title: Biventricular pacing as bridge to rapid recovery in infancy.
abstract: The authors present the unique case of an 8-month-old baby diagnosed with severe left ventricular failure of unknown etiology. Due to a lack of organ availability for this age, a mechanical assist device and assessment for cardiac transplantation were not offered. Subsequent comprehensive echocardiographic dyssynchrony assessment and the presence of left bundle branch block were suggestive of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Dual-chamber epicardial pacing was initiated, resulting in prompt marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement, which continued until complete normalization of cardiac function. The pacing system was safely turned off 6 months after its implantation. In conclusion, cardiac resynchronization therapy should be considered as a treatment option even in infancy, regardless of the etiology of disease and/or patient age.
authors.affiliation: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andreea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dragulescu
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilska
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Doorn
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marek
mesh_terms: D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography