Repetitive delay in diagnosis of ventricular septal defect.

Objective: Although ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease, it is usually diagnosed late. The presentation of the disease is variable; sometimes it is so quiet and silent that might even improve and heal spontaneously, and in some certain cases if the appropriate, on time and early treatment is not done, this would lead to irreparable complications and mortality even in the early life period. This study reviews the diagnostic process, treatment and follow-up of the patients.

Relationship between echocardiographic findings and laboratory serum biomarkers in patients with and without low cardiac output.

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is seen in many patients and could be evaluated with echocardiography and serum biomarkers. The aim of this study was evaluation of the relationship between echocardiographic findings and laboratory serum biomarkers in children with and without low cardiac output.

Methods: Thirty patients older than 1 month with and without low cardiac output were enrolled in this study.