Adam B. Christopher¹, Abraham Apfel², Tao Sun², Jackie Kreutzer¹, David S. Ezon³

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 713-720, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12637

Abstract Objective: The most accurate noninvasive parameter to predict whether a patient with aortic coarctation will meet interventional criteria at catheterization remains elusive. We aim to determine the best independent echocardiographic predictors of a coarctation peak‐to‐peak pressure gradient ≥20 mm Hg at catheterization, the ac‐ cepted threshold for intervention.
Design: Retrospective query of our catheterization database from 1/2007 to 7/2016 for the diagnostic code of aortic coarctation was performed. Multiple echocardio‐ graphic measurements and blood pressure gradients prior to cardiac catheterization were collected. Univariate correlation of variables with the continuous catheteriza‐ tion peak were calculated using Spearman’s rho. Univariate association with… More >

Jennifer P. Lundine^1,2, Robert Dempster^3,4, Kirby Carpenito⁵, Holly Miller‐Tate⁵, Wendelin Burdo‐Hartman^4,6, Elizabeth Halpin², Omar Khalid^4,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 706-712, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12636

Abstract Background: Swallowing dysfunction is a known complication for infants with complex congenital heart disease (CHD), but few studies have examined swallowing outcomes following the hybrid procedure for stage 1 palliation in children with single ventricle physiology.
Objectives: (1) Identify the incidence of aspiration in all infants with single ventricle physiology who underwent the hybrid procedure and (2) Compare results of clinical bedside and instrumental swallowing evaluations to examine the predictive value of a less invasive swallowing assessment for this population of high‐risk infants.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort chart review study. All patients with single‐ventricle physiology who underwent the… More >

Katharina Niedermayr¹, Gerhard Pölzl², Sabine Scholl‐Bürgi¹, Christine Fauth³, Ulrich Schweigmann¹, Edda Haberlandt¹, Ursula Albrecht¹, Manuela Zlamy¹, Wolfgang Sperl⁴, Johannes A. Mayr⁴, Daniela Karall¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 671-677, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12634

Abstract Objective: In general, a mitochondrial disorder is diagnosed on the basis of symptom combinations and confirmed by genetic findings. However, patients carrying the m.3243A>G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA leucine 1 (MT‐TL1) do not always meet all the proposed criteria for the most frequently encountered mitochondrial syndrome “MELAS,” an acronym for Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and at least one Stroke‐like episode. We here present various phenotypic characteristics of the mitochondrial mutation m.3243A>G with particular focus on cardiac manifestations.
Methods and Results: We followed nine patients (1 month to 68 years old; median 42 years; four female and five male) from… More >

Cheryl L. Brosig^1,2, Laurel Bear^1,2, Sydney Allen¹, Pippa Simpson¹, Liyun Zhang¹, Michele Frommelt^1,2, Kathleen A. Mussatto²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 700-705, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12632

Abstract Background and Objectives: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for neurodevelopmental (ND) delays. The purpose of this study is to compare the ND testing results of children with CHD at 2 and 4 years of age and determine if rates of ND delays change over time.
Methods: Children with CHD completed the Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐III (BSID‐III) at 2 years of age, and standardized neuropsychological measures at 4 years. Scores were compared with test norms and were classified as: average (within one SD of test mean); at risk (1‐2 SDs from the test mean); and delayed… More >

Juan Jesús Sánchez‐Barriga

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 690-699, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12631

Abstract Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents a global health problem. In Mexico, in children <1 year of age it is the second cause of mortality. The aim was to determine mortality trends from CHD and the great vessels in children and adults nationwide, by state and socioeconomic region.
Methods: Records of mortality associated to CHD and the great vessels for 2000‐2015 were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. This information is collected from death certificates issued nationwide. International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes corresponding to the basic cause of death from CHD and the great vessels.… More >

Paul C. Helm¹, Ulrike M. M. Bauer^1,2, Hashim Abdul‐Khaliq^2,3, Helmut Baumgartner^1,4, Hans‐Heiner Kramer⁵, Christian Schlensak^2,7, Thomas Pickardt¹, Anne‐Karin Kahlert^5,6*, Marc‐Phillip Hitz^5*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 685-689, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12630

Abstract Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects up to 1% of live births the etiol‐ ogy remains relatively poorly understood. Thus, cardiac research is needed to under‐ stand the underlying pathomechanisms ofthe disease.About51 000CHDpatients are registered in the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects (NRCHD). Patients and relatives were interviewed online about their willingness to support ge‐ netic heart research in order to donate a biological sample.
Methods: Study participants were recruited via the database of the NRCHD. Seven thousand nine hundred eighty‐nine patients were invited to participate in the study. Participants have been asked to rate three questions on… More >

Anita T. Cote^1,2, Martin Hosking³, Christine Voss^1,3, Derek G. Human³, George G. S. Sandor^1,3, Kevin C. Harris^1,3

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 663-670, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12629

Abstract Objective: Pediatric heart transplant recipients are at risk of posttransplant coronary artery disease known as cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and also may develop diastolic dysfunction. As CAV begins with a process of progressive intimal thickening, these occult diffuse changes may be detected using optical coherence tomography (OCT). We hypothesized that the development of CAV, as identified via OCT, may be a mechanism of declining ventricular function. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess coronary artery intimal thickening and LV strain in children who have undergone heart transplantation.
Methods: In 17 children, we analyzed OCT images for coronary intima… More >

Ketina Arslani^1*, Lukas Notz^1*, Marzena Zurek¹, Matthias Greutmann², Markus Schwerzmann³, Judith Bouchardy⁴, Reto Engel⁵, Christine Attenhofer Jost⁶, Daniel Tobler¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 678-684, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12627

Abstract Background: In adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and atrial arrhythmias, recommendations for thromboprophylaxis are vague and evidence is lacking. We aimed to identify factors that influence decision-making in daily practice.
Methods: From the Swiss Adult Congenital HEart disease Registry (SACHER) we identified 241 patients with either atrial fibrillation (Afib) or atrial flutter/intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (Aflut/ IART). The mode of anticoagulation was reviewed. Logistic regression models were used to assess factors that were associated with oral anticoagulation therapy.
Results: Compared with patients with Aflut/IART, patients with Afib were older (51 ± 16.1 vs 37 ± 16 years, P < .001)… More >

Ashley E. Neal¹, Elizabeth Lehto¹, Karen Hughes Miller², Erin Davis³, Craig Ziegler²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.13, No.5, pp. 788-793, 2018, DOI:10.1111/chd.12626

Abstract Objective: The 2016 American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) content outline is comprehensive, including more than 50 cardiology-specific objectives within eight content areas. This study complements the quantitative analysis of a Kentucky-wide survey of trainees, pediatricians, and pediatric cardiologists asking them to identify “most important” cardiology content by analyzing their open-ended comments about “what should be added” and “why?” within these eight categories.
Design, Methods, Outcome Measures: This cross-sectional study used an original, online survey instrument based on the 2016 ABP cardiology-specific objectives. We began an initial analysis of the qualitative data using Pandit’s version of Glaser and Strauss Grounded theory… 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 >