Anudeep K. Dodeja¹, Courtney Thomas¹, Curt J. Daniels^1,2, Naomi Kertesz^1,2, Anna Kamp^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 745-751, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12815

Abstract Background: Rhythm disorders are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Infrequent or asymptomatic arrhyth‐ mias may not be detected by routine monitoring. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs), such as the Reveal LINQ^TM, have been useful in long‐term monitoring for arrhythmias in adults with cryptogenic stroke.
Objective: We propose the Reveal LINQ^TM will detect arrhythmias, not documented by other monitoring modalities, resulting in change in management in ACHD patients.
Methods: This is a single center retrospective review of Reveal LINQ^TM use in ACHD patients from 2014‐2017. Medical records were reviewed to determine cardiac diag‐… More >

Erin K. Davis¹, Salil Ginde¹, Jessica Stelter², Peter Frommelt¹, Garick D. Hill³

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 720-725, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12814

Abstract Background/Hypothesis/Objectives: Postoperative complications after the Fontan operation for single ventricle heart disease are common and include persistent pleural drainage and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS). Diastolic ventricular dysfunction may increase risk for postoperative complications by raising central venous pressures. We sought to determine the relationship between preoperative echocardiographic measurements of diastolic function, including myocardial deformation imaging, on (a) preoperative invasive catheterization measurements and (b) postoperative outcomes after the Fontan procedure.
Design/Methods: All patients that underwent Fontan procedure from 2011 to 2017 were included. Echocardiograms performed within 6 months prior to Fontan operation were evaluated. Measurements of ventricular global and… More >

Vidhushei Yogeswaran¹, Rahul Kanade¹, Camilo Mejia¹, Ayotola Fatola¹, Srikanth Kothapalli¹, Maria Najam¹, Harigopal Sandhyavenu¹, Mounika Angirekula¹, Karim Osma¹, Mathews Jessey¹, Donald Hagler², Alexander C. Egbe¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 713-719, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12813

Abstract Background: Although Doppler echocardiography is routinely used to assess left ventricle cardiac output, there are limited data about the feasibility of Doppler echo‐ cardiography for right ventricular (RV) cardiac output assessment in patients with left‐to‐right shunt. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation be‐ tween Doppler‐derived and Fick‐derived RV cardiac index (CI), and the interobserver correlation in Doppler‐derived RV CI assessment.
Methods: Retrospective study of patients (age ≥18 years) with unrepaired atrial septal defect who underwent cardiac catheterization and echocardiography (within 3 days), 2004‐2017. RV CI was calculated using the hydraulic orifice formula: [.785 × (right ventricle… 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 >

Natalie Bottega¹, Isabelle Malhamé², Liming Guo¹, Raluca Ionescu‐Ittu¹, Judith Therrien¹, Ariane Marelli¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 735-744, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12811

Abstract Background: The number of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) of reproductive age is increasing, yet a description of trends in pregnancy and delivery outcomes in this population is lacking.
Objective: To assess secular trends in pregnancy rates, delivery outcomes, and related health care utilization in the adult female CHD population in Quebec, Canada.
Methods: The Quebec CHD database was used to construct a cohort with all women with CHD aged 18‐45 years between 1992 and 2004. Pregnancy and delivery rates were determined yearly and compared to the general population. Secular trends in pregnancy and delivery rates were assessed with… More >

Seul Gi Cha¹, Mi Kyung Song¹, Sang Yun Lee¹, Gi Beom Kim¹, Jae Gun Kwak², Woong Han Kim², Eun Jung Bae¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 684-690, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12810

Abstract Objective: Cardiovascular lesions are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Williams syndrome. Recent studies have rebutted conventional reports about the natural course of cardiovascular anomalies in Williams syndrome.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Single tertiary center.
Patients: Eighty patients with Williams syndrome followed up for more than 5 years.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Outcome Measures: Long‐term outcome of cardiovascular lesions, peak velocity change in obstructive cardiovascular lesions over time, post‐interventional courses of disease‐specific intervention, and intervention‐free survival of obstructive cardio‐ vascular lesions.
Results: The median follow‐up duration was 11.0 (5.1‐28.3) years. Among 80 pa‐ tients, supravalvular aortic stenosis… 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 >

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 >

Sonia A. Monteiro¹, Faridis Serrano¹, Rocky Tsang¹, Eboni Smith Hollier¹, Danielle Guffey², Lisa Noll¹, Robert G. Voigt¹, Nancy Ghanayem¹, Lara Shekerdemian¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 797-802, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12789

Abstract Objective: Neurodevelopmental impairment is common after surgery for congeni‐ tal heart disease (CHD) in infancy. While neurodevelopmental follow‐up of high‐risk patients has increased, the referral patterns for ancillary services following initial evaluation have not been reported. The aim of this study is to describe the rates and patterns of referral at the initial visit to our outcomes clinic of patients who under‐ went surgery for CHD during infancy.
Outcomes Measures: The Cardiac Developmental Outcomes Program clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital provides routine longitudinal follow‐up with developmental pedi‐ atricians and child psychologists for children who required surgery for CHD within the… More >

Jesse Lee^1,2, Kanishka Ratnayaka¹, John Moore¹, Howaida El‐Said¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 791-796, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12786

Abstract Background/Objective: Stenting the ductus arteriosus (DAS) has become an alternative to surgical systemic to pulmonary artery shunts in neonates with ductal‐ dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF). Femoral approach for a vertical ductus can be difficult secondary to the acute angle and tortuous course, thus alternative ac‐ cess sites have been explored. Carotid access complications have been reported in 5%‐10%. The extensive use of an axillary arterial approach in the United States has not been reported. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with DAS using the axillary approach.
Methods: We reviewed all patients with DAS with an… More >