Diagnosis and Acute Management of Tachyarrhythmias in Children

Abstract

Tachyarrhythmias form a significant majority of the cardiac emergencies encountered in the pediatric age group. While the initial management often depends on the hemodynamic status of the patient at presentation, a systematic approach that follows the stabilization of the patient with the tools available at bedside, specifically the surface electrocardiogram often results in optimal treatment response that is tailored towards the mechanism and severity of the arrhythmia. The goal of this review is to provide the pediatric cardiologist with such an approach based on clinical history and analysis of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Illustrative examples are used to explain this approach towards the more common tachyarrhythmias. A general overview of the initial anti-arrhythmic interventions will be provided.

Keywords: Acute management; Children; Diagnosis; Tachyarrhythmias.