The use of vacuum bell therapy for the treatment of pectus excavatum in children of the younger group: the dynamics of changes in echocardiography

Abstract

Pectus excavatum (PE) si common disease among children, which in most cases manifests during the period of intensive growth. Children with PE may have asymptomatic changes in the heart and may not cause concern for some time. Purpose - to evaluate of the dynamics of echocardiography changes during conservative treatment of PE by vacuum bell therapy. Materials and methods. An evaluation of 28 patients with an average age of 6.4±1.2, who underwent conservative treatment of PE, was carried out. Cardiac ultrasound data before and after treatment were processed statistically. Results. After treatment, signs of mitral valve prolapse in children remained, that is, there were no qualitative changes. But the overall level of prolapse decreased statistically significantly (p=0.042) from 1.97±0.87 mmHg. to 1.73±0.69 mm Hg. Paradoxical movement of the interventricular membrane was not a frequent defect and before treatment was observed only in 5 (17.9%) children. After treatment, this defect was not noted. Myocardial function in all children was normal (>60%) both before treatment (69.86±8.21%) and after (68.54±2.67%). Conclusions. In pediatric population disturbances in the work of the heart with PE are often in a compensated or subcompensated state, but in the future they can lead to functional disorders.Screening use of echocardiography is recommended for all children with manifestations of funnel-shaped chest deformity. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The research protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the work. Informed consent of the patients was obtained for the research. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.