A multicenter, long-term study on arrhythmias in children with Ebstein anomaly
Tammo Delhaas1, Gideon J du Marchie Sarvaas, Marry E Rijlaarsdam
1Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands. t.delhaas@fys.unimaas.nl
Pediatric Cardiology
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Arrhythmias, including Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, affect 17% of pediatric Ebstein anomaly (EA) patients. Radiofrequency catheter ablation effectively treats symptomatic preexcitation in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Ebstein anomaly (EA) is a rare congenital heart defect.
- Arrhythmias, particularly preexcitation syndromes like Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW), can occur in EA patients.
- Understanding arrhythmia prevalence in pediatric EA is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, history, and treatment of arrhythmias in pediatric patients with Ebstein anomaly.
- To specifically investigate preexcitation and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome in this population.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments for arrhythmias in pediatric EA.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter retrospective study of live-born EA patients diagnosed between 1980-2005 in The Netherlands.
- Follow-up data analyzed for rhythm disturbances, preexcitation, and treatment outcomes.
- Included patients diagnosed and followed by pediatric cardiologists.
Main Results:
- 17% (16/93) of pediatric EA patients experienced rhythm disturbances during a median follow-up of 13.25 years.
- Supraventricular tachycardia was the most common arrhythmia (11 patients).
- 14 surviving patients had preexcitation, 9 underwent successful catheter ablation, and 4 are on antiarrhythmic drugs.
Conclusions:
- Rhythm disturbances are less common in pediatric EA patients than in adults.
- Life-threatening arrhythmias are infrequent in early life for EA patients.
- Radiofrequency catheter ablation is an effective treatment for symptomatic preexcitation in pediatric EA.
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