Russian Society of Cardiology (RSC).With the participation of Russian Scientific Society of Clinical Electrophysiology, Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing, Russian Association of Pediatric Cardiologists, Society for Holter Monitoring and Noninvasive Electrocardiology.Approved by the Scientific and Practical Council of the Russian Ministry of Health.

Purpose. The results of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedure have been mainly derived from studies conducted in experienced atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres. Here, we report on CBA efficacy and complications resulting from real practice of this procedure at both high- and low-volume centres. Methods. Among 62 Russian centres performing AF ablation, 15 (24%) used CBA technology for pulmonary vein isolation. The centres were asked to provide a detailed description of all CBA procedures performed and complications, if encountered. Results. Thirteen sites completed interviews on all CBAs in their centres (>95% of CBAs in Russia). Six sites were high-volume AF ablation (>100 AF cases/year) centres, and 7 were low-volume AF ablation. There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia-free rates between high- and low-volume centres (64.6 versus 60.8% at 6 months). Major complications developed in 1.5% of patients and were equally distributed between high- and low-volume centres. Minor procedure-related events were encountered in 8% of patients and were more prevalent in high-volume centres. Total event and vascular access site event rates were higher in women than in men. Conclusions. CBA has an acceptable efficacy profile in real practice. In less experienced AF ablation centres, the major complication rate is equal to that in high-volume centres.

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The article presents updated data on the problem of premature ventricular contractions in children based on the clinical guidelines of the Russian Society of Cardiology and the Union of Pediatricians of Russia for the diagnosis, treatment and management of pediatric patients with premature ventricular contraction. The issues of diagnosis and treatment based on the principles of evidence-based medicine as well as important aspects of prevention of exacerbations and follow-up have been clarified in detail. The criteria for assessing the quality of care for patients with premature ventricular contractions have been presented.CONFLICT OF INTEREST. Not declared.

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A case report describing thoracoscopic approach for implantation of a cardiac pacemaker in a 3.8 years old girl with complete atrioventricular block is presented.

Purpose: to assess specificities of course of the long­QT syndrome in children before and after implantation of cardioverter­defibrillator (ICD), and optimization of indications to ICD­therapy.Materials and methods. We included in this study 48 children with long­QT syndrome from 44 unrelated families (28 boys and 20 girls), who underwent ICD implantation at the mean age 11.8±3.8 years. Mean duration of follow­up after implantation was 5.2±2.8 years. Data from these children were compared with those from 59 children of comparable age and gender with long­QT syndrome from 46 unrelated families receiving antiarrhythmic therapy (β­adrenoblockers). We assessed clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the disease obtained at initial visit and their dynamics thereafter.Results. Children with long­QT syndrome and ICD were mainly probands with interval QT longer than 500 ms, recurrent syncope and often history of sudden cardiac arrest requiring high doses of β­adrenoblockers for control of ventricular tachyarrhythmias.Conclusion. ICD implantation is an effective and safe method both of primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death in children with long­QT syndrome.

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