[Risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in children]. / Czynniki ryzyka wystepowania komorowych zaburzen rytmu serca w póznym okresie po korekcji calkowitej zespolu Fallota u dzieci.

The authors present an analysis of pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias in 100 children in 5-12 years after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot. Complex arrhythmias (III-V class according to Lown classification) were found in 19% of patients. Risk factors were: in the pre- and intraoperative period--marked endocardial fibrosis of the right ventricular outflow tract, long bypass time (> 180 min) and aortic cross-clamp (> 90 min), in the post-operative period-left ventricular dysfunction in echocardiographic examination and age > 10 years at time of the study. Complex ventricular arrhythmias were more frequent in patients with associated supraventricular arrhythmias and with progressive bundle branch block.

Cardiac tumours in tuberous sclerosis: their incidence and course.

Cardiac tumours have been frequently reported in patients with tuberous sclerosis but their incidence at different ages has been evaluated in only a few studies. We performed echocardiography in 47 children with tuberous sclerosis and found tumours in 22 (47%). In none, except one newborn, did we observe any clinical symptoms of heart failure. Tumours were more frequent in children below 2 years of age (91%) than in older children. As other signs of tuberous sclerosis are often absent in infants, echocardiography may be regarded as the most useful diagnostic test at this age. Follow up studies were done in 12 children and tumour regression occurred in 6 patients.