Lower bone strength in young patients with Fontan circulation compared to controls.

OBJECTIVES: Previous reports indicate bone deficits in patients with Fontan circulation. However, the consequences of these deficits on bone strength and when these changes occur are unclear. AIM: To compare the tibial bone strength-strain index between young patients (6-19 years) with Fontan circulation and age- and sex-matched controls, and to determine strength-strain-index in subgroups of children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-19 years) versus controls. METHOD: The tibia was examined with peripheral quantitative CT. Based on the assessed data, bone strength-strain index was calculated in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. RESULTS: Twenty patients with Fontan and twenty controls (mean age 13.0 ± 4.4 years; 50% females) were examined. Patients had a lower strength-strain index in the lateral direction compared to controls (808.4 ± 416.8mm3 versus 1162.5 ± 552.1mm3, p = 0.043). Subgroup analyses showed no differences regarding strength-strain index in children (6-12 years) with Fontan circulation compared to controls. However, the adolescents (13-19 years) with Fontan circulation had lower strength-strain indexes in both the lateral and anterior-posterior directions compared to controls (1041.4 ± 299.8mm3 versus 1596.4 ± 239.6mm3, p < 0.001, and 771.7 ± 192.4mm3 versus 1084.9 ± 215.0mm3, p = 0.004). When adjusted for height, there were differences between patients (6-19 years) and controls in strength-strain indexes in both the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. In subgroup analyses, the results remained robust. CONCLUSION: Young patients (6-19 years) with Fontan circulation have a lower strength-strain index in the tibia compared to controls. Subgroup analyses show that this deficit is mainly driven by the differences in adolescents (13-19 years), which might suggest that bone strength decreases with age.

Cardiac response to water activities in children with Long QT syndrome type 1.

BACKGROUND: Swimming is a genotype-specific trigger in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1). OBJECTIVE: To examine the autonomic response to water activities in children and adolescents with LQT1. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, LQT1 patients were age and sex matched to one healthy control subject. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded during face immersion (FI), swimming, diving, and whole-body submersion (WBS). Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured. The high frequency (HF) component of HRV was interpreted to reflect parasympathetic activity, while the low frequency (LF) component was interpreted as reflecting the combined influence of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity on autonomic nervous modulation of the heart. RESULTS: Fifteen LQT1 patients (aged 7-19 years, all on beta-blocker therapy) and fifteen age and sex matched non-medicated controls were included. No significant ventricular arrhythmias were observed in the LQT1 population during the water activities. Out of these 15 matched pairs, 12 pairs managed to complete FI and WBS for more than 10 seconds and were subsequently included in HR and HRV analyses. In response to FI, the LQT1 group experienced a drop in HR of 48 bpm, compared to 67 bpm in the control group (p = 0.006). In response to WBS, HR decreased by 48 bpm in the LQT1 group and 70 bpm in the control group (p = 0.007). A significantly lower PTOT (p < 0.001) and HF (p = 0.011) component was observed before, during and after FI in LQT1 patients compared with the controls. Before, during and after WBS, a significantly lower total power (p < 0.001), LF (p = 0.002) and HF (p = 0.006) component was observed in the LQT1 patients. CONCLUSION: A significantly lower HR decrease in response to water activities was observed in LQT1 subjects on beta-blocker therapy, compared to matched non-medicated controls. The data suggests an impaired parasympathetic response in LQT1 children and adolescents. An aberrant autonomic nervous system (ANS) response may cause an autonomic imbalance in this patient group.

Effects of cohort, genotype, variant, and maternal ß-blocker treatment on foetal heart rate predictors of inherited long QT syndrome.

