Essential ECG clues in patients with congenital heart disease and arrhythmias

J Electrocardiol. 2017 Mar-Apr;50(2):243-250. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.08.005. Epub 2016 Aug 21.

Abstract

The prevalence of adults with congenital heart disease has dramatically increased during the last decades due to significant advances in the surgical correction of these conditions. As a result, patient's survival has been prolonged and arrhythmias have become one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality for these patients. The surface 12-lead ECG may play a critical role in the identification of the underlying heart disease of the patient, the recognition of the arrhythmia mechanism and may also help in the planification of the ablation procedure in this setting. Finally, important prognostic information can be also obtained from the ECG in these patients. The present review will offer an overview of the principal utilities of the surface ECG in the diagnosis and management of patients with CHD and arrhythmias.

Keywords: Arrhythmia; Catheter ablation; Congenital heart disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Heart Block / complications*
  • Heart Block / diagnosis*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / complications*
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / diagnosis*