Asymptomatic rhythm and conduction abnormalities in children with acute rheumatic fever: 24-hour electrocardiography study

Characterization of rheumatic heart disease from electrocardiogram recordings

Objective. Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is one of the highly prevalent heart diseases in developing countries that can affect the pericardium, myocardium, or endocardium. Rheumatic endocarditis is a common RHD variant that gradually deteriorates the normal function of the heart valves. RHD can be diagnosed using standard echocardiography or listened to as a heart murmur using a stethoscope. The electrocardiogram (ECG), on the other hand, is critical in the study and identification of heart rhythms and abnormalities. The effectiveness of ECG to identify distinguishing signs of rheumatic heart problems, however, has not been adequately examined. This study addressed the possible use of ECG recordings for the characterization of problems of the heart in RHD patients.Approach. To this end, an extensive ECG dataset was collected from patients suffering from RHD (PwRHD), and healthy control subjects (HC). Bandpass filtering was used at the preprocessing stage. Each data was then standardized by removing its mean and dividing by its standard deviation. Delineation of the onsets and offsets of waves was performed using KIT-IBT open ECG MATLAB toolbox. PR interval, QRS duration, RR intervals, QT intervals, and QTc intervals were computed for each heartbeat. The median values of the temporal parameters were used to eliminate possible outliers due to missed ECG waves. The data were clustered in different age groups and sex. Another categorization was done based on the time duration since the first RHD diagnosis.Main results. In 47.2% of the cases, a PR elongation was observed, and in 26.4% of the cases, the QRS duration was elongated. QTc was elongated in 44.3% of the cases. It was also observed that 62.2% of the cases had bradycardia.Significance. The end product of this research can lead to new medical devices and services that can screen RHD based on ECG which could somehow assist in the detection and diagnosis of the disease in low-resource settings and alleviate the burden of the disease.

Revisiting QT prolongation in acute rheumatic fever - Relevance for hydroxychloroquine treatment

In-vitro evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine could be a potential immunomodulator for the inflammatory carditis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Hydroxychloroquine used as an anti-inflammatory agent has a low side effect profile but its use in the Covid-19 pandemic raised concerns about QTc interval prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias. The prolongation of QTc in ARF appears benign but has not been widely studied. We aim to report QTc intervals in a contemporary ARF population and consider implications for hydroxychloroquine use in ARF. The study cohort was 197 children <15 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of ARF. The QTc mean (SD) was 445 msec (28), range 370-545 msec. Eighteen percent of the cohort had a QTc > 99th percentile for normal by age and 8 patients (4%) had a QTc over 500 msec. There was no difference of QTc by age or gender. Inter-observer repeatability for QTc (n = 33) was 35 msec. The QTc is often prolonged in the early phase of ARF, meaning that QT prolonging medications should be used with caution in this setting. Serial ECG monitoring of the QT interval is recommended if hydroxycholoroquine is used in ARF.

Junctional Tachycardia as a Diagnostic Criterion in Acute Rheumatic Fever

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an acute inflammatory process resulting in rheumatic carditis, one of the most common acquired heart diseases in youth. Among the clinical manifestations of carditis, pathologic valve regurgitation and atrioventricular block are included in the criteria for the diagnosis of ARF. Besides atrioventricular block, ARF may often present with other arrhythmias, such as junctional tachycardia (JT). However, JT is currently not recognized as a criterion for the diagnosis of ARF. Three adolescents presented in our hospital with JT, polyarthralgia, and laboratory signs of inflammation with evidence of preceding group A Streptococcus infection. None of the patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of ARF. On the basis of the presumed diagnosis of ARF, all 3 patients were treated with intravenous steroids. Steroid therapy was given, and JT converted to sinus rhythm within an average of 62 hours. Subsequent electrocardiograms revealed variable degree of atrioventricular block in all 3 patients, providing clinical evidence and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of ARF. Patients were monitored for a total 2 to 8 days before discharge on standard antiinflammatory treatment. Follow-up electrocardiograms and Holter monitoring revealed resolution of the atrioventricular block and lack of JT recurrence in all patients. On the basis of these sentinel cases, we propose that JT should be included as a diagnostic criterion for the diagnosis of ARF.

MIS-C and Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities

OBJECTIVES

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has spread through the pediatric population during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our objective for the study was to report the prevalence of conduction anomalies in MIS-C and identify predictive factors for the conduction abnormalities.

