Prognostic Value of CTA-Derived Left Ventricular Mass in Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease.

For therapeutic decisions regarding uni- or biventricular surgical repair in congenital heart disease (CHD), left ventricular mass (LVM) is an important factor. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the LVM of infants with CHD in thoracic computed tomography angiographies (CTAs) and to evaluate its usefulness as a prognostic parameter, with special attention paid to hypoplastic left heart (HLH) patients. Manual segmentation of the left ventricular endo- and epicardial volumes was performed in CTAs of 132 infants.

Growth of hypoplastic mitral valves in hypoplastic left heart complex and similar constellations after anatomical left superior vena cava correction.

Objectives: Left superior vena cava (LSVC)-related obstruction of mitral inflow is a rare finding in patients with complex cardiac anomalies like hypoplastic left heart complex. We report our experience by establishing a left superior to right superior caval vein continuity (innominate vein creation by direct LSVC-right superior vena cava end-to-side-anastomosis), and coronary sinus unroofing if indicated for LSVC-related mitral inflow obstruction.

Methods: Nineteen patients (median age: 1.

Assessing Histological Inflammatory Activity in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study Testing Fecal Biomarkers Lactoferrin and Calprotectin.

Background And Aims: Histological remission has arisen as the optimal treatment outcome in ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of this retrospective study was to explore the diagnostic performance of the noninvasive fecal biomarkers calprotectin (FC) and lactoferrin (FL) compared to the histological indices Nancy Index (NI) and Riley Index (RI).

Methods: This study is a retrospective diagnostic accuracy study based on secondary analysis of patient data from 2002 to 2017 extracted from medical registries of our clinics in Essen-Mitte, Germany.

Distinct patterns of short-chain fatty acids during flare in patients with ulcerative colitis under treatment with mesalamine or a herbal combination of myrrh, chamomile flowers, and coffee charcoal: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Short-chain fatty acids are involved in the regulation of the gut immune system. In ulcerative colitis, short-chain fatty acids are often reduced, especially during flare. This study evaluated exploratively the pattern of butyrate and total short-chain fatty acids in patients with ulcerative colitis during flare treated either with mesalamine or a herbal preparation consisting of myrrh, chamomile flowers, and coffee charcoal which showed promising results in maintaining remission in a randomized double-blind, double-dummy, controlled clinical trial (EudraCT-Number 2007-007928-18).

Evaluation of ventricular septal defects using high pitch computed tomography angiography of the chest in children with complex congenital heart defects below one year of age.

Background: Aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ventricular septal defects (VSD) using high pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest in children below 1 year of age, compared to the intraoperative findings and echocardiography.

Methods: Out of 154 patients that underwent Dual-Source CTA of the chest using a high-pitch protocol at low tube voltages (70-80 kV), 55 underwent surgical repair of a VSD (median age 8 days, range 1-348 days). The margins of the VSDs and their relation to the surrounding structures were reproduced by en-face views using multiplanar reformations (MPR).