How dangerous is QTc prolongation?!


Question: How dangerous is QTc prolongation?
Is it quite common? Does it often occur and nothing else result because if it?

Answers:

A corrected QT interval (QTc) mean the measured QT-interval is adjusted for heart rate. The reason is that the QT interval is affected by the heart rate. Any QTc interval above 440 milliseconds is considered prolonged. The usual symptoms are syncope (sudden loss of consciousness) or sudden death, typically occurring during physical activity or emotional upset.

The frequency is unknown but it appears to be a common cause of sudden and unexplained death in children and young adults. It may be as frequent as 1 in 5000 to 7000. Conditions that can cause QT prolongation include inherited disorders - Romano-Ward and Jervell, Lange-Nielson, hypothyroidism, cardiac disease (ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy), electrolyte imbalance (low potassium and low magnesium), marked bradycardia, subarachnoid haemorrhage, human immunodeficiency virus, or administration of a medication with QT interval-prolonging effects.

Treatment includes correcting underlying causes eg: correcting electrolytes imbalances, hormone replacement for hypothyroidism, changing medications. Beta blocker medications are used to treat long QT syndrome which is effective in about 90% of patients.

http://www.qtsyndrome.ch/faq.html
http://www.betterhealthchannel.com.au/bh…
http://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/2…
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0…

RedAngel



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