Karen Texter^1,2, Jo Ann M. Davis¹, Christina Phelps^1,2, Sharon Cheatham^1,2, John Cheatham^1,2, Mark Galantowicz^1,3, Timothy F. Feltes^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 403-410, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12459

Abstract Introduction: With increasing survival of children with HLHS and other single ventricle lesions, the complexity of medical care for these patients is substantial. Establishing and adhering to best practice models may improve outcome, but requires careful coordination and monitoring.
Methods: In 2013 our Heart Center began a process to build a comprehensive Single Ventricle Team designed to target these difficult issues.
Results: Comprehensive Single Ventricle Team in 2014 was begun, to standardize care for children with single ventricle heart defects from diagnosis to adulthood within our institution. The team is a multidisciplinary group of providers committed to improving… More >

Talha Niaz¹, Joseph T. Poterucha¹, Jonathan N. Johnson^1,2, Cecilia Craviari¹, Thomas Nienaber¹, Jared Palfreeman¹, Frank Cetta^1,2, Donald J. Hagler^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 261-269, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12429

Abstract Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) occurs both as an isolated cardiac lesion and in association with congenital heart defects (CHD). Their aim was to identify the incidence and morphology of BAV in patients with coexisting CHD and compare their disease progression to patients with isolated BAV.
Methods: The Mayo Clinic echocardiography database was retrospectively analyzed to identify pediatric and young adult patients (≤22 years) who were diagnosed with BAV from 1990 to 2015. The morphology of BAV was determined from the echocardiographic studies before any intervention.
Results: Overall, 1010 patients with BAV were identified, 619 (61%) with isolated… More >

Yuli Y. Kim¹, Wei He², Thomas E. MacGillivray³, Oscar J. Benavidez²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 159-165, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12433

Abstract Objective: Despite their clinical importance, 30-day readmission after adult congenital heart surgery has been understudied. They sought to determine the frequency of unplanned readmissions after adult congenital heart surgery and to identify any potential associated risk factors.
Design: Retrospective cohort study using State Inpatient Databases for Washington, New York, Florida, and California from 2009 to 2011.
Setting: Federal and nonfederal acute care hospitals.
Patients: Admissions of patients age 18–49 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes indicating adult congenital heart surgery.
Outcome Measures: Readmission was defined as any nonelective hospitalization for a given patient ≤30 days… More >

Marco Astengo^1,2*, Caroline Berntsson^3*, Åse A. Johnsson^3,4, Peter Eriksson^1,2, Mikael Dellborg^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 174-180, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12424

Abstract Objective: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a common condition. Adult patients with newly diagnosed CoA and patients with recurring or residual CoA require evaluation of the severity of aortic obstruction. Cardiac catheterization is considered the gold standard for the evaluation of hemodynamically significant CoA. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the management of grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) include noninvasive criteria for identifying significant CoA. Our aim was to investigate the ability of the Class I and Class IIa ESC recommendations to identify significant CoA at cardiac catheterization.
Design: Sixty-six adult patients with native… More >

Giovanni Biglino^1,2, Claudio Capelli^2,3, Despina Koniordou³, Di Robertshaw², Lindsay-Kay Leaver², Silvia Schievano^2,3, Andrew M. Taylor^2,3, Jo Wray²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 113-118, 2017

Abstract Background: Nurse education and training are key to providing congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with consistent high standards of care as well as enabling career progression. One approach for improving educational experience is the use of 3D patient-specific models.
Objectives: To gather pilot data to assess the feasibility of using 3D models of CHD during a training course for cardiac nurses; to evaluate the potential of 3D models in this context, from the nurses’ perspective; and to identify possible improvements to optimise their use for teaching.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Setting: A national training week for cardiac nurses.
Participants: One… More >