Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
14:39
Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
Ventricular repolarization lability in children with Kawasaki disease
Marina Kuriki1, Masayuki Fujino, Ken-ichi Tanaka
1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.
Pediatric Cardiology
|February 24, 2011
Summary
Kawasaki disease (KD) in children shows increased myocardial repolarization lability during the acute phase, indicated by QT variability index (QTVI). QTVI normalizes during recovery, correlating with inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Kawasaki disease (KD) is a critical pediatric illness causing systemic vasculitis and potential myocardial dysfunction.
- Myocardial repolarization lability, a measure of heart rhythm stability, requires further investigation in KD patients.
- The QT variability index (QTVI) offers a quantitative assessment of repolarization lability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate myocardial repolarization lability using QTVI in children with acute Kawasaki disease.
- To compare QTVI in the acute and recovery phases of Kawasaki disease.
- To explore the relationship between QTVI and inflammatory markers in acute KD.
Main Methods:
- Body surface electrocardiograms were used to measure RR-intervals and QT-intervals in 25 children with acute KD and 25 healthy controls.
- QTVI was calculated from 120 consecutive heartbeats for each subject.
- QTVI was analyzed during the acute and recovery phases of KD and correlated with clinical and biochemical data.
Main Results:
- QTVI was significantly higher in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease compared to the recovery phase (P < 0.05).
- QTVI levels in the recovery phase returned to those observed in healthy controls.
- Acute phase QTVI showed a significant positive correlation with body temperature and C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Myocardial repolarization lability is elevated during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease.
- QTVI normalizes as the inflammatory process resolves during the recovery phase of KD.
- QTVI serves as a potential indicator of cardiac involvement and inflammatory status in Kawasaki disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cardiac Action Potential
Cardiac action potentials are essential for proper heart function, enabling the rhythmic contractions needed for adequate blood circulation. Nodal cells and Purkinje fibers, specialized for electrical conduction, generate these action potentials.
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
01:19Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase of...
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
01:29Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
01:18Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
01:29Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are irregular heart rhythms that result from abnormal electrical activity in the heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood efficiently. Tachyarrhythmias, a subset of dysrhythmias, are characterized by abnormally fast heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute. Here are some types of tachyarrhythmias with their distinct ECG features:Sinus Tachycardia:Sinus tachycardia presents a regular heart rhythm with an increased rate of 101-180 beats per minute.