Arrhythmias in Cardiac Critical Care.

OBJECTIVES: Here, we characterize the frequency, mechanisms, clinical impact, and potential treatment options for several arrhythmias commonly encountered in pediatric cardiac critical care.

DATA SOURCE: MEDLINE and PubMed.

CONCLUSIONS: Arrhythmias among children in the cardiac critical care setting are common and clinically important, associated independently with prolonged mechanical ventilation, critical care unit stay, and an increase in mortality. The precise characterization of an arrhythmia may provide clues as to an underlying mechanism as well as serve to guide treatment. Arrhythmia therapy, pharmacologic or otherwise, is directed toward addressing the underlying mechanism, and as such may be applicable to the treatment of more than one specific rhythm disturbance. Decisions concerning therapy must call into consideration an arrhythmia's underlying etiology, mechanism, and associated hemodynamic embarrassment, along with the potential for adverse effects of treatment.