Long QT Syndrome

Question 1

Long QT syndrome is a v_____ t________

Answer 1

ventricular tachyarrhythmia

Question 2

Long QT syndrome is typically a congenital c_______ disorder where a mutation affects the cardiac i__ c_____ and therefore heart conduction

Answer 2

channelopathy
ion channels

Question 3

How long is the QT interval in long QT syndrome?

Answer 3

480ms+

Question 4

What are causes of Long QT syndrome?

Answer 4

Romano Ward Syndrome (autosomal dominant)

Jervell and Lange-Neilsen syndrome (autosomal recessive)

Certain medications (particularly those blocking cardiac potassium channels like amiodarone)

Hypokalaemia
Hypocalcaemia

Question 5

Long QT syndrome predisposes the patient to other arrhythmias like t_____ d_ p____ and v______ f______

Answer 5

torsades de pointes

Ventricular fibrillation

Question 6

Torsades de pointes is a p_____ ventricular tachycardia

Answer 6

polymorphic (varying shape of QRS)

Question 7

What does Torsades de pointes literally mean?

Answer 7

Twisting of the points
due to changing axis and amplitude of the QRS complexes

Question 8

Torsades de Pointes involves rapid irregular QRS complexes which “twist” around baseline and can cease spontaneously or develop to _____ ______

Answer 8

ventricular fibrillation

Question 9

Ventricular fibrillation is s______, r___ oscillations on ECG

Answer 9

shapeless, rapid

Question 10

A patient with ventricular fibrillation becomes p_____ and can go into cardiac arrest (no effective cardiac output)

Answer 10

pulseless

Question 11

What is first line treatment for cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 11

Electrical defibrillation (non-synchronised as patient is pulseless!)