long QT syndrome

A malignant arrhythmia is one that can cause sudden cardiac death or collapse.

This includes sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, TOR, sardu point, and the arrhythmias of the inherited channelopathies, Long QT syndrome, Brugada, DA syndrome, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Between these two ends lies an important middle group.

Atrial fibrillation is not immediately lethal, but it causes strokes and heart failure.

It sits under the skin, records for up to three years, and has transformed the diagnosis of unexplained syncope.

Smart watches and handheld single lead devices are now very useful, especially for catching atrial fibrillation, and patients bring us these recordings every day.

An exercise test helps in exercise, induced arrhythmias, catecholaminergic VT, and long QT, and for assessing heart rate response.

An echocardiogram is mandatory to assess structure and function.