Jennifer P. Lundine^1,2, Robert Dempster^3,4, Kirby Carpenito⁵, Holly Miller‐Tate⁵, Wendelin Burdo‐Hartman^4,6, Elizabeth Halpin², Omar Khalid^4,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 706-712, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12636

Abstract Background: Swallowing dysfunction is a known complication for infants with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), but few studies have examined swallowing outcomes following the hybrid procedure for stage 1 palliation in children with single ventricle physiology.
Objectives: (1) Identify the incidence of aspiration in all infants with single ventricle physiology who underwent the hybrid procedure and (2) Compare results of clinical bedside and instrumental swallowing evaluations to examine the predictive value of a less invasive swallowing assessment for this population of high‐risk infants.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort chart review study. All patients with single‐ventricle physiology who… More >

Doris P. Yimgang¹, John D. Sorkin², Charles F. Evans³, Danielle S. Abraham¹, Geoffrey L. Rosenthal^1,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 533-540, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12622

Abstract Introduction: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are commonly prescribed medications after the Norwood procedure. There are little data that can be used to determine if angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors improve interstage outcomes in children with single ventricle defects. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and interstage failure among infants born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative database (collected between 2008 and 2015). We used logistic regression models to assess the exposure-outcome associations and… More >

Laura S. Kverneland^1,2, Peter Kramer², Stanislav Ovroutski²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 181-193, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12570

Abstract Almost fifty years after its first clinical application, the modified Fontan operation is among the most frequently performed procedures in congenital heart disease surgery in children today. The objective of this review is to systematically summarize the international evolution of outcomes in regard to morbidity and mortality of patients with Fontan palliation. All studies published over the past five decades with more than 100 Fontan patients included were screened. In eligible studies, information concerning preoperative patients’ characteristics, Fontan modifications employed, early mortality, long-term survival and frequency of relevant complications was extracted. Ultimately, thirty-one studies published… More >

Gruschen R. Veldtman¹, Alexander R. Opotowsky², Samuel G. Wittekind¹, Jack Rychik³, Daniel J. Penny⁴, Mark Fogel³, Bradley S. Marino⁵, Marc Gewillig⁶

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 699-710, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12526

Abstract Although medium-term survival following Fontan operations in the modern era has improved dramatically, late cardiovascular and extracardiac morbidity are common and are associated with impaired quality of life and premature late mortality. This serves as a reminder of the extraordinary adaptations required of the cardiovascular system when the systemic arterial, systemic venous and pulmonary circulations are placed in series coupled to a single ventricular pump. This article reviews the key features and principles that govern interactions between the ventricle, systemic arterial circulation, the systemic venous and pulmonary circulatory compartments, the microcirculation, and lymphatic circulations. The More >

Zhiyong Lin, Hanwei Ge, Jiyang Xue, Guowei Wu, Jie Du, Xingti Hu, Qifeng Zhao

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 711-720, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12503

Abstract Objective: This study aims to assess and compare the early and long-term effects of extracardiac conduit (EC) and lateral tunnel (LT) in patients with a functional single ventricle through metaanalysis.
Design: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and WanFang databases for papers that were published until August 1, 2016. Cochrane systematic review method was used for paper screening and information retrieve, and RevMan 5.3 software was applied for the meta-analysis.
Results: Data for 10 studies with a total of 3814 patients were retrieved. The advantages of EC comparing to LT include:… More >

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 >

Katlyn Elizabeth McGrattan^1,2,3,4, Heather McGhee^2,3, Allan DeToma⁵, Elizabeth G. Hill⁵, Sinai C. Zyblewski⁶, Maureen Lefton-Greif^7,8,9, Lucinda Halstead^1,2, Scott M. Bradley¹⁰, Bonnie Martin-Harris^1,2,3,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 382-388, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12456

Abstract Background: Deficits in swallowing physiology are a leading morbidity for infants with functional single ventricles and systemic outflow tract obstruction following stage 1 palliation. Despite the high prevalence of this condition, the underlying deficits that cause this post-operative impairment remain poorly understood.
Objective: Identify the physiologic correlates of dysphagia in infants with functional single ventricles and systemic outflow tract obstruction following stage 1 palliative surgery.
Methods: Postoperative fiberoptic laryngoscopies and videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) were conducted sequentially on infants with functional single ventricles following stage 1 palliative surgery. Infants were dichotomized as having normal or impaired laryngeal function… More >