METHODS

We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients <21 years of age presenting with MIS-C over a 1-month period. We collected clinical outcomes, laboratory findings, and diagnostic studies, including serial electrocardiograms, in all patients with MIS-C to identify those with first-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) during the acute phase and assess for predictive factors.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Median age at admission was 9 years. Six of 32 patients (19%) were found to have first-degree AVB, with a median longest PR interval of 225 milliseconds (interquartile range 200-302), compared with 140 milliseconds (interquartile range 80-178) in patients without first-degree AVB. The onset of AVB occurred at a median of 8 days after the initial symptoms and returned to normal 3 days thereafter. No patients developed advanced AVB, although 1 patient developed a PR interval >300 milliseconds. Another patient developed new-onset right bundle branch block, which resolved during hospitalization. Cardiac enzymes, inflammatory markers, and cardiac function were not associated with AVB development.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population, there is a 19% prevalence of first-degree AVB in patients with MIS-C. All patients with a prolonged PR interval recovered without progression to high-degree AVB. Patients admitted with MIS-C require close electrocardiogram monitoring during the acute phase.

Clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with first-attack acute rheumatic fever following the updated guideline

Aim

To evaluate the clinical features of children diagnosed as having acute rheumatic fever between June 2015 and November 2018, and the changes observed in patient groups in comparison with data obtained in previous years. The diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever was made using the updated Jones criteria.

Material and Methods

The medical records of pediatric patients who were diagnosed as having acute rheumatic fever between June 2015 and November 2018 using the updated criteria, were examined retrospectively. The data of a previous study that used the old criteria were reorganized and the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of consecutive 50 patients [22 males (44%)] who presented in the study period and were diagnosed as having first-attack acute rheumatic fever, were included in our study. Carditis was found in 42 (84%) patients. Manifest carditis was found in 24 patients and silent carditis was found in 18 patients. Joint involvement was present in 34 (68%) patients. Accompanying carditis was present in all 14 patients (28%) who were found to have chorea. Erythema marginatum and subcutaneous nodules were not found in our patients. When evaluated in terms of the updated criteria, a diagnosis of rheumatic fever was made with silent carditis+polyarthralgia in two patients, with silent carditis+monoarthritis in two patients, with polyarthralgia in four patients, and with monoarhtritis in one patient in our study. A diagnosis could be made by means of the updated criteria in a total of 9 (18%) patients. When compared with the previous study, an increase in the rate of silent carditis (from 21.8% to 36%) and a reduction in the rate of total carditis (from 92% to 84%) were found.

Conclusion

Our results show that the updated Jones criteria prevent under diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in an important number of patients.

Beyond first-degree heart block in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever

OBJECTIVES

First-degree heart block is a minor manifestation of acute rheumatic fever. Second and third degree heart block and junctional rhythms occur less commonly. We report patients presenting with these latter three electrocardiographic abnormalities and investigate their diagnostic utility.

DESIGN

Patients admitted to our centre meeting the 2014 New Zealand Rheumatic Fever Guideline Diagnostic Criteria for rheumatic fever over a 5-year period from January 2010 to December 2014 were identified. Clinical, haematologic, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic records were reviewed. Electrocardiograms (ECG) were considered abnormal if there was second- or third-degree atrioventricular block or junctional rhythms. Comparative data from patients with advanced conduction abnormalities without a diagnosis of rheumatic fever during the same time period were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 201 patients met inclusion criteria for rheumatic fever. Of these, 17 (8.5%) had transient abnormalities of atrioventricular conduction, 5 (2.5%) with second or third-degree atrioventricular block, and 12 (6%) junctional rhythms. The remaining 173 (86%) patients had evidence of rheumatic valvulitis at presentation. Only one patient without rheumatic fever was found to have advanced conduction abnormalities over the study period, from a total of 3702 ECG.

CONCLUSIONS

This large contemporary cohort of acute rheumatic fever shows that 8.5% of cases had either advanced atrioventricular block or junctional rhythms both highly suggestive of the diagnosis in our population.

Syncope due to complete atrioventricular block and treatment with a transient pacemaker in acute rheumatic fever

Various rhythm and connection disorders can be seen in the acute phase of acute rheumatic fever. First degree atrioventricular block, one of the minor signs of acute rheumatic fever, is the most common connection disturbance in this disease. Complete atrioventricular block, which seriously affects the conduction pathways, is rare in the literature. A 15-year-old boy was admitted because of syncope caused by complete atrioventricular block and a temporary pacemaker was employed because of symptomatic complete atrioventricular block. The transient pacemaker treatment was terminated due to recovery of complete atrioventricular block on the third day of antiinflammatory treatment. Acute rheumatic fever should be kept in mind as a possible cause of acquired complete atrioventricular block. Connection disturbances in acute rheumatic fever improve with antiinflammatory treatment. Transient pacemaker treatment is indicated for patients with symptomatic transient complete atrioventricular block.