AIMS: In long QT syndrome (LQTS), primary prevention improves outcome; thus, early identification is key. The most common LQTS phenotype is a foetal heart rate (FHR) < 3rd percentile for gestational age (GA) but the effects of cohort, genotype, variant, and maternal ß-blocker therapy on FHR are unknown. We assessed the influence of these factors on FHR in pregnancies with familial LQTS and developed a FHR/GA threshold for LQTS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In an international cohort of pregnancies in which one parent had LQTS, LQTS genotype, familial variant, and maternal ß-blocker effects on FHR were assessed. We developed a testing algorithm for LQTS using FHR and GA as continuous predictors. Data included 1966 FHRs at 7-42 weeks' GA from 267 pregnancies/164 LQTS families [220 LQTS type 1 (LQT1), 35 LQTS type 2 (LQT2), and 12 LQTS type 3 (LQT3)]. The FHRs were significantly lower in LQT1 and LQT2 but not LQT3 or LQTS negative. The LQT1 variants with non-nonsense and severe function loss (current density or ß-adrenergic response) had lower FHR. Maternal ß-blockers potentiated bradycardia in LQT1 and LQT2 but did not affect FHR in LQTS negative. A FHR/GA threshold predicted LQT1 and LQT2 with 74.9% accuracy, 71% sensitivity, and 81% specificity. CONCLUSION: Genotype, LQT1 variant, and maternal ß-blocker therapy affect FHR. A predictive threshold of FHR/GA significantly improves the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for LQT1 and LQT2, above the infant's a priori 50% probability. We speculate this model may be useful in screening for LQTS in perinatal subjects without a known LQTS family history.

Spatiotemporal repolarization dispersion before and after exercise in patients with long QT syndrome type 1 versus controls: probing into the arrhythmia substrate.

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) carries an increased risk for syncope and sudden death. QT prolongation promotes ventricular extrasystoles, which, in the presence of an arrhythmia substrate, might trigger ventricular tachycardia degenerating into fibrillation. Increased electrical heterogeneity (dispersion) is the suggested arrhythmia substrate in LQTS. In the most common subtype LQT1, physical exercise predisposes for arrhythmia and spatiotemporal dispersion was therefore studied in this context. Thirty-seven patients (57% on ß-blockers) and 37 healthy controls (mean age, 31 vs. 35; range, 6-68 vs. 6-72 yr) performed an exercise test. Frank vectorcardiography was used to assess spatiotemporal dispersion as Tampl, Tarea, the ventricular gradient (VG), and the Tpeak-end interval from 10-s signal averages before and 7 ± 2 min after exercise; during exercise too much signal disturbance excluded analysis. Baseline and maximum heart rates as well as estimated exercise intensity were similar, but heart rate recovery was slower in patients. At baseline, QT and heart rate-corrected QT (QTcB) were significantly longer in patients (as expected), whereas dispersion parameters were numerically larger in controls. After exercise, QTpeakcB and Tpeak-endcB increased significantly more in patients (18 ± 23 vs. 7 ± 10 ms and 12 ± 17 vs. 2 ± 6 ms; P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). There was, however, no difference in the change in Tampl, Tarea, and VG between groups. In conclusion, although temporal dispersion of repolarization increased significantly more after exercise in patients with LQT1, there were no signs of exercise-induced increase in global dispersion of action potential duration and morphology. The arrhythmia substrate/mechanism in LQT1 warrants further study.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Physical activity increases the risk for life-threatening arrhythmias in LQTS type 1 (LQT1). The arrhythmia substrate is presumably altered electrical heterogeneity (a.k.a. dispersion). Spatiotemporal dispersion parameters were therefore compared before and after exercise in patients versus healthy controls using Frank vectorcardiography, a novelty. Physical exercise prolonged the time between the earliest and latest complete repolarization in patients versus controls, but did not increase parameters reflecting global dispersion of action potential duration and morphology, another novelty.

Effectiveness of the STEPSTONES Transition Program for Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Adolescents with congenital heart disease transition from childhood to adulthood and transfer from pediatric-oriented to adult-oriented care. High-level empirical evidence on the effectiveness of transitional care is scarce. This study investigated the empowering effect (primary outcome) of a structured person-centered transition program for adolescents with congenital heart disease and studied its effectiveness on transition readiness, patient-reported health, quality of life, health behaviors, disease-related knowledge, and parental outcomes e.g., parental uncertainty, readiness for transition as perceived by the parents (secondary outcomes). METHODS: The STEPSTONES-trial comprised a hybrid experimental design whereby a randomized controlled trial was embedded in a longitudinal observational study. The trial was conducted in seven centers in Sweden. Two centers were allocated to the randomized controlled trial-arm, randomizing participants to intervention or control group. The other five centers were intervention-naïve centers and served as contamination check control group. Outcomes were measured at the age of 16 years (baseline), 17 years, and 18.5 years. RESULTS: The change in empowerment from 16 years to 18.5 years differed significantly between the intervention group and control group (mean difference = 3.44; 95% confidence interval = 0.27-6.65; p = .036) in favor of intervention group. For the secondary outcomes, significant differences in change over time were found in parental involvement (p = .008), disease-related knowledge (p = .0002), and satisfaction with physical appearance (p = .039). No differences in primary or secondary outcomes were detected between the control group and contamination check control group, indicating that there was no contamination in the control group. DISCUSSION: The STEPSTONES transition program was effective in increasing patient empowerment, reducing parental involvement, improving satisfaction with physical appearance, and increasing disease-related knowledge.

