President/Medical Director's Report Awareness SADS Foundation Support Groups News & Views SADS Blue Ribbon Awards Scientific Advisory Committee Drugs to Avoid President/Medical Director's Report Awareness SADS Foundation Support Groups News & Views SADS Blue Ribbon Awards Scientific Advisory Committee Drugs to Avoid 
PRESIDENT / MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT We are delighted to announce the appointment of Linda Shockley, M.D. to the SADSFoundation Board of Trustees. Dr. Shockley brings to the Foundation a career in Pediatrics, aswell as considerable insights into the issues faced by families with the long QT syndrome andsudden death. She will be a wonderful addition to the SADS Foundation, and we express ourwarmest welcome to her. Please see the highlighted section on Dr. Shockley for moreinformation.
We have been getting a number of questions about gene therapy for long QT syndrome. This very exciting concept is just in its infancy, and gene therapy is still somewhat of ahypothetical concept. A number of clinical trials are underway in other disease processes, withsome short term but promising results. It is probable that sometime in the future gene therapymay be a treatment for the long QT syndrome, and particularly advantageous because it couldbe essentially a cure for the individual receiving the therapy. However, much work remains tobe done both in the principals and application of gene therapy and in further elucidating thegenetics of the long QT syndrome. Thus, I wouldn't look for gene therapy of the long QTsyndrome in the very near future, but perhaps within several years to a decade.
We are excited about the SADS home page on the Internet and it is generating quite a bit ofactivity already, even in its infancy. The Internet will give us enormous opportunities tocommunicate with individuals and groups throughout the world. This is certainly an excitingtime for the SADS Foundation, and with our increasing opportunities to be of help to so manypeople. Thanks to all of you for your contributions and the great work that you perform.
The SADS Foundation has hopped onto the information highway and we are now on theInternet! You can visit our page at http://www.sads.orgfor up-to-date information about the Long QT Syndrome, SADS Foundation activities andpublications, including our brochure and this newsletter. You may send us E-mail at<sads@mail.aros.net>. :)
LINDA SHOCKLEY, M.D., CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA
Linda, Bill and Lindsey Shockley came into contact with the SADS Foundation last year afterLinda read the small article about the long QT syndrome in Good Housekeeping magazine. Linda and Bill's, daughter, Casey, died at age 16 in August of unknown causes. They immediately had Casey's ECG screened, and, indeed, she did have LQTS. Thankfully, Lindsey,Casey's sister, does not have the syndrome.
In addition to her personal experiences, Linda brings a great deal of medical knowledgeto the SADS Board. She graduated from Indiana University Medical School in 1976 inPediatrics and through the course of her career she served in the private and publichealth sectors as well as practicing academic medicine. In 1990, Linda retired to becomea "full-time mom" to Casey and Lindsey- in her words, the best decision she ever made.
Linda is doing a great deal to spread the word about LQTS. She has spoken at DukeUniversity, had a newspaper article published about Casey and LQTS, is helping Casey'sfriends organize a "grass roots" awareness effort by visiting pediatricians' offices,and many, many more activities. Thank you, Linda and Welcome!
AWARENESS
This month we had the wonderful opportunity to reach 51 MILLION PEOPLE when the long QT syndrome was featured in the June 1996 issueof Reader's Digest. The article will also appear in several versions of the July Reader's Digest in other countries and we will reach many moremillions of people. The article profiles our very own President and Medical Director, Dr. G. Michael Vincent, and his long QT research overthe last 25 years. We have already received over 3,000 telephone calls and four extended families have already been diagnosed with LQTS asa result of this article. We are expecting that hundreds more life-saving diagnoses will occur over the next several months.
The overwhelming response to the recent LQTS articles in Good Housekeeping and Reader's Digest re-emphasizes the effectiveness of nationalmedia to educate families about the long QT syndrome. The SADS office as well as several LQTS families have already contacted many of thesesources and we are asking YOU to join us in our awareness efforts by participating in a "letter writing campaign" to two national programs. Please send your personal letters chronicling your family's experience to the following addresses. Please mention in your letter that you arewriting in conjunction with an effort by the SADS Foundation to get on their program. If you found out about LQTS from a media source (ratherthan your physician or another family member), please describe your experience. As many of you know first hand, public awareness about LQTSsaves lives.
