title: Effect of beta-adrenergic stimulation on the QT interval of children with syncope.
abstract: The effect of intravenous bolus doses (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 microgram) of isoproterenol on the QT and RR intervals was reviewed in a group of 34 children undergoing autonomic testing for syncope. Twenty-one patients had a positive orthostatic test and 13 were negative. The two groups (positive and negative) were compared. Baseline QT and RR intervals were similar. The RR interval was shortened by isoproterenol in both groups. Isoproterenol shortened the QT interval in the negative group (as seen in normal persons), but produced QT prolongation in the positive group, although neither reached statistical significance when compared to baseline within the respective group. Comparing the values for RR and QT at each dose of isoproterenol (including baseline) between the two groups showed a significant difference in the QT interval after the 1.0-microgram dose of isoproterenol. Thus children with orthostatic positive neurocardiogenic syncope showed a different QT response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. This lends support to the theory of altered beta-adrenergic sensitivity being present in children with neurocardiogenic syncope.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Children's Heart Center, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Oslizlok
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Hewett
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gillette
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D011187:Posture; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016683:Supine Position; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D007545:Isoproterenol; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine