Electrocardiographic change: prolongation of the QT interval, imminent risk of sudden death

resting heart rate (usually 60 beats per minute) using formulas such as Bazett's or others.This adjustment is made to aid in the clinical interpretation of the QT interval, as it allows comparison of values under different heart rate conditions.Therefore, the QT interval is very important in clinical practice, because its prolongation may be associated with an increased risk of serious arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Changes that can cause a prolonged qt interval on the electrocardiogram includeCongenital Long QT Syndrome: A genetic condition that affects the repolarization of the heart, leading to an increase in the QT interval.According to Krahn AD et al. 1 since its initial description in 1957, our understanding of LQTS has increased dramatically.The prevalence of LQTS is estimated at ∼1:2,000, with a slight female predominance.The diagnosis of LQTS is based on clinical, electrocardiographic and genetic factors.Risk stratification of patients with LQTS aims to identify those at increased risk of cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death.Factors including age, sex, QTc interval, and genetic background contribute to current risk stratification paradigms.Management of LQTS involves conservative measures such as avoiding medications that prolong the QT interval, pharmacological measures with nonselective β-blockers, and interventional approaches such as device therapy or left cardiac sympathetic denervation. MedicationsAntiarrhythmics: Certain medications used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, such as amiodarone, sotalol, and dofetilide, can prolong the QT interval.Antibiotics: Some antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin (especially in high doses) and moxifloxacin, are associated with prolongation of the QT interval.Antidepressants: Some antidepressants, in particular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine and duloxetine, may prolong the interval QT.Antipsychotics: Some antipsychotics, especially second-generation antipsychotics (atypical antipsychotics), such as ziprasidone, quetiapine, olanzapine, and clozapine, have been associated with QT prolongation.Antihistamines: Some second-generation antihistamines, such as terfenadine and astemizole, have been withdrawn from the market due to the risk of QT prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias.Antiemetics: Certain medications used to prevent nausea and vomiting, such as ondansetron, granisetron, and dolasetron, can prolong the QT interval.