patient exhibited multiple risk factors and may be considered high-risk.

In choosing pharmacologic therapies, what factors should be considered? Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with QT interval prolongation and cases of TdP (3) One should consider the activity of each medication on QT interval prolongation and monitor the medical literature periodically to assess new evidence for the association between individual agents and QT interval prolongation. One should use the lowest effective dose of the chosen medication and avoid IV medication administration in patients with risk factors for TdP.

How should this patient have been monitored following the administration of the medication? Monitor with ECG periodically for any subsequent effects on QT interval.

Case Study 2: A 42-year-old woman with a history of depression

A 42-year-old woman presented with a moderately severe upper respiratory tract infection. Her medical history revealed that she was diagnosed with moderate depression when she was in her 20s and was currently taking a tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline, 100 mg/d). Her blood pressure was 118/79 mm Hg. She was taking no other medications. She had a family history of stroke.

A prescription was written for erythromycin, 500 mg every 12 hours.

The patient developed heart palpitations and fainted 2 days later. The patient called her doctor, who advised her to go to the emergency room. The patient's blood pressure was 94/72 mm Hg. An ECG revealed a QTc value of 505 msec, which is considered prolonged. (1) Within 1 hour of the patient's hospital admission, she developed TdP. The patient subsequently returned to sinus rhythm. Further use of erythromycin in this patient was discontinued. The blood pressure reading was 122/80 mm Hg.

What were the patient's risk factors for QT interval prolongation? Female sex is a risk factor for drug-induced QT interval prolongation.

What was the patient's medication history? The patient was taking an antidepressant that is associated with risk for QT interval prolongation and TdP. (3) High-dose antidepressants (amitriptyline, 100 mg or greater, or its equivalent) are associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death than are lower doses of antidepressants. (4)

Should alternate therapies have been considered? Erythromycin is effective in treatment of bacterial upper respiratory tract infections. However, use of erythromycin with another medication that causes QT interval prolongation may produce a synergistic drug interaction and significantly increases the risk for sudden cardiac death. (5)

Should a baseline ECG have been considered? Measuring the ECG in this patient may not have been practical and would incur extra costs.

How should this patient have been monitored? Monitor ECG periodically for any subsequent effects on QT interval prolongation. Because the patient was taking an antidepressant, future medications should be checked for warnings or precautions regarding QT interval prolongation. The benefits associated with future medication regimens should be weighed against the associated risks.

Conclusion

QT interval prolongation is a side effect of several classes of commonly prescribed medications that is often overlooked during patient screening. Several risk factors for drug-induced TdP can be detected readily during patient presentation and medical history. Physicians should attempt to identify these risk factors and be aware of medications that cause QT interval prolongation. Alternative therapies should be considered in patients with risk factors for drug-induced TdP. Although serious adverse events are rare, careful patient monitoring will help to reduce the incidence of these events.

REFERENCES

(1.) Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP). The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Points to Consider: The Assessment of the Potential for QT Interval Prolongation by Noncardiovascular Medicinal Products. CPMP/986/96. 1997. Available at: http://www.emea.eu.int/pdfs/human/swp/098696en.pdf. Accessed November 15, 2004.

(2.) Makkar RR, Fromm BS, Steinman RT, Meissner MD, Lehmann MH. Female gender as a risk factor for torsades de pointes associated with cardiovascular drugs. JAMA. 1993;270:2590-2597.

(3.) Roden DM. Drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval N Engl J Med. 2004;350:1013-1022.

(4.) Ray WA, Meredith S, Thapa PB, Hall K Murray KT. Cyclic antidepressants and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004;75:234-241.

(5.) Ray WA, Murray KT, Meredith S, Narasimhulu SS, Hall K, Stem CM. Oral erythromycin and the risk of sudden death from cardiac causes. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:1089-1096.

Jack L. Flyer, MD, FACC

Washington Hospital Center

Washington, DC

COPYRIGHT 2005 Dowden Health Media, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Return to Long QT Syndrome
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay