title: Evaluation rhythm problems in unexplained syncope etiology with implantable loop recorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Syncope is a frequent complaint in children and adolescents and may be a significant sign of serious pathology. Although patient history, family history, and physical examination are sufficient to reach a diagnosis in most cases of syncope, the cause of syncope still cannot be determined after initial investigation in one-third to half of all patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of implantable loop recorder (ILR) in children with unexplained syncope.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was carried out of clinical data, indications, findings, and a final management strategy in patients who underwent ILR implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 12 patients with a mean age of 9.4 ± 4.5 years underwent ILR (Reveal Plus; Medtronic) implantation. ILR implantation indication was syncope in all of the patients. Family history, routine cardiac assessment, including resting 12-lead electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, 24 h Holter recording, and event recorder findings, were normal with the exception of one patient with (previously corrected) tetralogy of Fallot. After an average of 20 months (range, 1-36 months), six patients developed symptoms. ILR memory showed torsades de pointes-ventricular fibrillation (n = 3), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), asystole and ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), and normal sinus rhythm (n = 1). At the time of writing six patients were still in follow up with no symptoms after an average of 25.2 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implantable loop recorder plays an important role in the diagnosis of life-threatening arrhythmias in which syncope is otherwise unexplained. ILR implantation should be remembered in children whose symptoms are strongly correlated with rhythm disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ergul
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim Cansaran
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Tanidir
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Isa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ozyilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Celal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akdeniz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tuzcu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000098850:Polymorphic Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia
keywords: arrhythmia; child; implantable loop recorder; syncope