Developing and Validating Multi-Modal Models for Mortality Prediction in COVID-19 Patients: a Multi-center Retrospective Study.

The unprecedented global crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked numerous efforts to create predictive models for the detection and prognostication of SARS-CoV-2 infections with the goal of helping health systems allocate resources. Machine learning models, in particular, hold promise for their ability to leverage patient clinical information and medical images for prediction. However, most of the published COVID-19 prediction models thus far have little clinical utility due to methodological flaws and lack of appropriate validation.

Left innominate vein creation using left internal jugular vein tunneled to right internal jugular vein.

Background: Left innominate vein occlusion is a known complication of pacemaker and central venous catheter placement. For dialysis-dependent patients with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), this can prevent successful hemodialysis and may require surgical intervention.

Case Report: An 8-month-old male was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome and became dialysis-dependent at 11 months of age.

Adult congenital pulmonary valve insertion using a new bioprosthetic aortic valve: Inspiris.

We describe successful placement of the Inspiris Resilia aortic valve in the pulmonary position. This valve has advantages for immediate benefit and future percutaneous interventions, making it a promising prosthesis for adult congenital patients.

Fontan procedure: Early outcomes of 87 consecutive patients in a tertiary care center.

Al Absi and colleagues report their early results of the Fontan procedure in 87 consecutive patients between August 2008 and July 2017 in a tertiary care hospital. The use of the intra/extracardiac fenestration is a promising modification because it is unlikely to be occluded by surrounding tissue and may be associated with decreased pleural effusions, length of hospital stay, and incidence of postoperative arrhythmias.

Oblique coronary artery prolongation in anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery: A case series.

Background: Anomalous left coronary artery (LMCA) arising from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a life-threatening congenital birth defect. Prompt surgical correction by reimplantation of the LMCA into the aorta is the treatment of choice, however, unfavorable LCA location or length can make direct reimplantation difficult or even impossible without causing significant stretching or tension on the LMCA. This tension can lead to stenosis of the artery and coronary ischemia and must be avoided if possible.

22q11.2 microduplication syndrome with associated esophageal atresia/tracheo-esophageal fistula and vascular ring.

This case report describes a patient with a 22q11.2 duplication. His features, which include VACTERL association with an esophageal atresia/tracheo-esophageal fistula and a vascular ring, expand the previously described phenotype for this duplication.

The internal mammary artery as a shunt in a noncyanotic infant with hemitruncus: surgical and anesthetic management.

The internal mammary artery (IMA) has been used as a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt in selected patients with congenital heart disease. Growth and development of hypoplastic pulmonary arteries have been described. We discuss the surgical and anesthetic management of an infant with an atretic-thrombosed right pulmonary artery originating from the ascending aorta in whom the IMA was used to create a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt after failure of a previous shunt and later successful pulmonary artery reconstruction.

Oblique coronary artery prolongation approach in anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in a low-birth-weight neonate.

A 19-day-old newborn girl weighing 1.9-kg was born with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary artery (PA). Because of the small anatomic structures and long distance between the anomalous origin of the LCA high within the left posterior sinus of the main PA, a simple transfer of the anomalous LCA to the aorta was deemed impossible.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in postcardiotomy patients: factors influencing outcome.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the morbidity and mortality in children requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support after cardiac surgery and to determine factors influencing outcome.

Methods: Between January 2003 and June 2008, 58 patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support after cardiac surgery. A retrospective study was performed and factors influencing outcome were determined by logistic regression modeling with the probability of outcome based on a combination of multivariate predictors.

Risks of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with coronary artery anomalies.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is widely used to support and rest the heart before or following repair of congenital cardiac lesions in children. The beneficial effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the failing myocardium are undisputed. It is often an automatic choice whenever the heart seems incapable of supporting the circulation.

Multiple papillary fibroelastomas of the heart.

We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who presented with extensive papillary fibroelastomas of the heart after multiple previous surgical procedures for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This case is significant because of the locally aggressive nature of the cardiac papillary fibroelastoma.

Interrupted aortic arch with anomalous origin of left pulmonary artery from aorta.

We report a case of interrupted aortic arch and origin of the left pulmonary artery from the aorta with bilateral ductus arteriosus and discuss its possible embryological basis. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of anomalies has not been reported in the English medical literature.

Mitral valve replacement with the pulmonary autograft in children: a word of caution.

A 4(1/2)-month-old patient who underwent mitral valve replacement for congenital mitral stenosis using a pulmonary autograft is reported. Failure of the autograft resulted in pulmonary hypertension, leading to pulmonary regurgitation in the reconstructed right ventricular outflow tract, then tricuspid regurgitation, refractory right heart failure, and death. Caution should be exercised in applying this procedure with children, particularly those at risk for pulmonary hypertension.

Femoral vein homograft for neoaortic reconstruction in Norwood stage 1 operation.

Femoral vein homografts are increasingly being used for arterial reconstruction in peripheral vascular surgery. We explored the suitability of using cryopreserved femoral vein homograft for neoaortic reconstruction in Norwood stage I operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Severe tricuspid valve stenosis secondary to pacemaker leads presenting as ascites and liver dysfunction: a complex problem requiring a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach.

Tricuspid stenosis secondary to ventricular pacemaker leads is uncommon. We present a unique case of iatrogenic tricuspid stenosis secondary to fusion of the valve leaflets to transvenous implanted pacing leads. This occurred in an adult with childhood repaired Tetralogy of Fallot and high grade surgical heart block following multiple pacemaker procedures.

Late embolization of Amplatzer patent ductus arteriosus occlusion device with thoracic aorta embedment.

An 11.5-month-old child was found to have a widely patent ductus arteriosus 8 months after percutaneous Amplatzer device closure of the ductus. Angiography confirmed that the occlusion device had migrated to the descending thoracic aorta.

Interrupted aortic arch and aortic atresia with circle of Willis-dependent coronary perfusion.

We present a case of type B interrupted aortic arch and aortic atresia. This combination is usually incompatible with life. However, the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery and enough blood flow through the circle of Willis allowed perfusion of the coronary arteries through retrograde carotid and aortic blood flow.