This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Oguz, D. Articles by Ünlü, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Oguz, D. Articles by Ünlü, M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Evaluation of Dysrhythmia in Children with Muscular Dystrophy

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Rana Olguntürk, MD

Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology, 'Pediatric and Pediatric Neurology, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

Fatma Sedef Tunaoglu, MD

Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology, 'Pediatric and Pediatric Neurology, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

Kivilcim Gücüyener, MD

Pediatric and Pediatric Neurology, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

Gülen Köse, MD

Pediatric Neurology, Ankara SSK Hospital, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

Mustafa Ünlü, MD

Nuclear Medicine, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.

Myocardial involvement and dysrhythmia are common findings with muscular dystrophy and are among the leading causes of death. The authors evaluated rhythm and conduc tion abnormalities in children with muscular dystrophy by electrocardiography, signal- averaged electrocardiography, and Holter monitoring. Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 8 years) and 29 healthy control subjects were included in the study.

Sixty-two percent of patients had electrocardiographic abnormalities defined as deep Q waves in V ₆, tall R waves in V₁, and QRS axis deviation. The cardiomyopathy index was significantly greater in the patient group whereas QT and QTc dispersion values showed no significant difference. Holter monitoring revealed premature atrial and ventricular contractions more frequently than normal. However all were classified as Lown I and II. Mean heart rate was significantly higher in the patient group. The elec trocardiograms of 41% of the patients showed late potentials. No relationship with these changes and cardiac function was observed. During the study, one patient died whose cardiomyopathy index was longer and had late potentials detected with signal- averaged electrocardiography.

In conclusion, standard electrocardiography, cardiomyopathy index, signal-averaged electrocardiography, and Holter monitoring are valuable and reliable monitoring methods in children with muscular dystrophy.

Angiology, Vol. 51, No. 11, 925-931 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/000331970005101105


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?