Fever-induced QTc prolongation and ventricular fibrillation in a healthy young man

Yonsei Med J. 2011 Nov;52(6):1025-7. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2011.52.6.1025.

Abstract

Long QT syndrome is associated with lethal tachyarrhythmia that can lead to syncope, seizure, and sudden death. Congenital long QT syndrome is a genetic disorder, characterized by delayed cardiac repolarization and prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Type 2 congenital long QT is linked to mutations in the human ether a go-go-related gene (HERG). There are environmental triggers of adverse cardiac events such as emotional and acoustic stimuli, but fever can also be a potential trigger of life-threatening arrhythmias in long QT syndrome type 2 patients. Herein, we report a healthy young man who experienced fever-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and QT interval prolongation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fever / complications*
  • Humans
  • Long QT Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Long QT Syndrome / etiology*
  • Male
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / etiology*