Yu Zhu^1*, Yong Chen^1*, Yu Feng², Di Yu¹, Xuming Mo¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 271-281, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12567

Abstract We conducted this meta-analysis to address the open question of a possible association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and congenital heart defects (CHDs) in infants. We conducted a comprehensive computerized search of PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase databased (January 1980 through August 2017). We assessed the association between maternal BMI and the risk for congenital heart defects in their offspring. Study-specific relative risk estimates were polled according to random-effect or fixed-effect models. From 2567 citations, a total of 13 case-control studies and 4 cohort studies were selected for a meta-analysis, including more… More >

David Aurigemma, John W. Moore, Gabrielle Vaughn, Nasser Moiduddin, Howaida G. El-Said

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 226-231, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12552

Abstract Background: Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stents have been used as palliation in patients with severe tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Radiofrequency perforation of the RVOT has also been described in patients with pulmonary atresia (PA)/ventricular septal defect (VSD). However, RVOT stenting in conjunction with radiofrequency perforation as a means for establishing reliable pulmonary blood flow in patients with PA/VSD has not previously been reported.
Objectives: Our aim is to report our experience with using perforation of plate-like pulmonary valve atresia combined with stenting of RVOT as an alternative and equally efficacious intervention for infants with PA/VSD, as… More >

Wen-Yi Luo¹, Zhuo-Ming Xu¹, Li Hong², Qian-Yue Wu¹, Yue-Yue Zhang¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 777-782, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12489

Abstract Background: Food allergy is a rapidly growing public health concern because of its increasing prevalence, as well as life-threatening potential. There is limited knowledge on the nutritional status for the pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with food allergy.
Objective: This study investigated both clinical and nutritional outcomes according to the CHD infants with food allergy.
Methods: Forty CHD infants with food allergy and 39 controls were recruited in Shanghai, China. The height and weight for age and weight for height were converted to z-scores to evaluate their effects on nutritional status before and after CHD operation.
Results: Cow’s… More >

Constantine Mavroudis

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 644-646, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12491

Abstract Coronary artery disease ranges from congenital in origin such as anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) to acquired diseases such as Kawasaki disease, and previously repaired conditions such as transposition of the great arteries. It is not uncommon, in the long run, for proximal coronary stenosis to develop following arterial switch, AAOCA repair, Ross procedure and Kawasaki disease leading to coronary artery bypass grafing (CABG). The objective of this report is to discuss the indications, challenges, and outcomes of CABG in infants, children, and young adults with acquired and congenital lesions. 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 >

Koert de Waal¹, Nilkant Phad¹, Nick Collins², Andrew Boyle²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 364-372, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12454

Abstract Background: Sustained volume load due to a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) leads to cardiac remodeling. Remodeling changes can become pathological and are associated with cardiovascular disease progression. Data on remodeling changes in preterm infants is not available.
Methods: Clinical and echocardiography data were collected in preterm infants <30 weeks gestation on postnatal day 3 and then every 7–14 days until closure of the ductus arteriosus. Images were analyzed using conventional techniques and speckle tracking. Remodeling changes of infants with prolonged (>14 days) exposure to a PDA were compared to control infants without a PDA.
Results: Thirty out of… More >

Waldemar F. Carlo¹, James F. Cnota², Robert J. Dabal³, Jeffrey B. Anderson²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 315-321, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12442

Abstract Objective: The National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC) was established in 2008 to improve outcomes of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) during the interstage period. They evaluated changes in patient variables and practice variation between early and late eras.
Design: Data including demographic, operative, discharge, and follow-up variables from the first 100 patients (6/2008–1/2010) representing 18 centers were compared with the most recent 100 patients (1/2014–11/2014) from these same centers.
Results: Prenatal diagnosis increased from 69% to 82% (P = .05). There were no differences in gestational age or weight at Norwood. A composite of any preoperative… More >