Long QT syndrome, pregnancy, and nonselective β-blockers: Efficacious for mom and safe for baby?

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heritable disorder of cardiac repolarization characterized clinically by the presence of heart rate –corrected QT (QTc) prolongation on the electrocardiogram and an increased risk of LQTS-triggered torsadogenic events such as syncope, generalized seizures, and tragically sudden cardiac death.1 In addition to basic QTc preventive measures (QTc prolonging medication avoidance and recognition/corre ction of electrolyte abnormalities), nonselective β-blockers (nadolol and propranolol) represent a key constituent of “first-line” LQTS-directed therapy for those with higher-risk clinically manifest (eg, QTc values> 480 ms) and/or previously symptomatic disease.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Commentary Source Type: research