DATELINE NBC
Story Editor, Room 408
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
OPRAH WINFREY
Story Editor
P.O. Box 909715
Chicago, IL 60690
THANK YOU. Please send us copies of your letters, and in our next newsletterwe will feature highlights.
Thousands of people can be reached by stories in local newspapers or on local television news programs. Reporters are often surprisingly opento publishing a story about LQTS. Thank you to the following individuals and families who were instrumental in getting their local newspapersor television stations to do a feature on the long QT syndrome.
ELLEN MITCHELL
Miami, Florida
Ellen's daughter, Stacey, died in June of 1995 from the Long QTSyndrome. Soon after Stacey's death, Ellen began fervently raisingawareness about LQTS by helping put together a 5K Run/Walk inmemory of Stacy. She has also written nearly 100 letters to the media,labor unions, health care groups, the military, and even the WhiteHouse (yes, she did get a response from the President)! She speakswith anyone she can to help her educate the world about LQTS. Sheis also starting a Foundation Support Group with the help of Dr. MingL. Young. She has truly made a tremendous difference in more livesthan she will ever know. Our hats go off to you, Ellen, and youramazing attitude and determination. Your victories are proof that oneperson can make a difference.
RITA EUKEN
Cumberland, Iowa
Since the death of her daughter, Melissa, three years ago, Rita hasbeen dedicated in her mission to help stop other families fromexperiencing the tragedy of losing a child to LQTS. She has beenextremely diligent in contacting her local media, the school system,and local physicians about LQTS. She also scans the papers andtelevision news for reports on young sudden deaths and tries to makecontact with the deceased individual's family to give them informationabout LQTS. Like many parents who have lost a child to LQTS, Ritais extremely frustrated by the lack of knowledge and understandingabout the disorder. She is taking her frustration "by the horns" and ismaking a decisive impact on the ignorance that can be so disastrous.
What is an "Awareness Superstar"? Someone who has been extremely effective in taking the LQTS message to all avenues of publicinformation. Our Superstars doggedly pursue the ideal that every person know the signs & symptoms of LQTS.
SADS FOUNDATION SUPPORT GROUPS
We find that our Support Groups and families with the long QT syndrome are truly our emissariesto the public and the medical profession. In an effort to streamline the efforts of SADS and thesegroups, we have developed a new format that reflects our goals. The new group format includesa steering committee consisting of a Chairperson, a Secretary/Treasurer, and a Chairperson fromeach of the following four subcommittees: Public Awareness, Medical Provider Education, FamilySupport, and Fundraising. We have had great success with this format at our meetings in Orlando,Washington, D.C. and Seattle and look forward to all of our groups achieving great things!
In order to save funds yet maximize our efforts in educating families and physicians about LQTS,we schedule Foundation Support Group meetings in cities to which our President, Dr. Vincent,is traveling. The last few months he has attended and spoken at several conferences and as aresult, we were able to visit three wonderful cities. We have met many fantastic families with theLong QT Syndrome and everyone whom we have met along the way has been kind and hospitableand has opened their homes (Thanks Bernadette and Cal Driscoll) and hearts to us. THANKYOU!
ORLANDO: March 24, 1996
Several families from all over Florida gathered at the Children's Hospital in Orlando and metwith Dr. Vincent, Katherine Timothy, Katie Roberts and Dr. Richard Crampton. A specialthanks to Christine and George Badame for making the meeting arrangements and supplyingthe refreshments. From this one meeting, four groups were formed (see telephone numbersbelow):
SEATTLE: May 18, 1996
SADS welcomed several families from the Seattle area and Canada for a very informativemeeting at the Seattle Westin Hotel. Thank you to everyone for their kind input and toChristine Nieuwenhuis for volunteering to be Chairperson. The group is already working onsome wonderful projects for raising awareness in their lovely city.
