The Current State and Future Potential of Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology

JACC Clin Electrophysiol. 2017 Mar;3(3):195-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jacep.2017.01.008. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Abstract

Pediatric electrophysiologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of rhythm abnormalities in pediatric, congenital heart disease, and inherited arrhythmia syndrome patients. The field originated out of the unique knowledge base that rhythm management in young patients required. In the 1970s, pediatric electrophysiology was recognized as a distinct cardiac subspecialty and it has evolved rapidly since that time. Despite the considerable growth in personnel, technology, and complexity that the field has undergone, further opportunities to progress pediatric electrophysiology exist. In this review, we highlight some of the clinical focus of pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiologists to date and identify areas within this specialty where the pediatric and congenital electrophysiology community could come together in order to drive improvements in rhythm management for patients.

Keywords: arrhythmia; atrioventricular node; autonomic nervous system; congenital heart disease; inherited heart rhythm disorders; pediatric electrophysiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy
  • Atrioventricular Node / anatomy & histology
  • Atrioventricular Node / innervation
  • Atrioventricular Node / physiology
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology / instrumentation*
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology / methods
  • Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / adverse effects
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology