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Biomedical subjects

J E Crosson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Crosson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Implantation of transvenous pacemakers in infants and small children.

A series of 14 infants and small children ranging from 7 months to 7 years in age (mean, 2.5 years) underwent implantation of transvenous pacemaker systems. Three factors are of utmost importance in children: small subclavian vein size, thin subcutaneous layer in the chest, and growth. A five-point protocol is followed strictly: (1) duplex assessment of upper veins, (2) use of active fixation leads, (3) use of short (36 to 45 cm) leads, (4) anchoring of pulse generator with nonabsorbable material to prevent migration, and (5) routine use of the "lateral approach" in children more than 2 years old when the pulse generator is implanted in the chest. Because lead diameters measure 2 to 2.3 mm, a one-lead system needs a vein diameter of 5 mm (cross-sectional area of 19 mm2). A two-lead system needs a vein at least 7 mm in diameter and a cross-sectional area of 38 mm2 to prevent vein occlusion. Therefore all children less than 3 years of age had the leads implanted via the internal jugular vein. In 50% of children between 4 and 7 years of age, the internal jugular system also was used. Children more than 7 years old have leads implanted via the subclavian veins. Duplex ultrasound assessment of the upper veins is important to decide route of implantation. Use of short leads is recommended to reduce bulk at the pulse generator site. The "lateral approach" prevents problems at the generator implantation site.

Adolescent↗

AV node reentry tachycardia in infants.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of atrioventricular (AV) node reentry tachycardia in infants undergoing transesophageal electrophysiological study for paroxysmal tachycardia. The records of all 52 infants < 1-year-old with structurally normal hearts who underwent transesophageal study for paroxysmal tachycardia over a 3-year period were reviewed. Those with a diagnosis of AV node reentry tachycardia underwent complete data review, and follow-up of > 12 months was obtained. Six of 52 infants had a diagnosis of the common type of AV node reentry tachycardia. Tachycardia was diagnosed at a mean age of 2.1 months (range 1 day to 10 months), and 3 of 6 underwent transesophageal study within the first month. Although no patient had structural heart disease, three patients had significant noncardiac disease. Follow-up of 15-38 months (mean 24 +/- 7.8) revealed recurrences in 2 of 6 patients. The mean tachycardia cycle length was 240 ms (range 200-310 ms), and the transesophageal ventriculoatrial intervals ranged from < 30 to 55 ms. All patients had a inducible reentrant tachycardia with a ventriculoatrial interval that remained constant even when tachycardia cycle length increased following verapamil or adenosine administration, or decreased following isoproterenol infusion. Five of 6 had evidence for discontinuous AV node conduction curves. In our patients the substrate for AV node reentry tachycardia was present early in life, and AV node reentry tachycardia can be a clinical problem even in the newborn period.

Adenosine↗

Therapeutic and diagnostic utility of adenosine during tachycardia evaluation in children.

Adenosine has become the drug of choice for termination of regular, normal QRS tachycardia. Initial studies in adult and pediatric patients have shown that the drug is effective for tachycardias using the atrioventricular (AV) node as an integral part of the tachycardia circuit and has few serious side effects. Experience with adenosine administration in children was reviewed to examine the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness, effective dose, and adverse effects of adenosine. Adenosine was administered to 38 children during 50 separate electrophysiologic evaluations. Eleven patients had structural or acquired heart disease. Tachycardia mechanisms included orthodromic-reciprocating tachycardia using an accessory AV connection (23 patients), primary atrial tachycardia (6 patients), AV node reentrant tachycardia (3 patients), ventricular tachycardia (2 patients), postoperative junctional tachycardia (1 patient), and antidromic-reciprocating tachycardia (1 patient). Adenosine successfully terminated 51 of 53 episodes (96%) of tachycardia using the AV node, 5 of 10 primary atrial tachycardias, 1 of 1 junctional tachycardia, and 1 of 3 ventricular tachycardias. Reinitiation of tachycardia was seen after 16 of 58 successful terminations (28%), reducing the effectiveness to 39 of 53 (74%) for tachycardia requiring the AV node. Average effective dose was 132 micrograms/kg, range 50 to 250 micrograms/kg, and was slightly higher for peripheral (147 micrograms/kg) than for central (120 micrograms/kg) administration. Significant complications occurred in 4 of 38 patients, including atrial fibrillation, accelerated ventricular tachycardia, apnea, and 1 minute of asystole. Although adenosine is useful therapeutically and diagnostically in children with tachycardia, its effectiveness is limited by tachycardia reinitiation and adverse effects. Higher doses may be required for peripheral intravenous administration.

Adenosine↗

Propranolol induced electrical and mechanical alternans in orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia.

During an electrophysiological study in a patient with a concealed accessory connection, there was no evidence of electrical or mechanical alternans during tachycardia until propranolol was administered, but both forms of alternans developed with tachycardia of a slower rate following propranolol. Echocardiographic, arterial pressure, and electrocardiographic data obtained prior to and following propranolol administration are presented.

Adolescent↗