Advances in pediatric electrophysiology

Purpose of review The pediatric electrophysiology literature during the past year has addressed several topics that are particularly relevant for children and other patients with congenital heart disease. This paper reviews selected studies germane to physicians and health care personnel who treat pediatric and adult congenital heart patients with arrhythmias and electrophysiologic disorders. Recent findings Advances in arrhythmia diagnostics have been reported in pediatrics using loop monitoring, both external and implanted. Diagnostic criteria and risk stratification strategies have been refined for the congenital and inherited rhythm disorders such as cardiomyopathies and long QT syndrome. The use of therapeutic procedures such as catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias in congenital heart disease is discussed. Finally, a summary of articles on implanted devices in pediatrics and congenital heart disease is reviewed, including implantable defibrillators, atrial antitachycardia pacemakers, and cardiac resynchronization therapy in pediatrics. Summary Pediatric electrophysiology is a rapidly changing field, with advances seen in diagnostic evaluation of arrhythmia, refinement of risk-stratification testing, and therapeutic options such as catheter ablation and cardiac rhythm management devices. The evolution of pediatric electrophysiology from a diagnostic specialty into a therapeutic and interventional subspecialty has advanced the treatment options for children with cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disorders.