Cesarino Romano

Biography

• Born 5 July 1924 Voghera, Italy
• 1952 – Graduated in Medicine, University of Pavia
• 1958 – Appointed Paediatrician, University of Genoa
• 1972 – Appointed Professor of Paediatrics
• 1976-1996 – Director of Paediatric department, University of Genoa
• Died 23 April 2008

Medical Eponyms

Romano-Ward Syndrome (1963)

Congenital (autosomal dominant) long QT syndrome (LQTS). Unlike Jervell-Lange-Nielsen, there is no congenital hearing loss present. Multiple genetic mutations identified linked to cardiac potassium and beta-adrenergic channels.

Independently described in 1963 by Cesarino Romano, Italian Paediatrician, and in 1964 by Irish paediatrician Owen Conor Ward. Both reported an autosomal dominant long-term QT syndrome, later known as Romano-Ward syndrome.

Controversies

Romano and Ward are forever bound by their eponym but did they get on? The answer is yes! Ward recently speaking of Romano said ‘We remained good friends until his death’

Major Publications

• Romano C, Gemme G, Pongiglione R. Aritmie cardiache rare dell’eta pediatrica. [Rare cardiac arrhythmia of the pediatric age II, syncopal attacks due to paroxysmal ventricular fibrillation]. Clin Pediatr (Bologna) 1963;45:656–683.
• Romano C, Gemme G, Pongiglione R. Aritmie cardiache rare dell’eta pediatrica. [Rare cardiac arrythmias of the pediatric age. I. Repetitive paroxysmal tachycardia]. Minerva Pediatr. 1963 Nov 3;15:1155-64. [PMID 14105486]
• Romano C. Congenital Cardiac arrhythmia. Lancet. 1965 Mar 20;1(7386):658-9.
• Afzelius BA, Gargani G, Romano C. Abnormal length of cilia as a possible cause of defective mucociliary clearance. Eur J Respir Dis. 1985 Mar;66(3):173-80.
• Lorini R, Di Pietro P, Romano C. Pediatria d’urgenza. Elsevier 2005.

References

• Eponymythology. History of the Electrocardiogram. LITFL