The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is causing an abnormality of the heart's electrical system. The mechanical function of the heart is entirely normal. The electrical problem is due to defects in heart muscle cell structures called ion channels. These electrical defects predispose affected persons to a very fast heart rhythm (arrhythmia) called "Torsade de Pointes" (TdP) which leads to sudden loss of consciousness (syncope) and may cause sudden cardiac death.

The diagnosis is commonly suspected or made from the electrocardiogram (ECG). All children and young adults should have an ECG as part of their evaluation for an unexplained loss of consciousness episode. On the other hand, there is the possibility to check blood samples for known gene mutations that cause LQTS.

The name of the long QT syndrome refers to the QT-interval measured on the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG for the German term "Elektrokardiogramm"). Your specialist may refer to long QT syndrome as Romano-Ward syndrome or Jervell, Lange-Nielsen syndrome (see point 3).

INHERITED: Inherited long QT syndrome was first clearly described in 1957. There are two variants, the autosomal dominant Romano-Ward (named by the doctors who first described the disease, O. Connor Ward and C. Romano) type and the autosomal recessive Jervell, Lange-Nielsen (Doctors A. Jervell, F. Lange-Nielsen) type. Inherited long QT syndrome is caused by mutations of at least 9 genes, and possibly more. Five different genes have so far been found.

The frequency is unknown but it appears to be a common cause of sudden and unexplained death in children and young adults. It is certainly much more common than previously thought. It may be as frequent as 1 in 5000 to 7000. This means, one of 5000 to 7000 newborns have the disease. The Jervell, Lange-Nielsen form is rare, but the Romano-Ward variant is being recognized with increasing frequency. In the USA, the presence of long QT syndrome is estimated to affect about 50.

It is generally estimated that approximately 10% to 12% of all patients with long QT syndrome show a normal QT-interval on their ECG. However, this does not mean that these patients are not affected by long QT syndrome. In such cases, a more profound evaluation is needed.

It has been noticed that several cardiac arrests occur during summer time. But it is not sure if it this may be an excess in statistical terms. It is however hard to define if these cardiac arrests are related to a specific "risk" due to heat or sweating or if it is mainly a reflection of increased physical activity, excitement and playing during the summer.

The 9-month interval during pregnancy and the delivery itself are not associated with an increased occurrence of heart events in any of the LQTS women. However, it appears that the physical and emotional stress during the 9-month period after pregnancy (the postpartum period) may be a factor in triggering heart rhythm disorders in some vulnerable women with LQTS.

There are two ways to make a diagnosis for QT syndrome. The first is to check if the QT-interval on the ECG of a suspected patient is prolonged. Because the heart stopps beating when death occurs, this possbility is out of question - except an ECG of the dead person already exists, of course. The only possibility would be to check body fluids of the dead person - in this case blood - for the known gene mutations that cause QT syndrome.

Studies show there are significant gender differences in genotyped LQTS patients relative to age of first episode, syncope, cardiac arrest and sudden death. Males seem to have a higher risk of cardiac events (meaning syncope or blackout spells, cardiac arrest and sudden death) during childhood (with an average earlier age of onset in males at 8 years old vs.14 years in females), through puberty. Studies reveal females have an increased risk relative to males during adulthood.

Most of the studies in the medical literature confirm that no major differences exist between brand and generic drugs. However it is fair to recognize that occasional reports have raised concern that certain generic brands may be less effective than brand name products (see: Cervera Barba EJ. [Increase of arterial pressure caused by generic atenolol] Aten Primaria. 2001 Feb 15;27(2):146-8).

The duration of the QT-interval is a measure of the time required for depolarization and repolarization to occur. In long QT syndrome, the duration of repolarization is longer than normal. Thus, the QT-interval is prolonged. An interval above 440 milliseconds (msec) is considered prolonged. QT-prolongation in is due to overload of myocardial cells with positively charged ions during ventricular repolarization.

to 470 milliseconds is considered borderline. The average QTc for someone who has long-QT syndrome is 490 milliseconds. A QTc at or above 480 milliseconds in females or 470 milliseconds in males, is probably a sign for long-QT syndrome, in the absence of drugs, electrolyte disturbance, or other conditions that might independently lengthen the QT-interval.

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According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the resolution time for plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome averages 6-18 months. Roughly half of the reported cases of heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis have had the condition for more than a year.

The term "corrected" QT-interval may be misunderstood. It does not mean the measured QT-interval is incorrect, but adjusted for heart rate. The reason is that the QT interval is affected by the heart rate. QTc in concept is best compared to the Body Mass Index (BMI).

The DivaCup has not been linked at all to getting Toxic Shock Syndrome. Toxic Shock Syndrome results from a chemical imbalance in the vagina caused by the absorption of vaginal fluids that carry dead cells and other organisms away. Tampons absorb these fluids, disturbing your body's natural cleaning cycle, which is why they put you at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome and bacterial infections (read the warnings on the side of your box of tampons for more info).

What distinguishes Asperger's Syndrome from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's may seem just like a normal child behaving differently. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy.

Until recently, neurologists classified the types of seizures, such as focal or generalized convulsive. The past few decades, research has leaned toward determining if the patient has an epileptic syndrome, or a specific type occurring under certain conditions. These conditions could include a particular clinical setting at a certain age with other accompanying findings like radiological tests and EEGs. Absence--or petit mal--seizures can illustrate the value of a syndrome approach.