Ventricular tachycardia secondary to prolongation of the QT interval in a fetus with autoimmune mediated congenital complete heart block.
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.
Duke
Christopher
C
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Stuart
Graham
G
Simpson
John M
JM
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
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies