Open AccessManagement of post-operative Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia in symptomatic neonates and infants at a tertiary care center in a developing country: Lessons learned!
Author(s) -
Mostafa Abohelwa,
Marwan M. Refaat,
Amal Gharamti,
Mohamed S. Ahmed,
Amr Elgehiny,
Issam ElRassi,
Fadi Bitar,
Mariam Arabi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the southwest respiratory and critical care chronicles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2325-9205
DOI - 10.12746/swrccc.v9i40.881
Subject(s) - medicine , amiodarone , tachycardia , ventricular tachycardia , tertiary care , cardiac surgery , incidence (geometry) , retrospective cohort study , cardiology , surgery , anesthesia , pediatrics , atrial fibrillation , physics , optics
Purpose: Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is an uncommon form of arrhythmia that occurs after surgical correction of congenital heart defects. Data on neonates and infants are rare. This study highlights the epidemiology, incidence, and management of neonates and infants with JET at a tertiary care center in Lebanon.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017. All Patients with documented symptomatic junctional ectopic tachycardia on electrocardiogram who required medical treatment post-surgery were included.
Results: A total of 9 patients were included. The median age was 18 days, and six were males. Six out of nine (66.67%) were successfully treated with cooling and amiodarone on the initial attempt. The other three cases failed initial treatment with adenosine. However, they were successfully treated with cooling and amiodarone as second-line therapy. All cases of junctional ectopic tachycardia occurred post-surgery at an average of 1.67 ± 1.11 days.
Conclusion: Junctional ectopic tachycardia mostly occurs after corrective cardiac surgery and can be successfully treated with cooling and amiodarone. Timely diagnosis significantly affects the outcome.