The longitudinal association between patient empowerment and patient-reported outcomes: What is the direction of effect?

BACKGROUND: Theoretical literature and cross-sectional studies suggest empowerment is associated with other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, it is not known if patient empowerment is leading to improvements in other PROs or vice versa. AIMS: The present study aimed to examine the direction of effects between patient empowerment and PROs in young persons with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: As part of the STEPSTONES-CHD trial, adolescents with CHD from seven pediatric cardiology centers in Sweden were included in a longitudinal observational study (n = 132). Data were collected when patients were 16 (T0), 17 (T1) and 18 ½ years old (T2). The Gothenburg Young Persons Empowerment Scale (GYPES) was used to measure patient empowerment. Random intercepts cross-lagged panel models between patient empowerment and PROs (communication skills; patient-reported health; quality of life; and transition readiness) were undertaken. RESULTS: We found a significant cross-lagged effect of transition readiness over patient empowerment between T1 and T2, signifying that a higher level of transition readiness predicted a higher level of patient empowerment. No other significant cross-lagged relationships were found. CONCLUSION: Feeling confident before the transition to adult care is necessary before young persons with CHD can feel in control to manage their health and their lives. Clinicians interested in improving patient empowerment during the transitional period should consider targeting transition readiness.

To Modify or Not to Modify: Allele-Specific Effects of 3'UTR-KCNQ1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Clinical Phenotype in a Long QT 1 Founder Population Segregating a Dominant-Negative Mutation.

Background There are conflicting reports with regard to the allele-specific gene suppression effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of the KCNQ1 gene in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) populations. Here we assess the allele-specific effects of 3 previously published 3'UTR-KCNQ1's SNPs in a LQT1 founder population segregating a dominant-negative mutation. Methods and Results Bidirectional sequencing of the KCNQ1's 3'UTR was performed in the p.Y111C founder population (n=232, 147 genotype positive), with a minor allele frequency of 0.1 for SNP1 (rs2519184) and 0.6 for linked SNP2 (rs8234) and SNP3 (rs107980). Allelic phase was assessed in trios aided by haplotype data, revealing a high prevalence of derived SNP2/3 in cis with p.Y111C (89%). Allele-specific association analyses, corrected using a relatedness matrix, were performed between 3'UTR-KCNQ1 SNP genotypes and clinical phenotypes. SNP1 in trans was associated with a significantly higher proportion of symptomatic phenotype compared with no derived SNP1 allele in trans (58% versus 32%, corrected P=0.027). SNP2/3 in cis was associated with a significantly lower proportion of symptomatic phenotype compared with no derived SNP2/3 allele in cis (32% versus 69%, corrected P=0.010). Conclusions Allele-specific modifying effects on symptomatic phenotype of 3'UTR-KCNQ1 SNPs rs2519184, rs8234, and rs107980 were seen in a LQT1 founder population segregating a dominant-negative mutation. The high prevalence of suppressive 3'UTR-KCNQ1 SNPs segregating with the founder mutation could contribute to the previously documented low incidence of cardiac events in heterozygous carriers of the p.Y111C KCNQ1 mutation.

ICD harm and benefit: risk scores applied to the Swedish ICD-treated LQTS population.

