Omar Meziab, Dominic J. Abrams, Mark E. Alexander, Laura Bevilacqua, Vassilios Bezzerides, Doug Y. Mah, Edward P. Walsh, John K. Triedman

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 419-427, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12589

Abstract Objective: This study evaluates the ability of experienced pediatric electrophysiologists (EPs) to reliably classify incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) and assesses its clinical utility as an isolated ECG finding in a group of healthy outpatient children without prior cardiac evaluation.
Design: We performed a retrospective analysis of all electrocardiographic and echocardiographic records at Boston Children’s Hospital between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. Echocardiographic diagnoses were identified if registered between the date of the index electrocardiogram and the ensuing year. A selected subset of 473 ECGs was subsequently reanalyzed in a blinded manner by six… More >

Stephanie A. Goldstein, Martin J. LaPage, Brynn E. Dechert, Gerald A. Serwer, Sunkyung Yu, Ray E. Lowery, David J. Bradley

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 413-418, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12585

Abstract Objective: Inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks in children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain a major complication of device therapy, occurring in as many as 50% of children with ICDs. New generation devices include algorithms designed to minimize inappropriate shocks. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of new generation ICDs on the incidence of inappropriate shocks in the pediatric and CHD population.
Design: Retrospective study of patients with CHD or under age 25 receiving ICDs between 2000 and 2015. New generation ICDs were defined as those with Medtronic “SmartShock” algorithms.
Results: Two hundred eight… More >

Angeline D. Opina, Constance Cephus, Yunfei Wang, Samuel Younan, Douglas Moodie

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 327-333, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12580

Abstract Objective: Studies have shown improvement in lipid levels after institution of lifestyle changes in children enrolled in closely monitored programs. There programs are difficult to mimic in real world clinics. We aim to determine if diet and exercise result in improvement in lipid levels in patients seen in a designated lipid clinic in a real life setting.
Design: Retrospective review of patients followed for dyslipidemia at the Texas Children’s Hospital Lipid Clinic from May 1, 2012 to May 1, 2015. Patients included were seen more than once, had repeat lipid testing, and abnormal baseline lipid levels. Multivariate… More >

Amanda L. Phillips¹, Muhammad Yasir Qureshi^1,2, Benjamin W. Eidem^1,2,3, Frank Cetta^1,2,3

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 251-253, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12560

Abstract Background: Lambl’s excrescences (LE) are fibrous extensions that can be found along the lines of closure of the aortic valve. Due to improvements in ultrasound technology, LE are frequently imaged during transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in adults.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of LE among children from two eras (2004–2006 and 2011–2012) and the effect of technological advancements on LE detection.
Methods: TTE from 700 subjects (age 18 years old or younger) were reviewed. All parasternal long and short axis images of the aortic valve were reviewed by a board certified echocardiographer, and… More >

Robert W. Loar, Cory V. Noel, Hari Tunuguntla, John L. Colquitt, Ricardo H. Pignatelli

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 5-15, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12564

Abstract Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in adults and children is a topic with a growing interest in the cardiology literature. The ability to detect cardiac dysfunction in a timely manner is essential in order to begin adequate treatment and prevent further deterioration. This article aims to provide a review on the myocardial injury process, chemotherapeutic agents that lead to cardiotoxicity, the definition of cardiotoxicity, and the methods of timely detection and treatment. More >

Uri Pollak^1,2,3, David Mishaly^3,4, Gili Kenet^3,5, Amir Vardi^1,3

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 16-25, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12557

Abstract Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication of heparin therapy. The risk for HIT correlates with the cumulative dosage of heparin exposure. In Fontan patients, recurrent systemic anticoagulation, traditionally with heparin, is used to alleviate the thrombotic complications that may occur postoperatively when the venous pressure rises and the systemic venous flow into the pulmonary arteries becomes sluggish, putting them at increased risk. As a pressure gradient-dependent circulation, elevation in systemic venous pressure, most often by venous thrombosis, contributes to circuit failure. Therefore, when HIT complicates patients after the Fontan procedure, it is associated with More >

Astrida Kaugars¹, Clarissa Shields², Cheryl Brosig³

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 72-78, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12547

Abstract Objective: The study examined parent stress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among families of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) referred for psychological services.
Methods: Parents of 54 children (85% boys) aged 3 to 13 (M_age = 7.48, SD = 2.38) completed measures to assess parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index – Short Form; Pediatric Inventory for Parents) and the PedsQL Family Impact Module. Medical information was retrieved from medical record review.
Results: Half of parents of children with single ventricle anatomy had clinically significant levels of parenting stress. Parents of children with single ventricle anatomy reported more More >

Felicit e Kamdem^1,2, Danielle Kedy Koum^2,3, Ba Hamadou^1,4, Melanie Yemdji¹, Henry Luma^1,4, Marie Solange Doualla^1,4, Diomède Noukeu⁵, Esther Barla⁵, Christophe Akazong⁵, Anastase Dzudie^1,4, Henry Ngote¹, Yves Monkam¹, Sidiki Mouliom¹, Samuel Kingue^4,6

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 113-117, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12529

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases in pediatric pathologies have emerged in the recent years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with congenital heart diseases (CHDs) being the most frequent. Unfortunately, their diagnosis is usually delayed, thereby increasing childhood morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: Describe the clinical, echocardiographic, and therapeutic aspects of CHDs of children at Douala General Hospital.
Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study over a 10-year period, from January 2006 to December 2015. Files and reports of cardiac ultrasounds of patients aged ≤ 15 years were reviewed.
Results: We reviewed the medical records of 1616 children, of which 370 (22.9%) had… More >

Alberto Cresti¹, Raffaele Giordano², Martin Koestenberger³, Isabella Spadoni⁴, Marco Scalese⁵, Ugo Limbruno¹, Susanna Falorini⁶, Stefania Stefanelli¹, Andrea Picchi¹, Francesco De Sensi¹, Angela Malandrino⁷, Massimiliano Cantinotti^4,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 105-112, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12528

Abstract Background: Despite ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are the most common congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in the neonatal period, their incidence and natural history are still debated and their follow-up and management strategies remain controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence and natural history of isolated VSDs.
Methods: From January 1996 to December 2015 all neonates with a CHD suspicion were referred to the Cardiological Department of Grosseto Misericordia Hospital. Only newborns with confirmed isolated VSD were enrolled in this study and followed for 6 years.
Results: Our 343 newborns with an isolated VSD (incidence of 10.45/1000/births) account… More >

Zenon Pogorelić^1,2, Tomislava Brković², Dražen Budimir¹, Jakov Todorić¹, Đurđica Košuljandić³, Ana Jerončić⁴, Mihovil Biočić¹, Marijan Saraga^2,3

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.24, No.3, pp. 8853-8858, 2017

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and potential complications of double-J ureteric stents in the treatment of primary hydronephrosis in pediatric patients.
Materials and methods: A retrospective case-records review of 133 patients (45 girls and 88 boys) treated because of primary hydronephrosis with double-J ureteric stents, in Department of Pediatric Surgery, Split University Hospital, between December 1997 and December 2014, was performed. Success of treatment, results of follow up investigations and complications were recorded. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically for a minimum of 2 years following stent insertion.
Results: In all, 133… More >