Electrocardiogram changes in pediatric patients with myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: It is traditionally taught that pediatric patients with myocarditis almost always have an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) at presentation. However, there has never been a study to objectively evaluate ECG changes in pediatric myocarditis patients compared to healthy controls or explore if specific ECG changes correlate with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Pediatric patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis were age and sex matched 1:2 with healthy controls in this retrospective case-control study spanning a seven-year period. ECGs from presentation through discharge were interpreted by electrophysiologists blinded to the patients' diagnoses. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with myocarditis were identified. Twenty-eight (72%) had an abnormal ECG at presentation, 11 (28%) had a completely normal ECG. In this second group, six patients had an abnormal ECG at some point during their hospital course for a total of 34 (88%). Myocarditis patients who had an abnormal ECG at presentation spent more time in the hospital, 5 (2-19) versus 2 ((1-3) days (p < 0.01), and in the ICU, 1 (0-6) versus 0 (0-1) days (p < 0.01). Myocarditis patients were more likely to have ST elevation on their ECG compared to control patients (41% versus 17%, p < 0.01). Patients with ST elevation at presentation had a higher peak troponin level, 18.4 (5.8-31.0) versus 7.7 (0-19.1) ng/ml, (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Over a quarter of patients with myocarditis had a normal ECG at presentation to the emergency department. Patients with an abnormal ECG at presentation spent more time in the hospital. The presenting ECG, particularly the presence of ST elevation, may correlate with other clinical markers and help direct early management decisions.

Utility and safety of adenosine challenge for subtle ventricular pre-excitation in the pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Adenosine challenge (AC) can be used to evaluate possible Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Despite the use of this technique, there is a paucity of studies in the pediatric population evaluating the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of this testing modality. METHODS AND RESULTS: All ACs performed from January 2009 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, adenosine dosing, results, adverse effects, and outcomes including results of electrophysiology studies (EPS) were reviewed. Analysis was conducted between AC positive and negative cohorts. ECG criteria of shortest PR interval, longest QRS duration, and the number of suspected pre-excited leads were evaluated for inter-rater reliability and correlation to positive AC. Fifty-six AC (n = 51) were performed (median age, 13.8; range, 0.3-20 years). Forty-one AC were pre-EPS and 15 post-EPS due to concern for recurrent WPW. Thirty-one (76%) pre-EPS AC were negative, 9 (22%) positive, and 1 (2%) equivocal. EPS was performed following seven positive AC revealing 5 (71%) left posterior and 2 (29%) right posteroseptal AP. The 15 post-EPS AC were all found to be negative. Mean effective adenosine dose was 0.2 ± 0.11 mg/kg. No adverse events were reported. Mean follow up duration after AC was 314 ± 482 days with no documented arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Adenosine challenge is an effective and safe testing modality for subtle WPW in the pediatric population. In our population, there were no adverse events or documented arrhythmias in patients following a negative study.

Paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block in pediatric heart transplant recipients following cardiac catheterization: A case series.

Late-onset paroxysmal AVB has been described as a rare complication after HT and has been associated with AR or CAV. We describe 4 pediatric HT recipients who developed paroxysmal AVB hours after routine cardiac catheterization in the absence of AR, CAV, or underlying conduction system disease. Four pediatric HT recipients who were >1 year post-transplant had episodes of paroxysmal AVB hours after surveillance cardiac catheterization with EMB. Telemetry demonstrated high-grade block, ranging from 2:1 AVB to complete AVB without ventricular escape for several seconds. None of the patients had significant AR or rapidly progressive CAV. Supplemental testing did not reveal underlying conduction system disease. Three of the 4 patients received permanent pacemakers, although subsequent interrogations showed minimal ventricular pacing. These pediatric HT recipients had paroxysmal AVB hours after cardiac catheterization in the absence of significant AR, CAV, or underlying conduction system disease. Subsequent pacemaker interrogations showed minimal ventricular pacing, suggesting these were isolated episodes. These cases suggest that mechanisms in addition to AR and CAV may cause paroxysmal AVB in pediatric HT recipients, warranting further investigation.

Outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The aim of the study is to explore the indications for cardiac catheterization while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the various catheter interventions performed as well as assess the safety profile and determine the short- and intermediate-term survival. ECMO is a lifesaving intervention for pediatric patients with respiratory and/or cardiovascular failure. There is limited recent literature discussing the survival and outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization while on ECMO. A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing catheterization while on ECMO from 2004 to 2013 was performed. Thirty-six patients who underwent 40 cardiac catheterizations were identified. Indications for catheterization included hemodynamic/anatomic assessment of postoperative (16) and non-operative patients (7), planned catheter interventions (CI) (12), and cardiomyopathy assessment (5). CI were performed during 18 (45 %) catheterizations, including stenting of vessels/surgical shunts (9), balloon atrial septostomy (4), device closure of septal defects/vessels (3), thrombolysis of vessels (2), endomyocardial biopsy (2), and temporary pacer wire placement (1). Unexpected diagnostic information was found in 21 (52 %), and 13 patients were referred for surgical intervention. Successful decannulation was achieved in 86 % of patients. Survival to discharge was 72 % and intermediate survival was 69 % (median = 29 months). Survival was 88 % (15/17) among patients who underwent CI. There were six procedural complications (15 %); five vascular and one non-vascular. There were no complications related to patient transport. Cardiac catheterization and interventions while on ECMO are safe, with a survival to discharge of 72 %. Diagnostic information obtained from catheterization leads to management decisions which may impact survival.

Radiofrequency energy ablation in a child with an implanted vagus nerve stimulator.

An 8-year-old girl with supraventricular tachycardia and an implanted vagus nerve stimulator underwent radiofrequency ablation of her supraventricular tachycardia substrate. No known literature exists addressing the potential interaction of these two technologies, although there are reported cases of interaction between radiofrequency and other implanted stimulating devices such as pacemakers. The procedure was performed successfully without observed interaction, and the patient's family reported no significant change in frequency of seizure control.

A Case of Persistent Junctional Reciprocating Tachycardia Coincident With Cor Triatriatum Sinister.

Persistent junctional reciprocating tachycardia is a rare form of refractory atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia that accounts for <1% of supraventricular tachycardia in pediatrics. The accessory pathways are generally isolated with few reported underlying structural heart defects. We present a case of a five-month-old male with refractory tachyarrhythmia found to have cor triatriatum sinister, which to our knowledge, is the first reported case of these two rare anomalies coexisting.

Update on cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections and their management: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

Despite improvements in cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) design, application of timely infection control practices, and administration of antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of device placement, CIED infections continue to occur and can be life-threatening. This has prompted the study of all aspects of CIED infections. Recognizing the recent advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, microbiology, management, and prevention of CIED infections, the American Heart Association commissioned this scientific statement to educate clinicians about CIED infections, provide explicit recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or established CIED infections, and highlight areas of needed research.

Autologous patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery in a pediatric patient: 7-year follow-up.

We present a patient who developed ischemia after an arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great vessels secondary to left coronary artery stenosis. The excellent intermediate-term result of patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery with the use of an internal thoracic artery patch is outlined.

A summary of the update on cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections and their management: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this statement is to update the recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA) for cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections and their management, which were last published in 2003. METHODS AND RESULTS: The AHA commissioned this scientific statement to educate clinicians about CIED infections, provide explicit recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or established CIED infections and highlight areas of needed research. The recommendations in this statement reflect analyses of relevant literature, to include recent advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, microbiology, management and prevention of CIED infections. CONCLUSION: There are no scientific data to support the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis for dental or other invasive procedures. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The concerns about life-threatening drug reactions, the development of resistant strains of bacterial pathogens, medicolegal issues and cost to the health care system are, thus, avoided.