Problem
Long QT syndrome
Nature:
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disease that affects sodium and potassium channels in the heart, leading to abnormal functioning in the heart's electrical system. Prolongation of the QT interval causes ventricular arrhythmias -- which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Episodes of syncope and arrhythmia can be triggered by extreme emotion, loud noise, or exertion, use of specific medications or by electrolyte imbalance. Incidence:
Once thought to be a rare disease, LQTS may occur in one in every 5,000 persons and may cause 3,000 to 4,000 sudden deaths in children and young adults each year in the USA.If even 50,000 US cases currently exist, this congenital or acquired disease occurs three times more often than acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (the most common childhood leukaemia), one third as often as cystic fibrosis, and twice as often as phenylketonuria. Large numbers of LQTS cases go undiagnosed due to the complexity of the diagnosis, the variety of presentations, and many clinicians' lack of familiarity with the disease.
Broader Problems:
Hereditary metabolic diseasesFunctional disorders of the heart Related Problems:
Low salt dietGenetic deafness Aggravates:
Ventricular arrhythmiasSudden death Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
23.11.2020 – 16:02 CET