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Bertels RA, Kammeraad JAE, van Geloven N, Filippini LH, van der Palen RLF, Tak RO, Frerich S, Vanagt W, Rehbock JJB, Knobbe I, Kuipers IM, de Riva M, Zeppenfeld K, Blom NA. ECTOPIC trial: The efficacy of flEcainide Compared To metOprolol in reducing Premature ventrIcular Contractions: A randomized open-label crossover study in pediatric patients. Heart Rhythm 2024:S1547-5271(24)03090-X. [PMID: 39089565 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.07.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in children are usually considered benign. Symptoms and left ventricular dysfunction are indications for treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of flecainide vs metoprolol in reducing PVCs in children. METHODS A randomized open-label crossover trial was conducted of children with a PVC burden of >15% on Holter monitoring successively treated with metoprolol and flecainide, or vice versa, with a drug-free interval of at least 2 weeks. Holter measurements were repeated before and after the start of the antiarrhythmic drug. RESULTS Sixty patients were screened; 19 patients could be included. Median age was 13.9 years (interquartile range, 5.5 years). Mean baseline PVC burden was 21.7% (n = 18; SD ± 14.0) before the start of flecainide and 21.2% (n = 17; SD ± 11.5) before the start of metoprolol. In a mixed model analysis, the estimated mean reduction in PVC burden was 10.6 percentage points (95% CI, 5.8-15.3) for flecainide and 2.4 percentage points (95% CI,2.7-7.5) for metoprolol, with a significant difference of 8.2 percentage points (95% CI, 0.86-15.46; P = .031). Exploratory analysis revealed that 9 of 18 patients treated with flecainide and 1 of 17 patients treated with metoprolol had a reduction to a PVC burden below 5%. No discriminating factors between flecainide responders and nonresponders were found; the mean plasma level was not significantly different (0.34 mg/L vs 0.52 mg/L; P = .277). CONCLUSION In children with frequent PVCs, flecainide led to a significantly greater reduction of PVC burden compared with metoprolol. Flecainide was effective in only a subgroup of patients, which appears to be unrelated to the plasma level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Bertels
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Nan van Geloven
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Luc H Filippini
- Juliana Children's Hospital, HAGA Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Roel L F van der Palen
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon O Tak
- Department of Pediatrics, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Frerich
- MosaKids Children's Hospital, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ward Vanagt
- Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan J B Rehbock
- Department of Pediatrics, HAGA Hospital Zoetermeer, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
| | - Ingmar Knobbe
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irene M Kuipers
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marta de Riva
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Katja Zeppenfeld
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico A Blom
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhu W, Yuan H, Lv J. Advancements in the diagnosis and management of premature ventricular contractions in pediatric patients. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1373772. [PMID: 38571703 PMCID: PMC10987820 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1373772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are relatively common arrhythmias in the pediatric population, with implications that range from benign to potentially life-threatening. The management of PVCs in children poses unique challenges, and recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic options call for a comprehensive review of current practices. Methods This review synthesizes the latest literature on pediatric PVCs, focusing on publications from the past decade. We evaluate studies addressing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PVCs in children, including pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and invasive strategies. Results The review identifies key advancements in the non-invasive detection of PVCs, the growing understanding of their genetic underpinnings, and the evolving landscape of management options. We discuss the clinical decision-making process, considering the variable significance of PVCs in different pediatric patient subgroups, and highlight the importance of individualized care. Current guidelines and consensus statements are examined, and areas of controversy or limited evidence are identified. Conclusions Our review underscores the need for a nuanced approach to PVCs in children, integrating the latest diagnostic techniques with a tailored therapeutic strategy. We call for further research into long-term outcomes and the development of risk stratification tools to guide treatment. The potential of emerging technologies and the importance of multidisciplinary care are also emphasized to improve prognoses for pediatric patients with PVCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Children's Health and Disease Office, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Children's Health and Disease Office, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianli Lv
