CLC Syndrome: Characteristics, Symptoms, Treatment

CLC syndrome, known as Launa-Ganong-Levin syndrome, occurs in approximately 0.5% of the population and causes tachycardia in 30% of cases, which is why it is worth knowing how to diagnose the presence of the syndrome and how to deal with it.

Description

Clerk-Levi-Cristesco syndrome is a particular case of the syndrome of premature ventricular arousal, which is characterized by the excitation of the ventricles along additional paths. The heart of a person is arranged so that the ventricles contract later than the atria, it is necessary to sufficiently fill them with blood. The functioning of this mechanism is provided by the atrioventricular node, which is located between the ventricles and atria, in it the impulse is much slower, which provides a delay in contraction of the ventricles. However, some people have congenital anomalous ways that impulse around the atrioventricular node, such conductive paths include James bunches, Kent bundles and Mahayema fibers. Thanks to these paths, the pulse transit time is shortened and the CLC phenomenon arises. This mechanism can be seen by performing an ECG analysis. The phenomenon itself does not affect the functioning of the heart in any way and is manifested only on the cardiogram. But sometimes there are cases when there is a circular course of excitation. This occurs when, following an abnormal path, the impulse returns through the atrioventricular node or vice versa - after traversing the main path, it returns by anomalous pathway. All this causes a change in the rhythm of heartbeat, this process is called CLC syndrome.

The phenomenon and syndrome of CLC are congenital, the authentic cause of the appearance of these anomalies is unknown. There are suggestions that this is due to violations in the development of the fetus at the stage of heart formation. Also, we should not exclude that the cause can also be in genetic disorders.

Cardiogram analysis

ECG analysis helps to identify this syndrome. It is characterized by a reduction in the PR interval (PQ). This interval shows the time for which excitation reaches the ventricular myocardium at the atrium and atrioventricular junction. In people over 17 years, the interval of 0.2 s is normal, but reducing this interval, which can cause tachyarrhythmia, may also be a prerequisite for diagnosing CLC syndrome. Since the sign of the Clerk-Levy-Cristesco syndrome is the phenomenon of the same name, characterized by the passage of a pulse through an anomalous channel - the James bundle connecting the atrium with the distal part of the atrioventricular junction, which causes a reduction in the PR (PQ) interval.

In addition to the reduction of this interval, in the presence of CLC syndrome on the ECG there are no other changes. The ventricular complex (QRS complex - the most significant deviation on the cardiogram, showing the time of passage of excitation inside the ventricles) does not look abnormal. CLC syndrome is most common in people whose heart does not have abnormalities.

Symptoms

The Clerk-Levi-Cristesco phenomenon has no manifestations, most people who have James's ways do not even know about them and live without discomfort.

Symptoms of CLC as a syndrome consist in changing the heart rate. The patient has sudden attacks of accelerated heartbeat, which can be accompanied by bloating, fainting, dizziness and noise in the head. Sometimes you can observe increased sweating and profuse urination before or after an attack. An accelerated irregular heartbeat can also be observed.

Treatment

In most cases, CLC syndrome does not require specialized intervention. During heart attacks, the patient can independently stop them with the help of a special massage, cooling the face with water or straining at the inspiration, that is, performing Valsalva's tests. If these methods do not help, you need to call an ambulance.

Also, when combating tachycardia attacks caused by CLC syndrome, you can resort to the services of a cardiologist who must prescribe special medications, for example, "Verapamil" or "Amiodarone".

In the event that attacks of tachycardia strongly affect the patient's life, an operation is performed to destroy the James beams, which prevents the occurrence of a circular motion of excitation. Such operations are not dangerous, and after the patient quickly goes on the mend.