A case of short QT-interval postventricular arrhythmia arrest from Torsade De Pointes, a new phenotype, or the result of tachycardia-mediated imbalance

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2024 Mar;35(3):501-504. doi: 10.1111/jce.16164. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Abstract

Introduction: We report the case of an 18-year-old female with recurrent syncope that was discovered to have congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) and episodes of a transiently short QT interval after spontaneous termination of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Methods & results: A cardiac event monitor revealed a long QT interval and initiation of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia by a premature ventricular complex on the preceding T-wave. After 1 minute of ventricular fibrillation, her arrhythmia spontaneously terminated with evidence of a short QT interval.

Conclusions: A transient, potentially artificial, short QT interval following Torsades de Pointes can occur in patients with LQTS.

Keywords: catheter ablation-ventricular tachycardia; electrophysiology-cardiac arrest/sudden death; electrophysiology-long QT syndrome; noninvasive techniques-Holter/event recorders; ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Long QT Syndrome*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular* / etiology
  • Torsades de Pointes* / diagnosis
  • Torsades de Pointes* / etiology