Calmodulin mutation in long QT syndrome 15 associated with congenital heart defects further complicated by a functional 2:1 atrioventricular block: Management from foetal life to postpartum

Abstract

We report a long QT syndrome 15 whose diagnosis was suspected during foetal life and confirmed at birth and was associated with congenital heart disease. Genetic testing revealed a rare mutation associated with the CALM2 gene. At 23 weeks of gestation, severe foetal sinus bradycardia (∼100 bpm) was detected. In the third trimester, the foetus developed severe right ventricular hypertrophy. At birth, the electrocardiogram showed a long QT interval of 640 ms, and after 1 hour, the newborn showed functional 2:1 atrioventricular block at ventricular rate of 50 bpm. After further pharmacological therapies, epicardial wires were surgically implanted for transient pacing in VVI mode at 90 bpm. Echocardiogram showed aneurysmatic left atrial appendage, dilated right segments, hypertrophied right ventricle, ostium secundum type atrial septal defect, and muscular ventricular septal defect. At two weeks of postpartum, a permanent dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted in the DDD mode and the patient was discharged with a prescription of beta-blockers and calcium therapy.