Objectives. The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients is essential in high-risk patients. However, it is sometimes used in patients without high-risk profiles for whom the expected benefit may be lower than the risk of ICD harm. Here, we evaluated ICD benefit and harm by assessing risk according to risk scores and pre-ICD clinical characteristics. Design. We studied 109 Swedish LQTS patients drawn from the Swedish ICD and Pacemaker Registry with data collected from medical records. In addition to clinical characteristics, we used two risk scores to assess pre-ICD risk, and evaluated ICD benefit and harm. Results. Twenty percent of all patients received ≥1 appropriate shock with a first appropriate shock incidence rate of 4.3 per 100 person-years. A long QTc (≥550 ms) and double mutations were significantly associated with appropriate shock. Low risk scores among patients without pre-ICD aborted cardiac arrest were not significantly associated with low risk of first appropriate shock. The incidence rates of a first inappropriate shock and first complication were 3.0 and 7.6 per 100 person-years, respectively. Conclusion. Our findings on ICD harm emphasize the importance of careful individual pre-ICD consideration. When we applied two risk scores to patients without pre-ICD aborted cardiac arrest, we could not validate their ability to identify patients with low risk of appropriate shocks and patients who were assessed as having a low risk still received appropriate shocks. This further supports the complexity of risk stratification and the difficulty of using risk scores.

Impact of Left Ventricular Morphology on Adverse Outcomes Following Stage 1 Palliation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: 20 Years of National Data From Sweden.

Background Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess the influence of left ventricular morphology and choice of shunt on adverse outcome in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and stage 1 palliation. Methods and Results This was a retrospective analysis of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with stage 1 palliation between 1999 and 2018 in Sweden. Patients (n=167) were grouped based on the anatomic subtypes aortic-mitral atresia, aortic atresia-mitral stenosis (AA-MS), and aortic-mitral stenosis. The left ventricular phenotypes including globular left ventricle (Glob-LV), miniaturized and slit-like left ventricle (LV), and the incidence of major adverse events (MAEs) including mortality were assessed. The overall mortality and MAEs were 31% and 41%, respectively. AA-MS (35%) was associated with both mortality (all other subtypes versus AA-MS: interstage-I: hazard ratio [HR], 2.7; P=0.006; overall: HR, 2.2; P=0.005) and MAEs (HR, 2.4; P=0.0009). Glob-LV (57%), noticed in all patients with AA-MS, 61% of patients with aortic stenosis-mitral stenosis, and 19% of patients with aortic atresia-mitral atresia, was associated with both mortality (all other left ventricular phenotypes versus Glob-LV: interstage-I: HR, 4.5; P=0.004; overall: HR, 3.4; P=0.0007) and MAEs (HR, 2.7; P=0.0007). There was no difference in mortality and MAEs between patients with AA-MS and without AA-MS with Glob-LV (P>0.15). Patients with AA-MS (35%) or Glob-LV (38%) palliated with a Blalock-Taussig shunt had higher overall mortality compared with those palliated with Sano shunts, irrespective of the stage 1 palliation year (AA-MS: HR, 2.6; P=0.04; Glob- LV: HR, 2.1; P=0.03). Conclusions Glob-LV and AA-MS are independent morphological risk factors for adverse short- and long- term outcome, especially if a Blalock-Taussig shunt is used as part of stage 1 palliation. These findings are important for the clinical management of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Vitamin D, liver-related biomarkers, and distribution of fat and lean mass in young patients with Fontan circulation.

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Young patients with Fontan circulation may have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, an affected liver, and unhealthy body compositions. This study aimed to explore the association between vitamin D intake/levels, liver biomarkers, and body composition in young Fontan patients. METHOD: We collected prospective data in 2017 to 2018, obtained with food-frequency questionnaires, biochemical analyses of liver biomarkers, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans in 44 children with Fontan circulation. Body compositions were compared to matched controls (n = 38). Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations of biomarkers, leg pain, and lean mass on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Biomarkers were converted to z scores and differences were evaluated within the Fontan patients. RESULTS: Our Fontan patients had a daily mean vitamin D intake of 9.9 µg and a mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D of 56 nmol/L. These factors were not associated with fat or lean mass, leg pain, or biomarkers of liver status. The Fontan patients had significantly less lean mass, but higher fat mass than controls. Male adolescents with Fontan circulation had a greater mean abdominal fat mass than male controls and higher cholesterol levels than females with Fontan circulation. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D intake and serum levels were not associated with body composition or liver biomarkers in the Fontan group, but the Fontan group had lower lean mass and higher fat mass than controls. The more pronounced abdominal fat mass in male adolescents with Fontan circulation might increase metabolic risks later in life.

Calf Muscle Oxygenation is Impaired and May Decline with Age in Young Patients with Total Cavopulmonary Connection.

Patients palliated with Total Cavopulmonary Connection have a lower muscle mass and a lower exercise capacity. We assessed calf muscle oxidative metabolism during and after heel raise exercise to exhaustion in young patients with TCPC compared to healthy peers. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used for measuring oxygen metabolism in the medial portion of the gastrocnemius muscle. Forty-three patients with TCPC, aged 6-18 years, were compared with 43 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Subgroups were formed to include children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years) to determine if these age groups influenced the results. During exercise, for the patients compared to controls there was a lower increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin (oxygen extraction) (5.13 ± 2.99au vs. 7.75 ± 4.15au, p = 0.001) and a slower rate of change in total hemoglobin (blood volume) (0.004 ± 0.015au vs 0.016 ± 0.01au, p = 0.001). Following exercise, patients exhibited a slower initial increase in tissue oxygenation saturation index (0.144 ± 0.11au vs 0.249 ± 0.226au, p = 0.007) and a longer half-time to maximum hyperemia (23.7 ± 11.4 s vs 16.8 ± 7.5 s, p = 0.001). On the subgroup level, the adolescents differed compared to healthy peers, whereas the children did not. Young patients with TCPC had impaired oxidative metabolism during exercise and required a longer time to recover. In that the differences were seen in the adolescent group and not in the children group may indicate a declining function with age.

Aberrant autonomic pattern during the post-exercise recovery phase in long QT syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVES: It is well-established that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a central role in arrhythmogenesis. During and after exercise the ANS is particularly active, and since long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients have an increased risk of lethal arrhythmias during physical activity, it is important to investigate the autonomic function in these patients. In this study we investigate the ANS response during and after exercise in LQTS patients and healthy age and sex matched controls. METHODS: Forty-four genotype-verified adult LQTS patients and forty-four healthy age- and sex-matched controls performed a submaximal bicycle exercise stress test. Heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed from registered electrocardiogram (ECG) and vector electrocardiogram (VCG) recordings collected throughout rest, exercise and in the post-exercise phase. RESULTS: LQTS patients had a slower HRR than controls at 1- and 4-min post-exercise (p < 0.001). During the post-exercise phase, LQTS patients had a lower total power (p < 0.001), low frequency power (p < 0.001) and high frequency power (p < 0.001) than controls. In the same phase, LQTS patients off betablocker (BB) treatment showed a lower high frequency power (p = 0.01) and different low frequency/high frequency ratio (p = 0.003) when comparing with LQTS patients on BB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The parasympathetic effect on both HRR and HRV after exercise appears depressed in this LQTS patient cohort compared to healthy controls. This indicates an aberrant ANS response during the post-exercise phase which might be compensated by BB treatment. Our findings emphasize the importance of performing further investigations to identify the role of the ANS in LQTS arrhythmogenesis.

Functional hyperactivity in long QT syndrome type 1 pluripotent stem cell-derived sympathetic neurons.

