Novel Form of Acquired Long QT Syndrome

There are two parts to this study. First, the investigators propose a prospective, observational study of subjects with connective tissue disease (CTD). Data on CTD diagnosis, disease activity, medications, electrolytes, anti-Ro Ab status, QT interval and serum for measurement of inflammatory markers and cytokines will be collected. Please see the research strategy for details of the protocol. The investigators expect that QTc prolongation will have a positive correlation with anti-Ro Ab positivity, elevated measures of inflammatory markers and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6.

The second part of the study will include a subgroup of subjects who have QTc prolongation of more than 500 milliseconds. This is a proof of concept study to investigate whether immunosuppressive treatment with moderate dose of prednisone will reduce QTc in CTD patients exhibiting an excessive QTc prolongation of >500msec. Patients enrolled in the prospective observational study with QTc prolongation of more than 500 msec will receive oral prednisone 40mg daily for 3 days followed by 20mg for eleven days (a total of 2 weeks) with the goal to shorten or normalize the prolonged QTc. Other factors that may cause prolonged QTc will be evaluated and corrected as needed. Inflammatory markers, cytokines, and QTc will be measured at baseline and serially at days 3 and 14 (end of treatment). The investigators will monitor changes in QTc during three 24-hour periods during treatment at baseline, day 3 and day 14. Risks of prednisone include elevated serum glucose levels, edema, increased risk of infection and blood pressure elevation. The dosage and duration of prednisone used in this study is similar to that given for a severe allergic reaction. The PI will monitor the patients for potential side effects which will immediately be addressed.