Romano-Ward syndrome
Last updated 19 Sept 2024
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Romano-Ward syndrome is a condition that causes a disruption of the heart's normal rhythm (arrhythmia). This disorder is a form of long QT syndrome, which is a heart condition that causes the heart (cardiac) muscle to take longer than usual to recharge between beats. The term "long QT" refers to a specific pattern of heart activity that is detected with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. In people with long QT syndrome, the part of the heartbeat known as the QT interval is abnormally long. Abnormalities in the time it takes to recharge the heart lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
Description
Romano-Ward syndrome is a condition that causes a disruption of the heart's normal rhythm (arrhythmia). This disorder is a form of long QT syndrome, which is a heart condition that causes the heart (cardiac) muscle to take longer than usual to recharge between beats. The term "long QT" refers to a specific pattern of heart activity that is detected with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. In people with long QT syndrome, the part of the heartbeat known as the QT interval is abnormally long. Abnormalities in the time it takes to recharge the heart lead to abnormal heart rhythms.
The arrhythmia associated with Romano-Ward syndrome can lead to fainting (syncope) or cardiac arrest and sudden death. However, some people with Romano-Ward syndrome never experience any health problems associated with the condition.
Fifteen types of long QT syndrome have been defined based on their genetic cause. Some types of long QT syndrome involve other cardiac abnormalities or problems with additional body systems. Romano-Ward syndrome encompasses those types that involve only a long QT interval without other abnormalities.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
RWS
Ward-Romano syndrome
WRS
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Further reading and references
- Romano-Ward syndrome; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Bohnen MS, Peng G, Robey SH, Terrenoire C, Iyer V, Sampson KJ, Kass RS. Molecular Pathophysiology of Congenital Long QT Syndrome. Physiol Rev. 2017 Jan;97(1):89-134. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00008.2016.
- Groffen AJ, Bikker H, Christiaans I. Long QT Syndrome Overview. 2003 Feb 20 [updated 2024 Mar 21]. In: Adam MP, Bick S, Mirzaa GM, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2026. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1129/
- Modell SM, Bradley DJ, Lehmann MH. Genetic testing for long QT syndrome and the category of cardiac ion channelopathies. PLoS Curr. 2012 May 3;4:e4f9995f69e6c7. doi: 10.1371/4f9995f69e6c7.
- Nakano Y, Shimizu W. Genetics of long-QT syndrome. J Hum Genet. 2016 Jan;61(1):51-5. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2015.74. Epub 2015 Jun 25.
- Schwartz PJ, Crotti L, Insolia R. Long-QT syndrome: from genetics to management. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2012 Aug 1;5(4):868-77. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.111.962019. No abstract available.
- Tester DJ, Ackerman MJ. Genetics of long QT syndrome. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2014 Jan-Mar;10(1):29-33. doi: 10.14797/mdcj-10-1-29.
- Towbin JA, Vatta M. Molecular biology and the prolonged QT syndromes. Am J Med. 2001 Apr 1;110(5):385-98. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(00)00715-4.
- Vincent GM. The Long QT and Brugada syndromes: causes of unexpected syncope and sudden cardiac death in children and young adults. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2005 Mar;12(1):15-24. doi: 10.1016/j.spen.2004.11.008.
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