Sympathetic activation is an established trigger of life-threatening cardiac events in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1). KCNQ1 loss-of-function variants, which underlie LQT1, have been associated with both cardiac arrhythmia and neuronal hyperactivity pathologies. However, the LQT1 sympathetic neuronal phenotype is unknown. Here, we aimed to study human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived sympathetic neurons (SNs) to evaluate neuronal functional phenotype in LQT1. We generated hiPSC-SNs from two patients with LQT1 with a history of sympathetically triggered arrhythmia and KCNQ1 loss-of-function genotypes (c.781_782delinsTC and p.S349W/p.R518X). Characterization of hiPSC-SNs was performed using immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology, and functional LQT1 hiPSC-SN phenotypes compared with healthy control (WT) hiPSC-SNs. hiPSC-SNs stained positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, peripherin, KCNQ1, and secreted norepinephrine. hiPSC-SNs at 60 ± 2.2 days in vitro had healthy resting membrane potentials (-60 ± 1.3 mV), and fired rapid action potentials with mature kinetics in response to stimulation. Significant hyperactivity in LQT1 hiPSC-SNs was evident via increased norepinephrine release, increased spontaneous action potential frequency, increased total inward current density, and reduced afterhyperpolarization, compared with age-matched WT hiPSC-SNs. A significantly higher action potential frequency upon current injection and larger synaptic current amplitudes in compound heterozygous p.S349W/p.R518X hiPSC-SNs compared with heterozygous c.781_782delinsTC hiPSC-SNs was also observed, suggesting a potential genotype-phenotype correlation. Together, our data reveal increased neurotransmission and excitability in heterozygous and compound heterozygous patient-derived LQT1 sympathetic neurons, suggesting that the cellular arrhythmogenic potential in LQT1 is not restricted to cardiomyocytes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we present the first study of patient-derived LQT1 sympathetic neurons that are norepinephrine secreting, and electrophysiologically functional, in vitro. Our data reveal a novel LQT1 sympathetic neuronal phenotype of increased neurotransmission and excitability. The identified sympathetic neuronal hyperactivity phenotype is of particular relevance as it could contribute to the mechanisms underlying sympathetically triggered arrhythmia in LQT1.

Changes in Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability During Surgical Stages to Completed Fontan Circulation.

Arrhythmia is related to heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects the autonomic nervous regulation of the heart. We hypothesized that autonomic nervous ganglia, located at the junction of the superior vena cava's entrance to the heart, may be affected during the bidirectional Glenn procedure (BDG), resulting in reduced HRV. We aimed to investigate changes in heart rate and HRV in a cohort of children with univentricular heart defects, undergoing stepwise surgery towards total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), and compare these results with healthy controls. Twenty four hours Holter-ECG recordings were obtained before BDG (n = 47), after BDG (n = 47), and after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) (n = 45) in patients and in 38 healthy controls. HRV was analyzed by spectral and Poincaré methods. Age-related z scores were calculated and compared using linear mixed effects modeling. Total HRV was significantly lower in patients before BDG when compared to healthy controls. The mean heart rate was significantly reduced in patients after BDG compared to before BDG. Compared to healthy controls, patients operated with BDG had significantly reduced heart rate and reduced total HRV. Patients with TCPC showed reduced heart rate and HRV compared with healthy controls. In patients after TCPC, total HRV was decreased compared to before TCPC. Heart rate was reduced after BDG procedure, and further reductions of HRV were seen post-TCPC. Our results indicate that autonomic regulation of cardiac rhythm is affected both after BDG and again after TCPC. This may be reflected as, and contribute to, postoperative arrhythmic events.

Reversed Apico-Basal Myocardial Relaxation Sequence During Exercise in Long QT Syndrome Mutations Carriers With History of Previous Cardiac Events.

BACKGROUND: Recent echocardiography studies in inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) have shown left ventricular (LV) myocardial relaxation disturbances to follow markedly prolonged and dispersed mechanical contraction. AIM: We used speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess disturbances in LV myocardial relaxation sequence during exercise and their relationship to symptoms. METHODS: Forty seven LQTS patients (45 ± 15 years, 25 female and 20 symptomatic, LVEF: 65 ± 6%) and 35 controls underwent exercise echocardiogram using Bruce protocol. ECG and echo parameters were recorded at rest, peak exercise (p.e.) and recovery. RESULTS: Between patients and controls there were no differences in age, gender, HR or LVEF. At p.e, patients had longer time to LV longitudinal ESR (tESR) at all three LV segments; basal (p < 0.0001), mid- cavity (p = 0.03) and apical (p = 0.03) whereas at rest such difference was noted only at base (p = 0.0007). Patients showed reversed apico-basal relaxation sequence (ΔtESRbase-apex) with early relaxation onset occurring later at base than at apex, both at rest (49 ± 43 vs. -29 ± 19 ms, p < 0.0001) and at p.e. (46 ± 38 vs. -40 ± 22 ms, p < 0.0001), particularly in symptomatic patients (69 ± 44 vs. 32 ± 26, p < 0.0007). ΔtESRbase-apex correlated with longer QTc interval, lower ESR and attenuated LV stroke volume. CONCLUSION: LQTS patients show reversed longitudinal relaxation sequence, which worsens with exercise, particularly in those with previous cardiac events.

