Short QT Intervel on ECG!!!

[tex8vc]

Hi!

What does Short QT Interval on ECG means?

How does it effect my heart function? I am veg, 32 male! I got my all test done and all results were fine!!!!
I have no health issues at all and I am fit.
Can I control this when i go for my next ECG? I am advised to come back after 3 months for my NZ CAA!!!

Anybody with similar case!?

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

tex8vc

[BelfastChild]

This is something which I suggest that you get checked out properly. A condition known as Short QT syndrome has only recently been identified. It is a congenital condition, meaning that it may affect many people in the same family. This condition can predispose to "funny" heart rhythms, some of them potentially dangerous. Is there a history of heart problems in your family?

This post is not meant to alarm you. It is most likely nothing. I just recommend that you seek a proper medical opinion on this one, not just the advice of PPRuNers...

[rhovsquared]

trust me it probably means nothing LONG QT syndrome a congenital anomoly... is pathognonic not short stor worrying about EKG there use must be judicious.. from a prior post

will to get back to this later, cardiac arrythmias are a VERY VERY complicated subject... I have quite a penchant for Cardiac Electrophysiogy

and I also don't want to sound too much like Harrison's: Principles of Internal Medicine

or Nacarelli's, Clinical Cardiovscular Therapeutics: A practical approach

Maybe a Cecil's Textbook of Medicine tone... maybe keep it at the Current Medical Diagnosis And Treatment Level discussing amiodarone v. bretyllium...or maybe I'll consider adenosine...mag sulfate perhaps... Hey it's better than the topic of shunts and congenital heart defects .... when I need a little break it's ventilator settings and how The fetal/Foetal heart presents a shunt to infinity....

just kidding Guy I'll explain in English later ,my younger brother with whom i live is, trying too sleep.. just not now Turbocompressors OFF

[tex8vc]

Thanks for your comments Belfastchild and rhovsquared!

Indeed I am seeking spcialist advice on that. But quite a few people told me that Short QT intervel is nothing to worry about specially when other tests are fine. (apart from low B 12)

I do not have family records on this but as far as I know, no body in my family has any issue with heart!

Only one thing is bothering me. How waiting for 3 months would help!? I have 2 months to go now and its really tough to kill time. Infact I am geting more and more stressed!!!
I left my job and now I am stuck with Class 1 med. :ugh: All I do is read forum and PPL/CPL theory and dream to fly!

[BelfastChild]

rhovsquared - there is a condition called SHORT QT syndrome. Only recently identified. Try a pubmed or medline search for it. Or try this article

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/short/01.CIR.0000085071.28695.C4v1

I agree that it is probably nothing, but I would definitely be seeking specialist advice if it were me

[Hawk]

tex8vc thanks for your thread..not been posted before to my knowledge, so not much we can assist with archives. Thanks also to the medical professionals for your input.

[tex8vc]

Thanks Balfastchild,
The link was very informative! In fact, I have found the medication!!!Now there is a change in my plan. I would to go for a ECG in a week or two and see if it still shows short QT interval. If so, I would just take the printout of my research (over net) about medication before meeting a cardiologist.
Apparently, researchers found 'Hydroquinidine' works for short QT interval. http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/43/8/1494
This really made my job easy. Lets see how I go with my next ECG and if required, with Cardiologist. I would update you as I go.

Hawk,
No need to thank me, I guess this is how we grow and learn. Forums provide right platform to share such information. As mentioned above, I would keep posting my results.

Thanks and wishes.

[rhovsquared]

BelfastChild: yes I'm aware of short QT syndrome also, this, is charaterized by a QT interval of less than 300ms and usually with a change in P wave morphology peaked ... most important QT interval DOES NOT CHANGE WITH EXCERCISE.

tex8vc: get a stress test they usually use leads (one anterior one posterior) V1 and V5 but it depends on the protocol... as well a calcium level, hypercalcemia also certain drugs can shorten the interval that they most like wont let you fly while taking anyway so rule that out digitalis etc :hmm: cause this. again probably nothing

but EKG is sometimes like the boy who cries wolf too often... even the 14 lead :} :}
hey at least delta waves indicative preexcitaion, wolff parkinson white syndrome when aberrant conduction pathways are present :} are not present

I've said B4 EKG must be used VERY VERY VERY judiciously ... it has a very central purpose in diagnosis, but the results can confound anyone ( (even cardiologist) without further testing... eithoven was on the right track but he created many nervous pilots in the meantime... you know EKG and was invented ONE year after airplanes... it's a conspiracy :} :} :}

rhov

[tex8vc]

Rhov,
Thanks for the suggestion.
As I understand from you post that the Short QT interval is charaterized by a QT interval of less than 300ms!
If so, how would you and Belfastchild read following remarks on my ECG?

