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. 2012 Feb;129(2):222-30.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-1574. Epub 2012 Jan 16.

Cardiac screening prior to stimulant treatment of ADHD: a survey of US-based pediatricians

Laurel K Leslie  1 , Angie Mae Rodday, Tully S Saunders, Joshua T Cohen, John B Wong, Susan K Parsons
Affiliations

Cardiac screening prior to stimulant treatment of ADHD: a survey of US-based pediatricians

Laurel K Leslie et al. Pediatrics. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine pediatricians' attitudes, barriers, and practices regarding cardiac screening before initiating treatment with stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Methods: A survey of 1600 randomly selected, practicing US pediatricians with American Academy of Pediatrics membership was conducted. Multivariate models were created for 3 screening practices: (1) performing an in-depth cardiac history and physical (H & P) examination, (2) discussing potential stimulant-related cardiac risks, and (3) ordering an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Results: Of 817 respondents (51%), 525 (64%) met eligibility criteria. Regarding attitudes, pediatricians agreed that both the risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) (24%) and legal liability (30%) were sufficiently high to warrant cardiac assessment; 75% agreed that physicians were responsible for informing families about SCD risk. When identifying cardiac disorders, few (18%) recognized performing an in-depth cardiac H & P as a barrier; in contrast, 71% recognized interpreting a pediatric ECG as a barrier. When asked about cardiac screening practices before initiating stimulant treatment for a recent patient, 93% completed a routine H & P, 48% completed an in-depth cardiac H & P, and 15% ordered an ECG. Almost half (46%) reported discussing stimulant-related cardiac risks. Multivariate modeling indicated that ≥1 of these screening practices were associated with physicians' attitudes about SCD risk, legal liability, their responsibility to inform about risk, their ability to perform an in-depth cardiac H & P, and family concerns about risk.

Conclusions: Variable pediatrician attitudes and cardiac screening practices reflect the limited evidence base and conflicting guidelines regarding cardiac screening. Barriers to identifying cardiac disorders influence practice.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Survey response.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Overlap of screening practices of most recent patient seen; N = 525.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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