Changes in blood biomarkers correlate with changes in cardiac size and function in patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

Introduction: Patients after surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) often show adverse cardiac remodeling. To better understand the underlying biological processes, we studied the relation between changes in blood biomarkers and changes in biventricular size and function as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).

Methods: This study included 50 ToF patients, who underwent blood biomarker and CMR analysis at least twice between 2002 and 2018.

30 Years' Experience in Percutaneous Pulmonary Artery Interventions in Transposition of the Great Arteries.

Background: Pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis is common after arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Differences between balloon angioplasty (BA) and stents on right ventricular (RV) and PA pressures are not well studied.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze percutaneous PA interventions' frequency after ASO, complications, and the effects of BA and stents on RV and PA pressures.

The effects of percutaneous branch pulmonary artery interventions in biventricular congenital heart disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled Dutch multicenter interventional trial.

Background: Branch pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis is one of the most common indications for percutaneous interventions in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), and truncus arteriosus (TA). However, the effects of percutaneous branch PA interventions on exercise capacity remains largely unknown. In addition, there is no consensus about the optimal timing of the intervention for asymptomatic patients according to international guidelines.

Exploring the Potential of a Tailored Executive Functioning Training Program for Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Brief Report.

The aim of this pilot study was to explore whether executive functioning (EF) problems of children with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) could be improved through a personalized EF-training program. Eleven preschool-aged children (mean age = 62 months, SD = 6) received a standardized test battery. Eight children were eligible for training and six children participated in the training and posttest.

The impact of unilateral pulmonary artery stenosis on right ventricular to pulmonary arterial coupling in patients with transposition of the great arteries.

Background: Unilateral pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis is common in the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after arterial switch operation (ASO) but the effects on the right ventricle (RV) remain unclear.

Aims: To assess the effects of unilateral PA stenosis on RV afterload and function in pediatric patients with TGA-ASO.

Methods: In this retrospective study, eight TGA patients with unilateral PA stenosis underwent heart catheterization and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Placental Pathology Contributes to Impaired Volumetric Brain Development in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: Neonates with congenital heart disease are at risk for impaired brain development in utero, predisposing children to postnatal brain injury and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Given the vital role of the placenta in fetal growth, we assessed the incidence of placental pathology in fetal congenital heart disease and explored its association with total and regional brain volumes, gyrification, and brain injury after birth.

Methods And Results: Placentas from 96 term singleton pregnancies with severe fetal congenital heart disease were prospectively analyzed for macroscopic and microscopic pathology.

Role of patent ductus arteriosus in preterms in long-term outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to determine long-term neurodevelopmental outcome and cerebral oxygenation in extremely preterm infants, comparing those with a hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) to those without.

Study Design: We included infants born before 28 weeks of gestation from 2008 to 2010 with routine echocardiography. Prior to echocardiography, regional cerebral oxygen saturation was measured.

The effects of percutaneous branch pulmonary artery interventions on exercise capacity, lung perfusion, and right ventricular function in biventricular CHD: a systematic review.

Background: Branch pulmonary artery stenosis is common after surgical repair in patients with biventricular CHD and often requires reinterventions. However, (long-term) effects of percutaneous branch pulmonary artery interventions on exercise capacity, right ventricular function, and lung perfusion remain unclear. This review describes the (long-term) effects of percutaneous branch pulmonary artery interventions on exercise capacity, right ventricular function, and lung perfusion following PRISMA guidelines.

Mental Health of School-Aged Children Treated with Propranolol or Atenolol for Infantile Hemangioma and Their Parents.

Background: Infants with infantile hemangioma (IH) have been effectively treated with propranolol or atenolol. Concerns were raised about the mental health of these children at school age, due to central nervous system effects of propranolol and visible nature of IH.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the mental health at school age of children treated with propranolol to children treated with atenolol for IHs and their parents.

Influence of Age, Heart Failure and ACE Inhibitor Treatment on Plasma Renin Activity in Children: Insights from a Systematic Review and the European LENA Project.

Background: Plasma renin activity (PRA) has gained relevance as prognostic marker in adults with heart failure. The use of PRA as a clinically meaningful parameter in children and children with heart failure requires a thorough knowledge of the factors that influence PRA to correctly assess PRA levels. We aim to evaluate the influence of age, heart failure and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) on PRA levels in children.