On March 23, 1996, The Philadelphia SADS Foundation Support Group, led by Dorothy and JimRenner, put together a fun-filled evening of information, good food, dancing, prizes and greatfriends. (What more could you want?). Thanks to everyone who so kindly gave time, "chance"items and donations to support the SADS Foundation. What a great night!
"Sudden Cardiac Death and the Long QT Syndrome"
August 17th, 1996
9AM - 11:30 am
8th Floor, Mailman Center, University of Miami
Parking: NW 12 Ave (North to NW 16 St.) parking is $1.50 over the weekend
Speaker: Ming L. Young, M.D.
Please RSVP or for more information call: Ellen Mitchell (305) 271-2826
There is no cost to attend this informative meeting.
The Philadelphia SADS group is planning a picnic get-together in early September. Please call Shirley McDonald (610)358-5131, for more information and specifics.
SADS NEWS & VIEWS
$24 and under
Carol Buro
John C. Byrd
Karen Duncan
Nell & Jim Hamm
Lorraine M. Kwiatkowski
Roslyn Norman
Jessie E. Oppenheim
Marcia & Stephen Peterson
Dorothy & Jim Renner
Anne Rice
Dr. Jeffrey & Lynn Sandler
Emilie & William Scarleski
David H. Schoch
Maria Delores & Mike Stroud
Gloria A. Warren
Donald C. Wiseman
Karen Christenson
Debra Danna
E.I. Du Pont Co.
Carol A. Garitta
William H. Grun
Jody L. Heaps
Betty C. Hegele
Peggy Lovelace
Terry Migaud
Kenneth E. O'Rourke
Thomas Porcano
David B. Rosenberg, M.D.
Marjorie F. Schumate
Ronald D. Seaman
Kate & Bob Siftar
Jodi J. Troussel
Margaret & Christopher Baker
Anne Beveridge
Ronald J. Bianchini
Sharon J. Damore
Kathleen Geary
Bruce Gellman
Goodwin Foundation
Beth Lewis
Burton Mitchell
Marylou & John P. Newby
Connie and Darrell Ogden
Charles F. Pearson
Hilda Sciocchetti
Ellen & Jerry Segal
Marja & Jim Sandberg
Intermountain Health Care, Inc.
After months of design and deliberation, our new logo is complete and ready to hit the nation! We arevery pleased with it and feel that it nicely symbolizes our activities and goals as a Foundation. We offerour supreme gratitude to Tom Olson, a graphic designer in Salt Lake City who has donated hundredsof hours to produce this work of art. THANKS, TOM, we love it! (And if you think this looks great,you should see it in color!)
We have updated the long QT syndrome brochure to include up-to-date findings on diagnosticprocedures, treatmnt concerns and genetic findings, as well as a current copy of the Drugs to Avoidlist. SADS produced the brochure with the intention of reprinting it often in an effort to keep it ascurrent as possible in this rapidly changing environment.
Please let us know if you would like copies of this new brochure to send to family members (a goodopportunity to encourage family members who have not yet been screened for LQTS), or if you wouldlike a package of them with a Raising Public Awareness booklet that you can use to educate yourcommunity about LQTS. Call us at (800) 786-7723.
In the last issue of Heart to Hearth, weoffered some tips in acquiring andkeeping health insurance for yourfamily members with the long QTsyndrome.
As you may know, both the UnitedStates House of Representatives and theSenate have now passed legislationreforming health insurance policies,particularly to make health insuranceportable and to eliminate non-coverageof pre-existing conditions. Both billsprevent companies from discriminatingon the basis of pre-existing conditions. The Senate bill is stronger because itprotects both group and individualcoverage, while the House bill onlyhelps those with group coverage. Additionally, both bills contain awaiting period of 12 months afterenrollment for the pre-existingcondition to be covered. Although thenew legislation may not be ideal forthose individuals and families withhealth insurance problems, it will helpa great number of people in their fightfor coverage. We hope this will ensurethat families will not experience "job-lock", when they cannot leave jobsbecause they will lose coverage, whichis a reality for many families withLQTS.
