What is Congenital Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)?
It is a genetic disorder that can cause symptoms of fainting or sudden death regardless of age. In many patients, LQTS is detected as an abnormal electrocardiogram (“ECG” or “EKG”) where the length of the actual QT interval appears to be longer than that of a QT interval on a normal ECG. What Causes LQTS? • After each heartbeat, the heart recovers electrically and prepares itself for the next beat through what is known as repolarization. • This process relies on the normal function of multiple ion channels in the heart muscle. • Congenital LQTS is linked to mutations of certain genes that encode for these ion channels and leads to their abnormal function. • Thus, patients with congenital LQTS have a prolonged repolarization stage, or QT interval. • This can lead to a life-threatening heart rhythm called Torsades de Pointes and sudden cardiac death. What are the Symptoms? • Some patients with LQTS have no symptoms.. • Others experience episodes of dizziness, fainting (also known as “syn
It is a genetic disorder that can cause symptoms of fainting or sudden death regardless of age. In many patients, LQTS is detected as an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) where the length of the actual QT interval appears to be longer than that of a QT interval on a normal ECG. What Causes LQTS? • After each heartbeat, the heart recovers electrically and prepares itself for the next beat through what is known as repolarization. • This process relies on the normal function of multiple ion channels in the heart muscle. • Congenital LQTS is linked to mutations of certain genes that encode for these ion channels and leads to their abnormal function. • Thus, patients with congenital LQTS have a prolonged repolarization stage, or QT interval. • This can lead to a life-threatening heart rhythm called Torsades de Pointes and sudden cardiac death. What are the Symptoms? • Some patients with LQTS have no symptoms.. • Others experience episodes of dizziness, fainting (also known as syncope)
