Romano-Ward syndrome (RWS) is a form of long QT syndrome, a heart condition that causes the heart muscle to take longer to recharge between beats than usual.
Explanation:
The heart muscle (myocardium) has the ability to contract and relax in a very precise rhythm so that each cavity, in order, is filled and then empties of the blood it contains. Romano-Ward syndrome is the most common form (autosomal dominant form) of long QT syndrome characterized by an abnormality of cardiac electrical activity that can be diagnosed by recording the electrical impulses of the heart. Despite having a normal anatomy, the heart has electrical dysfunction (abnormally long QT interval) .This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of syncope (fainting), loss of consciousness, heart rhythm disturbances, and even cardiac arrest, which can occur due to efforts or the administration of certain medications. The most frequent causes of the syndrome are mutations in the KCNQ1, KCNH2 and SCN5A genes (these encode proteins that form channels through the cell membrane), these channels transport ions such as potassium and sodium, inside and outside the cells. In heart muscle cells, these ion channels play critical roles in maintaining the heart's normal rhythm.
