Varun Aggarwal^1,2, Sebastian C. Tume³, Marco Rodriguez¹, Iki Adachi⁴, Antonio G. Cabrera¹, Hari Tunuguntla¹, Athar M. Qureshi¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 1130-1137, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12860

Abstract Objective: Predictors of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction after continuous‐flow left ventricular assist device (CF‐LVAD) implantation in children are not well described. We explored the association of preimplantation Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility index (PAPi) and other hemodynamic parameters as predictors of prolonged postoperative inotropes/pulmonary vasodilator use after CF‐LVAD implantation.
Design: Retrospective chart review.
Setting: Single tertiary care pediatric referral center.
Patients: Patients who underwent CF‐LVAD implantation from January 2012 to October 2017.
Interventions: Preimplantation invasive hemodynamic parameters were analyzed to evaluate the association with post‐CF‐LVAD need for prolonged (>72 hours) use of inotropes/pulmonary vasodilators.
Measurements and main results: Preimplantation cardiac catheterization data… More >

Masashi Nishida, Shingo Kubo, Yuma Morishita, Kosuke Nishikawa, Kazuyuki Ikeda, Toshiyuki Itoi, Hajime Hosoi

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 1087-1093, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12853

Abstract Objective: This study aims to investigate the changes in renal function and levels of urinary biomarkers before and after cardiac angiography in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Setting: Children with CHD are at a risk for kidney injury during contrast exposure in cardiac angiography.
Outcome Measures: We measured urinary protein, albumin, N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG), β2‐microglobulin (BMG), and liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP) levels, as well as serum creatinine and cystatin C levels, before and after cardiac angiography in 33 children with CHD.
Results: No significant decrease was noted in either the creatinine‐based or cystatin C‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate at… More >

Shihai Wang, Jun’an Pan, Bei Xiao, Yongjiang Tang, Jianjun Lan, Xuezhong Zheng, Chao Yang, Dawen Xu, Jiyu Zhang

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 939-944, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12844

Abstract Objectives: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy in improving cardiac function and functional capacity with device closure of large atrial septal defects (ASD) in senior adults.
Background: Atrial septal defect accounts for about 10% of all congenital heart dis‐ ease. It still remains unclear whether large ASD closure in senior people should be performed or not. Hence we aim to prospectively assess the safety and clinical status of senior patients after transcatheter closure in large ASD.
Patients and interventions: This was a prospective study of all patients aged over 50 years who underwent device closure of a secundum… More >

Sok‐Leng Kang¹, Aimee Armstrong², Gregor Krings³, Lee Benson¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 1046-1057, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12838

Abstract Three‐dimensional rotational angiography (3D‐RA) enables volumetric imaging through rotation of the C‐arm of an angiographic system and real‐time 3D recon‐ struction during cardiac catheterization procedures. In the field of congenital heart disease (CHD), 3D‐RA has gained considerable traction, owing to its capability for en‐ hanced visualization of spatial relationships in complex cardiac morphologies and real time image guidance in an intricate interventional environment. This review provides an overview of the current applications, strengths, and limitations of 3D‐RA acquisi‐ tion in the management of CHD and potential future directions. In addition, issues of dosimetry, radiation exposure, and optimization strategies will be… More >

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 of… 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 attempt for… 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 discharge data from… More >

Kieu T. Huynh¹, Vien T. Truong^2,3, Tam N. M. Ngo^3,4, Thao B. Dang⁵, Wojciech Mazur³, Eugene S. Chung^3,6, Justin T. Tretter⁷, Dean J. Kereiakes³, Tuyen K. Le⁸, Vinh N. Pham¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 772-777, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12781

Abstract Objectives: The aim of our work is to investigate the clinical characteristics of coro‐ nary artery fistula (CAF) anomalies in South Vietnam.
Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 119 patients with diagnosis of definite CAF between January 1992 and April 2016. The demographic, clinical, echocardio‐ graphic, and angiographic characteristics and management of CAF with short‐term outcomes are described.
Results: The median age was 15 years (range, 1‐79 years), with 49 male (41%) and 70 female (59%). There were 77 symptomatic patients (64.7%) and 91 patients (76.5%) who presented with a murmur. The electrocardiogram was abnormal in 45.4% and cardiac… More >

Sarah Tweddell, Rohit S. Loomba, David S. Cooper, Alexis L. Benscoter

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 785-790, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12779

Abstract Introduction: Health care‐associated infections (HAIs) increase mortality, length of stay, and cost in hospitalized patients. The incidence of and risk factors for developing HAIs in the pediatric population after cardiac surgery have been studied. This study evaluates the impact of HAIs on length of stay, inpatient mortality, and cost of hospitalization in the pediatric population after cardiac surgery.
Methods: TheKids’InpatientDatabasewasqueriedforanalysis.Patientsunder18years of age who underwent cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2012 were included. HAIs were defined as central line‐associated blood stream infections, catheter‐associated urinary tract infections, ventilator‐associated pneumonias, and surgical wound infections. Univariate analysis compared admissions with and without a HAI.… More >

Christopher J. Petit¹, Athar M. Qureshi², Andrew C. Glatz³, Courtney E. McCracken¹, Michael Kelleman¹, George T. Nicholson⁴, Jeffery J. Meadows⁵, Shabana Shahanavaz⁶, Jeffrey D. Zampi⁷, Mark A. Law⁸, Joelle A. Pettus¹, Bryan H. Goldstein⁹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 341-349, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12737

Abstract Clinical research in the treatment of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is limited by the wide variety of CHD manifestations and therapeutic options as well as the generally low incidence of CHD. The availability of comprehensive, contemporary outcomes studies is therefore limited. This inadequacy may result in a lack of data‐driven medical decision making. In 2013, clinician scientists at two centers begana researchcollaboration,the Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative (CCRC). Over time, the CCRC has grown to include nine cardiac centers from across the United States, with a common data coordinating center. The CCRC seeks to generate high‐quality, contemporary, statistically robust,… More >