Anton Jervell
Anton Jervell (1901-1987) was a Norwegian physician.
Along with Fred Lange-Nielsen, eponymously affiliated with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) first described in 1957
Clinical and research interests focused on cardiology with multiple publications on arrhythmias.
Biography
- Born on June 14, 1901 Oslo, Norway. Son of a city treasurer.
- 1936 – MD, thesis on ECG findings in myocardial infarction
- 1942 – Senior Consultant of Medicine, Vestfold Hospital
- 1947 – Director of the Vestfold Hospital
- 1947-1967 Chairman of Tønsberg’s circle of the Red Cross, passionate humanitarian
- 1957-1971 Professor of Internal Medicine Ullevål Hospital & University of Oslo
- 1967 – Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav
- Died December 29, 1987
Medical Eponyms
Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) (1957)
Congenital (autosomal recessive) long QT syndrome (LQTS) associated with severe, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.Two genetic mutations identified encoding cardiac potassium channels. Due to high risk of sudden cardiac death ICD implantation is usually required
1957 – NJervell (1901-1987) with his colleague and jazz virtuoso Fred Lange-Nielsen (1919-1989) described an autosomal recessive syndrome of long-QT interval with deafness and sudden death
Four cases of deaf-mutism combined with a peculiar heart disease have been observed in one family. The parents and 2 other children were healthy and had normal hearing. The deaf-mute children all suffered attacks of fainting, probably Adams-Stokes seizures caused by standstill of the heart. The first attack occurred between the ages of 3 and 5 years, and 3 of the children died in such attacks at the ages of 4, 5, and 9 years, respectively.
Electrocardiographic studies in 3 of the cases revealed a marked prolongation of the Q-T interval.
Am Heart J. 1957
Jervell and Lange-Nielson recounted one case of a young boy, born in 1944 suffering from repeated ‘fainting attacks’ since the age of 3. The attacks usually occurred following effort. Occasionally the boy had complained of palpitations and precordial pains. In July, 1953, he was examined with the only pathologic finding being a prolongation of the Q-T interval in the electrocardiogram, worse following exercise. On Nov. 19, 1953, he had a further attack. He suddenly became pale and fell unconscious and died.
(a) ECG July 20. 1953, during rest. Leads I, II, III. IVR. Q-T = 0.50s. R-R = 0.88s.
(b) ECG July 20, 1953. after stair-running. Leads I. II. III, IVR. Q-T = 0.60s R-R = 0.86s. Jervell A, Lange-Nielsen F. 1957
Major Publications
- Jervell A, Lange-Nielsen F. Congenital deaf-mutism, functional heart disease with prolongation of the Q-T interval and sudden death. Am Heart J. 1957 Jul;54(1):59-68
- Jervell A. Pulseless disease. Am Heart J. 1954 May;47(5):780-4
- Jervell A. [Extrasystole]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1963 Feb 1;83:257-62
- Jervell A. The surdo-cardiac syndrome. Eur Heart J. 1985 Nov;6 Suppl D:97-102
References
Biography
- Steenstrup B. Jervell, Anton’. Hvem er hvem?. Oslo: Aschehoug 1973: 283–284.
- Beighton G, Wiedemann HR. Anton Jervell In: The Person Behind the Syndrome. Springer. 1997: 96-97
- Bibliography. Jervell, Anton. WorldCat Identities
Eponymous terms
- Levine SA, Woodworth CR. Congenital deaf-mutism, prolonged QT interval, syncopal attacks and sudden death. N Engl J Med. 1958 Aug 28;259(9):412-7.
- Eponymythology. History of the Electrocardiogram. LITFL
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