title: Hypocalcaemia, long QT interval and atrial arrhythmias.
abstract: Calcium has diverse roles in neuromuscular mechanisms. Within the cardiovascular system, hypocalcaemia is known to both impair myocardial contractility and prolong the QT interval, predisposing to ventricular arrhythmias. We present a case of chronic hypocalcaemia with prolonged QT interval associated with an atrial arrhythmia. Recent studies of congenital long QT syndrome suggest there is also a predisposition to atrial arrhythmias. Our case raises the hypothesis that acquired causes of long QT cause similar repolarisation abnormalities that predispose to atrial arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Hillingdon Hospital, Cardiology, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge UB8 3NN, UK.
authors.forename: Sukhjinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nijjer
authors.forename: Arjun K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Simon William
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Dubrey