Anaesthesia for left thoracoscopic sympathectomy for refractory long QT syndrome: three case reports

Abstract

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare genetic disorder that has been associated with various genetic mutations including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Left thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective treatment for patients who are refractory to medical therapy or who need frequent epicardial internal cardio defibrillator intervention. The authors report three cases, one adult and two children, who underwent successful left thoracoscopic sympathectomy. All three patients remained clinically stable without arrhythmias through 3 months of follow-up. It is suggested in the literature that 77% of patients experienced immediate relief of symptoms. The results of this case report suggest that left thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe and effective approach for treating patients with LQTS.

Keywords: congenital condition, left cardiac sympathetic denervation, left thoracic sympathectomy, prolonged QT syndrome, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery