Supraventricular tachycardia in children
Date
2004-04
Authors
Van der Merwe, D. M.
Van der Merwe, P. L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Clinics Cardiv Publishing
Abstract
The mechanisms causing different supraventricular tachycardias can be identified with the aid of the 12-lead ECG using Tippleās approach. The main aims of this retrospective study were to use the 12-lead ECG to determine the underlying mechanisms of supraventricular arrhythmias and to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment modalities used. Forty-one patients were included in the study. The
main findings were: nine of the 41 patients had atrial tachycardias while junctional tachycardia occurred in 32/41 of our patients. The underlying mechanisms causing the junctional tachycardias were: AVNRT (n = 21), AVRT (n = 10) and JET (n = 1). Of the 10 patients presenting with AVRT, eight were less than one year old. AVNRT occurred more often in the older age group (>1 year of age). Fifteen of the 41 patients had spontaneous cessation of their supraventricular tachycardia. The drug most commonly used during the acute and long-term phases was digoxin. Amiodarone was used in six patients with an 80% success rate. In the early 80s verapamil was used in five patients with a 100% success
rate. It is important to note that verapamil is no longer used in children due to its side effects. Lately, adenosine phosphate is the drug of choice in most supraventricular tachycardias. The management of supraventricular tachycardias in paediatric practice is mainly based on clinical studies and individual experience. Care must therefore be taken to choose medication regimens that are likely to be effective
with the minimum risk of potentiating abnormal haemodynamics or conduction.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.cvja.co.za/
Keywords
Ventricular tachycardia, Arrhythmia in children, Supraventricular arrhythmias
Citation
Van der Merwe, D.M. & Van der Merwe, P.L. 2004. Supraventricular tachycardia in children. Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, 15(2):64-69.