QT prolongation: Difference between revisions

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==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Highly consider admission, especially for QT >500  
*Consider admission, especially for QT >500 or if symptomatic
*May require consultation for discontinuation of QT prolonging medications
*Avoid prescribing medications that may contribute to prolonged QT


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 20:26, 7 March 2019

Background

  • Prolonged ventricular repolarisation → increased risk of ventricular arrythmias
    • Males >440-450 ms
    • Females >500 ms
    • Rule of thumb: Normal QT interveal is less than half of preceding RR interval
  • QT interval is from the beginning of the Q wave to the end of the T wave
    • Rate dependent and should become proportionately shorter with increasing heart rate

Clinical Features

  • Most are asymptomatic
  • History may include:
  • Medication history may include QT prolonging medications

Differential Diagnosis

Drug List

Evaluation

  • ECG
    • On visual inspection, QT takes up more than half the R-R distance
    • Measure QT interval in lead II or V5-6
    • QTc = QT /√R-R

Management

Pause Dependent (precipitated by bradycardia)

Adrenergic Dependent (precipited by tachycardia)

Disposition

  • Consider admission, especially for QT >500 or if symptomatic
  • May require consultation for discontinuation of QT prolonging medications
  • Avoid prescribing medications that may contribute to prolonged QT

See Also

External Links

References