Observation on the treatment of infants with isolated congenital third-degree atrioventricular block by epicardial pacemaker / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the experience of transthoracic epicardial insertion pacemaker for isolated congenital third-degree atrioventricular block (CAVB), and explore the necessity and feasibility of permanent pacemaker in the treatment of CAVB in neonates and infants.Methods:The clinical data and follow-up of four children with CAVB admitted to the Senior Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from September 2010 to February 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Two patients were implanted with permanent cardiac pacemakers during an early stage (less than one year old), and two patients were implanted during the non-early stage (one year old and above). All patients were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram and echocardiographic examination.After treatment, the pacing threshold, atrial sensing function, clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram and echocardiography examination of four patients were followed up.Results:All patients were successfully implanted with permanent cardiac pacemakers.One patient of non-early implantation was died of severe pneumonia and sepsis.During the follow-up period, pacing threshold, amplitude, impedance, minute ventilation and sensor function indicated pacemakers worked well in other three patients.Heart rates in these patients were significantly recovered, and showed growth trends in line with percentile curves for Chinese children and good movement skills.Conclusion:A pacemaker implantation performed by an experienced operator is a safe and feasible treatment for children with CAVB diagnosed in neonates and infants period with good prognosis.