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Children's Health and Disease Office, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Alotaibi A, Alakhfash GA, Alakhfash A, Mahmoud T, Alakhfash AA, Al Qwaee A, Mesned A. The Value of Continuous Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Pediatric Cardiology: A Local Center Experience. Cureus 2022; 14:e25667. [PMID: 35812585 PMCID: PMC9256012 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to evaluate the value of Holter monitoring in pediatric cases and look for the best predictor for abnormal Holter monitoring. Methodology All patients referred with cardiac symptoms associated or possibly related to abnormal cardiac rhythm from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic, clinical, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and Holter monitoring results were reviewed. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between gender, age, type of symptoms, ECG, and echo abnormalities, and Holter monitoring results were analyzed. Results During the study period, a total of 189 Holter monitoring was performed for 187 patients. The mean age at the performance of Holter monitoring was 88.6 ± 57 months. The female/male ratio was 1.5:1. The commonest indications for Holter monitoring were abnormal 12-lead ECG (30.7%), palpitations (30.7%), syncopal attacks (12.7%), and chest pain (6.9%). Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) pre- or post-cardiac intervention constitute 9% of the total Holter monitoring cases. Apart from sinus arrhythmia, 12-lead ECG was abnormal in 57 (30%) patients, with premature atrial complexes (PACs) being the most common abnormality. Echocardiography was abnormal in 67 (35.4%) cases, with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) (6.3%) and mitral valve prolapse (5.8%) being the commonest abnormalities. The Holter monitoring was completely normal in 89 (47.1%) cases. The commonest Holter abnormalities were PACs (12.7%), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (5.8%), and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) (4.8%). There were 24 patients with SVT, and eight of them had normal Holter monitoring. One patient with SVT had ablation by the electrophysiologist. Using the multinomial logistic regression analysis, significantly abnormal 12-lead ECG, the presence of CHD, and abnormal echocardiography predict the presence of abnormal Holter results with a statistically significant p-value. Conclusion Most pediatric arrhythmias are benign. Holter monitoring provides reassurance for the patient and family. Abnormal Holter monitoring is more often observed in patients with paroxysmal or persistently abnormal 12-lead ECG with or without associated cardiac abnormalities or cardiac interventions. The yield of Holter monitoring is low in children referred because of chest pain, palpitations, or syncope with no other cardiac symptoms and with a structurally and functionally normal heart.
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The First Evaluation of Remote Magnetic Navigation-Guided Pediatric Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation. Pediatr Cardiol 2022; 43:1695-1703. [PMID: 35486130 PMCID: PMC9587922 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-022-02900-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Catheter ablation (CA) is an important treatment option for ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in pediatric cardiology. Currently, various CA techniques are available, including remote magnetic navigation (RMN)-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation. However, no studies evaluate RMN-guided ablative therapy outcomes in children with VA yet. This study aimed to compare procedural and long-term outcomes between RMN-guided and manual (MAN)-guided VA ablation in children. This single-center, retrospective study included all CA procedures for VA performed in children with or without structural heart disease from 2008 until 2020. Two study groups were defined by CA technique: RMN or MAN. Primary outcome was recurrence of VA. Baseline clinical, procedural and safety data were also evaluated. This study included 22 patients, who underwent 30 procedures, with a median age of 15 (IQR 14-17; range 1-17) years and a mean weight of 57 ± 20 kg. In total, 14 procedures were performed using RMN and 16 using MAN (22 first and 8 redo procedures). Regarding first procedures, recurrence rates were significantly lower in RMN compared to MAN (20% versus 67%, P = 0.029), at a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 3.0 years. Moreover, fluoroscopy dosages were significantly lower in RMN compared to MAN [20 (IQR 14-54) versus 48 (IQR 38-62) mGy, P = 0.043]. In total, 20 patients (91%) were free of VA following their final ablation procedure. This is the first study to investigate the use of RMN in pediatric VA ablation. RMN showed improved outcomes compared to MAN, resulting in lower VA recurrence and reduced fluoroscopy exposure.
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Cicenia M, Silvetti MS, Drago F. When Should Premature Ventricular Contractions Be Considered as a Red Flag in Children with Cardiomyopathy? J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8120176. [PMID: 34940531 PMCID: PMC8707971 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8120176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common and generally benign in childhood and tend to resolve spontaneously in most cases. When PVCs occur frequently, an arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy may be present requiring medical or catheter ablation. PVCs are only rarely the manifestation of a cardiomyopathy. The purpose of this review is to provide some tips and tricks to raise the suspicion of a cardiac disease based on the presence and characteristics of PVCs in children.
