Defibrillator

Prolonged QT Syndrome

58 year old woman presenting for colonoscopy as a day of surgery admission.

Bowel prep has been completed. 

Past History: Cardiac arrest aged 28 secondary to prolonged QT syndrome. This led to mild cognitive impairment  (her husband answered most of the preop questions). But she has functioned in the community since then and has been reasonably well.

Meds: Metoprolol 50 mg BD

She has not seen cardiologist for several years as the last time she saw one she was advised that she should have an AICD. She did not want this and has not returned for cardiology follow up since. Her GP is in charge of her metoprolol prescription. 

She has had no further cardiac arrests since the original. She has also subsequently had an abalation for WPW.  And she had an uneventful cholcystectomy 12 years ago. 

ECG shows obvious prolonged QT interval (even the anaesthetist can see it!) 

Question 1

Should I proceed with anaesthesia for her procedure today?

Question 2

Should her children receive counselling re the possibility of them having prolonged QT syndrome?