Analysis of diagnosis and treatment of 23 infants with atrial tachycardia

Objective To study the clinical characteristics, respond of treatment and prognosis in infants with atrial tachycardia (AT). Methods The clinical data of 23 infants with AT from August 2014 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The respond of treatment and prognosis were observed. Results Of all the 23 infants with AT, incessant AT was in 5 cases, and paroxysmal AT was in 18 cases. There were 13 infants diagnosed with AT combined with cardiac insufficiency, and among them, 5 cases were combined with tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy (TIC). Echocardiography showed that atrial septal defect in 3 cases, patent foramen oval in 6 cases, ventricular septal defect in 1 case, ventricular septal defect combined with patent foramen oval in 2 cases, ventricular septal defect combined with atrial septal defect in 1 case, and ventricular septal defect combined with coarctation of the aorta in 1 case. The curative effect was excellent in 11 cases, effective in 8 cases, and ineffective in 4 cases at discharge. There was no statistical difference in curative effect between patients with normal cardiac function and cardiac insufficiency at discharge (P>0.05). The infants were followed up for 12 months, AT disappeared in 19 cases, 1 case progressed to sick sinus syndrome, and 3 cases were lost in follow-up. Conclusions AT can be insidious in infants, but with a favorable prognosis if treated with cardiotonic drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs during the short and mid-term follow-up. Long-term follow-up should be taken to learn more about the prognosis. Key words: Tachycardia; Infant; Retrospective studies