Diltiazem in Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome

Subjects will be recruited by study personnel and will be scheduled for a single outpatient visit. If an implanted cardiac device (pacemaker or ICD) is in place, it will be interrogated to ensure no recent rhythm abnormalities. Just prior to administering diltiazem, an ECG and BP will be obtained. If baseline SBP is < 100 mm Hg or DBP < 60 mm Hg, the study will be terminated. A single dose of I.V. diltiazem (0.25 mg/kg over 2 minutes) will be administered with 12-lead ECG and BP obtained at 2, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. If at 10 minutes there has been no QT shortening, and the SBP is stable (<20% drop from baseline and > 100 mm Hg) a repeat dose (0.35 mg/kg) will be given at 15 minutes, with 12-lead ECG and BP obtained at 17, 20, 22, 25, 30 and 35 minutes. After 20 minutes (single dose) or 35 minutes (2 doses), the test will end and the subject will remain on continuous telemetry for 2 hours. Prior to discharge the IV will be removed. The primary analysis will be a repeated measures (paired) comparison of the QTc at baseline and following diltiazem.

Inclusion criteria

• Age greater than 18 years
• Genetically confirmed diagnosis of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome
• Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Known hypersensitivity to diltiazem
• Pregnancy
• Congestive heart failure, angina, preexcitation, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Sick sinus syndrome or atrioventricular block in the absence of a pacemaker/defibrillator
• Any clinically significant ongoing medical or surgical condition that might jeopardize the subject's safety or interfere with the conduct of the study in the judgement of the investigator
• Baseline systolic blood pressure less than 100 Hg or diastolic blood pressure less than 60 Hg