Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)

Dr. Gaurav Agrawal July 26, 2019

• Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by abnormality in repolarization of the heart leading long QT interval.
• Long QT can occur due to noise, exercise etc.
• Long QT syndrome can be present at birth or can be seen in older children.
• Causes: genetic, medicines, electrolyte imbalance, drugs like antimicrobials, anti-arrhythmic, antipsychotic medicines etc.
• Classified into various types, most common is Long QT 1.

• This can lead to abnormal heart beat and can lead to fainting attacks (syncope), palpitation, drowning, sudden cardiac death

• ECG
• Holter analysis

• Avoiding aggressive exercise
• Enough intake of potassium, calcium rich diet etc

• Beta blockers, mexiletine

• Automated implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD): those who are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest or survived due to sudden cardiac arrest.
• Surgical resection of cervical sympathetic chainin rare cases

Dr. Gaurav Agrawal

Dr Gaurav Agrawal is a Pediatric Cardiologist (Child and Fetal heart Specialist). Dr Agrawal is a pediatrician who has specialized training in the treatment of various child heart related problems (neonates to 18 years of age). He is also having a vast experience in fetal echocardiography.

He is one of the very few pediatricians in India who practices pediatric cardiology exclusively. Cardiac problems in children are common in children, sometimes life threating and often not diagnosed properly. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is very important. Areas of specific interest include child echocardiography including fetal echocardiography, diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization (pediatric cardiac holes closure by device, opening of obstructed cardiac valves by balloons etc).