Septic cardiomyopathy as a cause of long QT syndrome.

A 63-year-old woman admitted with 2:1 infranodal atrioventricular block subsequently developed ventricular dysfunction incident to septic syndrome. Concomitant changes included an abnormally prolonged QTc interval (600 ms) and the occurrence of torsade de pointes. Restoration of a normal QTc interval and cessation of torsade de pointes was coincident with return of normal ventricular function and remission of sepsis. This report supports the view that sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy is another cause of the long QT syndrome.