Supraventricular tachycardia in the neonate and infant

Synchronized cardioversion resolving refractory supraventricular tachycardia in a neonate: a case report with comprehensive analysis

Introduction and importance

Neonatal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) poses unique challenges in diagnosis and management, with refractory cases requiring synchronized cardioversion being exceptionally rare. This case report explores the presentation and management of refractory SVT in a neonate, emphasizing the significance of sharing such clinical scenarios.

Case presentation

A 16-day-old neonate, born via emergency caesarean section, presented with respiratory distress, poor feeding, and vomiting. Initial diagnosis of SVT was made on the basis of electrocardiography (ECG) changes. Initial attempts with adenosine failed, leading to the recurrence of tachycardia. Despite amiodarone administration, the tachycardia persisted, prompting synchronized cardioversion. Post-cardioversion, the neonate was managed with oral medications, showing sustained improvement.

Clinical discussion

This case report highlights a neonate with refractory SVT, requiring synchronized cardioversion, presenting a rare and challenging scenario. The report addresses diagnostic challenges, treatment approaches, and potential mechanisms for refractory SVT, such as delayed presentation and resistance to adenosine. Emphasizing individualized care plans and vigilant monitoring, this report is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, contributing to neonatal cardiology understanding and emphasizing the importance of early recognition and effective interventions. Ongoing follow-up and successful outcomes underscore the need for sustained management strategies.

Conclusion

This case report sheds light on the rarity of refractory SVT in neonates, emphasizing the complexities in diagnosis and management. Successful synchronized cardioversion and subsequent oral therapy highlight the need for a multifaceted approach in neonatal SVT cases. The implications for clinical practice underscore the importance of awareness and continued research in neonatal cardiology and emergency medicine.

Rediscover the predictive capacity of B-type natriuretic peptide applied to neonatal supraventricular tachycardia

BACKGROUND

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one of the most common non-benign arrhythmias in neonates, potentially leading to cardiac decompensation. This study investigated the early risk factors of acute heart failure (AHF) secondary to SVT in neonates, and explored their value in guiding the selection of effective anti-arrhythmic treatment.

METHODS

A total of 43 newborns diagnosed with and treated for SVT between January 2017 and December 2022 were analyzed. According to the presence of AHF after restoring sinus rhythm in newborns with SVT, they were divided into SVT with AHF group and SVT without AHF group. Clinical data and anti-arrhythmic therapies were analyzed. Risk factors of AHF secondary to SVT in neonates were determined using logistic regression. The cut-off value for predictors of AHF secondary to SVT and demanding of a second-line anti-arrhythmic treatment was determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RESULTS

Time to initial control of tachycardia > 24 h, hyperkalemia, anemia, and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were identified as risk factors of AHF secondary to SVT in neonates. BNP exhibited AUC of 0.80 in predicting AHF, and BNP > 2460.5pg/ml (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.27 ~ 45.39, P = 0.03) was an independent predictor, yielding sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 84.6%. Neonates with BNP > 2460.5pg/ml (37.5% versus 7.4%, P = 0.04) had a higher demand for a second line anti-arrhythmic treatment to terminate SVT, with sensitivity and specificity for BNP in predicting at 75.0%, 71.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP could be used to predict an incident of AHF secondary to SVT and a demand of second-line anti-arrhythmic treatment to promptly terminate SVT and prevent decompensation in neonates.

Cardiac Arrhythmias Requiring Electric Countershock during the Neonatal Period-A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

In neonates, cardiac arrhythmias are rare. Electric countershock therapy is an effective alternative to drug therapy for neonatal arrhythmias. There are no randomized controlled studies investigating electric countershock therapy in neonates.

OBJECTIVE

To identify all studies and publications describing electric countershock therapy (including defibrillation, cardioversion, and pacing) in newborn infants within 28 days after birth, and to provide a comprehensive review of this treatment modality and associated outcomes.

METHODS

For this systematic review we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). All articles reporting electric countershock therapy in newborn infants within 28 days after birth were included.

RESULTS

In terms of figures, 113 neonates who received electric countershock due to arrhythmias were reported. Atrial flutter (76.1%) was the most common arrhythmia, followed by supraventricular tachycardia (13.3%). Others were ventricular tachycardia (9.7%) and torsade de pointes (0.9%). The main type of electric countershock therapy was synchronized cardioversion (79.6%). Transesophageal pacing was used in twenty neonates (17.7%), and defibrillation was used in five neonates (4.4%).

CONCLUSION

Electric countershock therapy is an effective treatment option in the neonatal period. In atrial flutter especially, excellent outcomes are reported with direct synchronized electric cardioversion.

