Reversible Symptomatic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Older Children and Young Adolescents Due to Primary Non-Sinus Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias

Abstract. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) due to a primary supraventricular tachycardia not originating from the sinus node is not frequently seen in older children or adolescents. However, it is important to recognize this entity as a reversible cause of DCM to avoid costly and inappropriate treatments for these patients. We describe 7 patients who presented with DCM. Five were misdiagnosed as having ‘‘sinus’’ tachycardia secondary to an idiopathic DCM, and 2 were correctly diagnosed as having DCM secondary to an atrial tachycardia. All underwent electrophysi-ologic treatment of the tachycardia with remission of the DCM. Key words: Heart failure — Pediatrics — Radiofre-quency ablation — Dilated cardiomyopathy