Symptomatic sinus bradycardia in infants with structurally normal hearts.
Sixteen infants, ages 6 weeks to 23 months, were evaluated because of syncopal attacks (n = 6), apneic episodes (n = 3), or a combination of syncope, apnea, or "convulsions" (n = 7). Comprehensive metabolic and neurologic investigations yielded negative results in 15 infants; in one, an abnormal EEG was recorded. Severe sinus bradycardia, complete sinus arrest, junctional escape rhythm, or ventricular escape rhythm was found in four patients, and permanent multiprogrammable pacemakers were implanted. Follow-up for 6 to 24 months with ventricular demand pacing showed complete cessation of attacks in two infants and marked improvement in two.
D001049:Apnea / Q000209:etiology*; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology*