Long QT Syndrome?!


Question:

Long QT Syndrome?

Does anybody really know what Long QT Syndrome is? I do, i was just wondering if that many people do. BE honest, dont copy each other's answers.
Thanks!


Answers:

With regards to your question, I think correct diagnosis and even research into long qt syndrome only seems to have become really apparent in the last 10 years or so.

It is caused by an arrhythmia which effects a the hearts sinus node. This usually acts as the hearts natural pacemaker but in long qt it can occasionally become erratic leading to a prolonged gap in between the qt markers on an ECG.

This prolongation causes the heart to beat too fast, giving the ventricles insufficient time to fill up with the blood needed to be pumped round the body. This is known as ventricular fibrillation. It usually causes fainting within 30 seconds and if the heart doesn't return to normal quickly enough it can be fatal.

As with many other disorders Long QT syndrome can be inherited or non inherited. If a parent has the syndrome it is believed there is a 50:50 chance the child will get it.

It is a difficult syndrome to diagnose as the symptoms cannot generally be recreated under test conditions ....an attack is usually bought on by over exertion, unexpected excitement (being startled) or a reaction to a series of qt prolonging drugs.

If a cardiac arrest has not occurred but a person is believed to be susceptible...maybe because of a family history beta blockers are the preffered option. These can help to maintain a steady heart rate and reduce the risk of attack.

When a collapse has occurred intervention is the preffered approach. The patient generally undergoes an operation to fit an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). The device is not the same as an artificial pacemaker. Although it can monitor the heart and pace it if an arrhythmia is detected; an ICD also possesses the capability to de fibrillate the heart internally if it does not respond to pacing. This will usually restore the hearts natural rhythm allowing the sinus node to take over.

I hope the info helps, on a more personal note I'm not a big medical genius...I'm a 24 year old who was diagnosed with Inherited Long QT just under a month ago after I collapsed running a race for charity. Am currently resting at home after an op to fit the ICD.

My mum has the same condition but when she was in hospital 11 years ago after her initial collapse she was never given a diagnosis because the specialists had no idea what caused it...she was given and ICD and sent home on beta blockers (the brand Sotalol we have now found are qt prolonging drugs and she has to change them asap)

We are now due to travel up to London in the next few months so they can do some genetic testing and try and construct a screening program for our family, including my younger sister.

This syndrome may have been unknown in the past but it is certainly getting more press now. There are a lot of articles online (see below) and the day I came out of hospital I was watching daytime tv at home...one of our soaps 'Doctors' featured a family who's 3 boys all had long qt. You can't get better exposure than that! :o)

xx




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