Long QT Syndrome electrocardiogram
Overview
Electrocardiogram
The diagnosis of LQTS is not easy since 2.5% of the healthy population have prolonged QT interval, and 10% of LQTS patients have a normal QT interval. A commonly used criterion to diagnose LQTS is the LQTS "diagnostic score". Its based on several criteria giving points to each. With 4 or more points the probability is high for LQTS, and with 1 or less point the probability is low. Two or 3 points indicates intermediate probability.
QTc (Defined as QT interval / square root of RR interval) >= 480 msec - 3 points 460-470 msec - 2 points 450 msec and male gender - 1 point
Torsades de Pointes ventricular tachycardia - 2 points T wave alternans - 1 point Notched T wave in at least 3 leads - 1 point Low heart rate for age (children) - 0.5 points Syncope (one cannot receive points both for syncope and Torsades de pointes) With stress - 2 points Without stress - 1 point
Congenital deafness - 0.5 points Family history (the same family member cannot be counted for LQTS and sudden death) Other family members with definite LQTS - 1 point Sudden death in immediate family (members before the age 30) - 0.5 points