Catheter Ablation in Neonate with Heart Failure Due to Incessant Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia

Abstract The atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) is the most common cause of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the young pediatric population. Some newborns might present with congestive heart failure and require interventional treatment. Catheter ablation in small infants (<6 months and <5 kg) is still poorly performed and controversial due to high complications rate in this group of patients.1 We report a case of a 28 days old infant (3,5 kg) with a drug-refractory left accessory pathway mediated tachycardia and severe hemodynamic compromise, who underwent catheter ablation. Radiofrequency ablation should be part of the therapeutic arsenal in a context of drug-resistant supraventricular tachycardia with hemodynamic compromise, despite the greater risks of complications in this special population.

Pseudoinfarto agudo do miocárdio devido à síndrome da disfunção ventricular apical transitória (síndrome de Takotsubo) / Pseudo-acute myocardial infarction due to transient apical ventricular dysfunction syndrome (Takotsubo syndrome)

A síndrome de Takotsubo caracteriza-se por disfunção ventricular esquerda transitória, predominantemente medioapical, desencadeada caracteristicamente por estresse físico ou emocional. Relata-se aqui o caso de uma paciente de 61 anos de idade, admitida com tontura, sudorese profusa e mal-estar súbito, após intenso estresse emocional. Exame físico e eletrocardiograma inicial foram normais, porém havia elevação de troponina I e CKMB massa. Suspeitou-se de infarto agudo do miocárdio sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST, indicando cineangiocoronariografia de urgência. Foram evidenciados ventrículo esquerdo com hipocinesia difusa grave, balonamento sistólico medioapical e coronárias sem lesões significativas. A paciente foi encaminhada aos cuidados intensivos, evoluindo satisfatoriamente com terapia de suporte. Conforme visto, a cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo pode simular infarto agudo do miocárdio, sendo a cineangiocoronariografia importante para distinção na fase aguda. Neste caso, a paciente evoluiu com resolução espontânea da disfunção ventricular, sem sequelas.

Takotsubo syndrome is characterized by predominantly medial-apical transient left ventricular dysfunction, which is typically triggered by physical or emotional stress. The present article reports the case of a 61-year-old female patient presenting with dizziness, excessive sweating, and sudden state of ill feeling following an episode involving intense emotional stress. The physical examination and electrocardiogram were normal upon admission, but the troponin I and creatine kinase-MB concentrations were increased. Acute myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation was suspected, and coronary angiography was immediately performed, which showed severe diffuse left ventricular hypokinesia, medial-apical systolic ballooning, and a lack of significant coronary injury. The patient was referred to the intensive care unit and was successfully treated with supportive therapy. As this case shows, Takotsubo syndrome might simulate the clinical manifestations of acute myocardial infarction, and coronary angiography is necessary to distinguish between both myocardial infarction and myocardial infarction in the acute stage. The present patient progressed with spontaneous resolution of the ventricular dysfunction without any sequelae.