New revelations about the long-QT syndrome

Article Abstract:

The cause of one inheritable condition causing sudden heart stoppage in apparently healthy patients appears to be defects in the genes coding for ion channels in the membranes of heart muscle cells. Romano-Ward long-QT syndrome results in episodes of abnormal heart beat and sudden death. It can be treated, but is rarely diagnosed until catastrophe has struck. Recent research has identified three genetic mutations on three different chromosomes that may be found in affected families. In all three cases the gene involved codes for an ion channel in the heart membrane. The passage of ions through the cell membrane is what propagates the electrical conduction of the heartbeat. This discovery may lead to improved methods of diagnosis before symptoms appear and the development of drugs to treat the condition.

Genetic aspects, Ion channels

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Prolongation of the QT interval and the sudden infant death syndrome

Article Abstract:

Long-QT syndrome may cause many cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) but it may not be necessary to screen all newborn infants for this type of heart arrhythmia. A 1998 study found that 12 of 24 infants who died of SIDS had the long-QT syndrome. It may be cost-effective to screen all newborn infants at risk of SIDS with an electrocardiogram, which can detect long-QT syndrome. Even infants who test positive should not be treated immediately but screened again at 2 or 3 weeks of age and again at 2 or 3 months. Only infants who repeatedly test positive should be treated with beta-blockers.

Editorial, Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Medical examination, Infants (Newborn), Neonatal screening, Sudden infant death syndrome, Arrhythmia in children, Pediatric cardiology

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Association of viral genome with graft loss in children after cardiac transplantation

Article Abstract:

Adenovirus infection of a transplanted heart may lead to organ rejection or coronary artery disease in the transplanted heart, according to a study of 149 children. Researchers used PCR to test 553 heart biopsy samples from the children and found adenovirus in 30 out of 48 samples that tested positive for a virus.

Health aspects, Causes of, Heart, Graft rejection, Heart transplantation, Adenoviruses, Human, Human adenoviruses

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