Prehospital management of cardiac arrhythmias in children: emergency care strategies — a review
https://doi.org/10.24884/2072-6716-2025-26-4-91-96
Abstract
Objective: to review current national and international literature on the diagnosis and emergency management of pediatric arrhythmias in the prehospital setting. Materials and methods. An analysis of 21 literary sources was conducted, including clinical guidelines, studies, and reviews published in recent years, with a focus on prehospital strategies for managing arrhythmias in children. Results. Cardiac rhythm disturbances in children can be life-threatening, especially in the presence of hemodynamic instability. In the prehospital phase, it is crucial to rapidly perform clinical and instrumental diagnostics, classify the type of arrhythmia, and initiate timely treatment. Effective methods include vagal maneuvers, administration of adenosine, atropine, epinephrine, as well as synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation when indicated. Conclusion. Knowledge of diagnostic and treatment algorithms for pediatric arrhythmias in the prehospital setting significantly improves survival rates and reduces the risk of complications. The findings are of practical relevance for emergency medical service physicians and pediatric intensivists.
About the Authors
Yu. V. BykovRussian Federation
Yuri V. Bykov
Stavropol
A. N. Оbedin
Russian Federation
Аlexander N. Оbedin
Stavropol
О. V. Zinchenko
Russian Federation
Оleg V. Zinchenko
Stavropol
I. V. Yatsuk
Russian Federation
Ivan V. Yatsuk
Stavropol
E. V. Vоlkov
Russian Federation
Evgeny V. Vоlkov
Stavropol
V. V. Fischer
Russian Federation
Vasiliy V. Fischer
Stavropol
Mikhailovsk
References
1. Lipiński P.K., Wirtgen A., Błaszczyk B. et al. Arrhythmias Occurring in Children during HEMS Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study // Biomed. Res. Int. 2023. Vol. 2023. P. 2974648.
2. Cepeda- Nieto A.C., de Соrason J. R.-A., Martínez- López J. et al. Pediatric arrhythmias: a comprehensive integrative review, symptom- based conceptual framework, and practical care guide // Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. 2025. Vol. 82, No. 2. P. 67–97.
3. Brugada J., Blom N., Sarquella- Brugada G. et al. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy for arrhythmias in the pediatric population: EHRA and AEPC-Arrhythmia Working Group joint consensus statement // Europace. 2013. Vol. 15, No. 9. P. 1337–1382.
4. Hanna A., Crowe R. P., Fishe J. N. Pediatric bradycardia is undertreated in the prehospital setting: a retrospective multi- agency analysis // Prehosp. Emerg. Care. 2023. Vol. 27. No. 1. P. 101–106.
5. Hanash C.R., Crosson J. E. Emergency diagnosis and management of pediatric arrhythmias // J. Emerg. Trauma Shock. 2010. Vol. 3, No. 3. P. 251–260.
6. Topjian A.A., Raymond T. T., Atkins D. et al. Part 4: Pediatric basic and advanced life support: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care // Circulation. 2020. Vol. 142. No. 16. P. S469–S523.
7. Van de Voorde P., Turner N. M., Djakow J. et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: paediatric life support // Resuscitation. 2021. Vol. 161. P. 327–387.
8. Wong M., Matsuyama T., Iwami T. et al. Pre-hospital administration of epinephrine in pediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest // J. Am. Coll Cardiol. 2020. Vol. 75, No. 2. P. 194–204.
9. Matsuyama T., Iwami T., Kitamura T. et al. Impact of prehospital epinephrine administration on neurological outcomes in pediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest // Front Pediatr. 2021. Vol. 9. P. 723327.
10. Kovalyov I. A., Khamnagadayev I. A., Svintsova L. I. et al. Supraventricular (atrial) tachycardias in children. Pediatric Pharmacology, 2019, No. 3, pp. 133–143 (In Russ.).
11. Kafalı H.C., Ergül Y. Common supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in children // Turk. Arch. Pediatr. 2022. Vol. 57, No. 5. P. 476–488.
12. Kuntz M.T., Eagle S. S., Dalal A. et al. What an anesthesiologist should know about pediatric arrhythmias // Paediatr. Anaesth. 2024. Vol. 34, No. 12. P. 1187–1199.
13. Foth C., Gangwani M. K., Ahmed I. et al. Ventricular tachycardia // StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2025
14. Desai D.S., Hajouli S. Arrhythmias // StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2025.
15. Assaad I.E., Hammond B. H., Kost L. D. et al. Management and outcomes of atrial fibrillation in 241 healthy children and young adults: revisiting «lone» atrial fibrillation. A multi- institutional PACES collaborative study // Heart Rhythm. 2021. Vol. 18, No. 11. P. 1815–1822.
16. Rohit M., Kasinadhun G. Management of arrhythmias in pediatric emergency // Indian J Pediatr. 2020. Vol. 87, No. 4. P. 295–304.
17. Clausen H., Theophilos T., Jackno K. et al. Paediatric arrhythmias in the emergency department // Emerg. Med. J. 2012. Vol. 29, No. 9. P. 732–737.
18. Smith J., Doe A., Roe M. An evaluation of prehospital adenosine use // Prehosp. Emerg. Care. 2022. Vol. 24, No. 1. P. 94–99.
19. Fishberger S.B., Hannan R. L., Welch E. M. Amiodarone for pediatric resuscitation: a word of caution // Pediatr. Cardiol. 2009. Vol. 30. P. 1006–1008.
20. Vjortkin A. L., Aleksanyan L. A., Balabanova M. V. et al. Emergency medical care in the prehospital setting. Moscow: Publishing house GEOTAR-Media, 2019. 544 pp. (In Russ.)
21. Kelly P., Johnson M., Lee A. et al. The effect of transport on quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation // Resuscitation. 2009. Vol. 80, No. 1. P. 80–85.
Review
For citations:
Bykov Yu.V., Оbedin A.N., Zinchenko О.V., Yatsuk I.V., Vоlkov E.V., Fischer V.V. Prehospital management of cardiac arrhythmias in children: emergency care strategies — a review. EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE. 2025;26(4):91-96. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24884/2072-6716-2025-26-4-91-96
























