Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia in children: A multicenter experience

Background Permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (PJRT) is an uncommon form of supraventricular tachycardia in children. Treatment of this arrhythmia has been considered difficult because of a high medication failure rate and risk of cardiomyopathy. Outcomes in the current era of interventional treatment with catheter ablation have not been published. Objective To describe the presentation and clinical course of PJRT in children. Methods This is a retrospective review of 194 pediatric patients with PJRT managed at 11 institutions between January 2000 and December 2010. Results The median age at diagnosis was 3.2 months, including 110 infants (57%; aged Conclusion PJRT in children is frequently incessant at the time of diagnosis and may be associated with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Antiarrhythmic medications result in complete control in few patients. Catheter ablation is effective, and serious complications are rare.