Vent Rate: 65bpm
PR int: 148 ms
QRS dur: 84ms
QT/QTc int: 328/339ms (Higher than 300ms!?)
P/QRS/T axis 71/41/40Degree
RV5/SV1 amp: 1.170/0.610mv

Analysis Result:
Short QT Interval
Sinus rhythm
**abnormal ECG**
Artifact present

Kindly suggest, any comment would be helpful!

Thanks!

[BelfastChild]

tex8vc - the QT interval reported by the machine is certainly a lot higher than those patients in the article I posted. I agree 100% with rhovsquared that you have to take ECGs with a grain a salt, especially Dr Hewlett Packard's diagnoses. I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about, but I think that whenever anything potentially abnormal is thrown up, a specialist should cast an eye over the ECG and the patient to make sure. I have lost count of the number of times when I have had to get a cardiology opinion on an "abnormal ECG" which has turned out to be nothing, but just occasionally something needs further investigation and/or treatment.

Also agree that you should have electrolytes tested and any drugs (although I imagine you are not on digoxin).

[tex8vc]

BelfastChild, Thanks for your comments!
I was reading few more research papers on Short QT and all of them consider it to be short below 300 so I guess I am on safe side.
One research paper indicated that short QT should be taken more seriously if there is a family history. In that case, I am again saved!!!
Another interesting thing is not many are posting their comments so I guess its not a very common thing!
I would post my recent ECG result as soon as I get it done.
I wonder Rhov had any more to add? Any suggestion before I go for ECG!?

[tex8vc]

Hello all!
I would like to thank all of you to provide me with all the possible information on “Shot QT Interval”. After you suggestions and bit of research on internet, I was encouraged to go for another ECG at public health system with my GP’s recommendation and results were normal with about similar readings! Where as CAA Doctor not only denied my Class 1 but also advised me to see Cardiologist as I might be having some serious heart problem!

After my resent ECG I took both the ECGs to the ECG technician for advice. The lady indicated very interesting point mentioned in my last ECG i.e “artifact present” and further explained that wearing metal ornaments sometimes alter ECG results. Due to “metal abrasion with body”, normal ECG shows, abnormal results by giving false observations/ analysis on normal readings such as, in my case indicating, Short QT interval on 328/339ms. Results were fine without any ornaments on body at 324/366ms.

Please note that CAA Doctor happily ignored the point that, Short QT is calculated when readings are (<300 ms) and appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern which can only be treated by Qinidine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_QT_syndrome and did not bother to think about why ECG indicating short QT interval at above reading with ‘artifact present’!

He also knew that my family medical history suggests, no heart ailments/ disorders on either side of family and I am surely not taking Qunidine!
Indeed, Short QT interval was a new term for me and the failure on CAA doctors part to explain the term mentioned on my ECG made me think, why should ECG be done by a doctor who is unable to explain ECG terms to the patient and pay for it?

Later, I went to see the doctor and I asked him, what does “Artifact Present” means and how did you ignore this in first ECG? He simply said, he did not notice above term in the ECG! He further argued, metal would never alter ECG results and advised me to do another ECG with him and said if this ECG shows abnormal results with ornaments on, he would refund my total fee. Again ECG was abnormal but without Short QT interval this time! But he did not keep his words to pay back and started to argue that because I am taking thyroxin, it might be reflecting in ECG!!!! I am not sure if thyroxin can fix short QT interval, at least research does not suggest so!

I feel sometimes we are taken for granted!? And at the end we end up paying for othersmistake. I have made a formal complain to CAA and waiting for them to write back! (well, that can be another surprise)!

I strongly suggest (as mentioned by others) please remove your rings, necklace, chain and any other metal object on your body, specially the one hanging on body! Otherwise be prepared for surprises!

Good Luck to all and thanks for your kind support!

p.s this thread should be clubbed with "Can metal alter ECG results". Thanks.