Pregnancy in ACHD women: crucial role of multidisciplinary clinical roadmap.

Purpose: Pregnancy in women with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), whether in its natural history or after surgical correction, represents a unique pathophysiological model that requires careful, multidisciplinary management to ensure favorable maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. Investigating the impact of congenital cardiac conditions on maternal and feto-neonatal health, the effect of pregnancy-related cardiovascular changes on maternal cardiac health, and the outcomes for offspring born from ACHD mothers is highly relevant, due to the increasing number of ACHD women reaching adulthood and the significant burden these pregnancies can pose. The aim of this article is to provide food for thought to those who have always been involved in ACHD and pregnancy, but also to provide a training tool for young doctors who are approaching at this wonderful world for the first time.

Heparin Versus Bivalirudin in Pediatric Patients Assisted With Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Retrospective Before-and-after Study.

Objectives: Children assisted with mechanical circulatory support experience bleeding and thrombotic complications that may depend upon anticoagulation strategies. The primary aim of this study was to compare the incidence of thrombotic events in pediatric heart failure patients assisted with mechanical circulatory support with the use of bivalirudin versus heparin anticoagulation. A secondary aim was to compare the percentage of out-of-range partial thromboplastin time values between these anticoagulants.