Transcatheter closure of a large aortopulmonary window with the novel device Multifunctional occluder (Konar) under TEE guidance (A case report).

Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital heart disease. It results from incomplete separation of the aorta and pulmonary artery at the conotruncal septum. It accounts for 0.

Impact of atrial septal defect device size on biventricular global and regional function: a two-dimensional strain echocardiographic study.

Objective: In this study, we assessed the acute changes in biventricular longitudinal strain after atrial septal defect transcatheter closure and its relation to the device size.

Methods: Hundred atrial septal defect patients and 40 age-matched controls were included. Echocardiography and strain study were performed at baseline and 24 hours and 1 month after the intervention.

Can Tei Index Predict High Syntax Score in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome and Normal Left Ventricular Systolic Function?

Objective: Some patients who had chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and were recognized as low risk, however, developed cardiovascular events, whereas others who were categorized as high risk did not develop any cardiovascular events. Invasive coronary angiography is the gold standard tool for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. The SYNTAX score (SS) was recently recognized as an invasive angiographic-guided scoring system used in risk stratification of patients who have more than one-vessel CAD and undergoing revascularization with percutaneous cardiovascular intervention.

Noninvasive Predictors of Functional Capacity in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension due to Congenital Heart Disease: A Pilot Echocardiography Single-Center Study.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) with congenital heart disease (CHD) affects the functional capacity (FC), quality of life, and survival. However, the importance of different echocardiographic parameters and their correlation with FC is unclear.

Methods And Results: A custom-made sheet for 34 consecutive patients with PH due to CHD was made to include patient's demographic data, underlying cardiac disorder, and FC by 6-min walk test (6MWT).

The changes in biventricular remodelling and function after atrial septal defect device closure and its relation to age of closure.

Background: The trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) usually has a rapid impact on biventricular remodelling and functions. Whether the transcatheter closure of ASD at early childhood or at adulthood age would affect the improvement in biventricular dimensions and functions remains an area of active research.

Results: This prospective observational study enrolled 70 subjects (50 ASD cases and 20 control subjects).

Feasibility and accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating the aortic valve in children.

Background: Aortic valve assessment by 2D transthoracic echocardiography is a relatively complex task owing to the unique anatomical features of the left ventricular outflow tract and its dynamic nature. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 3D transthoracic echocardiography [3D TTE] in assessing the aortic valve in children.

Results: The first group included 11 males and six females, with a mean age of 5.

A novel three-dimensional echocardiographic method for device size selection in patients undergoing ASD trans-catheter closure.

Background: Proper device size selection is a crucial step for successful ASD device closure. The current gold standard for device size selection is balloon sizing. Balloon sizing can be tedious, time consuming and increase fluoroscopy and procedure times as well as risk of complications.

Immediate and short term effects of percutaneous atrial septal defect device closure on cardiac electrical remodeling in children.

Background: The beneficial effects of atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure on electrical cardiac remodeling are well established. The timing at which these effects starts to take place has yet to be determined.

Objectives: To determine the immediate and short term effects of ASD device closure on cardiac electric remodeling in children.

Echocardiographic predictors of coil vs device closure in patients undergoing percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus closure.

Aim: To determine anatomic and hemodynamic echocardiographic predictors for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device vs coil closure.

Methods: Seventy-six patients who were referred for elective transcatheter PDA closure were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent full echocardiogram including measurement of the PDA pulmonary end diameter, color flow width and extent, peak and end-diastolic Doppler gradients across the duct, diastolic flow reversal, left atrial dimensions and volume, left ventricular sphericity index, and volumes.

Determinants of platelet count in pediatric patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease: Role of immature platelet fraction.

Objectives: Congenital heart defects are common noninfectious causes of mortality in children. Bleeding and thrombosis are both limiting factors in the management of such patients. We assessed the frequency of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients with congenital cyanotic heart disease (CCHD) and evaluated determinants of platelet count including immature platelet fraction (IPF) and their role in the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenia.

