Complications and inappropriate shocks in pediatric patients receiving a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrilator.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is limited evidence regarding the use of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICD) in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications in these patients at our center, according to the type of ICD and patient size. METHODS: We included all patients aged<18 years who received an S-ICD since 2016 at our center. As a control group, we also included contemporary patients (since 2014) who received a transvenous ICD (TV-ICD). The primary endpoint was a composite of complications and inappropriate shocks. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients received an S-ICD (median age, 14 [5-17] years; body mass index [BMI], 20.2 kg/m2). Implantation was intermuscular in 23 patients (88%) and subserratus in the remainder. Two incisions were used in 24 patients (92%). In all patients, 2 zones were programmed: a conditional zone set at 230 (220-230) bpm, and a shock zone set at 250 bpm. Nineteen patients received a TV-ICD (median age, 11 [range, 5-16] years; BMI, 19.2 kg/m2, 79% single-chamber). Survival free from the primary endpoint at 5 years was 80% in the S-ICD group and 63% in the TV-ICD group (P=.54). Survival free from inappropriate shocks was similar (85% vs 89%, P=.86), while survival free from complications was higher in the S-ICD group (96% vs 57%, cloglog P=.016). There were no therapy failures in the S-ICD group, and no increased complication rates were observed in patients with BMI ≤20 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: With contemporary implantation techniques and programming, S-ICD is a safe and effective therapy in pediatric patients. The number of inappropriate shocks is similar to TV-ICD, with fewer short- and mid-term complications.

Ablación pediátrica con catéter: características y resultados del procedimiento en un centro terciario de referencia / Pediatric catheter ablation: characteristics and results of a series in a tertiary referral hospital

Introducción y objetivos: La ablación con catéter es un método para tratar arritmias en población pediátrica indicada en un creciente número de casos. Hay poca evidencia sobre la experiencia en estos procedimientos en España. El objetivo es describir las características y los resultados de una serie contemporánea de un hospital terciario de referencia nacional. Métodos: Se revisaron los procedimientos de ablación realizados entre 2004 y 2016 en menores de 17 años en el momento de la indicación. Se analizaron características clínicas, metodología de la ablación y resultados agudos y a largo plazo. Resultados: Se realizaron 291 procedimientos en 224 pacientes (mediana de edad, 12,2 años; el 60% varones). El 46% de los pacientes venían derivados desde otras comunidades autónomas. Los sustratos más frecuentemente abordados fueron las vías accesorias (VAC) (el 70,2%; más del 50% septales) y la taquicardia intranodular (TIN) (15,8%). El 16,8% presentaba cardiopatía congénita, familiar o adquirida. El 35,5% de los casos se realizaron con crioablación. El éxito agudo general de los procedimientos primarios fue del 93,5% (el 93,8% en las VAC y el 100% en las TIN). Se repitieron procedimientos por recurrencia en el 18,9% de los casos, con un éxito acumulado del 98,4% (el 99,3% en las VAC y el 100% en las TIN). Se registró un bloqueo auriculoventricular completo (0,37%), sin otras complicaciones mayores. Conclusiones: El elevado porcentaje de éxito con mínimas complicaciones en una serie con alto nivel de complejidad reproduce los resultados publicados en otros países y refrenda el uso de la ablación con catéter en población pediátrica en centros especializados de referencia

Introduction and objectives: Catheter ablation has become the treatment of choice in an increasing number of arrhythmias in children and adolescents. There is still limited evidence of its use at a national level in Spain. The aim was to describe the characteristics and results of a modern monocentric series form a referral tertiary care centre. Methods: Retrospective register of invasive procedures between 2004 and 2016 performed in patients under 17 years and recorded clinical characteristic, ablation methodology and acute and chronic results of the procedure. Results: A total of 291 procedures in 224 patients were included. Median age was 12.2 years, 60% male. Overall, 46% patients were referred from other autonomous communities. The most frequent substrates were accessory pathways (AP) (70.2%, > 50% septal AP localization) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) (15.8%). Congenital and acquired heart disease was frequent (16.8%). Cryoablation was used in 35.5% of the cases. Overall acute success of the primary procedure was 93.5% (AP 93.8%; AVNRT 100%). Redo procedures after recurrence were performed in 18.9% of all substrates, with a long-term cumulative efficacy of 98.4% (AP 99.3%; AVNRT 100%). One (0.37%) serious complication occurred, a case of complete atrioventricular block. Conclusions: Our study replicated previous international reports of high success rates with scarce complications in a high complexity series, confirming the safety and efficacy of pediatric catheter ablation in our environment performed at highly experienced referral centers

Pediatric Catheter Ablation: Characteristics and Results of a Series in a Tertiary Referral Hospital.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Catheter ablation has become the treatment of choice in an increasing number of arrhythmias in children and adolescents. There is still limited evidence of its use at a national level in Spain. The aim was to describe the characteristics and results of a modern monocentric series form a referral tertiary care centre. METHODS: Retrospective register of invasive procedures between 2004 and 2016 performed in patients under 17 years and recorded clinical characteristic, ablation methodology and acute and chronic results of the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 291 procedures in 224 patients were included. Median age was 12.2 years, 60% male. Overall, 46% patients were referred from other autonomous communities. The most frequent substrates were accessory pathways (AP) (70.2%,>50% septal AP localization) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) (15.8%). Congenital and acquired heart disease was frequent (16.8%). Cryoablation was used in 35.5% of the cases. Overall acute success of the primary procedure was 93.5% (AP 93.8%; AVNRT 100%). Redo procedures after recurrence were performed in 18.9% of all substrates, with a long-term cumulative efficacy of 98.4% (AP 99.3%; AVNRT 100%). One (0.37%) serious complication occurred, a case of complete atrioventricular block. CONCLUSIONS: Our study replicated previous international reports of high success rates with scarce complications in a high complexity series, confirming the safety and efficacy of pediatric catheter ablation in our environment performed at highly experienced referral centers.