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Nogami A, Kurita T, Abe H, Ando K, Ishikawa T, Imai K, Usui A, Okishige K, Kusano K, Kumagai K, Goya M, Kobayashi Y, Shimizu A, Shimizu W, Shoda M, Sumitomo N, Seo Y, Takahashi A, Tada H, Naito S, Nakazato Y, Nishimura T, Nitta T, Niwano S, Hagiwara N, Murakawa Y, Yamane T, Aiba T, Inoue K, Iwasaki Y, Inden Y, Uno K, Ogano M, Kimura M, Sakamoto SI, Sasaki S, Satomi K, Shiga T, Suzuki T, Sekiguchi Y, Soejima K, Takagi M, Chinushi M, Nishi N, Noda T, Hachiya H, Mitsuno M, Mitsuhashi T, Miyauchi Y, Miyazaki A, Morimoto T, Yamasaki H, Aizawa Y, Ohe T, Kimura T, Tanemoto K, Tsutsui H, Mitamura H. JCS/JHRS 2019 Guideline on Non-Pharmacotherapy of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Circ J 2021; 85:1104-1244. [PMID: 34078838 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-20-0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Nogami
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
| | | | - Haruhiko Abe
- Department of Heart Rhythm Management, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
| | - Kenji Ando
- Department of Cardiology, Kokura Memorial Hospital
| | - Toshiyuki Ishikawa
- Department of Medical Science and Cardiorenal Medicine, Yokohama City University
| | - Katsuhiko Imai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center
| | - Akihiko Usui
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kaoru Okishige
- Department of Cardiology, Yokohama City Minato Red Cross Hospital
| | - Kengo Kusano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | | | - Masahiko Goya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | | | | | - Wataru Shimizu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School
| | - Morio Shoda
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
| | - Naokata Sumitomo
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center
| | - Yoshihiro Seo
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
| | | | - Hiroshi Tada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui
| | | | - Yuji Nakazato
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital
| | - Takashi Nishimura
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital
| | - Takashi Nitta
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School
| | - Shinichi Niwano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine
| | | | - Yuji Murakawa
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University Hospital Mizonokuchi
| | - Teiichi Yamane
- Department of Cardiology, Jikei University School of Medicine
| | - Takeshi Aiba
- Division of Arrhythmia, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Koichi Inoue
- Division of Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Center, Sakurabashi Watanabe Hospital
| | - Yuki Iwasaki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School
| | - Yasuya Inden
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kikuya Uno
- Arrhythmia Center, Chiba Nishi General Hospital
| | - Michio Ogano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shizuoka Medical Center
| | - Masaomi Kimura
- Advanced Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
| | | | - Shingo Sasaki
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
| | | | - Tsuyoshi Shiga
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
| | - Tsugutoshi Suzuki
- Departments of Pediatric Electrophysiology, Osaka City General Hospital
| | - Yukio Sekiguchi
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
| | - Kyoko Soejima
- Arrhythmia Center, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University Hospital
| | - Masahiko Takagi
- Division of Cardiac Arrhythmia, Department of Internal Medicine II, Kansai Medical University
| | - Masaomi Chinushi
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University
| | - Nobuhiro Nishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
| | - Takashi Noda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Hitoshi Hachiya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital
| | | | | | - Yasushi Miyauchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba-Hokusoh Hospital
| | - Aya Miyazaki
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease Center, Tenri Hospital
| | - Tomoshige Morimoto
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Osaka Medical College
| | - Hiro Yamasaki
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba
| | | | | | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University
| | - Kazuo Tanemoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School
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Mejia E, Lynch A, Hearle P, Okunowo O, Griffis H, Shah M, Lynch D, Lin KY. Ectopic Burden via Holter Monitors in Friedreich Ataxia. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 117:29-33. [PMID: 33652339 PMCID: PMC8085807 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich ataxia is the most commonly inherited ataxia; nearly 60% of deaths are cardiac in nature, with one in eight deaths due to arrhythmia. Additional or irregular heartbeats, measured as ectopy, can be quantified using portable heart rhythm monitoring. We sought to describe the ectopic burden in Friedreich ataxia. METHODS Using a natural history study of patients with Friedreich ataxia at a single center, we analyzed portable heart rhythm monitors (Holters). Ectopic burden was defined as the proportion of atrial or ventricular ectopic beats over total beats. RESULTS Of 456 patients, 131 had Holters. Sixty-eight (52.0%) were male, median age of symptom onset was 8.0 years (5.0 to 13.0, n = 111), median age at time of Holter was 17.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 12.9 to 22.8, n = 129), and median duration of illness was 8.7 years (IQR 5.3 to 11.6, n = 110). Median GAA length on the shorter FXN allele was 706.0 (IQR 550.0 to 840.0, n = 112). Eight (7.8%, n = 103) had diminished cardiac function, and 74 (74.0%, n = 100) had ventricular hypertrophy. Ninety patients (83.0%) had atrial ectopy (supraventricular ectopy [SVE]): 85 (78.0%) with rare SVE (>0% to 5%) and five (5.0%) with frequent SVE (>10%). Twenty-five (19.0%) had supraventricular runs, and one (0.8%) had atrial fibrillation/flutter. Forty-five (41.0%) had ventricular ectopy (VE): 43 (39.0%) with rare VE (0% to 5%) and two (2.0%) with moderate VE (5% to 10%). Compared with patients with none and rare SVE, patients with frequent SVE had longer disease duration (18.3 versus 4.6 versus 9.0 years, P = 0.0005). CONCLUSION Patients with longer disease duration had higher rates of SVE. Heart rhythm monitoring may be considered for risk stratification; however, longitudinal analysis is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Mejia
- Division of Cardiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Abigail Lynch
- Division of Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick Hearle
