[Therapy of postoperative ectopic junctional tachycardia by surface hypothermia].

Abstract

Postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia is associated with a poor prognosis in patients after open-heart surgery. This dysrhythmia has been shown to be resistant to medical treatment as well as to epicardial pacing and external cardioversion. Successful therapy with surface hypothermia in an infant with junctional ectopic tachycardia (ventricular rate 210-230 bpm) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot is presented. Hypothermia (rectal temperature 32-34 degrees C) was effective in decreasing the ventricular rate of the dysrhythmia (< 170 bpm). After spontaneous cessation of the tachycardia, sinus rhythm resumed, resulting in stable hemodynamics.

• Authors: M Wilken, T Paul, G Ziemer, H C Kallfelz
• Journal: Zeitschrift fur Kardiologie (Z Kardiol) Vol. 82 Issue 6 Pg. 376-9 (Jun 1993) ISSN: 0300-5860 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Therapie der postoperativen junktionalen ektopen Tachykardie durch Oberflächenhypothermie.
• PMID: 8351944 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Digitalis Glycosides
• Propafenone

Topics

• Combined Modality Therapy
• Digitalis Glycosides (administration & dosage)
• Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
• Heart Conduction System (physiopathology)
• Hemodynamics (physiology)
• Humans
• Hypothermia, Induced
• Infant
• Male
• Postoperative Complications (physiopathology, therapy)
• Propafenone (administration & dosage)
• Tachycardia, Ectopic Junctional (physiopathology, therapy)
• Tetralogy of Fallot (physiopathology, surgery)