Anaesthesia for left thoracoscopic sympathectomy for refractory long QT syndrome: three case reports

Authors

  • Madhusudan Upadya Manipal University
  • Julie C R Misquith Manipal University
  • Rammoorthi Rao Manipal University

Keywords:

congenital condition, left cardiac sympathetic denervation, left thoracic sympathectomy, prolonged QT syndrome, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare genetic disorder that has been associated with various genetic mutations including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Left thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective treatment for patients who are refractory to medical therapy or who need frequent epicardial internal cardio defibrillator intervention. The authors report three cases, one adult and two children, who underwent successful left thoracoscopic sympathectomy. All three patients remained clinically stable without arrhythmias through 3 months of follow-up. It is suggested in the literature that 77% of patients experienced immediate relief of symptoms. The results of this case report suggest that left thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe and effective approach for treating patients with LQTS. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojaa) South Afr J Anaesth Analg 2016; DOI: 10.1080/22201181.2016.1223924

Author Biographies

Madhusudan Upadya, Manipal University

Department of Anaesthesia Kasturba Medical College Manipal University Mangalore India

Julie C R Misquith, Manipal University

Department of Anaesthesia Kasturba Medical College Manipal University Mangalore India

Rammoorthi Rao, Manipal University

Department of Anaesthesia Kasturba Medical College Manipal University Mangalore India

Downloads

Published

2016-11-07

Issue

Section

Case Studies