Risk Factors and Outcome of Post Fallot Repair Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia (JET)

Background:Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a common arrhythmia causing hemodynamic impairment following corrective cardiac surgery such as tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair.Methods:We report our experience with postoperative JET following surgical repair of TOF. The retrospective study was done from 2003 to 2012 with a total of 105 patients who underwent TOF repair. These patients’ clinical and electrocardiographic data (pre-, intra-, and postoperative) were monitored to identify risk factors for the occurrence of JET and to evaluate the outcome of the affected patients.Results:Incidence—Fourteen patients developed JET, with only four patients going directly from sinus rhythm to JET. In all others, either a transient atrioventricular (AV) block or a junctional rhythm preceded JET, mostly intraoperatively, showing a significant relation (P = .010). Age—Patients with JET were of younger age (P = .025) and had longer cardiopulmonary bypass (P = .044) and aortic cross-clamping times (P = .038). Increas...