Anaesthetic Challenges of a Patient Undergoing Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation in Therapy of Long QT Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction PQTS is a disorder of myocardial ion channel conduction that results in impaired ventricular repolarization. Beta blockers remain the mainstay of treatment for patients with PQTS syndrome. However, left cardiac sympathectomy is being increasingly advocated as an effective treatment for patients who are refractory to medical therapy. Patients with PQTS are at risk of developing polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or “Torsades de Pointes”. With careful preoperative preparation and by avoidance of factors that precipitate cardiac dysrhythmias during the peri operative period, patients can be safely anaesthetised for thoracic sympathectomy