Submitted by Dr T on March 16, 2011 – 11:00am
Do you know what caused the pericarditis? The recurrences suggests an ongoing problem that hasn’t been treated adequately. Sometimes the only answer is to remove the pericardium surgically (pericardiectomy), and I suspect that day may come sooner rather than later.
Long QT is another matter and it needs to be looked at separately. However, both pericardial effusions and long QT can be associated with other EKG abnormalities (If you must know, Electrical alternans, a broad term that describes alternate-beat variation in the direction, amplitude, and duration of any component of the ECG waveform (ie, P, PR, QRS, R-R, ST, T, U).
Most diseases that cause true electrical alternans do not require surgical treatment. Pulmonary embolectomy may be required for unresolved large pulmonary emboli. Left-sided cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglionectomy may be required for patients with congenital long QT syndrome who continue to have episodes of syncope despite drug therapy. Recurrent pericardial effusions may benefit from pericardiectomy.
You can read more here:
https://www.cardiachealth.org/heart-information/your-pericardium
https://www.cardiachealth.org/ca-blog/i-have-long-qtsyndrome-how-danger
Unfortunately, I can only advice in general terms, your daughter’s situation requires in-depth consultations and follow-up.
Hope this helps,
Dr T
https://www.cardiachealth.org/