Thanks to The Genome ActionCoalition (TGAC), of which SADS is asponsor and member, both bills wereamended to prohibit discriminationagainst persons on the basis of geneticinformation. The final bill will be thefirst time the United States Congresshas recognized, legislatively, theprotections that are needed as we enterthe age of molecular medicine.
Action on this legislation is possiblein the very near future. We lookforward with hope to a victory forpatients, families and researchers whowill benefit from the final bill.
You are cordially invited to join otherfamilies and interested friends in a"chat room" to talk about issues that arise with having cardiac arrhythmia patients in your family. The sessions are unstructured and open to anyone who has interest in meeting other familieswith similar concerns.
Where: Enter America-Online. Click on Go To. Click on Lobby. Click on Go To Rooms.Click on Private Room. Type in SADS and you should arrive!
When: The third Saturday of every month at 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 pm PST.
(The next session will be on July 20th.)
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH 10 MINUTES...
Call your school board and speak to the school nurse administrator. Ask him/herif they will feature an article about LQTS in the School Nurse Newsletter.After they say yes, you can send them our brochure and a pre-written articlefor their letter (supplied by SADS).
WITH 20 MINUTES...
After you drop the kids off or on your way to lunch, stop by aphysician's office (any Pediatrician, Cardiologist, General Practitioner or Neurologist will do) and ask tospeak to the doctor or a nurse and give him/her a bundle of our brochures. Tell him/her that you have a child(or a friend, grandchild, etc.) that is affected by LQTS and that most doctors you have met don't know muchabout it. Smile a lot, be very nice and they will listen and take heed!
WITH ONE DAY...
While you are calling about the School Nurse newsletter, ask the sameperson what you need to do to participate in the school system's athletic health screening. You can then setup a "booth" during the screening (most school systems have all the athletes come on the same morning inJuly or August) where you can ask each athlete if he/she has ever fainted or had a seizure, or if he/she hasany relatives who died at a young age of unknown causes. If the student answers yes, give him/her a formletter (that you and SADS compile together) and our brochure.
IF YOU WANT TO DO ANY OF THESE QUICK LIFE-SAVERS, OR FOR MORE IDEAS,CALL SADS AND WE WILL SUPPLY THE MATERIALS AND INFORMATION.
Christine and her husband, George, live in Leesburg, Florida with their two beautiful boys,Conner, age 3, and Carson, 8 months. Conner has the long QT syndrome and Christine wasrecently diagnosed with it as well. Christine has been active with the Foundation for 3 years, andis always full of spectacular ideas. She started SADS CYBERCHAT as well as planning the firstSADS meeting in Florida on May 18th. Thanks, Christine for all of your hard work, dedicationand input. We are expecting lots more!
Three thousand thanks (one for each call we have received) to our Salt Lake City Group for thetremendous help they have given during the Reader's Digest phone call "frenzy". Special thanksto Nancy Brown and Burma Skinner for the hundreds of hours they have each donated. Manyother local families have volunteered to take off voice mail, do data entry and stuff envelopes. Your kindness and generosity with your time helps us get the information out much more quicklyto families still looking for answers. THANK YOU!
Shirley Mann McDonald, of Aston, PA, began working on thisquilt to commemorate LQTS survival 3 years ago. Her goal isto create a symbol of the growing number of lives that are beinglived to the fullest despite a diagnosis of LQTS. The firstsquare of the quilt is dedicated to our loved ones who have losttheir lives to LQTS. However, all of the other squares ofShirley's quilt represent the living LQTS families withindividual hand prints for each surviving member of the family. Through these interlocking hands, the quilt depicts the manylives being saved through increased awareness, diagnosis andtreatment of LQTS. If you have not already done so, pleasecontact Shirley with your family information and she will createa quiltpatch foryourfamilyandincludeyou inher quiltwith itsspiritandmessageofoptimism andhope forourfuturegenerations.PleasecallShirleyMcDonald at610-358-5131.
