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Ventricular preexcitation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy: a causal relationship?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2005

Mathias Emmel ,
Seshadri Balaji  and
Narayanswami Sreeram
Mathias Emmel
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, University of Cologne, Germany
Seshadri Balaji
Affiliation:
Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Narayanswami Sreeram
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, University of Cologne, Germany
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Abstract

Over a six year period, we identified four children with dilated cardiomyopathy associated with ventricular preexcitation, three in the absence of any documented tachyarrhythmias, and one with but a solitary episode of tachyarrhythmia. None of them had another identifiable aetiology for the cardiomyopathy. Based on the 12 lead electrocardiogram, and/or invasive electrophysiologic studies, we localised the accessory pathways to the right atrioventricular groove in all patients. We commenced antifailure medications in two of the four patients, but did not produce any measurable improvement in ventricular function. Catheter ablation was performed in two patients, with resolution of the cardiomyopathy. The ventricular preexcitation disappeared spontaneously in one child during follow-up, again with resolution of cardiomyopathy. The youngest patient continues to receive antifailure medications, albeit without improvement. We suggest, therefore, that dilated cardiomyopathy of reversible nature is associated with manifest ventricular preexcitation, even in the absence of sustained arrhythmias.

Keywords

Ventricular preexcitationcardiomyopathyWolff–Parkinson–White syndrome
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 14 , Issue 6 , December 2004 , pp. 594 - 599
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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