Sudden cardiac death in children with congenital heart disease: a critical review of the literature

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death is an uncommon but yet catastrophic event, which can occur in neonates and young children. Although extensive research has been carried out assessing the underlying causes, there still remains a degree of uncertainty around this area. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one known cause of sudden cardiac death in children, the aetiology of which embraces virally induced mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, drug-induced, and maternal factors. Screening tools and investigations including electrocardiograms and echocardiograms alongside a concise history taking and physical examination can be used to identify the potential cardiovascular risk factors of sudden death. This review has comprehensively studied the causes and risk factors for sudden cardiac death in children with CHD and provides a collation and summary of the evidence available so far underpinning the complex link between the two. Moreover, current screening and prevention methods are discussed in detail in order to increase awareness and understanding of how we can improve patient outcomes.

Early Screening for Long QT Syndrome and Cardiac Anomalies in Infants: A Comprehensive Study

“…This study investigated the usefulness of neonatal ECG screening in diagnosing LQTS [ 41 ], identifying heart rhythm abnormalities, and detecting structural heart conditions that might contribute to morbidity and mortality in neonates and infants [ 43 , 44 ].…”

“…Moreover, an abnormal heart rhythm, such as VT or ventricular arrhythmia, could lead to sudden cardiac arrest [ 49 ]. Birth defects of the heart (structural heart abnormalities) raise the chances of experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest later in life [ 44 ].…”

“…Routine ECG screening offers a valuable tool for identifying unrecognized CHDs that may go undetected by prenatal ultrasound and standard neonatal examinations in asymptomatic patients [ 44 ]. A study found that postnatal echocardiographic screening, while sometimes recommended, does not significantly improve the detection rate of critical or severe heart defects in newborns without prenatal diagnosis or clinical signs.…”

Factores de riesgos de muerte súbita cardiaca en adolescentes: una revisión sistemática

“…Tal como se evidencia en el estudio de Vaibhav Mishra (5), tanto la detección como la prevención juegan un rol importante en la disminución de casos de muerte súbita cardiaca en adolescentes. Un claro ejemplo mencionado de prevención es el que se debe realizar en el embarazo con gestantes fumadoras, debido a que el tabaquismo es un factor de riesgo significativo para las enfermedades congénitas cardiacas el cual condicionaría a los hijos tener una predisposición de una muerte súbita cardiaca.…”

“…La cardiopatía congénita es una causa conocida de muerte súbita cardíaca en niños, su etiología abarca los mecanismos inducidos viralmente, la susceptibilidad genética, los factores inducidos por medicamentos y los factores maternos. Las herramientas de detección y las investigaciones que incluyen electrocardiogramas y ecocardiogramas junto con una toma de antecedentes concisa y un examen físico se pueden utilizar para identificar los posibles factores de riesgo cardiovascular de la muerte súbita (5).…”