Abstract:

Objective To analyse and summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) in children. Method The clinical data of 31 children with ILVT hospitalized in our hospital from January 2010 to April 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Results The median first onset age of 31 children with idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia was 7.8(3.3-10.8) years. There were 21 males and 10 females, with 18 cases (58.1%) whose first onset age was 6 to 18 years. The first onset age of 14 children who received radiofrequency catheter ablation (operation group) was 9.4(6.7-11.7) years, which was greater than that of the children who did not undergo radiofrequency ablation [non-surgical group, 17 cases, 5.4 (0.4-9.6) years old], with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Twenty-seven episodes of ventricular tachycardia had no clear triggering cause. 10 cases had panic, chest tightness, and precordial discomfort as the main clinical manifestations. The difference in the distribution of clinical symptom severity between the non-surgical group and the surgical group was statistically significant (P<0.05), with the non-surgical group having milder clinical manifestations.Verapamil and propafenone are more effective among vein-injected antiarrhythmic drugs and the effective rates were 100% and 64.7% respectively. The immediate success rate of radiofrequency catheter ablation was 100%, and two cases got recovered after reoperation during long-term follow-up. Conclusion ILVT occurs mostly in school age, with no clear inducement, and its manifestations are not serious. Most patients have good response to drugs and favourable prognosis. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is feasible for patients with recurrent attacks and poor drug efficacy.

Key words: idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia, clinical characteristics, radiofrequency catheter ablation, pediatrics