Guidelines for the management of junctional ectopic tachycardia following cardiac surgery in children

SummaryJunctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a relatively common arrhythmia following open-heart surgery, especially surgery involving the bundle of His. It may be associated with significant impairment of cardiac output and has been associated with increased mortality. Effective management involves identification of high-risk cases, preventative measures and early diagnosis. Treatment with surface cooling, anti-arrhythmic drugs (in particular, amiodarone) and external cardiac pacing have proven effective in restoring cardiac output in children with JET post-operatively.