- Division of Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oluwatimilehin Okunowo
- Data Science & Biostatistics Unit, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Heather Griffis
- Data Science & Biostatistics Unit, Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maully Shah
- Division of Cardiology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Lynch
- Division of Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly Y. Lin
- Division of Cardiology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Doctor P, Balakrishnan P, Sriram C, Aggarwal S. Does Premature Ventricular Contractions Affect Exercise Capacity in Teenagers with Normal Hearts? Pediatr Cardiol 2021; 42:606-613. [PMID: 33394114 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-020-02521-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in teenagers even in the absence of structural heart disease or channelopathy. The suppression of PVCs with exercise is a favorable prognostic indicator. There is a paucity of data regarding the relationship between exercise capacity and PVC burden in this population. Our objective was to evaluate the association between various exercise stress parameters and PVC burden ascertained with a 24 h Holter in children without structural heart disease and/or channelopathy. In this retrospective study, 447 patient's charts with a diagnosis of PVC were reviewed at a single tertiary center. The study cohort consisted of ninety one patients with no structural heart disease or channelopathy who underwent an echocardiogram, maximal stress test, and 24 h Holter monitor. The cohort was divided into two groups based on PVC burden by 24-h Holter monitoring: < 10% and ≥ 10%. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 in ml/kg/min), an indicator of maximal aerobic capacity, was collected. Other exercise parameters included a) percentage of predicted VO2 (%VO2) based on age, weight, height, and gender b) percent oxygen pulse, c) Anaerobic threshold (AT), and d) Metabolic equivalents. Demographic and exercise stress test-derived parameters were compared between the two groups using student t test and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. In our cohort of 91 patients, the mean (SD) age at exercise was 14.5 (3.2) years with 56 (62%) males. Left ventricle shortening fraction (LVFS) was ≥ 28% in all enrolled patients. PVCs were monomorphic in 72(80%) patients. The mean (SD) PVC burden was 14.43% (12.3) ranging from 0.1 to 49.8%. PVC burden was ≥ 10% in 48 (53%) patients. Eighty eight (97%) patients in the study cohort had suppression of PVCs with exercise. There were no significant differences between the two groups (< 10% vs. ≥ 10% PVC burden) with respect to demographic or exercise test-derived parameters. Univariate regression between PVC burden and %VO2 did not show significant correlation (r = - 0.04, p = 0.75). Children even with ≥ 10% PVC burden did not demonstrate any objective decrease in their exercise capacity. A plausible reason for no difference in exercise capacity in our cohort may be due to lower PVC load or shorter duration of PVCs compared to adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pezad Doctor
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Blvd, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Preetha Balakrishnan
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Chenni Sriram
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Sanjeev Aggarwal
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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Bertels RA, Kammeraad JAE, Zeelenberg AM, Filippini LH, Knobbe I, Kuipers IM, Blom NA. The Efficacy of Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs in Children With Idiopathic Frequent Symptomatic or Asymptomatic Premature Ventricular Complexes With or Without Asymptomatic Ventricular Tachycardia: a Retrospective Multi-Center Study. Pediatr Cardiol 2021; 42:883-890. [PMID: 33515328 PMCID: PMC8110481 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-021-02556-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of flecainide, beta-blockers, sotalol, and verapamil in children with frequent PVCs, with or without asymptomatic VT. Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and asymptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT) in children with structurally normal hearts require anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy depending on the severity of symptoms or ventricular dysfunction; however, data on efficacy in children are scarce. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic children (≥ 1 year and < 18 years of age) with a PVC burden of 5% or more, with or without asymptomatic runs of VT, who had consecutive Holter recordings, were included in this retrospective multi-center study. The groups of patients receiving AAD therapy were compared to an untreated control group. A medication episode was defined as a timeframe in which the highest dosage at a fixed level of a single drug was used in a patient. A total of 35 children and 46 medication episodes were included, with an overall change in PVC burden on Holter of -4.4 percentage points, compared to -4.2 in the control group of 14 patients. The mean reduction in PVC burden was only significant in patients receiving flecainide (- 13.8 percentage points; N = 10; p = 0.032), compared to the control group and other groups receiving beta-blockers (- 1.7 percentage points; N = 18), sotalol (+ 1.0 percentage points; N = 7), or verapamil (- 3.9 percentage points; N = 11). The efficacy of anti-arrhythmic drug therapy on frequent PVCs or asymptomatic VTs in children is very limited. Only flecainide appears to be effective in lowering the PVC burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Bertels
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital-Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Janneke A E Kammeraad
- Sophia Children's Hospital-Erasmus Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna M Zeelenberg
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital-Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Luc H Filippini
- Juliana Children's Hospital-HAGA Hospital, Els Borst-Eilersplein 275, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Ingmar Knobbe
- VU Medical Center-Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Irene M Kuipers
- Emma Children's Hospital-Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nico A Blom
- Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital-Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, P.O. Box 9600, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Emma Children's Hospital-Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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