J. Peter Harris, MD, 2016. "Cardiac Arrhythmias (Chapter 132)", American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care, Thomas K. McInerny, MD, FAAP, Henry M. Adam, MD, FAAP, Deborah E. Campbell, MD, FAAP, Thomas G. DeWitt, MD, FAAP, Jane Meschan Foy, MD, FAAP, Deepak M. Kamat, MD, PhD, FAAP, Rebecca Baum, MD, FAAP, Kelly J. Kelleher, MD, MPH, FAAP
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Arrhythmias in young people are common and may occur as a result of normal rhythm variations, premature beats, atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias, or conduction defects. They can occur at any age, and their clinical implications range from benign to lethal. Newer diagnostic modalities such as event recorders to capture infrequent episodes have enhanced our ability to detect arrhythmias. Empirical therapy without arrhythmia identification does not meet the current standard of practice. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) should always be obtained when an arrhythmia is suspected, because electrophysiologic alterations may be quite subtle and not always identified on a rhythm strip. A...
