The long QT syndrome and causes of acquired long QT interval are well-known to most emergency physicians, but a short QT can be problematic as well. Short QT-syndrome is an inherited ion-channel disease that predisposes to ventricular dysrhythmias and sudden death. The QTc in these patients is generally < 340 msec. This condition is more common in children, and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis and evaluated on ECG in children presenting with syncope.
