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Electrophysiological mechanisms of long and short QT syndromes

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Tse, G 
Chan, YWF 
Keung, W 
Yan, BP 

Abstract

The QT interval on the human electrocardiogram is normally in the order of 450 ms, and reflects the summated durations of action potential (AP) depolarization and repolarization of ventricular myocytes. Both prolongation and shortening in the QT interval have been associated with ventricular tachy-arrhythmias, which predispose affected individuals to sudden cardiac death. In this article, the molecular determinants of the AP duration and the causes of long and short QT syndromes (LQTS and SQTS) are explored. This is followed by a review of the recent advances on their arrhythmogenic mechanisms involving reentry and/or triggered activity based on experiments conducted in mouse models. Established and novel clinical risk markers based on the QT interval for the prediction of arrhythmic risk and cardiovascular mortality are presented here. It is concluded by a discussion on strategies for the future rational design of anti-arrhythmic agents.

Description

Keywords

cardiac arrhythmia, repolarization, long QT syndrome, short QT syndrome, wavelength

Journal Title

IJC Heart & Vasculature

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2352-9067
2352-9067

Volume Title

14

Publisher

Elsevier
Sponsorship
GT received a BBSRC Doctoral Training Award at the University of Cambridge and thanks the Croucher Foundation of Hong Kong for supporting his clinical assistant professorship. YC is supported by the ESRC for her PhD studies.