Recurrent syncope in a child and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery - The long and short of it

Manpreet Kaur1, Nirupa Ramakumar1, Sangam Yadav1

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Insights

Managing Long QT syndrome (LQTS) during surgery is complex. This case study details anesthetic management for a child with LQTS undergoing thoracoscopic sympathectomy, highlighting challenges in lung isolation and preventing torsades de pointes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Surgery

Background:

  • Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac ion channelopathy affecting myocardial repolarization, often presenting as syncope.
  • Reduced repolarization reserve in LQTS can be exacerbated by perioperative factors including electrolyte imbalance, drugs, hypothermia, and autonomic tone changes.

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