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Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a condition affecting repolarization (relaxing) of the heart after a heartbeat, giving rise to an abnormally lengthy QT interval. [7] It results in an increased risk of an irregular heartbeat which can result in fainting, drowning, seizures, or sudden death. [1]
The QT interval is a measurement made on an electrocardiogram used to assess some of the electrical properties of the heart.It is calculated as the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave, and approximates to the time taken from when the cardiac ventricles start to contract to when they finish relaxing.
Long QT syndrome, or LQTS, is when somebody’s QT interval is longer than normal, which should typically be less than half of a cardiac cycle. In fact, for a heart rate of 60 beats per minute, the QT interval’s generally considered to be abnormally long when it’s greater than 440 milliseconds in males or 460 milliseconds in females.
The QTc interval is longer in females, as well as having a stronger response to IKr-blocking agents. In males, the presence of testosterone upregulates IKr channels and therefore decreases QT interval. [2] Stated otherwise, estrogens prolong the QT interval, while androgens shorten it and decrease the response to IKr-blocking agents. [citation ...
A prolonged QTc interval is a risk factor for ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death. Long QT can arise as a genetic syndrome, or as a side effect of certain medications. An unusually short QTc can be seen in severe hypercalcemia. <440 ms U wave: The U wave is hypothesized to be caused by the repolarization of the interventricular septum.
Romano–Ward syndrome is principally diagnosed by measuring the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Romano–Ward syndrome is associated with a prolonged QTc, although in some genetically proven cases of Romano–Ward syndrome this prolongation can be hidden, known as concealed Long QT syndrome. [13]
The cardiac features of JLNS can be diagnosed by measuring the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The QTc is less than 450 ms in 95% of normal males, and less than 460 ms in 95% of normal females. In those with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome the QTc is typically greater than 500 ms. [8]
The predisposition to this problem usually manifests on the ECG as a prolongation of the QT interval. QT prolongation may be congenital or acquired. Congenital problems include long QT syndrome and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Acquired problems are usually related to drug toxicity or electrolyte abnormalities, but can ...