Brian Robichaud¹, Garick Hill², Scott Cohen^1,3, Ronald Woods⁴, Michael Earing^1,3, Peter Frommelt¹, Salil Ginde^1,3

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 734-739, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12639

Abstract Background: Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is a common operation in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). As survival with CHD improves, infective endo‐ carditis (IE) is a growing complication after PVR. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of IE after surgical PVR in patients with CHD at our institution.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of all cases of surgical PVR performed at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin between 1975 and 2016 was performed. All cases of IE after PVR were identified and clinical and imaging data were obtained by review of medical records.
Results:… More >

Juan Lizandro Rodríguez‐Hernández¹, Fayna Rodríguez‐González², Marta Riaño‐Ruiz³, Efrén Martínez‐Quintana^1,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 655-662, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12620

Abstract Introduction: Hyperuricemia has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors but it remains controversial if uric acid is an independent predictor of cardiac mortality.
Methods: A total of 503 CHD patients (457 nonhypoxemic and 46 hypoxemic) and 772 control patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data [serum uric acid and 24h urine uric acid levels, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro‐BNP), and C‐reactive‐protein (CRP) concentrations] were studied. Survivals curves to determine cardiac death and arterial thrombosis in CHD patients were also examined.
Results: Noncyanotic and cyanotic CHD patients had significant higher serum uric acid concentration (5.2 ± 1.5 vs 4.9 ± 1.3mg/dL, P = .007 and… More >

Kevin C. Harris¹, Christine Voss¹, Kathryn Rankin², Basmina Aminzadah², Ross Gardner¹, Andrew S. Mackie²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 563-570, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12612

Abstract Objective: Individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) may be at higher risk of acquired cardiovascular disease than the general population due to their underlying physiology and/or surgical sequelae. We sought to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in youth and adults with CHD.
Methods: We assessed cardiovascular health as per the Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team (CANHEART) health index in patients with CHD aged 15+ years who attended cardiology outpatient clinics. Participants self-reported smoking behavior, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and whether they had diabetes and hypertension. Individual health indices were categorized into ideal/not ideal,… More >

Michael A. Brock, John‐Anthony Coppola, Jana Reid, Diego Moguillansky

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 924-930, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12857

Abstract Objective: The primary aim of our work is to determine the incidence of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery in adults with congenital heart disease. Secondary aims include identifying risk factors predictive of developing early postoperative atrial fibrillation and morbidities associated with early postoperative atrial fibrillation.
Design: Retrospective analysis.
Setting: Single center, quaternary care children’s hospital.
Patients: This review included patients at least 18 years of age with known congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery requiring a median sternotomy at our congenital heart center from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.
Interventions: None.
Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was… More >

Paolo D’Ambrosio^1,2, Derek Tran^1,2, Charlotte E. Verrall^3,4, Chantal Attard⁵, Maria Fiatarone Singh^6,7, Julian Ayer^3,4,8, Yves d’Udekem^5,9,10, Stephen Twigg^2,11, David S. Celermajer^1,2,12, Rachael Cordina^1,2,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 987-995, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12836

Abstract Objective and Patients: This study aimed to characterize bone mineral density abnormalities and pathophysiological associations in young adults living with a Fontan circulation.
Design: Participants underwent bone mineral density measurement using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and serum biochemical analysis, cardiopulmonary exercise and strength testing and transthoracic echocardiography.
Results: In our cohort (n = 28), 29% had osteopenic‐range bone mineral density and one patient was osteoporotic (average hip t score: −0.6 ± 1.1; spine t score: −0.6 ± 0.9). Four patients (14%) had z scores < −2.0. Parathyroid hormone levels were increased compared with laboratory median (6.1 ± 3.5 vs 4 pmol/L,… More >

ALICIA VIVIANA LAPIERRE, MARIA ELENA ARCE, JOSÉ RAUL LOPEZ, GLADYS MARÍA CIUFFO.

BIOCELL, Vol.30, No.3, pp. 447-455, 2006, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2006.30.447

Abstract Essential hypertension is considered a multifactorial trait resulting from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The angiotensin II type 1 receptor mediates the vasoconstrictor and growthpromoting effects of Ang II. The A¹¹⁶⁶C polymorphism of the AT₁ receptor gene may be associated with cardiovascular phenotypes, such as high arterial blood pressure, aortic stiffness, and increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the association between this A¹¹⁶⁶C polymorphism and hypertension in hypertense and normotense subjects from San Luis (Argentina) by mismatch PCR-RFLP analysis. Hypertense patients exhibited significant increases in lipid related values and body mass index. The frequency of occurrence of the C¹¹⁶⁶… More >