Radiation safety protocol using real-time dose reporting reduces patient exposure in pediatric electrophysiology procedures.

Radiation exposure during pediatric catheterization is significant. We sought to describe radiation exposure and the effectiveness of radiation safety protocols in reducing exposure during catheter ablations with electrophysiology studies in children and patients with congenital heart disease. We additionally sought to identify at-risk patients.

Do LQTS gene single nucleotide polymorphisms alter QTc intervals at rest and during exercise stress testing?

Background: The impact of harboring, genetic variants or single nucleotide polymorphisms (LQT-PM) on the repolarization response during exercise and recovery is unknown.

Objective: To assess the QTc interval adaptation during exercise stress testing (EST) in children with LQT polymorphisms compared to a group of age and gender matched normal controls.

Methods: One hundred forty-eight patients were age and gender matched into two groups: LQT-PM and control.

Genotype- and mutation site-specific QT adaptation during exercise, recovery, and postural changes in children with long-QT syndrome.

Background: Exercise stress testing has shown diagnostic utility in adult patients with long-QT syndrome (LQTS); however, the QT interval adaptation in response to exercise in pediatric patients with LQTS has received little attention.

Methods And Results: One-hundred fifty-eight patients were divided into 3 groups: Those with LQTS type 1 (LQT1) or LQTS type 2 (LQT2) and normal control subjects without cardiovascular disease. Each patient underwent a uniform exercise protocol with a cycle ergometer followed by a 9-minute recovery phase with continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring.