Background
The etiology of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in individuals without known cardiovascular heart disease remains elusive in nearly half of all patients after systematic testing. We investigated the relationship between stressful life events and SCA risk in cases of explained and unexplained SCA (USCA) events.
Methods
Individuals who previously experienced SCA were enrolled prospectively and divided into a USCA or explained SCA (ESCA) subgroup dependent on whether a diagnosis was ascribed after SCA. Participants completed either the 1997 Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, Student Stress Scale, or Social Re-adjustment Rating Scale for Non-Adults recalling events during the year preceding their SCA, depending on age at SCA presentation; all measure stress in life change units (LCUs). SCA group scores were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group.
Results
We compared 36 SCA group participants (22 USCA, 14 ESCA, age 47 ± 15 years, age at SCA 40 ± 14 years, 50% male) with 36 control participants (age 47 ± 15 years, 50% male). There was no significant difference in LCU score between the control group and the SCA group (248 ± 181 LCU vs 252 ± 227 LCU;
P
> .05). The ESCA subgroup had significantly lower mean LCU scores than the USCA subgroup (163 ± 183 LCU vs 308 ± 237 LCU;
P
= .030).
Conclusions
Stressful life events, especially those producing chronic stress, might predispose otherwise healthy individuals to lethal arrhythmias. Further investigation into the role of stress in SCA precipitation is warranted.
Aim
Assess executive and socio‐emotional/behavioural functioning in paediatric supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) patients.
Methods
SVT patients aged 7‐17 who had not undergone catheter ablation were included. Parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL/6‐18) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF). Participants age 11‐17 years completed the Youth Self‐Report (YSR/11‐18) and the BRIEF Self‐Report (BRIEF‐SR). One‐sample z test was used to compare questionnaire results to the average t‐score range (M = 50, SD = 10).
Results
Thirty (18 female) children/adolescents participated (M = 12.6 years old, SD = 3.2 years) with a mean SVT onset age of 7 years (SD = 4.3 years). BRIEF and BRIEF‐SR results suggested no difference in executive functioning from average. Mean t‐scores of CBCL/6‐18 and YSR/11‐18 subscales Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Thought Problems, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Affective Problems, DSM Anxiety Problems and DSM Somatic Problems were significantly elevated compared to average. YSR/11‐18 subscales Social Problems, Attention Problems, Internalizing Problems, DSM ADHD Problems and DSM Oppositional Defiant Problems had elevated mean t‐scores compared to average. Effect sizes were small to medium (0.2 ≤ d ≤ 0.8).
Conclusion
Paediatric patients with SVT potentially have a greater risk of developing behaviour, especially internalizing, problems compared to similarly aged children/adolescents without SVT.
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