title: Ventricular tachycardia secondary to prolongation of the QT interval in a fetus with autoimmune mediated congenital complete heart block.
abstract: We report a case where fetal echocardiography identified both complete heart block and ventricular tachycardia. The mother tested positive for anti-Ro antibodies. Prenatal detection of this unusual combination of arrhythmias prompted early postnatal evaluation, which revealed prolongation of the QT interval. Autoimmune mediated congenitally complete heart block associated with such prolongation of the QT interval has a poor prognosis. The child was successfully treated with beta blockers and implantation of a pacemaker.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies