Impact of Weight on Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patients in Pediatric Centers: An ACTION Registry Study.

Ventricular assist device (VAD) options vary for children in different weight groups. This study evaluates contemporary device usage and outcomes for children based on weight. Data from the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry were examined for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 4 weight cohorts: <8 kg, 8-20 kg, 21-40 kg, and >40 kg, for devices implanted 3/2013-10/2020.

Humoral and cellular response to the COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised children.

Background: A suboptimal response to the 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine series in the immunocompromised population prompted recommendations for a 3rd primary dose. We aimed to determine the humoral and cellular immune response to the 3rd COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised children.

Methods: Prospective cohort study of immunocompromised participants, 5-21 years old, who received 2 prior doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Improved heart transplant survival for children with congenital heart disease and heterotaxy syndrome in the current era: An analysis from the pediatric heart transplant society.

Background: Challenges exist with heterotaxy due to the complexity of heart disease, abnormal venous connections, and infection risks. This study aims to understand heart transplant outcomes for children with heterotaxy.

Methods: All children with congenital heart disease listed for transplant from 1993 to 2018 were included.

Outcomes of children with congenital heart disease implanted with ventricular assist devices: An analysis of the Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Pedimacs).

Background: The reported ventricular assist device (VAD) experience in the pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) population is limited. We sought to describe contemporary use and outcomes of VADs in children with CHD and compare these outcomes to those of non-CHD children.

Methods: Patients enrolled in the Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Pedimacs) between September 19, 2012 through June 30, 2017 were included.

Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Isolated Right Heart Failure: A Bridge to Transplantation.

Acute myocarditis may lead to left ventricular dysfunction and subsequent need for cardiac transplantation. We describe a 15-month-old child who presented with right heart failure of unclear cause. Echocardiography showed normal left ventricular function; however, right ventricular function was markedly reduced.

Fontan Patient Survival After Pediatric Heart Transplantation Has Improved in the Current Era.

Background: Historically, patients with a prior Fontan procedure for complex congenital heart disease (CHD) have been considered at higher risk for death after heart transplant (HT) compared with other HT transplant candidates. With the overall trend of improved survival of pediatric HT recipients, it is unclear of Fontan patient post-HT survival has also improved in the current era.

Methods: Data from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study database for Fontan patients who underwent HT was compared between the early era (1993 to 2006, n = 150) and late era (2007 to 2014, n = 252).

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay to screen for acute rejection in patients with heart transplant.

Background: A noninvasive biomarker that could accurately diagnose acute rejection (AR) in heart transplant recipients could obviate the need for surveillance endomyocardial biopsies. We assessed the performance metrics of a novel high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay for this purpose.

Methods And Results: Stored serum samples were retrospectively matched to endomyocardial biopsies in 98 cardiac transplant recipients, who survived ≥3 months after transplant.

Tolvaptan increases serum sodium in pediatric patients with heart failure.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of tolvaptan in a consecutive series of pediatric patients with heart failure. Patients 18 years of age or younger with heart failure prescribed tolvaptan between January 2009 and October 2011 were retrospectively identified at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Laboratory parameters, urine output, fluid balance, and concurrent medications were recorded at baseline and at specified intervals after a single dose of tolvaptan.

Use of a highly sensitive assay for cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to diagnose acute rejection in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients.

Background: Biomarkers have been proposed to augment or replace endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) to diagnose acute transplant rejection (AR). A new, highly sensitive assay for troponin T detects levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) 10- to 100-fold lower than standard assays but has not been investigated in transplant patients. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has not been evaluated in pediatric transplant patients.