TREATMENT OF ATRIAL ECTOPIC TACHYCARDIA IN INFANTS LESS-THAN-6 MONTHSOLD

Nineteen infants <6 months old who had atrial ectopic tachycardia (AET ) were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs. AET was controlled with digo xin in 1 patient, propafenone in 2, digoxin with propafenone in 9, dig oxin with amiodarone in 4, and digoxin with propafenone and amiodarone in 2; radiofrequency ablation was performed in 1 drug-resistant case, AET resolved in 14 of 15 infants within 1 year. Drug side effects occ urred in 5 patients, We conclude that AET in infants <6 months old can be successfully treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, and we recommend a three-step approach with digoxin, a class 1C antiarrhythmic drug, and a class 3 drug, Resolution of AET in infants is frequent.