Time- and rate-dependent alterations of the QT interval precede the onset of torsade de pointes in patients with acquired QT prolongation.

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the QT interval dynamics that precede torsade de pointes are consistent with the initiation of this arrhythmia by early afterdepolarization-induced triggered activity. Background. Early afterdepolarization-induced triggered activity has been suggested as an electrophysiologic mechanism for torsade de pointes. Consequently, the initiation of torsade de pointes should involve time- and rate-dependent alterations of ventricular repolarization similar to those known to modulate the development of early afterdepolarizations. Methods. RR and QT intervals were measured in digitized 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings obtained from seven patients with acquired prolongation of ventricular repolarization. Each patient had one or more episodes of torsade de pointes. The relation between RR and QT intervals was determined before, during and after multiple episodes of torsade de pointes. Results. In patients with multiple episodes of ventricular arrhythmias, the onset of the arrhythmias was associated with a critical prolongation of the QT interval. In some episodes, prolongation of the QT interval was associated with sudden prolongation of the sinus cycle length, whereas in other episodes, the QT interval prolonged progressively at a constant cycle length. Conclusions. The association between a critically prolonged QT interval and the onset of ventricular arrhythmias suggests that the initial complex of torsade de pointes is an early afterdepolarization-induced triggered response. However, prolongation of the QT interval itself was not sufficient to account for the initiation of torsade de pointes, suggesting that other, as yet unidentified factors are required. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;30:209–17

QT interval and arrhythmic risk assessment after myocardial infarction

International audienceTo assess ventricular repolarization features as predictors of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in patients with previous myocardial infarction, we performed a dynamic study of QT interval from 24-hour electrocardiographic data. QT rate dependence was enhanced in patients with VT when compared with patients without VT

Genomic Organization of the KCNQ1 K + Channel Gene and Identification of C-Terminal Mutations in the Long-QT Syndrome

International audienceThe voltage-gated K+ channel KVLQT1 is essential for the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential and for K+ homeostasis in the inner ear. Mutations in the human KCNQ1 gene encoding the alpha subunit of the KVLQT1 channel cause the long-QT syndrome (LQTS). The autosomal dominant form of this cardiac disease, the Romano-Ward syndrome, is characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. The autosomal recessive form, the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, also includes bilateral deafness. In the present study, we report the entire genomic structure of KCNQ1, which consists of 19 exons spanning 400 kb on chromosome 11p15.5. We describe the sequences of exon-intron boundaries and oligonucleotide primers that allow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exons from genomic DNA. Two new (CA)n repeat microsatellites were found in introns 10 and 14. The present study provides helpful tools for the linkage analysis and mutation screening of the complete KCNQ1 gene. By use of these tools, five novel mutations were identified in LQTS patients by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in the C-terminal part of KCNQ1: two missense mutations, a 20-bp and 1-bp deletions, and a 1-bp insertion. Such mutations in the C-terminal domain of the gene may be more frequent than previously expected, because this region has not been analyzed so far. This could explain the low percentage of mutations found in large LQTS cohorts

KVLQT1 C-terminal missense mutation causes a forme fruste long-QT syndrome.

International audienceKVLQT1, the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of a cardiac potassium channel, is the most common cause of the dominant form of long-QT syndrome (LQT1-type), the Romano-Ward syndrome (RWS). The overall phenotype of RWS is characterized by a prolonged QT interval on the ECG and cardiac ventricular arrhythmias leading to recurrent syncopes and sudden death. However, there is considerable variability in the clinical presentation, and potential severity is often difficult to evaluate. To analyze the relationship between phenotypes and underlying defects in KVLQT1, we investigated mutations in this gene in 20 RWS families originating from France

Heterozygous mutation in the pore of potassium channel gene KvLQT1 causes an apparently normal phenotype in long QT syndrome

International audienceMutations in KvLQT1, a gene encoding a potassium channel, cause both the recessive Jervell and Lange-Nielsen (JLN) syndrome and the dominant Romano-Ward (RW) syndrome. These diseases are characterised by a prolonged QT interval on the ECG, syncopes and sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias. The JLN syndrome is also associated with a congenital bilateral deafness. We report here a novel missense mutation, W305S, in the pore region of KvLQT1 identified by PCR-SSCP analysis in two consanguineous JLN families. In contrast to several missense mutations found in the same region of KvLQT1 in RW patients which are associated with severe cardiac phenotypes, the W305S mutation is responsible for an apparently normal phenotype in heterozygous JLN carriers