The Gamstorp Periodic Paralysis News Service: aborted cardiac death triggered by swimming

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Swimming-triggered aborted sudden cardiac death in a patient with ATS

Int J Cardiol. 2006 Sep 20;112(2):e45-7. Epub 2006 Jul 21.

Swimming-triggered aborted sudden cardiac death in a patient with Andersen-Tawil syndrome.

Efremidis M, Pappas LK, Sideris A, Letsas KP, Gavrielatos GD, Kardaras F.

In this report we describe the case of a 42-year-old woman who experienced an episode of near drowning during recreational swimming. A diagnosis of Andersen-Tawil syndrome was made based on the patient's dysmorphic features, characteristic T-U-wave patterns and ventricular arrhythmias. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a swimming-triggered cardiac event in a patient with Andersen-Tawil syndrome.

PMID: 16859779

For Ingrid Gamstorp

Dr. Gamstorp was a pediatric neurologist, the first physician to recognize and describe what is now called Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, aka "Gamstorp's Disease". She was a great pioneer in periodic paralysis research, but she was also deeply human. She said,"My own way to pediatric neurology started with basic training in pediatrics at a time when neurology barely existed... By chance, I happened to be involved with a family with interesting muscular symptoms and this awoke my interest in neurology, particularly in muscle diseases and genetically determined diseases...The combination of strictly logical neurologic reasoning and the way to reach it through improvising and playing with the child is particularly exciting...I have come to know many parents for whom I feel a deep respect, affection, and admiration. [They] have taught me much, particularly the necessity of always being at eye level with the patient or the conversation partner, both literally and figuratively." Unfortunately, Dr. Gamstorp contracted Lyme Disease at the age of 46. Her symptoms were brushed off as "women's troubles". She later wrote that she despaired and even considered suicide. By the time she was diagnosed and treated nine years later she was so disabled as to be forced into retirement. Her loss during what would certainly have been a highly productive phase of her professional life is a tragedy to neurology.

The Gamstorp Periodic Paralysis News Service

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Swimming-triggered aborted sudden cardiac death in a patient with ATS

For Ingrid Gamstorp

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