Definition:
Short QT syndrome is a congenital abnormality in the normal rhythm of the heart. The heart of an individual with Short QT Syndrome takes less time than normal to recharge between beats. Left untreated, the irregular heartbeats will manifest signs and symptoms starting from dizziness and fainting, later on cardiac arrest and worse may lead to sudden death.
Diagnosis:
Characteristic history and findings on Echocardiogram and electrophysiologic testing can provide diagnosis of Short QT Syndrome.
Treatment:
At present, implantation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is the most effective treatment option for individuals with Short QT Syndrome. This device is a battery-powered electrical impulse generator aimed at detecting abnormal electrical activity of the heart and corrects it by delivering a jolt of electricity.
Symptoms and Signs:
The most common complaint of persons with Short QT Syndrome is unexplained palpitations, irregular heartbeats and loss of consciousness. The characteristic sign of Short QT Syndrome is the presence of very short QT interval on electrocardiogram (ECG).
Some cases of Short QT Syndrome remain to be asymptomatic leading to unexplained or sudden death.
Causes:
Short QT Syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the altered gene in each cell in enough to cause the disorder. There were studies proven that Short QT Syndrome is caused by mutations in the KCNH2, KCNJ2, and KCNQ1 genes.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
