Sometimes in the conclusions of the cardiologist, after studying the cardiogram, you can see the entry - "supraventricular scallop syndrome." What does it mean? First of all, do not be scared. After all, this is a variant of the norm, and in no case is a disease. If we take it literally, then this syndrome is just a phenomenon, manifested exclusively by changes in the ECG.
Causes
Why does the supraventricular scallop syndrome arise, scientists have not yet figured out. This anatomical formation is a bundle of muscle fibers that pass through the middle of the right ventricle.
On the electroencephalogram, the syndrome looks like a cleavage of the QRS wave in the fourth lead. It occurs only in thirty percent of cases of examination of clinically healthy preschool children.
For the appearance of this pathology, the position of the heart, the electrical potentials of the right and left ventricles, play a role .
Pathogenesis
The cardiogram of a child has its own physiological and pathological features. It is worth saying that the changes on it depend on the age of the patient, when as for an adult there is a single norm. Among the "children's" features, one can list the shortening of the PQ and QT intervals, the GRS complex also narrows, sometimes arrhythmia can be observed, with the preservation of a positive P wave.
Pathophysiologists explain these phenomena by the fact that a child beats a heart more often than an adult. Action potentials are shifted and layered on top of each other. Or the excitement does not have time to cover all cardiomyocytes before reduction - this is how artifacts appear on the ECG.
Syndrome of the supraventricular scallop is one of such physiological phenomena. Its presence does not indicate any pathology, therefore, doctors do not focus on it and over time the child outgrows it.
Symptoms
Syndrome of the supraventricular scallop does not manifest itself in any way. Some children may experience a feeling of fatigue, fatigue after physical exertion, a feeling of palpitations - such complaints become the reason why the child is taken to the doctor. And the specialist already on the cardiogram sees characteristic changes.
The syndrome of supraventricular scallop in adults is rare, but even if it occurs when an ECG is taken, this is not a reason for panic, as it is considered by specialists as a variant of the norm. Even if untreated, this phenomenon disappears without a trace and does not cause any concern.
Complications and consequences
Syndrome of the supraventricular scallop in a child can either pass over time or turn into an incomplete blockade of the bundle branch block. But in this case, one should not sound the alarm, because such a condition does not cause serious changes in the myocardium and does not affect the quality of life of the child. They recommend, as a rule, to periodically undergo a medical examination in order to monitor the progression of the pathology.
It is extremely rare that an incomplete blockade develops into more serious defects, such as complete transverse blockade of the His bundle and others.
Diagnostics
The only way to see the syndrome of supraventricular scallop is the ECG. This method is available at any hospital or clinic. An electrocardiogram is a graphical record of a sequential change in the electrical potentials appearing in cardiomyocytes.
In young children, the nervous system is not yet fully “calibrated”, so it is possible to register various deviations from the norm on the ECG. For example, this may be a change in the configuration and amplitude of the teeth in the chest leads. But in order to confirm the presence of pathology, it is not enough to have the result of one study.
Children whose pediatrician suspected the presence of abnormalities in the heart are put on a dispensary account for this disease and undergo mandatory examination once a year or six months by a cardiologist. This allows you to observe the dynamics of the development of the process, as well as to notice the deterioration in time.
Treatment
Syndrome of the supraventricular scallop does not require treatment until it delivers uncomfortable sensations to the child. The phenomenon itself disappears when the patient grows up, and the intervention of a doctor can only worsen the situation. But if parents insist on conducting therapy, then you can advise taking the following drugs:
- Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3s. They help reduce the amount of lipids in the blood, in addition, these substances strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve heart function.
- "Antiox" - a multivitamin preparation containing vitamins A, E, C, as well as trace elements. You should not abuse such complexes, because an allergic reaction develops on them.
But it’s best not to stuff the baby with medicines, but to ensure that his diet receives all the necessary substances that are contained in the following foods: diet meat (poultry, veal), fatty fish, olive oil, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits (preferably seasonal, not greenhouse). If there is sufficient physical activity during such a diet, then the phenomenon will pass on its own.
Forecast
The prognosis for life and health in such children is not a concern. Even without medical care, the syndrome resolves on its own with age. This happens unnoticed by the child and should not cause anxiety among parents.
Even in those rare cases when the phenomenon develops into an incomplete blockade of the bundle of His, this is not considered by clinicians as a serious violation of conduction. Regular monitoring of your heart will help you avoid surprises.