RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hypocalcaemia, long QT interval and atrial arrhythmias
JF BMJ Case Reports
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP bcr0820092216
DO 10.1136/bcr.08.2009.2216
VO 2010
A1 Sukhjinder Nijjer
A1 Arjun K Ghosh
A1 Simon William Dubrey
YR 2010
UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2010/bcr.08.2009.2216.abstract
AB Calcium has diverse roles in neuromuscular mechanisms. Within the cardiovascular system, hypocalcaemia is known to both impair myocardial contractility and prolong the QT interval, predisposing to ventricular arrhythmias. We present a case of chronic hypocalcaemia with prolonged QT interval associated with an atrial arrhythmia. Recent studies of congenital long QT syndrome suggest there is also a predisposition to atrial arrhythmias. Our case raises the hypothesis that acquired causes of long QT cause similar repolarisation abnormalities that predispose to atrial arrhythmias.