Clinical Predictors of Recurrent Supraventricular Tachycardia in Infancy

BACKGROUND

Data regarding recurrence risk among infants with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are limited.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine incidence and factors associated with SVT recurrence.

METHODS

This was a retrospective single-center study (1984-2020) with prospective phone follow-up of infants with structurally normal hearts diagnosed at age ≤1 year with re-entrant SVT. Primary outcome was first SVT recurrence after hospital discharge. Classification and regression tree analysis was performed to determine a risk algorithm.

RESULTS

Among 460 infants (62% male), 87% were diagnosed at ≤60 days of age (median 13 days; IQR: 1-31 days). During a median follow-up of 5.2 years (IQR: 1.8-11.2 years), 33% had recurrence. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with recurrence included: fetal or late (>60 days) diagnosis (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.26-2.86; and HR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.07-2.77, respectively), Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome (HR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.75-3.45), and need for multi-antiarrhythmic or second-line therapy (HR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.45-2.99). Based on the classification and regression tree analysis, WPW incurred the highest risk. Among those without WPW, age at diagnosis was the most important factor predicting risk. Fetal or late diagnosis incurred higher risk, and if multi-antiarrhythmic or second-line therapy was also required, risk nearly doubled. Infants without WPW, who were diagnosed early (0-60 days), and who were discharged on propranolol were at lowest recurrence risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with SVT are most likely to be diagnosed at ≤60 days and be male. Risk factors for recurrence (occurred in 33%), present at time of diagnosis, include WPW, fetal or late diagnosis, and multi-antiarrhythmic or second-line therapy. Infants with early diagnosis, without WPW, and discharged on first-line monotherapy are at lowest recurrence risk.

Successful Mesenchymal Stem Cell Application in Supraventricular Tachycardia-Related Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Case Report

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most important life- threatening diseases in neonates. Recurrent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can lead to gut ischemia, with subsequent reperfusion injury resulting in NEC. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multi-potential cells which can differentiate into multiple cell types. Case report: A 22-day old male baby delivered to 34 yr old mother at 37-weeks' gestation via cesarean section, birth weight 3550 g, developed NEC 14 hours after being treated with cardioversion for SVT. At laparotomy, there was pan-NEC, and 60 cm of necrotic and perforated bowel was resected. 1 × 10⁷ umbilical cord origin allogeneic MSCs were given intravenously, with subsequent improvement of the remaining bowel. Conclusion: MSC may be a promising treatment for adjacent ischemic bowel in NEC helping prevent short bowel syndrome.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia in Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome in a Newborn—Case Report and Mini-Review

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is a rare abnormal condition frequently associated with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and is described as an arrhythmia under the form of increased heartbeat. Currently, there are various possible treatments going from medicines such as adenosine and beta-blockers to cardioversion. The unknown causes of this condition together with the different responses to treatment in each patient make it difficult to establish the best therapeutic approach. In this context, in the current paper, we were interested in reporting the therapeutic options and their efficiency in the case of associated heart or inflammatory conditions in a 13-day-old patient.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia in a paediatric population: characteristics of tachycardia mechanisms in a subpopulation with early onset

BACKGROUND

In children, the first episode of supraventricular tachycardia occurs at various ages. The aim of this study is to describe age-specific tachycardia mechanisms, clinical findings, and outcome in a contemporary cohort of paediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 531 consecutive patients with structurally normal hearts under the age of 18 years who underwent invasive electrophysiological study for supraventricular tachycardia. The study population was divided into two groups, early-onset group (n = 57) and late-onset group (n = 474), according to the age of the occurrence of the first tachycardia before or after the age of 12 months.

RESULTS

Accessory pathway-mediated tachycardia was more common (82.5 versus 50.1%, p < 0.001) and the proportion of left-sided accessory pathways was more pronounced (74.5 versus 53.7%, p = 0.01) in the early-onset group than in the late-onset group. The antegrade and retrograde refractory periods of the accessory pathways were similar in both groups, but pre-excitation was more common in the early-onset group (50.9 versus 31.9%, p = 0.007). Typical atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia was more common (36.7 versus 7.0%, p < 0.001) in the late-onset group. There was no difference among the two groups regarding overall outcome.

CONCLUSION

Accessory pathway-mediated re-entrant tachycardia is the most common mechanism of recurrent supraventricular tachycardia in infants with structurally normal hearts who are later referred to an electrophysiological study. These pathways often cause pre-excitation and tend to be located on the left side whereas their refractory period is not different from that of patients with late-onset tachycardia.

Incidence of supraventricular tachycardia after inhaled short-acting beta agonist treatment in children

INTRODUCTION

Albuterol can trigger supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The clinical characteristics, incidence, and risk factors of SVT after inhaled SABA treatment in children are currently unknown. Through review of regional care delivery, we will describe cases of SVT during asthma treatment in hospital-based settings, define the incidence of SVT in our population, and evaluate risk factors of SABA-induced SVT.

METHODS

We identified hospital-based care episodes of children 0-18 years old between 2006 and 2015 recorded in the Intermountain Healthcare EDW with either 1) diagnosis codes for both asthma and SVT or 2) both SABA and adenosine listed as billed medications. Controls were matched with cases by age and sex to determine risk factors for SVT after SABA using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 93 care episodes meeting criteria, we found 7 cases of SVT after SABA treatment in 6 patients over 10 years. In our population, the incidence of SVT is 3.9 per 10,000 episodes of SABA treatment, and 5.1 per 10,000 children with asthma receiving hospital-based asthma care. Two episodes of SVT followed treatment with only levalbuterol, three after only albuterol, and two after both albuterol and levalbuterol treatment. Five cases of SVT were converted to sinus rhythm with adenosine, one converted with synchronized electrical cardioversion, and one resolved spontaneously. No cases of SVT led to death. No examined variables were associated with SABA-induced SVT.

CONCLUSIONS

SVT is rare during hospital-based treatment for acute asthma using inhaled SABAs and has low morbidity and mortality.

Age makes a difference: Symptoms in pediatric supraventricular tachycardia

BACKGROUND

Supraventricular tachycardia is a group of rhythm disturbances that affect 1 in 300-1200 Australian children annually. The differentiation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) symptoms and age of onset according to their subtype is not well understood in the pediatric population. Most studies rely on ECG criteria only to characterize the subtype of the SVT, which is not applicable to all subtypes. The purpose of this study was to identify the symptoms and ages of onset of SVT subtypes, and to analyze whether ethnicity or severity correlated with the SVT subtype confirmed in an invasive Electrophysiology (EP) study.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis and prospective survey evaluated 364 patients who underwent an EP study at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne between 2009 and 2015. Age of onset, symptoms, and ethnicity were collected by phone survey or medical records in addition to EP study diagnostic data, medication status, and follow-up information about their symptom status following EP procedure. Patients were grouped according to their SVT subtype. Data analysis was performed using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and ANOVA statistical tests to determine associations between SVT substrates.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-three suitable cases of SVT were identified (131 men, 102 women) aged between 0 and 18 years. Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT) (n = 153) was the most common SVT subtype, followed by Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia (AVNRT) (n = 55), Atrial Tachycardia (AT) (n = 17), and other SVT subtypes (n = 8) which included Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter, and Junctional Tachycardia. There was a male predominance in all subtypes, except for AVNRT. AVNRT patients had palpitations, dyspnoea, dizziness, and anxiety more than any other group, AVRT patients complained of vomiting most and patients with AT had the most fatigue. The mean age of symptom onset varied among groups, being earlier in AVRT, later in AVNRT with a significant difference between AVRT with unidirectional retrograde accessory pathway (URAP) and AVNRT subtypes (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Some specific symptoms were strong discriminators between different SVT subtypes. Ethnicity did not have strong correlations with SVT subtype incidence. This study was able to show clinical differences among children with SVT due to AVRT (URAP) compared to AVNRT, allowing the prognosis and intended management of pediatric SVT to be anticipated by less invasive means.

Usefulness of Echocardiography in Children with New-Onset Supraventricular Tachycardia

BACKGROUND

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in children. Infants with SVT and ventricular preexcitation (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) are known to have up to 30% prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD). Infants without ventricular preexcitation who present with SVT at <1 year of age have a similar prevalence of CHD. However, for children without ventricular preexcitation who present with SVT at older ages, the prevalence of CHD is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CHD in older children and adolescents presenting with SVT without ventricular preexcitation, with the goal of providing guidance regarding the usefulness of echocardiography in this patient population.

METHODS

Children aged 2 to 18 years presenting with confirmed SVT between January 2011 and December 2015 were included in this retrospective review. Patients with any history of ventricular preexcitation or preexisting heart disease were excluded. Medical records were reviewed, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were classified as normal, incidental, or abnormal.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety patients met the inclusion criteria. Echocardiographic examinations were completed on 224 patients. Only one patient was found to have CHD, a moderate primum atrial septal defect. This patient was noted to have electrocardiographic abnormalities consistent with primum atrial septal defect.

CONCLUSIONS

For older children and adolescents with no known heart disease presenting with SVT without ventricular preexcitation, echocardiography may not be a necessary part of initial evaluation when the results of physical examination and electrocardiography are normal.

Hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia and supraventricular tachycardia in a patient with subcutaneous fat necrosis

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) is a rare, self-limiting condition that has been associated with several complications including hypercalcemia.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 6-week-old male who presented to his pediatrician with a dime-sized erythematous nodule consistent with SCFN, who was also found to have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Laboratory findings revealed hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia. Extensive evaluation for the electrolyte disturbances revealed no other etiology. This case reinforces that SCFN should be considered in newborns with hypercalcemia of unknown etiology. Additionally, this case is the first to suggest a connection between SCFN and hyperkalemia. Electrolyte abnormalities can potentially contribute to arrhythmogenesis and may have triggered the arrhythmia in our patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case highlights the importance of remaining vigilant in the workup of atypical rashes of the infant, which should include early assessment of serum electrolytes.

Radiofrequency ablation of drug-refractory arrhythmias in small children younger than 1 year of age: single-center experience

The use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the management of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in infants and small children remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RFA in critically ill small children (<1 year of age) with drug-resistant tachycardia accompanied by arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The study included 15 patients age 5.3 ± 3.7 months. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrial tachycardia were detected in eight (53.3 %) and seven (46.7 %) of patients, respectively. Patients with structural heart pathology, including congenital heart diseases and laboratory-confirmed myocarditis, were excluded from the study. Indications for RFA included drag-refractory SVT accompanied by arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Unsuccessful ablation was observed in two 1-month-old patients who underwent successful ablation 3 months later. The follow-up period ranged from 0.5 to 8 years (average 3.9). Only one patient (6.7 %) had tachycardia recurrence 1 month after RFA. The short- and long-term RFA success rates were 86.7 and 93.3 %, respectively. The study did not show any procedure-related complications. Heart failure disappeared within 5-7 days. Complete normalization of heart chamber sizes was documented within 1 month after effective RFA. A three-dimensional CARTO system (Biosense Webster, Inc., USA) was used in three patients with body weight >7 kg. The use of the CARTO system resulted in a remarkable decrease of the fluoroscopy time without vascular injury or other procedure-related complications in all cases. Our study suggests that RFA may be considered the method of choice for SVT treatment in small children when drug therapy is ineffective and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy progresses.

Elucidating nature's solutions to heart, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders

Evolution has provided a number of animal species with extraordinary phenotypes. Several of these phenotypes allow species to survive and thrive in environmental conditions that mimic disease states in humans. The study of evolved mechanisms responsible for these phenotypes may provide insights into the basis of human disease and guide the design of new therapeutic approaches. Examples include species that tolerate acute or chronic hypoxemia like deep-diving mammals and high-altitude inhabitants, as well as those that hibernate and interrupt their development when exposed to adverse environments. The evolved traits exhibited by these animal species involve modifications of common biological pathways that affect metabolic regulation, organ function, antioxidant defenses, and oxygen transport. In 2006, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute released a funding opportunity announcement to support studies that were designed to elucidate the natural molecular and cellular mechanisms of adaptation in species that tolerate extreme environmental conditions. The rationale for this funding opportunity is detailed in this article, and the specific evolved mechanisms examined in the supported research are described. Also highlighted are past medical advances achieved through the study of animal species that have evolved extraordinary phenotypes as well as the expectations for new understanding of nature's solutions to heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders through future research in this area.

Deep nasopharyngeal aspiration as a treatment option for conversion of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia in infants: First experiences

OBJECTIVE

Supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardias are the most common paroxysmal rhythm disorders in childhood. Atypical clinical presentations as well as their ability to induce hemodynamic deterioration imply necessity for arrhythmia rapid termination during the first months of life. The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficiency of deep nasopharyngeal aspiration as a potential vagal maneuver for supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardias termination.

DESIGN

Clinical trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 2005 to October 2009, a total of eight infants, who were admitted at our institutions and diagnosed to have supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardias, were analyzed. To terminate supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardias "diving" reflex was initially tried and in the cases of its inefficacy, deep nasopharyngeal aspiration was performed.

MAIN RESULTS

Nasopharyngeal aspiration successfully converted arrhythmia in three infants (37.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Deep nasopharyngeal aspiration could be an alternative vagal maneuver for infants with supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia.

Recurrent supraventricular tachycardia in a newborn treated with amiodarone: is hyperkalemia the apparent cause?

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is the most common type of arrhythmia observed in children, especially in newborns. Infants with severe SVT must be treated immediately with first-line drugs such as amiodarone. There are some minor and major side effects of amiodarone in this patient group, but no associated electrolyte disorders have been observed. This report describes a newborn whose recurrent SVT attacks during amiodarone treatment were suspected to have been caused by hyperkalemia.