Aa
7 year old male
My son was just diagnosed with svt. He has 5 episodes in the past 4-5 months where he complains of a fast heat. The episodes have been lasting anywhere from 25-45 minuets. After his 4 episode we were given an episodic monitor to try to catch an event. We did catch an event and apparently the recorded heart rate was 260. This sounds very high!!! They recommend medicine and I am hesitant to put him on it since the episodes don’t seem to bother him too much. What are the reasons for putting a child on this medicine, and what are the possible risks if we choose to not put him on it. He has been prescribed 25mg atenolo once a day. Thanks
Just today he had another episode which was shord 5 min.
Any thought of info would be helpful.
Just today he had another episode which was shord 5 min.
Any thought of info would be helpful.
I agree; if the doctor has recommended your son take atenolol, it is in his best interest. A second opinion might give you greater peace of mind. I would consult with a pediatric eletrophysiologist to find out more about short and long-term treatment options.
I'm not sure about the comments referring to a "catherization." A heart "catherization" is a test to check the coronary arteries. I doubt that is the appropriate test under these circumstances.
Like Noahh5 said, a "catheter" ablation is a procedure to treat/cure areas of the heart causing the irregular heartbeat. I've had 2 ablations for chronic PVCs (extra beats originating in the ventricles) and no more medication!
I'm not sure about the comments referring to a "catherization." A heart "catherization" is a test to check the coronary arteries. I doubt that is the appropriate test under these circumstances.
Like Noahh5 said, a "catheter" ablation is a procedure to treat/cure areas of the heart causing the irregular heartbeat. I've had 2 ablations for chronic PVCs (extra beats originating in the ventricles) and no more medication!
I would also give him the medicine for now. Atenolol is a lot safer than the digoxin (Lanoxin) they used to use to treat cardiac arrythmias. One common side affect that many people compain of when using beta-blockers (atenolol) is fatigue. Taking any medication for a long period of time poses an increasing risk. I would strongly consider catheter ablation though. It is a very simple procedure. They would most likely use what is called "Conscious Sedation" for your son which consists of some sedative medication to keep him calm and help him not remember the procedure. This is not the same as putting someone to sleep.... He is breathing on his own, just comfortable and sleepy. Then, they guide a catheter (kind of like a long wire) through one or more veins in his upper thigh (think of the crease between his leg and abdomen) and then follow the vein all the way to where it dumps into his heart. The catheter is guided into his heart and then the physician looks for irritable spots in the atria of the heart that could be causing these fast rhythms. When they find an irritable spot, they "zap" it with a small amount of electricity to cause a small scar so this spot will no longer act as an ectopic pacemaker (a spot in the heart that takes over the heart's normal pacemaker-- the SA node).
It sounds scary but it is considered a simple procedure. In my experience, adults are usually just kept overnight in the hospital for monitoring after the procedure.
A heart rate of 260 is dangerous if it is sustained... when your heart beats that fast, your heart has less time to fill with blood, so it is pumping less and less blood out to your body. This can cause a decrease in blood pressure. A heart that has to work that hard for extended periods of time can become deprived of oxygen. You also have to thing of this: What if your son is riding a bike when this happens, or even standing up and he passes out? It is definitely worth taking care of.
It sounds scary but it is considered a simple procedure. In my experience, adults are usually just kept overnight in the hospital for monitoring after the procedure.
A heart rate of 260 is dangerous if it is sustained... when your heart beats that fast, your heart has less time to fill with blood, so it is pumping less and less blood out to your body. This can cause a decrease in blood pressure. A heart that has to work that hard for extended periods of time can become deprived of oxygen. You also have to thing of this: What if your son is riding a bike when this happens, or even standing up and he passes out? It is definitely worth taking care of.
I've had SVT (that I know of) for 14 years, and I suspect I've had it longer. If medication has been recommended, I would follow the doctor's advice. Episodes lasting a few seconds typically don't require medications, but 25-45 minutes usually does. If you're feeling really uncomfortable about this, I would seek a second opinion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You should give him the medicine for now, but given that he is young and would have to be on it probably for the rest of his life is not desirable. The type of arrhythmia that you child has is likely curable with an ablation procedure. It does not involve a major surgery and can be done in a few hours with your son being able to go home the next day. Adult electrophysiologist or pediatric electrophysiologist are very familiar with this very common condition. The cure rate is higher than 98% and the risk of the procedure is very low. You ought to really consider this.
In my opinion, I would put him on the medication. you can always adjust medication or try a different if that one doesn't work. it may be happening only once in a while, however that to me isn't good. I am going to be doing the same sort of thing that you did with you son, I am going to be starting that today as soon as his monitor arrives. last night we caught his heart rate at 197 and his o2 sats at 90. (my 4 year old has other heart issues too) I really really wished they would do something for my little guy due to the fact it is his heart and I don't want to loose him. My little one squats all of the time when he has one of these episodes and it last from 2 minutes up to about 15 minutes. so his varies.
There are risk to having a cardiac cath. done on a child for that matter anyone. in my opinion just because one medication works for someone doesn't mean it will work for everyone.
My oldest did have some episodes of SVT also and he did out grow it after only a few onths, however my youngest is getting a tad worse.
It is my opinion that you need to sit down with a pediatric cardiologist and go over everything and write down your questions and concerns. this will help put everything out there and you can go from there. find out all risk and the pros and cons and what would happen if you don't do anything.
good luck
Michelle
There are risk to having a cardiac cath. done on a child for that matter anyone. in my opinion just because one medication works for someone doesn't mean it will work for everyone.
My oldest did have some episodes of SVT also and he did out grow it after only a few onths, however my youngest is getting a tad worse.
It is my opinion that you need to sit down with a pediatric cardiologist and go over everything and write down your questions and concerns. this will help put everything out there and you can go from there. find out all risk and the pros and cons and what would happen if you don't do anything.
good luck
Michelle
I cant help alot since im not a doctor but i do have a hand in this condition.I was diagnosed with svt when i was 5 years old and ive had to wear a monitor also.I was put on an adult dosage of lanoxin and it did not help in 1999 i went in for a catherezation and
i still have problems with my heart to this day im now 27 years old.In my opinion i wouldnt do medicine the medicine thru an iv at the hospital works much better and thers a slight chance that he will outgrow it depending on whats causing it.Ive had heartbeats that high and after living so long with it i can pretty much control it(usually by squatting and lowering my head and holding my breath)extreme coldness helps also.The catherazation helped alot i very rarely have any problems so in my experince with it i wouldnt put him on medication just go to the hospital since he doesnt have episodes that much and trust me thats very little!!I would talk to a doctor about a catherezation to find out what the problem is thats causing it though.If i can help any more just let me know.Hope everything goes well
i still have problems with my heart to this day im now 27 years old.In my opinion i wouldnt do medicine the medicine thru an iv at the hospital works much better and thers a slight chance that he will outgrow it depending on whats causing it.Ive had heartbeats that high and after living so long with it i can pretty much control it(usually by squatting and lowering my head and holding my breath)extreme coldness helps also.The catherazation helped alot i very rarely have any problems so in my experince with it i wouldnt put him on medication just go to the hospital since he doesnt have episodes that much and trust me thats very little!!I would talk to a doctor about a catherezation to find out what the problem is thats causing it though.If i can help any more just let me know.Hope everything goes well
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