Right ventricular to pulmonary arterial coupling in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: a case series.

Background: In repaired tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) patients with residual right ventricular (RV) outflow tract obstructions (RVOTO), risk stratification and timing of re-interventions are based on RVOTO gradients. However, this might be insufficient to prevent RV dysfunction. Instead, assessment of RV to pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling allows integrated assessment of RV function in relationship to its afterload and could be of additional value in clinical decision-making.

Perioperative Brain Injury in Relation to Early Neurodevelopment Among Children with Severe Congenital Heart Disease: Results from a European Collaboration.

Objective: To examine the relationship between perioperative brain injury and neurodevelopment during early childhood in patients with severe congenital heart disease (CHD).

Study Design: One hundred and seventy children with CHD and born at term who required cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in the first 6 weeks after birth were recruited from 3 European centers and underwent preoperative and postoperative brain MRIs. Uniform description of imaging findings was performed and an overall brain injury score was created, based on the sum of the worst preoperative or postoperative brain injury subscores.

Prognostic Factors for Long-term Aesthetic Outcome of Infantile Haemangioma Treated with Beta-blockers.

Parents of infants treated with beta-blockers for infantile haemangioma are often concerned about the long-term aesthetic outcome. This cross-sectional study assessed the influence on the long-term aesthetic outcome of characteristics of the infantile haemangioma, the beta-blocker treatment, and the infant. The study included 103 children aged 6-12 years, treated with beta-blockers (propranolol or atenolol) for infantile haemangioma during infancy (age at treatment initiation ≤1 year) for ≥6 months.

Cardiac Function and Serum Biomarkers throughout Staged Fontan Palliation: A Prospective Observational Study.

Fontan patients undergo multiple cardiothoracic surgeries in childhood. Following these procedures, ventricular function is temporarily decreased, and recovers over months. This is presumably related to cardiopulmonary bypass, but this is incompletely understood.

Ventricular function and biomarkers in relation to repair and pulmonary valve replacement for tetralogy of Fallot.

Objective: Cardiac surgery may cause temporarily impaired ventricular performance and myocardial injury. We aim to characterise the response to perioperative injury for patients undergoing repair or pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for tetralogy of Fallot (ToF).

Methods: We enrolled children undergoing ToF repair or PVR from four tertiary centres in a prospective observational study.

Fifth decennium after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Background: From 1977 onwards, patients with both simple and complex transposition of the great arteries (TGA) have been treated with the arterial switch operation (ASO) in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital/University Medical Center Utrecht the Netherlands. In this study, we compared mortality and morbidity between two patient groups: A. operated before and B.

Long-term neurocognitive functioning of children treated with propranolol or atenolol for infantile hemangioma.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term neurocognitive functioning (working memory, processing speed, and attention) between children who had been treated with either propranolol or atenolol for infantile hemangioma during infancy. All eligible children (n = 158) aged 6 years or older and treated with propranolol or atenolol as infants were invited to participate in this two-center cross-sectional study. The primary outcome was the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI), a measure of working memory, processing speed, and attention.

Risk Factors for Perioperative Brain Lesions in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease: A European Collaboration.

Background: Infants with congenital heart disease are at risk of brain injury and impaired neurodevelopment. The aim was to investigate risk factors for perioperative brain lesions in infants with congenital heart disease.

Methods: Infants with transposition of the great arteries, single ventricle physiology, and left ventricular outflow tract and/or aortic arch obstruction undergoing cardiac surgery <6 weeks after birth from 3 European cohorts (Utrecht, Zurich, and London) were combined.

Early Determinants of Adverse Motor Outcomes in Preschool Children with a Critical Congenital Heart Defect.

Neurodevelopmental disabilities are common in infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted to establish the prevalence and early determinants of adverse motor outcomes in infants who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass before six months of age. Motor development was assessed in 147 preschoolers using the Movement Assessment Battery for children-II.

Functional Echocardiographic and Serum Biomarker Changes Following Surgical and Percutaneous Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Children.

Background Ventricular performance is temporarily reduced following surgical atrial septal defect closure. Cardiopulmonary bypass and changes in loading conditions are considered important factors, but this phenomenon is incompletely understood. We aim to characterize biventricular performance following surgical and percutaneous atrial septal defect closure and to relate biomarkers to ventricular performance following intervention.