Ketina Arslani^1*, Lukas Notz^1*, Marzena Zurek¹, Matthias Greutmann², Markus Schwerzmann³, Judith Bouchardy⁴, Reto Engel⁵, Christine Attenhofer Jost⁶, Daniel Tobler¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 678-684, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12627

Abstract Background: In adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and atrial arrhythmias, recommendations for thromboprophylaxis are vague and evidence is lacking. We aimed to identify factors that influence decision-making in daily practice.
Methods: From the Swiss Adult Congenital HEart disease Registry (SACHER) we identified 241 patients with either atrial fibrillation (Afib) or atrial flutter/intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (Aflut/ IART). The mode of anticoagulation was reviewed. Logistic regression models were used to assess factors that were associated with oral anticoagulation therapy.
Results: Compared with patients with Aflut/IART, patients with Afib were older (51 ± 16.1 vs 37 ± 16 years, P… More >

Justin Georgekutty¹, Amir Kazerouninia², YunFei Wang³, Peter R. Ermis⁴, Dhaval R. Parekh⁴, Wayne J. Franklin⁴, Wilson W. Lam⁴

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 541-547, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12603

Abstract Objective: Adult Fontan patients are at increased risk for thrombosis and thromboembolic complications leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Most are prescribed antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy for thromboprophylaxis; novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are uncommonly used given lack of data on their use in this population and generalized concerns regarding Fontan patients’ abnormal coagulation. We report the largest single-center experience with the use of NOACs for treatment and prophylaxis of thrombosis and thromboembolism in adult Fontan patients.
Results: A retrospective chart review identified 21 patients (11 female, 10 male), median age 33 years (18-50) at first initiation, who… More >

Taner Kasar¹, Pelin Ayyildiz¹, Gulhan Tunca Sahin¹, Erkut Ozturk¹, Selman Gokalp¹, Sertac Haydin², Alper Guzeltas¹, Yakup Ergul¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 450-457, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12595

Abstract Background: We aimed to evaluate rhythm abnormalities in cases of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) and associated treatment strategies.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 65 pediatric patients with ccTGA who were admitted to the clinic between 2009 and 2017. The patients were divided into two groups, and surgical data, Holter electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings, ECG recordings, electrophysiological data, and device implantation data on the two groups were compared.
Results: Group I (n = 53, 82%) consisted of patients with significant associated lesions, and Group II (n = 12, 18%) consisted of those with… More >

Philip Wackel^1,2, Bryan Cannon^1,2, Joseph Dearani³, Kristen Sessions^1,2, Kimberly Holst³, Jonathan Johnson^1,2, Frank Cetta^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 26-30, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12566

Abstract Background: The increased incidence of preoperative and postoperative arrhythmia in Ebstein anomaly (EA) prompted some clinicians to perform an electrophysiology study (EPS) in all patients prior to surgery for EA. The cone repair (CR) is the current surgical option of choice for most young patients with EA but the effect of the CR on arrhythmia is not well established.
Objectives: To assess the burden of arrhythmia in young patients after CR and to assess the utility of selective preoperative EPS.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients <21 years of age with EA who had a… More >

Zhifeng Wang¹, Diqun Yan^1,*, Rangding Wang¹, Li Xiang¹, Tingting Wu¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.56, No.2, pp. 247-259, 2018, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2018.02902

Abstract Speech resampling is a typical tempering behavior, which is often integrated into various speech forgeries, such as splicing, electronic disguising, quality faking and so on. By analyzing the principle of resampling, we found that, compared with natural speech, the inconsistency between the bandwidth of the resampled speech and its sampling ratio will be caused because the interpolation process in resampling is imperfect. Based on our observation, a new resampling detection algorithm based on the inconsistency of band energy is proposed. First, according to the sampling ratio of the suspected speech, a band-pass Butterworth filter is More >

Mark S. Link

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 597-599, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12494

Abstract Sudden cardiac death (SCD), particularly in the young athlete, is a rare though devastating event for families, institutions, and communities at large. It can also affect the nonathlete and occur at rest, although most commonly associated with exercise activities and/or sports participation. Common causes of SCD include cardiomyopathies, particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the United States, congenital coronary artery anomalies, channelopathies, among others. This report will explore an overview of the prevalence and causes of SCD in the young. More >

Shankar Baskar¹, Philippa Horne², Samantha Fitzsimmons³, Philip R. Khoury¹, Joseph Vettukattill⁴, Koichiro Niwa⁵, Teiji Agaki⁶, Mark Spence⁷, Hisanori Sakazaki⁸, Gruschen Veldtman¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 512-519, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12481

Abstract Background: Patients with Eisenmenger syndrome have a shorter lifespan than the general population. A significant proportion develop arrhythmia and some, sudden death.
Objective: The aims of this study were to characterize the frequency, type and effects of arrhythmias in adult patients with Eisenmenger’s syndrome and to identify risk factors for arrhythmias.
Methods: This retrospective study included patients aged ≥18 years of age with Eisenmenger’s syndrome from three institutions. Arrhythmias were noted from electrocardiograms and Holter study reviews.
Results: A total of 167 patients, 96 females, 63 males (gender not available in 9 patients) were included in this study. The… More >

Shaun Mohan¹, Brady S. Moffett², Wilson Lam², Caridad de la Uz², Christina Miyake², Santiago O. Valdes², Jeffrey J. Kim²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 507-511, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12478

Abstract Objective: As survivors of congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to age, healthcare utilization by this population has increased. It is unknown how often these patients utilize the emergency department (ED) at children’s hospitals and how arrhythmias play a role in their utilization of care.
Design: Using a retrospective cohort design, the Pediatric Hospital Information System (PHIS) database was investigated and we studied adults (≥18 years) with CHD (ACHD) who presented to pediatric EDs from 2004 to 2014.
Setting: Tertiary care pediatric hospitals.
Results: Of the 6310 encounters to pediatric EDs, 1594 (25%) were for arrhythmias. The median age was… More >

Raya Safa, Ronald Thomas, Peter P. Karpawich

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 99-104, 2017

Abstract Background: The early ECG repolarization QRS pattern (ERp), with J-point elevation of 0.1 mV in two contiguous inferior and/or lateral leads, can be associated with ventricular arrhythmias among adults. The significance of an ERp in the young is unknown.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ERp among young patients (pts), describe and correlate the characteristics with clinical presentations and any arrhythmias.
Methods: This was a 1 y retrospective review of ECGs obtained from patients referred specifically for documented arrhythmias, possible arrhythmia-related symptoms or sports clearance. ECGs were analyzed for ERp (J-point, ascending/horizontal… More >

Richard J. Dobson¹, Ify Mordi², Mark H. Danton¹, Niki L. Walker¹, Hamish A. Walker¹, Nikolaos Tzemos²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 58-66, 2017

Abstract Objective: Myocardial fibrosis has been associated with poorer outcomes in tetralogy of Fallot, however only a handful of studies have assessed its significance in the current era. Our aim was to quantify the amount of late gadolinium enhancement in both the LV and RV in a contemporary cohort of adults with surgically repaired tetralogy of Fallot, and assess the relationship with adverse clinical outcomes.
Design: Single centre cohort study
Setting: National tertiary referral center
Patients: One hundred fourteen patients with surgically repaired tetralogy of Fallot with median age 29.5 years (range 17.5-64.2). Prospective follow-up for mean 2.4 years (SD… More >