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Electrocardiographic ST-segment depression in children with fontan circulation
1Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Cardiology, University Hospital of Umeâ, Umeâ, Sweden.
Clinical Physiology (Oxford, England)
|January 29, 2000
Summary
Children with Fontan circulation frequently exhibit electrocardiographic ST depression during daily activities. This finding was not observed in healthy children, suggesting a common issue in Fontan patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Fontan-type procedures palliate complex congenital heart defects but often result in persistent effort limitation.
- Previous observations noted electrocardiographic ST depression in children with Fontan circulation during exercise tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic ST depression in children with Fontan circulation.
- To compare ST depression findings between Fontan patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Conducted echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring on 14 Fontan patients and 28 healthy controls.
- Analyzed ST changes using a PC-based Holter system.
- Performed exercise testing (bicycle ergometer and treadmill) on a subset of participants.
Main Results:
- Significant ST depression was found in 10 of 13 analyzed Fontan patients on ambulatory ECG.
- No healthy controls exhibited ST depression on ambulatory ECG.
- Three Fontan patients showed ST depression during exercise testing.
Conclusions:
- Electrocardiographic ST depression during daily activity is a common finding in children with Fontan circulation.
- The study highlights a potential indicator of cardiac strain or dysfunction in these patients.