[Romano Ward syndrome].

About syncopal attacks caused by cardial arrhythmias had been frequently reported. In one family we found female members of three generations affected by characteristical prolongation and alteration of the QT-interval in ECG. All patients suffered from attacks with loss of consciousness which could not be defined as epileptic fits. Ventricular arrhythmias have to be considered as reason for the attacks. This combination of symptoms without additional malformations (i.e. congenital deafness) is well known in literature as Romano Ward Syndrome. Mode of inheritance, pathogenetic mechanisms and possibilities of therapy are discussed. Therapy witha beta blocking medication (propranolol) made our younger patient free of attacks, the other two patients have no complaints since two years without any therapy.