Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia in infants and Children

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Case Series and a Literature Review

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC), also known as arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy or tachycardiomyopathy, is a reversible form of heart failure characterized by persistent tachyarrhythmias and associated ventricular dysfunction. TIC is characterized by the reversal of myocardial damage with resolution of the arrhythmia. Early diagnosis of TIC is imperative, as the treatment course is distinct from cardiomyopathy of other or unknown causes. However, distinguishing TIC from tachycardia secondary to increased catecholamines due to congestive heart failure can be very challenging. There are relatively few paediatric reports, and herein we present a case series of 48 paediatric patients with TIC from literature (2014-2024). We also present 4 illustrative cases with TIC seen at our site (BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada). The mean age in this case series was 6.98 ± 4.9 years. The majority of patients had ectopic atrial tachycardia (41.7%), followed by permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (20.8%), ventricular tachycardia (16.7%), and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia or atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (10.4%). Pharmacologic treatment was the predominant therapy, but 70.8% of patients needed at least 1 ablation procedure. All patients demonstrated significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction after treatment, with most achieving at least near-normal ejection fractions in 80 days on average since presentation. In conclusion, TIC is overall a treatable condition with challenging diagnosis but generally has a favourable prognosis when diagnosed and treated appropriately. This article emphasizes the importance of considering TIC in the differential diagnosis of tachycardia in the context of reduced ventricular function, to recognize it and to enable targeted treatment initiation as soon as possible.

Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia due to an atypical retrograde slow conducting decremental left posterolateral accessory pathway and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a pregnant adolescent

Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is a rare form of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) due to a retrograde slow conducting decremental accessory pathway (AP) which is often incessant and can lead to tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). We report the challenging clinical course of a pregnant adolescent with PJRT due to an atypical retrograde slow conducting decremental left posterolateral AP. Pregnancy is known to exacerbate supraventricular arrhythmias and can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, there are no prior reports on the clinical course of rare incessant and difficult-to-treat arrhythmias such as PJRT in a pregnant adolescent patient.

Outcomes in Infants with Supraventricular Tachycardia: Risk Factors for Readmission, Recurrence and Ablation

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common arrhythmia in infants. Once diagnosed, infants are admitted for antiarrhythmic therapy and discharged after observation. There are limited data on risk factors for readmission and readmission rates, while on medication. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors for readmission and outcomes in infants diagnosed with SVT. This is a single-center retrospective study over a 10-year period of infants under 6 months of age with documented SVT. Infants with congenital heart disease requiring surgical or catheter intervention, gestational age less than 32 weeks or diagnosis of atrial flutter or fibrillation were excluded. The primary outcome was readmission within 31 days of hospital discharge. Long term need for ablation and eventual discontinuation of medications were assessed. Ninety patients were included. Beta blockers were the initial therapy in 66 and 28 required a medication change. Nineteen were readmitted within 31 days of discharge. The only clinical factor associated with early readmission was presence of ventricular pre-excitation (6/19 vs. 8/71, p = 0.03). Patients who were readmitted within 31 days had a longer length of treatment (12 [11.5, 22.0] vs. 10 [7.5, 12.0] months, p = 0.007) and were more likely to undergo ablation (4/19 vs. 2/71, p = 0.017). In this cohort of infants with SVT, readmission was common and ventricular pre-excitation was identified as a risk factor for readmission. Infants who were readmitted within 31 days of discharge had longer length of antiarrhythmic therapy and were more likely to undergo catheter ablation.

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.

Catheter ablation for an incessant arrhythmia in a preterm low-weight neonate

A 15-day-old neonate weighing 1800 g presented with incessant long-RP tachycardia. Temporary cessation of the arrhythmia with adenosine confirmed the diagnosis of permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT). The arrhythmia was refractory to multiple drugs. An electrophysiological study confirmed diagnosis. The arrhythmia was successfully treated with radiofrequency.

Learning objective

Transcatheter radiofrequency ablation can be done safely in infants who are unresponsive to medical therapy, regardless of age and body weight.

Fetal permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia with dilated cardiomyopathy, normal heart rate and transient fetal hydrops; a case report

Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is a rare form of congenital arrhythmia occurring predominantly in infants and children. Prenatal presentation is frequently characterized by incessant tachycardia leading to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Some patients can have a normal heart rate which leads to a delayed diagnosis. We report a case of a neonate who was presented prenatally with DCM, fetal hydrops, and no signs of fetal arrhythmia. Diagnosis of PJRT was established after delivery with characteristic electrocardiographic patterns. Successful conversion to sinus rhythm with digoxin and amiodarone was achieved three months later. At 16 months of age, both echocardiography and electrocardiography were normal.

