Jeremy M. Steele^1,2, Tamar J. Preminger⁴, Francine G. Erenberg², Lu Wang³, Katherine Dell², Tarek Alsaied¹, Kenneth G. Zahka²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 517-524, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12754

Abstract Objectives: To determine the prevalence, age of onset, and risk factors for overweight and obesity in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Study Design: Children with CHD who were seen at our institution from 1996 to 2017 were studied. Patients were full-time residents of the United States and were receiving all cardiac care at our institution. Patients were categorized by age and CHD diagnosis. The date of last normal weight for age and the date of first recorded weight in the range of overweight and obese were documented.
Results: Nine hundred sixty-eight patients with CHD were included. The prevalence of… 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 >

Shipra Gupta¹, Ankit Sakhuja², Eric McGrath¹, Basim Asmar¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 196-201, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12425

Abstract Background: We studied the incidence, trend, underlying conditions, microbiology, and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) in children during 11 years using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. This is the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States containing data for more than 8 million hospital stays from over 1000 hospitals.
Methods: NIS data from 2000 to 2010 of primary discharge diagnosis of IE in children aged ≤19 years old were studied. Children with underlying congenital heart defects and acquired heart conditions were identified. Microbiological causative agents were recorded. Linear regression was used to assess trend of incidence over time.
… More >

Sebastian Udholm¹, Camilla Nyboe¹, Thomas Meinertz Dantoft², Torben Jørgensen^2,3,4, Charlotte U. Rask⁵, Vibeke E. Hjortdal¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 803-810, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12808

Abstract Objective: For the first time, we wish to assess the psychiatric burden in adult patients living with small, unrepaired atrial septal defects (ASD) using register‐based data, com‐ bined with self‐reported measures on levels emotional distress and educational status.
Design: A descriptive study using both the unique Danish registries and validated psychiatric questionnaires and scales, including: The Symptom Checklist, Whiteley‐7, and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.
Patients: Adult patients with small, unrepairedASD, diagnosed between 1953 and 2011.
Outcome Measures: Number of register‐based psychiatric diagnoses. Additionally, symptoms of anxiety, depression, somatization, health anxiety, illness perception, and levels of educational attainment compared to age‐… More >