Heart Rate Turbulence Does Not Seem To Be A Good Predıctor in Long Qt Syndrome

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is associated with recurrent syncope, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. It was shown that heart rate turbulence (HRT) predicts mortality and sudden cardiac death following myocardial infarction. In this study our aim is to examine HRT parameters in sudden cardiac death survivors with LQTS. Four patients with LQTS (mean age 12.5±1,8) were included in the study. Their 24 hours ambulatory electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded with Reynolds recorder device in a drug free period. Holter recordings were analyzed with Reynolds Medical Pathfinder Software Version V8.255. HRT was determined with HRT! View Version 0.60-0.1 software program and turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were determined. In Holter recordings all patients where in sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation, ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia attacks were not observed. TO and TS values of patients were found within normal range. TO values were lower than 0 and TS values were bigger than 2.5. In conclusion, HRT has no predictive value for assessing mortality and sudden death following myocardial infarction in patients with LQTS. HRT may not be a good risk predictor for LQTS.