Independent predictors of developing pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction.

Objectives: To investigate the different clinical and echocardiographic predictors of evolving PH in patients with heart failure with and without reduced ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: The study included 153 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) ( = 89) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) ( = 64) both of which were subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the presence of PH. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical assessment and full transthoracic echocardiogram.

The additional utility of two-dimensional strain in detection of coronary artery disease presence and localization in patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiogram.

Background: Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) is a feasible and safe exercise-independent stress modality for diagnoses of coronary artery disease (CAD), but it is subjective, and operator dependant. Two-dimensional strain at peak stress could overcome these limitations and thus increase the accuracy of DSE.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective observational study in which 80 patients underwent DSE, two-dimensional strain at peak stress, and coronary angiography.

Serum apelin as a novel non-invasive marker for subclinical cardiopulmonary complications in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Background: Cardiovascular involvement represents a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in sickle cell disease (SCD). Apelin is a peptide involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function.

Aim: To determine serum apelin among 40 children and adolescents with SCD compared with 40 healthy controls and assess its relation to markers of hemolysis, iron overload as well as cardiopulmonary complications.

Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion-Derived Ejection Fraction: A Simple and Valid Tool in Adult Males With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Objectives: Validation of a mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE)-derived formula to calculate the ejection fraction where EF = 4.8 × MAPSE (mm) + 5.8 in adult males with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Immediate and short-term effect of balloon mitral valvuloplasty on global and regional biventricular function: a two-dimensional strain echocardiographic study.

Aim: To assess the effect of balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) on global and regional ventricular functions using 2D strain.

Methods And Results: Thirty-two patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and 30 healthy subjects underwent full echocardiographic examinations, including left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) regional and global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurements. In MS patients, measurements were repeated within 24 h and 3 months after BMV.

Left atrial wall dissection: a rare sequela of native-valve endocarditis.

Left atrial wall dissection is a rare condition; most cases are iatrogenic after mitral valve surgery. A few have been reported as sequelae of blunt chest trauma, acute myocardial infarction, and invasive cardiac procedures. On occasion, infective endocarditis causes left atrial wall dissection.

Noninvasive assessment of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in children with pulmonary hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease: A comparative study between five different Doppler indices.

Background: Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is an important hemodynamic parameter in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Noninvasive estimation of PVR represents an attractive alternative to invasive measurements.

Methods: The study included 175 patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to CHD.

Visualization of patent ductus arteriosus using real-time three-dimensional echocardiogram: Comparative study with 2D echocardiogram and angiography.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility and accuracy of real time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) in determining the dimensions and anatomical type of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods: The study included 42 pediatric patients with a mean age of 3.6 years (ranging from 2 months to 14 years) who were referred for elective percutaneous PDA closure.

Radiation exposure in children during the current era of pediatric cardiac intervention.

Cardiac catheterizations are among the X-ray procedures with the highest patient radiation dose and therefore are of great concern in pediatric settings. This study aimed to evaluate factors that influence variability of X-ray exposure in children with congenital heart diseases during cardiac catheterization. The study included 107 children who underwent either diagnostic (n = 46) or interventional (n = 61) procedures.

Factors affecting vascular access complications in children undergoing congenital cardiac catheterization.

Background: Complications at the vascular access sites are among the most common adverse events in congenital cardiac catheterization. The use of small-gauge catheters may reduce these events; however, other factors can contribute to the development of vascular complications.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with the development of vascular access complications in children undergoing congenital cardiac catheterization.

Immediate- and medium-term effects of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in infants with critical pulmonary stenoses during the first year of life: A prospective single center study.

Background: Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) represents the standard of management for all patients with severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) irrespective of their age. Nevertheless neonates and infants with critical PS represent a high-risk group that needs to be studied.

Methods: The study population included 72 infants with severe congenital valvular PS and four infants with imperforate pulmonary valve (PV) who were subjected to detailed history taking, full clinical examination, resting 12-lead ECG, Chest roentgenogram and transthoracic echocardiography.