Abstract
BACKGROUND: Female LQTS patients are at high risk for arrhythmogenic events during the postpartum period due to hormonal influence on cardiac repolarization. METHODS: We observed an LQT1 patient with previous cardiac events during pregnancy and 3 weeks postpartum. We obtained ECG recordings and quantified sex hormone levels. RESULTS: Peak pregnancy: QTc: 420 ± 7 ms, Estradiol: 24.18 ng/mL, Progesterone: 218 ng/mL. Seven days postpartum: QTc prolongation to 455 ± 5 ms. 22 days postpartum: QTc: 452 ± 5, Estradiol: 0.013 ng/mL, Progesterone: 0.25 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol and Progesterone decline rapidly after birth, correlating to QTc prolongation and elevated risk for arrhythmogenic events. Therefore, modification of pharmacological or device therapy may be considered.