SADS BLUE RIBBON AWARDS
CYNTHIA VOISIN
Since Cynthia was diagnosedwith LQTS, she has workeddiligently to educate herextended family who maybe at risk with this disorderand has even located "lost"family members in an effort tosave lives. The family hasdeveloped their own pedigreeand is participating in LQTSmedical studies.
Cynthia has graduated fromcollege and now works from herhome office. She was married in1994 to John Sehl, who takes aspecial interest in LQTS as afamily doctor. Their first childwas born in January/96--she is athriving daughter, Olivia Claire.
Being aware of the syndromeand dealing with it in a positivelight has been emphasized inCynthia's family. After all,Cynthia believes that one'sattitude will determine one'squality of life. Cynthia issupportive to her sisters,extended family members, andothers with LQTS whom she hasmet through the Canadian SADSFoundation. She inspireseveryone she meets with herwarmth, her strength, and herpositive attitude.
Submitted by: Pam Kotsilidis
KARLY HAZELLIEF
Karly is a talented, funny 14 yearold who excels in dance, singingand acting. She attends theAmerican Stage Workshopfor one month in the summerto "sharpen" her acting skills. She is doing lots of babysitting tohelp pay for a car when shebegins driving. She has a greatmany passions and interests butbelieves that she would like tofocus her efforts and eventuallybecome a pediatric cardiologist.
Karly's mother died suddenlywhen Karly was an infant, andseveral years later her aunt alsodied under similar circumstances.Shortly after the death of heraunt, another of Karly's aunts,Michelle, was correctlydiagnosed with the Long QTSyndrome.
Despite people close to Karlyhaving died from LQTS andbeing diagnosed with thedisorder herself, Karly is aloving, kind, giving, beautiful-hearted young woman. She is"just like her mother" accordingto her aunt Michelle.
She brings a great deal of joy toher Oma (Grandma) and herPoppop (Grandpa). Her family isextremely thankful for her andloves her very much.
Submitted by Michelle Lundy,Karly's aunt
KERRI WILLIAMS SHEETS
When Kerri Williams Sheetsof Jackson, Alabama was 18years old, she wasdiagnosed with a seizuredisorder following a seriousautomobile accident.
Then, in February of 1995, heraunt was diagnosed with theLong QT Syndrome. Kerri waschecked and LQTS showed onher ECG. A pacemaker wasimplanted in March 1995. Thenin April she had another LQTSepisode at work. Her doctorsdecided to do a Left CardiacSympathetic Denervation(LCSD). (See Heart to HearthWinter 1995 for information onLCSD).
Five months after her surgery,on her 24th birthday, Kerri wasmarried to Ben Sheets. She and"hubby" Ben are buying a homeand things are going very well forthem. Kerri loves her job asoffice manager for theBirmingham Bulls Hockey Cluband her attitude remains positiveand upbeat despite an extremelytumultuous and busy year.
Please call SADS if you areinterested in speaking with Kerriabout the LCSD.
Submitted by Edwina Williams, Kerri's mom
MICHELLE DILLIONE & WILLHEMINA TAYLOR
"I can still see Michelle's face whenwe met at the SADS Gala in
Conshohoken, Pennsylvania, in
1994. With hurt still in her
own heart from the loss of her
sisters, she offered me support
for my own losses. Michelle is a
full time wife, mother and
corporate lawyer with time left
over for support to others. She
also found time to chair the
SADS Philadelphia Gala in 1994
and helps the Philadelphia area
support group for SADS. She is
indeed a busy and caring young
woman with LQTS who deserves
a pat on the back."
"I would also like to nominate Michelle's mother, Willhemina Taylor. She is a full time nurse, chief baby sitter for Michelle's little A.J., and a student at Neumann College, striving to get her Bachelors degree in nursing. She also worked diligently on the Philadelphia Gala and the SADS support group. Having lost her husband and two daughters in a short period of time, she still continues to support others like myself."
"What wonderful and strong people these women are!"
