Electrocardiograms in children with bronchial asthma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Clinical Electrophysiology

Background:

• Bronchial asthma can affect cardiac function, particularly in children.
• Airway obstruction in asthma may influence cardiac rhythm and structure.
• Understanding cardiac complications is crucial for managing pediatric asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define cardiac complications associated with bronchial asthma in children.
• To investigate the prevalence of arrhythmias and specific ECG findings in asthmatic children.
• To assess the relationship between asthma severity, airway obstruction, and cardiac abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of electrocardiograms (ECG) from 124 asthmatic children.
• Evaluation of P waves, P-R interval, ventricular hypertrophy (RVH and LVH), and ST segment changes.
• Correlation of ECG findings with clinical parameters like airway obstruction and asthma duration.

Main Results:

• No significant cardiac arrhythmias were found in 124 asthmatic children, despite 33% having airway obstruction.
• One case of right-ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) suggestive findings in 20% of patients.
• ST segment elevation (14%) and depression (10%) were observed, particularly in those with severe, long-standing asthma.

Conclusions:

• Serious arrhythmias are rare in asthmatic children and not solely attributable to airway obstruction.
• Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be present, necessitating caution with beta-agonist bronchodilators in certain populations.
• Further investigation into the causes of arrhythmias and cardiac changes in pediatric asthma is warranted.