Long QT Syndrome

Research

Several clinical research studies currently are being done on LQTS at Mayo Clinic.

These include studies to:

• test the safety and effectiveness of different treatments.
• find out why certain triggers seem to be related to specific genetic defects. For example, why swimming seems to be related to long QT subtype 1 and events during sleep with long QT subtype 3.
• identify risk factors that predict an individual's chances for sudden death.

The Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory is looking at how defects in a person's genetic "blueprint" contribute to, or cause, sudden cardiac death. The research focuses on understanding the genetic underpinnings for unexplained sudden cardiac death involving infants (sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS), children, adolescents and young adults.

The lab focuses on mutations or defects in the ion channels of the heart that can cause electrical disturbances, such as long QT syndrome. As new mutations are discovered, researchers try to figure out how those mutations might cause the heart to lose its rhythm. Then, they identify surviving, at-risk family members to determine whose heart is at low risk for sudden death and whose heart is "lying in wait" for the right or wrong triggers. This bridge between research and patient care provides an excellent opportunity for intervention.