Subeer K. Wadia¹, Gentian Lluri¹, Jamil A. Aboulhosn¹, Hillel Laks², Reshma M. Biniwale², Glen S. Van Arsdell², Daniel S. Levi³, Morris M. Salem³, Kevin M. Shannon^1,3, Jeremy P. Moore^1,3

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 838-845, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12818

Abstract Objective: We examined the atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) burden among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) following transcatheter (TC‐) or surgical (S‐) pulmo‐ nary valve replacement (PVR).
Design/Setting: This was a retrospective observational study of patients who under‐ went PVR from 2010 to 2016 at UCLA Medical Center.
Patients: Patients of all ages who had prior surgical repair for CHD were included. Patients with a history of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, underwent a hybrid PVR procedure, or had permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) without a concomitant ablation were excluded.
Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was a time‐to‐event analysis… More >

Gabrielle C. Geddes^1,2, Erin Syverson^1,2, Michael G. Earing^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 832-837, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12817

Abstract Objective: To describe the first 3 years of experience of having an inpatient “cardiogenetics” program which involves medical geneticist assessment of infants with major congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring surgical intervention in the first year of life.
Patients: Patients less than a year of age admitted to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Herma Heart Institute for surgical intervention for CHD seen by the cardiogenetics program. Patients with major trisomies (13, 18, and 21) were excluded.
Outcome Measures: Utilization and yield of genetic testing, and diagnostic rate were assessed as outcome measures and compared to a baseline time period and… More >

Daniel McLennan, Dunbar Ivy, Gareth J. Morgan

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 819-831, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12816

Abstract Aims: To evaluate in domestic pigs the histopathological processes after implanting the Occlutech Atrial Flow Regulator (AFR).
Methods and Results: Eleven pigs were chosen and had successful implantation of the AFR. Five pigs were sacrificed at 28 days, and 5 pigs at 90 days. One pig was sacrificed at day 3 after device embolization. Each pig had echocardiography performed at 3 weeks to check patency. Post mortem evaluation included Gross evaluation, radiographic evaluation, histology, and electron microscopy. Nine of the 10 devices implanted remained patent at time of autopsy with no thrombus and minimal inflammation. One device More >

Anudeep K. Dodeja¹, Courtney Thomas¹, Curt J. Daniels^1,2, Naomi Kertesz^1,2, Anna Kamp^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 745-751, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12815

Abstract Background: Rhythm disorders are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Infrequent or asymptomatic arrhyth‐ mias may not be detected by routine monitoring. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs), such as the Reveal LINQ^TM, have been useful in long‐term monitoring for arrhythmias in adults with cryptogenic stroke.
Objective: We propose the Reveal LINQ^TM will detect arrhythmias, not documented by other monitoring modalities, resulting in change in management in ACHD patients.
Methods: This is a single center retrospective review of Reveal LINQ^TM use in ACHD patients from 2014‐2017. Medical records were reviewed to determine cardiac… More >

Erin K. Davis¹, Salil Ginde¹, Jessica Stelter², Peter Frommelt¹, Garick D. Hill³

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 720-725, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12814

Abstract Background/Hypothesis/Objectives: Postoperative complications after the Fontan operation for single ventricle heart disease are common and include persistent pleural drainage and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS). Diastolic ventricular dysfunction may increase risk for postoperative complications by raising central venous pressures. We sought to determine the relationship between preoperative echocardiographic measurements of diastolic function, including myocardial deformation imaging, on (a) preoperative invasive catheterization measurements and (b) postoperative outcomes after the Fontan procedure.
Design/Methods: All patients that underwent Fontan procedure from 2011 to 2017 were included. Echocardiograms performed within 6 months prior to Fontan operation were evaluated. Measurements of… More >