Junctional tachycardia in a child with non-rheumatic fever streptococcal pharyngitis

Accelerated junctional rhythm has been reported in children in the setting of acute rheumatic fever; however, we describe a hitherto unreported case of isolated junctional tachycardia in a child with streptococcal pharyngitis, not meeting revised Jones criteria for rheumatic fever. A previously healthy, 9-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with complaints of sore throat, low-grade fever, and intermittent chest pain. She was found to have a positive rapid streptococcal antigen test. The initial electrocardiogram showed junctional tachycardia with atrioventricular dissociation in addition to prolonged and aberrant atrioventricular conduction. An echocardiogram revealed normal cardiac anatomy with normal biventricular function. The patient responded to treatment with amoxicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis. The junctional tachycardia and other electrocardiogram abnormalities resolved during follow-up.

Advanced heart block in acute rheumatic fever

First degree heart block is considered a minor criterion for the diagnosis of this condition. The cases presented here demonstrate that higher degrees of heart block do occur in rheumatic fever. Children presenting with acquired heart block should be worked-up for rheumatic fever. Likewise, it is imperative to serially follow the electrocardiogram in patients already diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever, as the conduction abnormalities can change during the course of the disease.

Accelerated junctional rhythm in children with acute rheumatic fever: is it specific to the disease?

OBJECTIVE

During the course of acute rheumatic fever, some electrocardiographic changes are seen. First-degree atrioventricular block is the most common electrocardiographic abnormality. Second- and third-degree atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, and junctional acceleration are also seen. In the present study, the specificity of accelerated junctional rhythm to acute rheumatic fever was INVESTIGATED.

METHODS

The study included patients with acute rheumatic fever (Group 1), healthy children who had suffered from recent group A β-haemolytic streptococcal upper respiratory tract infection but did not develop acute rheumatic fever (Group 2), and patients who had other diseases that may affect the joints and/or heart (Group 3).

RESULTS

Accelerated junctional rhythm was detected in 10 patients in Group 1, but in none of the patients from Group 2 or 3. Specificity of accelerated junctional rhythm for acute rheumatic fever was 100% and the positive predictive value was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Accelerated junctional rhythm is specific to acute rheumatic fever. Although its frequency is low, it seems that it can be used in the differential diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, especially in patients with isolated polyarthritis.

Syncope in a child

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a well-characterized illness. However, syncope in ARF due to advanced heart block is very rare. A 10-year-old boy was admitted with recurrent syncope for 12 h. The patient was diagnosed as ARF because of arthritis, elevated acute phase reactants, advanced heart block, high antistreptolysin O titer, and echocardiographic evidence of mitral regurgitation. On the 9(th) day of hospitalization, the electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm.

Heart rate variability in children with acute rheumatic fever

OBJECTIVE

Acute rheumatic fever is a systemic inflammatory disease occurring after acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. The PR prolongation in these patients is thought to be due to increased vagal activity. There has been no previous study investigating the autonomic balance in patients with acute rheumatic fever. In this study, we aimed to investigate the balance of the autonomic nervous system in children with acute rheumatic fever by analysis of heart rate variability.

METHODS

We evaluated the heart rate variability parameters in 50 patients with acute rheumatic fever and 37 comparable control subjects. Both groups underwent 24-hour electrocardiography monitoring, and time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability parameters were calculated. A total of 39 patients (78%), with (n = 28) or without (n = 11) other major findings, had carditis, and the remaining 11 (22%) did not. The PR interval was found to be prolonged in 10 (20%) of the patients at the beginning.

RESULTS

In the study group, the time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability parameters showed a sympathetic dominance compared with the control group, with a p-value less than 0.05. When compared with the control group, the time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability parameters showed a significant sympathetic dominance in patients with both prolonged PR and normal PR intervals in the acute period, with a p-value less than 0.05. When compared with patients with normal PR interval, mean normalised low frequency and normalised high frequency parameters suggested a relatively lower sympathetic dominance in patients with prolonged PR interval, with a p-value less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that in the acute period of rheumatic fever, sympathetic dominance is apparent; in patients with prolonged PR interval, sympathetic dominance is relatively lower when compared with the patients with normal PR interval.