Long QT syndrome type 2: mechanism-based therapies

Abstract

Long QT syndrome type 2 is a life-threatening disorder of cardiac electrophysiology. It can lead to sudden cardiac death as a result of QT prolongation and can remain undetected until it presents clinically in the form of life-threatening cardiac arrythmias. Current treatment relies on symptom management largely through the use of β-adrenergic blockade and presently no mechanism-based therapies exist to treat the dysfunction in the hERG channels responsible for the rapid delayed rectifier K+ current which is the pathological source of long QT syndrome type 2. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis and current management of this life-threatening condition and also analyze some promising potential mechanism-based therapies.