Submitted by: Shirley McDonald
Is a child that you know with the Long QT Syndrome doing something exceptional? Did he win the school spelling bee? Was she victorious
in her race for school president? Or is your kid just all-around great? If so, we want to give this super person a BLUE RIBBON! Please
send a brief description of what makes the child in your life a winner and a picture to the SADS office. Your champion will receive a blue
ribbon package from the SADS Foundation and may well see him/herself in our next newsletter.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Jeffrey L. Anderson, M.D.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Charles Antzelevitch, Ph.D.
Utica, New York
Richard S. Crampton, M.D.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Arthur Garson, Jr., M.D.
Houston, Texas
Kunitake Hashiba, M.D.
Nagasaki, Japan
Mark T. Keating, M.D.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Thomas S. Klitzner, M.D.
Los Angeles, California
William J. Mandel, M.D.
Los Angeles, California
Arthur J. Moss, M.D.
Rochester, New York
Dan M. Roden, M.D.
Nashville, Tennessee
Jeffrey A. Towbin, M.D.
Houston, Texas
Dan Tzivoni, M.D.
Jerusalem, Israel
Victoria L. Vetter, M.D.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Raymond L. Woosley, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Woosley is the Chairman of the Department of
Pharmacology at Georgetown University. Dr.
Woosley has been involved with the SADS
Foundation for nearly a year and has helped us
tremendously with our Drugs to Avoid List. In the
words of a colleague, "studying drug-induced
prolongation of the QT interval is his life's work."
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Woosley as a
Scientific Advisor to the SADS Foundation.
Jeffrey A. Towbin, M.D.
During the past year, the genes for three of the four known loci (i.e., positions on a chromosome) for LQTS have been discovered by a team of collaborators from the SADS Foundation Scientific board led by Dr. Mark Keating. These genes, KVLQT1 for the LQT1 chromosome 11-linked locus, HERG for the LQT2 chromosome 7-linked locus and SCN5A for the LQT3 chromosome 3-linked locus, all encode different ion channels of the heart. KVLQT1 and HERG encode potassium channel proteins while SCN5A encodes a sodium channel gene. Mutations (or mistakes in these genes) are responsible for the development of clinical LQTS. Whether the specific gene or certain specific mutations in these genes cause more severe or less severe symptoms is not yet known.
Therapy for LQTS has relied on ß-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin). This therapeutic regime successfully treats the vast majority of LQTS patients. However, a small but significant number of patients continue to be symptomatic on this therapy. These patients commonly proceed to other medication, pacemakers, defibrillators, or surgical sympathectomy. Although these therapies clearly succeed in treating most affected individuals, the mechanisms of action are either nonspecific or uncertain.
One of the benefits of understanding the underlying cause of LQTS in individual patients
is the potential to develop ion channel-specific therapies which may be used after the gene-specific diagnosis is made in that patient. Dr. Arthur Moss, in a collaborative effort, recently
described the potential ability to diagnose the gene-specific type of LQTS by
electrocardiographic (ECG) analysis. This, in conjunction with the molecular genetic "blood
test" that allows for direct gene mutation analysis, may allow for a more specific diagnosis
based on mechanism. Using the information obtained from these diagnostic methods, Dr.
Peter Schwartz and collaborators selected the sodium channel blocker Mexiletine to use in
patients with defects in the sodium channel gene SCN5A (LQT3), demonstrating shortening
of the QT interval on an ECG. Although not enough patients have been studied and not
enough long-term information from this type of study is known the hope is that this type of
therapy could allow for better long-term caring of patients with LQT3, as well as improving
the prognosis for high risk patients that fail conventional (i.e., ß-blocker) therapy. It is
certainly possible that many of those patients who fail conventional therapy are those with
specific ion-channel defects, such as those with SCN5A mutations. Similar studies of
medications that work directly on potassium channels are underway. It is possible that new
developments in therapy will rapidly occur based on the new found knowledge gained from
understanding the responsible genes. Hence, a brighter horizon may be in view for patients
with LQTS, particularly in the areas of diagnosis and therapy.
