MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE JUNCTIONAL ECTOPIC TACHYCARDIA BY SURFACEHYPOTHERMIA

Postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia is associated with a poor prognosis in patients after open-heart surgery. This dysrhythmia has been shown to be resistant to medical treatment as well as to epicardi al pacing and external cardioversion. Successful therapy with surface hypothermia in an infant with junctional ectopic tachycardia (ventricu lar rate 210-230 bpm) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot is presented . Hypothermia (rectal temperature 32-34-degrees-C) was effective in de creasing the ventricular rate of the dysrhythmia (< 170 bpm). After sp ontaneous cessation of the tachycardia, sinus rhythm resumed, resultin g in stable hemodynamics.