What does torsades de pointes look like on ECG?

Torsades de pointes is a specific form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in patients with a long QT interval. It is characterized by rapid, irregular QRS complexes, which appear to be twisting around the electrocardiogram (ECG) baseline.

What is LQT1?

Long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) is a subtype of a congenital cardiac syndrome caused by mutation in the KCNQ1 gene, which encodes the α-subunit of the slow component of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) channel.

How do you test for QT prolongation?

An ECG can tell if you are having a prolonged QT interval. The test labels the heart’s electrical signals as five waves using the letters P, Q, R, S and T. The waves labeled Q through T show the electrical activity in your heart’s lower chambers (ventricles).

What is a notched T wave?

A notched T-wave was defined as the presence of a bifid T-wave with a notch duration between the 2 peaks ≥0.04 sec and an amplitude…

How do you identify Torsades de Pointes?

Symptoms of torsades de pointes include:

heart palpitations.
dizziness.
nausea.
cold sweats.
chest pain.
shortness of breath.
rapid pulse.
low blood pressure.

Is torsades VT or VF?

Torsades is defined as the combination of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia plus a prolonged QT-interval. Torsades can be caused by either congenital long-QT syndrome or acquired long-QT syndrome (due to electrolyte abnormalities and/or medications).

Can you live a long life with long QT syndrome?

Living With Long QT syndrome (LQTS) usually is a lifelong condition. The risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm that leads to fainting or sudden cardiac arrest may lessen as you age. However, the risk never completely goes away.

Why is a long QTC bad?

Gehi: There are problems of the electrical system that are characterized by a prolonged QT interval. If the QT interval is prolonged, patients can be at risk for ventricular rhythm disturbances. That means, basically an electrical disorder of the lower chambers of the heart.

What is prolongation of the QT interval?

QT interval prolongation is an irregularity of the electrical activity of the heart that places patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias. Serious complications of drug-induced QT interval prolongation are rare; the identification of patients at risk may help to prevent these events.

Who is at risk for QT prolongation?

Factors that predispose to QT prolongation and higher risk of torsades de pointes include older age, female sex, low left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemia, slow heart rate, and electrolyte abnormalities including hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia.

What is a biphasic T wave?

What is a biphasic T wave? A T wave which is inscribed on either side of baseline is called biphasic T wave . Many of the normal persons can have a biphasic Twave. A typical biphasic wave can be two types. Terminal positivity.

How is long QT syndrome characterized on the ECG?

The Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is characterized on the ECG by prolongation of the heart rate corrected QT interval. This was first recognized by Dr. Jervell and Dr. Lange-Nielsen in 1957. They described 4 children with a long QT interval which was accompanied by hearing deficits, sudden cardiac death and an autosomal recessive inheritance.

What is the cause of Long QT type 1?

Long QT type 1 is caused by changes in the KCNQ1 gene. Romano-Ward syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. [1] This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person.

What are the different types of Long QT?

There are six different types of this syndrome, long QT 1 through 6. Each type is caused by a change in a different gene. The most prevalent form of long QT syndrome is long QT type 1. Long QT type 1 is caused by changes in the KCNQ1 gene. Romano-Ward syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.

Who is the founder of Long QT syndrome?

Long QT Syndrome. (Redirected from Long QT syndrome) The Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is characterized on the ECG by prolongation of the heart rate corrected QT interval. This was first recognized by Dr. Jervell and Dr. Lange-Nielsen in 1957.