ABSTRACT
Introducción. La cardiomiopatía dilatada idiopática es la forma más común de cardiomiopatía en niños; sin embargo, ocasionalmente son identificadas causas potencialmente reversibles. Entre estas existe un grupo de pacientes con manifestaciones de insuficiencia cardiaca y taquicardia persistente que representan una forma de cardiomiopatía no familiar adquirida conocida como cardiomiopatía inducida por taquicardia o taquicardiomiopatía, que es reversible con el tratamiento efectivo de la taquicardia. Estos pacientes pueden ser mal diagnosticados y tratados de forma inapropiada. El diagnóstico frecuentemente es tardío, por lo que debe sospecharse en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y taquicardia persistente sin causa aparente. Casos clínicos. Se describen seis casos de pacientes pediátricos de 6 a 16 años de edad (media 12 ± 4 años) que se presentaron con manifestaciones clínicas de insuficiencia cardiaca. Tuvieron seguimiento por una forma de cardiomiopatía dilatada en los que se documentaron diferentes mecanismos de taquiarritmia persistente como la causa. El tratamiento apropiado -mediante ablación con catéter- condujo a la recuperación de la función ventricular. Conclusiones. Es importante el reconocimiento de la cardiomiopatía inducida por taquiarritmia en pediatría. También es necesario un diagnóstico oportuno así como un tratamiento eficaz, ya que la cardiomiopatía inducida por taquicardia es una causa reversible de insuficiencia cardiaca.
Background. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy in children; however, potentially reversible causes may occasionally be identified. Among these a group of patients with symptoms of congestive heart failure and persistent tachycardia representing a form of nonfamilial acquired cardiomyopathy known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy or tachycardiomyopathy. This is a reversible condition with effective treatment of tachycardia. These patients may be misdiagnosed, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment. Diagnosis is often late and always should be suspected in patients with congestive heart failure and unexplained persistent tachycardia. Case reports. We describe six pediatric patients (mean age 12 ±4 years old, range 6-16 years). Patients presented with clinical manifestations of heart failure followed by dilated cardiomyopathy. Different mechanisms of persistent tachycardia were documented as the cause and total recovery was achieved of ventricular function after successful treatment of tachycardia by catheter ablation. Conclusions. The recognition of tachyarrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients is important. Opportune diagnosis and effective treatment are necessary because tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible cause of heart failure.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE--To evaluate, retrospectively, the main clinical findings observed in patients with incessant supraventricular tachycardias. METHODS--Data from 13 patients were analyzed, 8 men and 5 women, mean age 24 +/- 19 years. All patients underwent to periodic clinical evaluation with serial ECG, Holter, echocardiography and in three patients an electrophysiological study. From these diagnostic methods it was possible to define the site of origin of the tachycardias, the autonomic influences upon them, the progressive hemodynamic compromise leading to tachycardiomyopathy and the drug response. RESULTS--In 9 patients the tachycardias had an atrial origin, in three an accessory pathway was involved and in one patient an atypical nodal reentry was identified. Clear autonomic influences upon the rate of the tachycardias were noted in the majority of patients, based on Holter recordings. Forty-six percent of the population developed progressive contractile deficit, contributing in one patient to his death. Drug failure was observed in 62 per cent of patients, even with the use of three antiarrhythmic drugs in a row. The large majority of the patients were still asymptomatic by the time of the retrospective data. CONCLUSION--The most relevant clinical aspects are the progressive development of tachycardiomyopathy, associated with refractoriness to drug therapy and indicate in this population the approach to be undertaken
Objetivo - Avaliar de forma retrospectiva, os achados clínicos principais observados em pacientes com taquicardias supraventriculares incessantes Métodos - Foram analisados os dados de 13 pacientes (8 masculinos) com idade média de 24±19 anos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica periódica, com eletrocardiogramas, Holter e ecocardiogramas seriados. Três pacientes foram submetidos a estudo eletrofisiológico. A partir dos exames complementares definiram-se a origem das taquicardias, as influências autonomicas sobre as mesmas, as repercussões hemodinâmicas progressivas, levando a quadros de taquicardiomiopatias e a resposta medicamentosa. Resultados - Em 9 pacientes as taquicardias tinham origem nos átrios, em 3 pacientes ocorriam pela presença de vias anômalas e em um paciente era conseqüente a forma atípica de reentrada nodal. Em todos os pacientes pode-se detectar, a partir do Holter, nítidas influências autonômicas sobre a freqüencia das taquicardias. Ocorreu em 46% da população, déficit contrátil progressivo, colaborando em um paciente para a sua morte. Resistência medicamentosa foi observada em 62% dos pacientes, com o uso de até três antiarrítmicos. A grande maioria dos pacientes manteve-se assintomática até o período de levantamento dos dados do presente estudo. Conclusão - Os dados clínicos mais relevantes referem-se a presença de quadro progressivo de taquicardiomiopatia, associado a resistência medicamentosa para controle dos surtos e definem nessa população a conduta clínica a ser adotada