The Influence of Pregnancy in Patients with Congenital Long QT Syndrome.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-31-2016

Abstract

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization and is characterized by a prolonged QT interval on AN electrocardiogram. A prolonged QT predisposes patients to an increased risk of syncope and sudden cardiac death secondary to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Several mutations linked to the LQT syndrome have been identified, the most common of which have been found in the potassium channel KCNQ1 (LQT1) and hERG (LQT2) genes and in the sodium channel SCN5A (LQT3) gene. Female gender is an independent risk factor for the development of torsades de pointes (TdP) in LQTS. Furthermore, while pregnancy may be associated with protection against cardiac events in LQTS, the 9-month post-partum period represents a time of increased arrhythmogenicity. Interestingly, these cardiac events during the post-partum period are more common in patients with LQT2. The precise mechanisms that influence the cardiac repolarization during the post-partum period are unclear. Beta-blockers are considered reasonably safe during pregnancy and should be continued or initiated in patients with LQTS to reduce the risk of cardiac events. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are safe in pregnancy, and there is no evidence that pregnant women with these devices are at any greater risk for adverse complications solely on the grounds of having the device.

Volume

25

Issue

4

First Page

197

Last Page

201

ISSN

1538-4683

Disciplines

Cardiology | Medical Sciences | Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Obstetrics and Gynecology

PubMedID

27054604

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Document Type

Article

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