Potential additional indicators for pacemaker requirement in isolated congenital atrioventricular block.

Low heart rate is the predominantly used indication for pacemaker intervention in patients with isolated congenital atrioventricular block (CAVB). The aim of this study was to compare the difference in heart rates recorded with ECG and Holter monitoring between paced (PM) and nonpaced (NPM) patients with isolated CAVB before pacemaker implantation to identify additional predictors for future PM need. Retrospective evaluation of atrial and ventricular rates (electrocardiography) and minimal and maximal (Holter) heart rates in 129 CAVB patients prior to PM implantation (n = 93) was performed, and results are expressed in V adjusted for age and sex. The average V score for the atrial rate was 0.51 (n = 50) in the PM group and 0.60 (n = 22) in the NPM group (not-significant). The average z score for the ventricular (average) rate was -0.91 (n = 83) in the PM group and -0.93 (n = 33) in the NPM group (not-significant). Minimal heart rate was -0.94 (n = 61) in the PM group and -0.86 (n = 25) in the NPM group (not significant). Maximal heart rate was -0.96 (n = 61) in the PM group and -0.95 (n = 26) in the NPM group (not significant). Initial recordings of the average heart rate and the minimal and maximal heart rate recorded during Holter monitoring do not seem to predict future pacemaker need in patients with CAVB. Studies with exercise stress tests are needed to confirm these findings.

[A bifid uvula in a patient with schizophrenia as a sign of 22q11 deletion syndrome]. / Een uvula bifida bij een patiënte met schizofrenie als teken van het 22q11-deletiesyndroom.

A bifid uvula and nasal speech were observed in a 25-year-old woman who was referred because of psychotic complaints. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) research for the 22q11 deletion was carried out and the deletion was found. The 22q11-deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is characterised by somatic abnormalities including cardiovascular defects, velopharyngeal anomalies and typical facial characteristics. There is an increasing interest in the cognitive and psychiatric consequences of 22q11DS. There is a high prevalence of learning disabilities and the delayed development of language and speech. Mild mental retardation or borderline intellectual functioning is often reported. A broad range of psychiatric symptoms have been reported; a consistent finding is the development of a psychosis in a considerable proportion of 22q11DS patients from early adulthood onwards. It is important to consider the possibility of 22q11DS in psychiatric patients, as then early intervention strategies for later psychopathological abnormalities are possible, as well as the provision of genetic counselling.

[Congenital complete atrioventricular block in children: pathogenesis and clinical outcomes]. / Het congenitale complete atrioventriculaire blok bij kinderen: pathogenese en kliniek.

Congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) is induced by the placental transmission of maternal anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies during the second trimester of pregnancy where they cause inflammatory injury to the foetal heart. Anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies can be detected in most mothers of children with CCAVB. However, the chance of an antibody-positive woman giving birth to a child with CCAVB is 1-5% and the chance of this recurring is 16%. In addition to the maternal antibodies, foetal and environmental factors may also play a role in the pathogenesis. CCAVB is associated with high morbidity and mortality during the foetal and neonatal period. Pacemaker implantation is indicated in approximately 60% of these children, after the development of symptoms related to bradycardia, although the timing of this is controversial. The effectiveness of therapeutic intervention in the uterus has yet to be determined. A conservative approach is advisable with respect to the use of corticosteroids.