The objective of this study was to determine if gender, age, and heart rate affect corrected QT intervals in children. Electrocardiograms were obtained from 781 healthy children 10-18 years of age. Corrected QT intervals were significantly (p < 0.0005) greater for girls than for boys in the entire population and for each age group over 14 years. The corrected QT interval varied inversely with age and directly with heart rate. Hence gender, age, and heart rate should be considered when diagnosing long QT syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Breakage of an embolized intravascular catheter fragment: a complication of nonsurgical transvenous retrieval.

The use of permanently implantable central venous catheters may be complicated by catheter fracture and embolism. Nonsurgical retrieval of embolized catheter fragments is well established, and complications are rarely noted. We report a case in which the retrieval technique led to further fracture of a silicone rubber (Silastic) catheter and embolization to the lung. Silastic catheters may be prone to this complication, and appropriate caution during recovery of such catheter fragments is recommended.

Adult↗