[Experiences from a multidisciplinary cardiogenetic clinic]. / Ärftliga hjärt­kärlsjukdomar ­ ett multidisciplinärt arbetssätt krävs.

Comprehensive genetic and clinical care of families with monogenic cardiovascular diseases requires competences from different medical specialties. Genetic assessment, cascade screening, risk estimation, treatment and follow-up is difficult to cover. Fourteen years ago, a center for cardiovascular diseases was created in our hospital, to improve the care of families with monogenic cardiovascular diseases. At our center, clinical geneticists, cardiologists, angiologists, pediatric cardiologists and genetic counselors work together in a seamless organization, while still having different clinic affiliations. A key feature of this organization are the family outpatient clinics, where the proband and his/her relatives at genetic risk are invited to take part. When the family or relatives live in other parts of the country, they are invited to participate through video conference.  In this paper we report our experiences and working routines from more than 300 families and 2000 individuals.

QT correction using Bazett's formula remains preferable in long QT syndrome type 1 and 2.

BACKGROUND: The heart rate (HR) corrected QT interval (QTc) is crucial for diagnosis and risk stratification in the long QT syndrome (LQTS). Although its use has been questioned in some contexts, Bazett's formula has been applied in most diagnostic and prognostic studies in LQTS patients. However, studies on which formula eliminates the inverse relation between QT and HR are lacking in LQTS patients. We therefore determined which QT correction formula is most appropriate in LQTS patients including the effect of beta blocker therapy and an evaluation of the agreement of the formulae when applying specific QTc limits for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. METHODS: Automated measurements from routine 12-lead ECGs from 200 genetically confirmed LQTS patients from two Swedish regions were included (167 LQT1, 33 LQT2). QT correction was performed using the Bazett, Framingham, Fridericia, and Hodges formulae. Linear regression was used to compare the formulae in all patients, and before and after the initiation of beta blocking therapy in a subgroup (n = 44). Concordance analysis was performed for QTc ≥ 480 ms (diagnosis) and ≥500 ms (prognosis). RESULTS: The median age was 32 years (range 0.1-78), 123 (62%) were female and 52 (26%) were children ≤16 years. Bazett's formula was the only method resulting in a QTc without relation with HR. Initiation of beta blocking therapy did not alter the result. Concordance analyses showed clinically significant differences (Cohen's kappa 0.629-0.469) for diagnosis and prognosis in individual patients. CONCLUSION: Bazett's formula remains preferable for diagnosis and prognosis in LQT1 and 2 patients.

Exercise Induced Worsening of Mechanical Heterogeneity and Diastolic Impairment in Long QT Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Electromechanical heterogeneities due to marked dispersion of ventricular repolarisation and mechanical function have been associated with symptoms in long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients; Aim: To examine the exercise response of longitudinal LV systolic and diastolic myocardial function and synchronicity in LQTS patients and its relationship with symptoms; Methods: Forty seven (age 45 ± 15 yrs, 25 female, 20 symptomatic) LQTS patients and 35 healthy individuals underwent an exercise test (Bruce protocol). ECG and echo parameters were recorded at rest, peak exercise (p.e.), and recovery; Results: LQTS patients had prolonged and markedly dispersed myocardial contraction, delayed early relaxation phase, and significantly decreased filling time at all exercise phases. Unlike controls, these electromechanical disturbances deteriorated further with exercise, during which additional decrease of the LV diastolic myocardial function and attenuated LV stroke volume were noted. Such abnormal responses to exercise were seen to a greater degree in symptomatic patients and in the LQT1 subgroup and improved with B-blocker therapy. Worsening myocardial contraction dispersion at p.e. was the strongest discriminator for previous clinical events, and its discriminating power excelled further by adding early relaxation delay; Conclusions: Electromechanical disturbances were shown to worsen during exercise in LQTS patients and were more pronounced in those with previous arrhythmic events.