Vidhushei Yogeswaran¹, Rahul Kanade¹, Camilo Mejia¹, Ayotola Fatola¹, Srikanth Kothapalli¹, Maria Najam¹, Harigopal Sandhyavenu¹, Mounika Angirekula¹, Karim Osma¹, Mathews Jessey¹, Donald Hagler², Alexander C. Egbe¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 713-719, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12813

Abstract Background: Although Doppler echocardiography is routinely used to assess left ventricle cardiac output, there are limited data about the feasibility of Doppler echo‐ cardiography for right ventricular (RV) cardiac output assessment in patients with left‐to‐right shunt. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation be‐ tween Doppler‐derived and Fick‐derived RV cardiac index (CI), and the interobserver correlation in Doppler‐derived RV CI assessment.
Methods: Retrospective study of patients (age ≥18 years) with unrepaired atrial septal defect who underwent cardiac catheterization and echocardiography (within 3 days), 2004‐2017. RV CI was calculated using the hydraulic orifice formula: [.785… More >

Bruno Lefort^1,2, Christophe Saint‐Etienne¹, Nathalie Soulé¹, Iris Ma¹, Fanny Dion¹, Alain Chantepie^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 814-818, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12812

Abstract Background and objective: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) guidewire have been recently reported as an alternative to radiofrequency for perforating atretic pulmonary valve. Since procedure failures or perforation of the right ventricle still occurred with CTO, we tried to enhance the stability, steering, and pushability of the wire using a microcatheter in order to improve the safety and efficacy of the procedure.
Methods: We performed pulmonary valve perforation with CTO guidewire and microcatheter in five consecutive newborns with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA‐IVS) under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic control.
Results: The valve was easily perforated at the first… More >

Natalie Bottega¹, Isabelle Malhamé², Liming Guo¹, Raluca Ionescu‐Ittu¹, Judith Therrien¹, Ariane Marelli¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 735-744, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12811

Abstract Background: The number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) of reproductive age is increasing, yet a description of trends in pregnancy and delivery outcomes in this population is lacking.
Objective: To assess secular trends in pregnancy rates, delivery outcomes, and related health care utilization in the adult female CHD population in Quebec, Canada.
Methods: The Quebec CHD database was used to construct a cohort with all women with CHD aged 18‐45 years between 1992 and 2004. Pregnancy and delivery rates were determined yearly and compared to the general population. Secular trends in pregnancy and delivery rates were… More >

Seul Gi Cha¹, Mi Kyung Song¹, Sang Yun Lee¹, Gi Beom Kim¹, Jae Gun Kwak², Woong Han Kim², Eun Jung Bae¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 684-690, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12810

Abstract Objective: Cardiovascular lesions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Williams syndrome. Recent studies have rebutted conventional reports about the natural course of cardiovascular anomalies in Williams syndrome.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Single tertiary center.
Patients: Eighty patients with Williams syndrome followed up for more than 5 years.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Outcome Measures: Long‐term outcome of cardiovascular lesions, peak velocity change in obstructive cardiovascular lesions over time, post‐interventional courses of disease‐specific intervention, and intervention‐free survival of obstructive cardio‐ vascular lesions.
Results: The median follow‐up duration was 11.0 (5.1‐28.3) years. Among 80 pa‐ tients, supravalvular aortic stenosis (87.5%) was… More >

Brena Sue Haughey¹, Shelby Coral White², Michael David Seckeler²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 811-813, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12809

Abstract Objective: Catheter‐associated bloodstream infections complicate and prolong hos‐ pitalizations. The incidence of catheter‐associated bloodstream infections in children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery has not been reported. This study sought to define the incidence of catheter‐associated bloodstream infections after congenital cardiac surgery in neonates and infants ≤12 months old and compare hospital out‐ comes and costs to those who underwent surgery and did not have a catheter‐associ‐ ated bloodstream infections.
Design: Retrospective review of hospital admissions between October 2013 and November 2015 for neonates and infants ≤12 months old at admission with ICD‐9 codes for congenital cardiac surgery from… More >