A SADS Scientific Advisory Committee Dinner Meeting was held at the Westin Hotel in
Seattle on May 16th, in conjunction with the NASPE meetings. The group enjoyed a lively
round table discussion regarding SADS Foundation activities, physician education and
emerging issues and special concerns about LQTS.
Please make note of the addition of the antihistamine Benadryl (chemical name:
Diphenhydramine) to our Drugs to Avoid list. This applies to the oral medication: the
topical ointment is safe to use. This finding can serve as a reminder for those with the long
QT syndrome to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) medications if possible. Many drugs have
not yet been tested for prolongation of the QT interval and may not be safe to take. Always
inform any physicians you see as well as your pharmacist about your condition and check our
Drugs to Avoid list every Heart to Hearth issue for updates.
DRUGS TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE THE LONG
QT SYNDROME
Drugs which prolong the QT interval and would be best avoided if you have the Long QT Syndrome. Discuss
with your doctor.
| DRUG NAME | CHEMICAL NAME | GENERAL USE |
|---|---|---|
ANESTHETICS / ASTHMA |
||
Adrenaline |
Epinephrine |
Local anesthetics (for dental, minor surgery), or as an asthma medication |
ANTIHISTAMINES |
||
Seldane |
Terfenedine |
Allergies |
Hismanol |
Astemizole |
Allergies |
Benadryl |
Diphenhydramine |
Allergies |
ANTIBIOTICS |
||
E-Mycin, EES, EryPeds, PCE, etc. |
Erythromycin |
Infections; lung, ear, throat |
Bactrim, Septra |
Trimethoprim & Sulfamethoxazole |
Infections; urinary, ear, lung |
Pentam intravenous |
Pentamidine |
Lung infections |
HEART MEDICATIONS |
||
Heart rhythm drugs |
||
Quinidine, Quinidex, Duraquin, Quiniqlute, etc. |
Quinidine |
Heart rhythm abnormalities |
Pronestyl |
Procainamide |
Heart rhythm abnormalities |
Norpace |
Disopyramide |
Heart rhythm abnormalities |
Betapace |
Sotalol |
Heart rhythm abnormalities |
Lipid lowering drugs |
||
Lorelco |
Probucol |
High triglycerides, cholesterol |
Antianginal drugs |
||
Vascor |
Bepridil |
Chest pain (angina) |
GASTROINTESTINAL |
||
Propulsid |
Cisapride |
For esophageal reflux, acid |
ANTIFUNGAL DRUGS |
||
Nizoral |
Ketoconazole |
Fungal infections |
Diflucan |
Fluconazole |
Fungal infections |
Sporanox |
Itraconazole |
Fungal infections |
PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS |
||
Elavil, Norpramine, Viractil |
Amitriptyline (Tricyclics) |
Depression |
Compazine, Stelazine, Thorazine, Mellaril, Etrafon, Trilafon, others |
Phenothiazine derivatives |
Mental disorders |
Haldol |
Haloperidol |
Mental disorders |
Risperdal |
Risperidone |
Mental disorders |
ORAP |
Pimozide |
Mental disorders |
DIURETICS |
||
Lozol |
Indapamide |
Water loss, edema |
The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome Foundation (SADS)
Heart to Hearth is a publication of the SADS Foundation, a not-for-profit public charitable foundation. The primary purpose of this publication is for general information only and is not to be used as medical advice, diagnoses or treatment. Readers are reminded to seek the advice of their respective physicians.
If you appreciate the Heart to Hearth Newsletter, send your comments to Katie Roberts at the SADS Foundation and indicate you saw the newsletter on the Internet. This will help us to know what medium to use to best contact people. If you are not on our mailing list to receive this and other information about the SADS Foundation and the Long QT syndrome, please call the Foundation on our 1-800-stop-sad toll free number and ask to be put on the mailing list. If the Internet seems to be the most effective means of communication, we will attempt to put more of our materials here.
Best wishes and good luck.
G. Michael Vincent, M..D.