DYSRHYTHMIAS see also Cardiology Notes can be transient or permanent, congenital (structurally normal or abnormal) or...
DYSRHYTHMIAS
- see also Cardiology Notes
- can be transient or permanent, congenital (structurally normal or abnormal) or acquired (toxin, infection)
Sinus Arrhythmia
- phasic variations with respiration
- heard in almost all normal children
Premature Atrial Contractions
- may be normal variant or can be caused by electrolyte disturbance,
hyperthyroidism, cardiac surgery, digitalis toxicity
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
- common in adolescents
- benign if single, uniform, disappear with exercise, no associated structural lesions
- if not benign, may degenerate into more severe dysrhythmias
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- most frequent sustained dysarrhythmia in children
- not life threatening but can lead to symptoms
- caused by re-entry via accessory connection, AV node most common site
- characterized by a rate of greater than 210 bpm treatment: vagal manouver, adenosine, digoxin (except in WPW)
INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS
- see also Cardiology Notes
- 10-15% of cases are culture negative
- Osler's nodes, Janeway's lesions, splinter hemorrhages are late findings in children
- antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention is necessary for all patients with:
- congenital heart disease (except for isolated secundum ASD)
- rheumatic valve lesions
- prosthetic heart valves
- surgical shunts
- previous endocarditis
- pacemaker leads
Osler's nodes
-
Janeway's lesions
