As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain that QT prolongation refers to a specific abnormality seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart. The QT interval represents the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the heart's electrical cycle. This interval corresponds to the time from the beginning of the depolarization of the ventricles to the end of their repolarization, which is a critical part of the heart's rhythm.
Prolongation of the QT interval means that there is an unusually long time for the ventricles to repolarize. This can be caused by various factors, including certain medical conditions, medications (especially those that affect the heart's electrical activity), and genetic predispositions. QT prolongation can lead to a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disturbance known as Torsades de Pointes, which can progress to ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death if not treated promptly.
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