Related Experiment Videos
Amiodarone for post-operative junctional ectopic tachycardia
Kevin Plumpton1, Robert Justo, Nikolaus Haas
1Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Cardiology in the Young
|April 16, 2005
Summary
Amiodarone effectively controls post-operative junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) in infants. This rapid treatment, often achieved within 12 hours, is generally safe but requires careful monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Post-operative junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a critical, rapid tachyarrhythmia requiring prompt intervention.
- Amiodarone is a potential treatment for this life-threatening condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of amiodarone for treating post-operative JET.
- To analyze treatment duration, dosage, and adverse events in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 15 pediatric patients treated with amiodarone for post-operative JET.
- Analysis of patient demographics, heart rates, amiodarone dosage, and time to control.
Main Results:
- Median time to control JET was 4.5 hours, with 13/15 patients controlled within 12 hours.
- Median amiodarone dose was 5.9 mg/kg; 2 patients experienced hypotension or bradycardia.
- The median heart rate at diagnosis was 192 bpm.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous amiodarone, particularly with a bolus followed by infusion, provides rapid control of post-operative JET.
- Amiodarone is generally safe with few side effects in this setting.
- Treatment should be administered where invasive monitoring and cardiac pacing are available due to potential risks.