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The QT Interval

  • Reference work entry
Comprehensive Electrocardiology

1 1 Introduction

The QT interval in an electrocardiogram is a global reflection of complex processes governing the repolarization of ventricular myocardium. Most frequent concerns regarding the QT interval relate to its prolongation whereas QT shortening is relatively rare. QT interval prolongation may result from inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS), but more frequently is observed in the course of ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies, or can be induced by drugs or abnormal electrolyte/metabolic disorders [1–10]. The LQTS is characterized by prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram and is associated with an increased propensity to ventricular tachyarrhythmias that can lead to cardiac events such as syncope, cardiac arrest, or sudden death [1–6]. The LQTS is a pure electrical disorder, which became a paradigm to understand QT interval and repolarization in general, and its role in cardiac electrophysiology. In particular, clinical observations in LQTS patients and...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester Medical Centre, Rochester, NY, USA

    Wojciech Zareba

  2. Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland

    Iwona Cygankiewicz

Authors
  1. Wojciech Zareba
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  2. Iwona Cygankiewicz
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    Peter W. Macfarlane

  2. Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    A. van Oosterom

  3. Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Olle Pahlm

  4. Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Paul Kligfield

  5. University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Michiel Janse

  6. St. George's, University of London, London, UK

    John Camm

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Zareba, W., Cygankiewicz, I. (2010). The QT Interval. In: Macfarlane, P.W., van Oosterom, A., Pahlm, O., Kligfield, P., Janse, M., Camm, J. (eds) Comprehensive Electrocardiology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-046-3_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-046-3_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-045-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-046-3

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