PEDIATRIC CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Over the past year, many advances have been made in the management of cardiac arrhythmias in the pediatric patient. It has become evident that the new surgical procedures for congenital cardiac disease can result in arrhythmia-associated morbidity and mortality. New pharmacologic agents such as adenosine have been shown to be efficacious in treating supraventricular tachycardias, and other agents such as flecainide, beta-blockers, and amiodarone are also of significant value in young patients with acute and chronic arrhythmias. Along with advances in the use of pharmacologic agents, pacing catheter techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias have also significantly progressed. Transcatheter ablation is safe and effective in our patient population, and an understanding of various pacemaker modalities and the physiologic parameters for optimum use have been defined. This review outlines the advances in all modes of treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.