# Clinical analysis of temporary pacemaker implantation in 6 children with fulminant myocarditis

## TL;DR

This study examines the use of temporary pacemakers in 6 children with severe heart inflammation, showing they are safe and effective for improving heart function.

## Contribution

The paper provides a novel clinical summary of temporary pacemaker use in children with fulminant myocarditis, a rare and understudied condition.

## Key findings

- All 6 children had third-degree atrioventricular block and required temporary pacemakers.
- Five children recovered sinus rhythm within 61 hours, and one required a permanent pacemaker.
- Temporary pacemakers were used safely for a median of 132 hours.

## Abstract

There is little literature on the use of temporary pacemakers in children with fulminant myocarditis. Therefore, we summarized the use of temporary cardiac pacemakers in children with fulminant myocarditis in our hospital.

The clinical data of children with fulminant myocarditis treated with temporary pacemakers in Wuhan Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

A total of 6 children were enrolled in the study, including 4 boys and 2 girls, with a median age of 50 months and a median weight of 15 kg. The average time from admission to pacemaker placement was 2.75 ± 0.4 h. The electrocardiogram showed that all 6 children had third-degree atrioventricular block (III°AVB). The initial pacing voltage, the sensory sensitivity of the ventricle and the pacing frequency were set to 5–10 mV, 5 V and 100–120 bpm respectively. The sinus rhythm was recovered in 5 patients within 61 h (17–134) h, and the median time of using temporary pacemaker was 132 h (63–445) h. One of the children had persistent III°AVB after the temporary pacemaker. With parental consent, the child was fitted with a permanent pacemaker on the 12th day of his illness.

When fulminant myocarditis leads to severe bradycardia or atrioventricular block in children, temporary pacemakers have the characteristics of high safety to improve the heart function.