Congenital and Acquired Long QT Syndrome for Pharmacists
LQTS treatment may include medications, medical devices or surgery, or simple lifestyle changes. In most cases, patients are advised to avoid the specific triggers that usually precede an event, but if this is inadequate for symptom control, medication may be necessary. Since sleep and startle are precipitating factors for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with LQTS (depending on LQTS type), some triggers cannot be easily avoided. Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (i.e., beta-blockers) are the most common class of medications used to manage LQTS symptoms. If needed, a defibrillator, which can deliver an electrical shock in order to restore heart rhythm, may be surgically implanted in the chest. For patients who continue to have symptoms while on beta-blockers or who otherwise appear to be at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias, left cardiac sympathetic denervation is another option.
Treatment and Management
LQTS treatment may include medications, medical devices or surgery, or simple lifestyle changes. In most cases, patients are advised to avoid the specific triggers that usually precede an event, but if this is inadequate for symptom control, medication may be necessary. Since sleep and startle are precipitating factors for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with LQTS (depending on LQTS type), some triggers cannot be easily avoided. Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (i.e., beta-blockers) are the most common class of medications used to manage LQTS symptoms. If needed, a defibrillator, which can deliver an electrical shock in order to restore heart rhythm, may be surgically implanted in the chest. For patients who continue to have symptoms while on beta-blockers or who otherwise appear to be at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias, left cardiac sympathetic denervation is another option.