Obstruction of a percutaneous pulmonary valve by an Aspergillus mycotic thrombus mimicking massive pulmonary embolus.

New technologies in the management of congenital and acquired heart disease may be associated with unfamiliar complications that may require repeated surgical intervention. A high index of suspicion for unusual problems and close collaboration between cardiologists and surgeons is essential when adopting evolving technologies. We report the case of near total obstruction of a 2.

Hybrid management strategy for percutaneous Fontan completion without surgery: early results.

Background: We report early results of surgical preparation and subsequent percutaneous Fontan completion strategy for the treatment of single-ventricle defects.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-seven patients underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BDCPC) between 2002 and 2007. Thirty-four patients had lateral tunnel created at time of BDCPC, fenestrated with 10 to 14 mm openings with the cardiac superior vena cava end patched to maintain BDCPC physiology.

The rastelli procedure for transposition of the great arteries: resection of the infundibular septum diminishes recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction risk.

Background: The Rastelli procedure is the standard surgical treatment of d-transposition of great arteries (d-TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and pulmonary stenosis. Late morbidity is significant due to recurrent left ventricular outflow obstruction (LVOTO), early conduit obstruction, and arrhythmias, with troublesome late mortality. To avoid recurrent LVOTO, we routinely enlarge the VSD and resect the infundibular septum before LV baffling to the aorta.

Long-term effects of balloon angioplasty on left ventricular hypertrophy in adolescent and adult patients with native coarctation of the aorta. Up to 18 years follow-up results.

Background: Little is known regarding the long-term follow-up results of balloon angioplasty (BA) for patients with native aortic coarctation (AC) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) regression.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define the long-term effect of BA of AC on LVH in adolescent and adult patients.

Methods: Follow-up data of 53 patients (36 male) mean age 24 +/- 9 years undergoing BA for discrete AC at median interval of 11.