Response of the QT interval to mental and physical stress in types LQT1 and LQT2 of the long QT syndrome

Objective-To study and compare the effects of mental and physical stress on long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients. Design-Case-control study. Main outcome measures-QT intervals were measured from lead V3. Serum potass ium and plasma catecholamine concentrations were also monitored. Patients-16 patients with type 1 LQTS (LQT1), 14 with type 2 LQTS (LQT2), b oth groups asymptomatic, and 14 healthy control subjects. Interventions-Three types of mental stress tests and a submaximal exercise stress test. Results-Heart rate responses to mental stress and exercise were similar in all groups. During mental stress, the mean QT interval shortened to a simil ar extent in controls (-29 ms), LQT1 patients (-34 ms), and LQT2 patients ( -30 ms). During exercise, the corresponding QT adaptation to exercise stres s was more pronounced (p < 0.01) in healthy controls (-47 ms) than in LQT1 (-38 ms) or LQT2 patients (-38 ms). During exercise changes in serum potass ium concentrations were correlated to changes in QT intervals in controls, but not in LQTS patients. LQT1 and LQT2 patients did not differ in serum po tassium, catecholamine or heart rate responses to mental or physical stress . Conclusions-QT adaptation to mental and exercise stress in healthy people a nd in patients with LQTS is different. In healthy people QT adaptation is m ore sensitive to physical than to mental stress while no such diverging pat tern was seen in asymptomatic LQTS patients.