title: Long QT syndrome and torsades de pointes complicating mitral valve replacement.
abstract: Severe QT interval prolongation >500ms occurs in one quarter of cardiac surgical patients in the perioperative period while moderate prolongation occurs in most of them. Prolonged QT interval may be associated with torsades de pointes and lead to sudden cardiac death. Because of the high incidence of prolonged QT in cardiac surgery patients and its perioperative adverse outcomes, it is vital to identify it early and take necessary precautions. We report and discuss the catastrophic events and management of two patients with long QT syndrome complicating mitral valve replacement.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore 641014, India. Electronic address: shegugilbert@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Shegu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore 641014, India.
authors.forename: Devender
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Cardiology, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore 641014, India.
authors.forename: M Lawrance
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Jesuraj
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Arrythmia; Cardiac surgery; Long QT syndrome; Pacemaker artificial; Torsades de pointes