Taquicardia supraventricular en recién nacido: Un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico en la práctica médica / Supraventriculartachycardia in a newborn: A diagnostic and therapeuticchallenge in medical practice

Abstract

Supraventricular tachycardias in children are the fastest rhythms most frequently reported (70%). Orthodromic tachycardia is that which usually occurs in newborns, and its treatment with amiodarone together with beta blockers has an effectiveness of 63%. However, the combination of antiarrhythmic drugs in children and infants is not recommended because of the proarrhythmic effects. Electrophysiological study and radiofrequency ablation are reserved for older children, where there is less risk of procedures; besides little risk has been reported in children with accessory pathways. The case of an 11-day-old newborn who presented two electrocardiographically different episodes of tachycardia is reported. Those episodes suggested unequal production mechanisms of the arrhythmia, which was difficult to control and needed the combination of three antiarrhythmic drugs for maintaining sinus rhythm.

Keywords

• Orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia
• Accessory pathway
• Antiarrhythmic