Evolving concepts in the management of congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia. A multicenter study

We reviewed the records of 26 infants with congenital junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) from seven institutions to examine the evolution in the management of this tachycardia that is difficult to treat. JET was defined electrocardiographically as an incessant tachycardia with normal QRS morphology and atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. The ventricular rate ranged from 140 to 370 beats/min (mean, 230 beats/min); 16 of 26 patients had cardiac failure. Treatment success was defined as a stable decrease in the rate of JET, below 150 beats/min; partial success was a significant decrease of JET rate with alleviation of symptoms. All patients received digoxin with no significant effect. Propranolol was given to 16 patients, with two successes and one partial success. Combinations of other conventional agents were used in 11 patients with two successes; 14 patients were treated with amiodarone, which resulted in eight successes and three partial successes; three patients died suddenly on medical treatment (amiodarone, one patient; propranolol, one patient; or amiodarone plus propranolol, one patient); sudden AV block was a possible cause and consequently, two later patients had pacemaker implantation as well as medical treatment. His catheter ablation was successfully performed twice but contributed to death in a newborn; three surgical His ablations were performed for intractable JET with two successes and one death. The overall mortality was 35%. Among survivors, treatment has been stopped without any complications in five patients ranging in age from 10 months to 8 years (mean, 3.5 years). It seems that amiodarone alone is the best drug for treatment of congenital JET; necessity for permanent pacing remains unsettled. His ablation should be reserved only for intractable JET.