Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report

Background: Arrhythmias in neonates are uncommon and usually affect newborns with a normal heart or associated with structural heart disease. Meanwhile, one uncommon type of supraventricular arrhythmias is atrial flutter (AF), which is reentry mechanisms in the atrium. The AF may result in heart fai...

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Main Authors: Nitin Unde, Mahmoud ElHalik, Arif Faquih
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Knowledge E 2021-07-01
Series:Dubai Medical Journal
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Online Access:https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517171
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author Nitin Unde
Mahmoud ElHalik
Arif Faquih
author_facet Nitin Unde
Mahmoud ElHalik
Arif Faquih
author_sort Nitin Unde
collection DOAJ
description Background: Arrhythmias in neonates are uncommon and usually affect newborns with a normal heart or associated with structural heart disease. Meanwhile, one uncommon type of supraventricular arrhythmias is atrial flutter (AF), which is reentry mechanisms in the atrium. The AF may result in heart failure or even death, but the majority of its cases have revealed favorable prognosis in the event of early prenatal diagnosis and immediate treatment [J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:1040–6, Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2006;11:182–90, and Arch Argent Pediatr. 2007;105:427–35]. A persistent tachyarrhythmia can progress to a state of cardiac dysfunction known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. While this may be a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in children, the condition is usually reversible and should be considered in newborn and infants [Europace. 2011;14(4):466–473]. Case Report: A preterm 33+1-week male newborn with birth weight 2,790 g was delivered through cesarean section. The baby presented with tachycardia after birth associated with respiratory distress. The physical examination showed heart rate >220/min, and ECG showed “saw tooth pattern” after intravenous adenosine boluses confirming diagnosis of AF (2-3:1). The heart rate reverted to sinus rhythm after synchronized cardioversion. Due to poor LV myocardial performance with dilated chambers, the baby received intravenous milrinone, followed by oral captopril. The baby was discharged on oral medications in perfect clinical condition, and follow-up showed no recurrence AF with improved cardiac function. Conclusion: Despite the rare occurrence, AF should be considered in differential diagnosis of newborn arrhythmia and diagnosed after intravenous adenosine injection. In few cases, AF can be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy which is a reversible condition.
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spelling doaj-art-7b2c2225ba1e48cfac17f30f675ee5e12025-08-20T02:43:55ZengKnowledge EDubai Medical Journal2571-726X2021-07-011410.1159/000517171517171Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case ReportNitin UndeMahmoud ElHalikArif Faquihhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7674-1989Background: Arrhythmias in neonates are uncommon and usually affect newborns with a normal heart or associated with structural heart disease. Meanwhile, one uncommon type of supraventricular arrhythmias is atrial flutter (AF), which is reentry mechanisms in the atrium. The AF may result in heart failure or even death, but the majority of its cases have revealed favorable prognosis in the event of early prenatal diagnosis and immediate treatment [J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:1040–6, Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2006;11:182–90, and Arch Argent Pediatr. 2007;105:427–35]. A persistent tachyarrhythmia can progress to a state of cardiac dysfunction known as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. While this may be a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in children, the condition is usually reversible and should be considered in newborn and infants [Europace. 2011;14(4):466–473]. Case Report: A preterm 33+1-week male newborn with birth weight 2,790 g was delivered through cesarean section. The baby presented with tachycardia after birth associated with respiratory distress. The physical examination showed heart rate >220/min, and ECG showed “saw tooth pattern” after intravenous adenosine boluses confirming diagnosis of AF (2-3:1). The heart rate reverted to sinus rhythm after synchronized cardioversion. Due to poor LV myocardial performance with dilated chambers, the baby received intravenous milrinone, followed by oral captopril. The baby was discharged on oral medications in perfect clinical condition, and follow-up showed no recurrence AF with improved cardiac function. Conclusion: Despite the rare occurrence, AF should be considered in differential diagnosis of newborn arrhythmia and diagnosed after intravenous adenosine injection. In few cases, AF can be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy which is a reversible condition.https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517171atrial fluttercardiac dysfunctiondilated cardiomyopathyneonatal intensive care unitnewborn
spellingShingle Nitin Unde
Mahmoud ElHalik
Arif Faquih
Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
Dubai Medical Journal
atrial flutter
cardiac dysfunction
dilated cardiomyopathy
neonatal intensive care unit
newborn
title Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
title_full Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
title_fullStr Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
title_short Idiopathic Atrial Flutter Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Preterm Newborn: A Case Report
title_sort idiopathic atrial flutter associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in a preterm newborn a case report
topic atrial flutter
cardiac dysfunction
dilated cardiomyopathy
neonatal intensive care unit
newborn
url https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517171
work_keys_str_mv AT nitinunde idiopathicatrialflutterassociatedwithdilatedcardiomyopathyinapretermnewbornacasereport
AT mahmoudelhalik idiopathicatrialflutterassociatedwithdilatedcardiomyopathyinapretermnewbornacasereport
AT ariffaquih idiopathicatrialflutterassociatedwithdilatedcardiomyopathyinapretermnewbornacasereport