[Auricular flutter associated with interauricular communication in an infant]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiac Electrophysiology

Background:

• Atrial flutter is a rare supraventricular tachycardia in infants and children.
• Coexistence of atrial flutter with atrial septal defects presents unique management challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a pediatric case of atrial flutter diagnosed in infancy.
• To describe the successful management of drug-refractory atrial flutter using mechanical stimulation during cardiac catheterization.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a two-year-old child with atrial flutter and a large atrial septal defect.
• Attempted cardioversion with electroshock and subsequent mechanical stimulation during cardiac catheterization.
• Surgical repair of the atrial septal defect.

Main Results:

• Medical and electroshock treatments failed to convert atrial flutter to sinus rhythm.
• Mechanical stimulation during cardiac catheterization successfully terminated the atrial flutter.
• Following atrial septal defect repair, no recurrence of atrial flutter was observed.

Conclusions:

• Mechanical stimulation can be an effective treatment for refractory atrial flutter in children.
• Atrial septal defect repair may play a role in preventing flutter recurrence.
• This case highlights an alternative therapeutic approach for pediatric atrial flutter.