Perioperative anesthetic management of a patient with long Q-T syndrome (LQTS)

Abstract

Hereditary prolongation of the Q-T interval associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden death has been recognized for about 25 years. It is often familial, occurs both with or without congenital neural deafness, and often is associated with a family history of syncope and sudden death secondary to ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Only one description of the anesthetic management of these patients has been published. The authors describe the intra- and perioperative management of a patient with LQTS undergoing suction dilatation and curettage and laparoscopic tubal ligation, review the related literature, and present current management guidelines.