Clinical Course and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Permanent Junctional Reciprocating Tachycardia in Children

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical aspects, electrophysiological studies, and ablation results of permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia in children.

METHODS

The study comprised 29 pediatric patients diagnosed with permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia between 2011 and 2021 in 2 pediatric electrophysiology centers. From the file records, the basic demographic characteristics of the patients, as well as electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, were acquired retrospectively. The medical treatment and responses of the patients throughout follow-up, as well as the electrophysiological study and ablation data of the patients who had electrophysiological study, were assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis of the patients was 3.13 ± 4.43 (0-18) years and the mean weight was 18.22 ± 19.68 (3.8-94) kg. Eighteen patients (62.1%) were girls. Eleven patients (38%) developed tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Tachycardia was incessant in 15 patients (51.7%). In total, 22 patients required 26 ablation procedures. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and multidrug-resistant tachycardia were the most prevalent indications for ablation. The right posteroseptal pathway was detected in 18 patients (81.8%). The acute procedure success rate was 100% (22/22). The recurrence rate was 18% (4/22) and 3 of them underwent successful ablation again. The overall success percentage was 95.4% (21/22). None of the patients had any complications. The mean follow-up period was 4.39 ± 3.05 years.

CONCLUSION

Although permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia is uncommon, it is often persistent, resistant to medical treatment, and associated with a substantial risk of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation can be performed on these patients at any age, with minimal risk of complications and a high success rate. It is crucial to keep monitor of the patients' recurrence.

Common Supraventricular and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Children

The most common pediatric arrhythmias are tachycardias, and the most common type is supraventricular tachycardia, originating from or above the atrioventricular node and HIS bundle. Ventricular tachycardias are less common but more dangerous. Supraventricular tachycardias usually cause a narrow complex tachycardia unless there is a basal bundle branch block or rate-dependent aberration. A wide QRS tachycardia should be treated as ventricular tachycardias unless proven to be an supraventricular tachycardia with aberration. Diagnosis of both tachyarrhythmia types depends mainly on 12-lead electrocardiography. The most common supraventricular tachycardia type in newborns and infants is atrioventricular reentry tachycardia, related to manifest or concealed accessory pathways and in adolescent atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, whereas focal atrial tachycardias consist of 10%-15% of supraventricular tachycardias during all ages. Supraventricular tachycardias have a low risk of morbidity, and ablation therapy is successful in most types with success rates over 90%. Ventricular tachycardias can be monomorphic or polymorphic, nonsustained or sustained, and can cause more hemodynamic instability than supraventricular tachycardias, requiring more close monitoring and urgent therapies. If hemodynamically unstable, synchronized cardioversion must be performed. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardias are very dangerous and often associated with primary ion channel defects (channelopathies), which can cause sudden cardiac death.

[Radiofrequency catheter ablation in pediatric population: clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic characteristics in a Peruvian pediatric hospital]

Objective

This study aims to describe the clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia undergoing radiofrequency ablation.

Materials and methods

Observational, descriptive, retrospective study of children admitted for supraventricular tachycardia treatment at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño during 2018 to 2021.

Results

Data from 62 procedures were collected, corresponding to 59 patients (mean age: 9.91 years, 61% male), 23% of procedures were performed in patients under 15kg, and two were in patients under 5kg. 63% of patients had a structurally normal heart, while 37% had some type of congenital heart disease, the most common being Ebstein's anomaly. The most widely used group of drugs were beta-blockers, mainly propranolol. Among the arrhythmias treated, 21.7% had preexcitation Syndrome, 33.3% had at least one hidden accessory pathway, 5% corresponded to permanent reciprocating junctional tachycardia, 5% intranodal tachycardia, 11.7% atrial tachycardia, 10 % atrial flutter, 5% had other types of tachycardia and in 5 cases no tachycardia was induced. Of the total procedures, 76% corresponded to electrophysiological study and ablation, four patients recurred.

Conclusions

The most common supraventricular tachycardia substrate in children was the presence of some accessory pathway. Radiofrequency catheter ablation could be applied in children with a high success rate and a low complication rate.

Treatment of Permanent Junctional Reciprocating Tachycardia in a Preterm Neonate: Case Report

Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is most often observed in infants and children and can lead to incessant tachycardia. PJRT is usually refractory to medical treatment. Tachycardia may infrequently occur in the fetus in which case fetal tachycardia transplacental treatment should be started immediately. Term delivery is recommended for fetuses with tachycardia in the absence of significant clinical compromise to avoid complications of preterm birth. Herein, a 36-week preterm neonate presented with PJRT. He had tachycardia in the fetal period and was treated with digoxin, amiodaron, and esmolol therapy after birth without undergoing the catheter ablation procedure.