Auricular Paroxysmal Tachycardia in Childhood

Abstract

Registrar, Children's Hospital, Sheffield right costal margin; heart enlarged; heart rate 280; and raised venous jugular pressure. X-ray examination of the chest showed generalized enlargement of the heart and clear lung fields. The electrocardiogram revealed supraventricular tachycardia with 2-1 A.V. response. In Fig. I given intramuscularly, and within 20 minutes the heart rate slowed to 120. Clinical improvement ensued, and within 24 hours the infant was normal in all respects. Digoxin, 0.025 mg. daily, by mouth was given for four days and then discontinued. The infant remained well. There was no clinical evidence of congenital heart disease.Follow-up.-The patient, when last seen two months after the initial illness, was clinically well, and the heart was noted to be normal in size, sounds, and rate. Case 2The mother of a male child aged 19 weeks noticed the infant's heart thumping when bathing or dressing him. Presenting signs were mild cyanosis; minimal oedema over feet, ankles, and sacrum ; liver enlarged two fingers below