Long QT syndrome associated with inflammatory degeneration of the stellate ganglia

Clin Cardiol. 1989 Apr;12(4):222-4. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960120408.

Abstract

A well-studied case of intermittent long QT syndrome in a 21-year-old female is presented. Electrophysiologic investigation repeated three times revealed changing sinoatrial and atrioventricular dysfunction and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The patient died 29 months after first hospitalization in a stage of electromechanical dissociation after runs of torsade de pointes although she had been treated with repeated anti-inflammatory therapy as well as high doses of propranolol. Postmortem examination demonstrated active inflammation of stellate ganglia. Myocardium appeared normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / pathology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Long QT Syndrome / complications
  • Long QT Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Long QT Syndrome / pathology*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use
  • Stellate Ganglion / pathology*
  • Tachycardia / etiology

Substances

  • Prednisolone
  • Propranolol