Andersen-Tawil syndrome secondary prevention
|
Andersen-Tawil syndrome Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Andersen-Tawil syndrome secondary prevention On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Andersen-Tawil syndrome secondary prevention |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Andersen-Tawil syndrome secondary prevention |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Secondary Prevention
Prophylactic treatment aimed at reduction of attack frequency and severity can be achieved, as in other forms of periodic paralysis, with the following:
- Lifestyle and dietary modifications to avoid known triggers
- Use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide 250-500 mg/1-2x/day or dichlorphenamide 50-100 mg/1-2x/day)
- Daily use of slow-release potassium supplements, which may also be helpful in controlling attack rates in individuals prone to hypokalemia. Elevating the serum potassium concentration (>4 mEq/L) has the added benefit of narrowing the QT interval, thus reducing the risk of LQT-associated arrhythmias.
- An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in individuals with tachycardia-induced syncope
- Empiric treatment with flecainide should be considered for significant, frequent ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of reduced left ventricular function.
Drugs to Avoid
- Affected individuals should avoid medications known to prolong QT intervals. See www.azcert.org [Woosley 2001] for a complete and updated list.
- Salbutamol inhalers, which may be used in the treatment of primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, should be avoided because of the potential for exacerbation of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Thiazide and other potassium-wasting diuretics may provoke drug-induced hypokalemia and could aggravate the QT interval.