The scimitar syndrome: an Italian multicenter study.

Background: Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease. To evaluate the results of managing this malformation surgically, we have embarked on a multicenter Italian study involving seven different centers and reporting the largest published series in the medical literature.

Methods: From January 1997 to December 2007, 26 patients with scimitar syndrome who underwent surgical correction were included.

Double-outlet right ventricle in a neonate with Cantrell's syndrome.

We report a case of the association of Cantrell's syndrome with double-outlet right ventricle in a neonate.

Bidirectional Glenn and antegrade pulmonary blood flow: temporary or definitive palliation?

Background: We sought to investigate the role of the bidirectional Glenn with antegrade pulmonary blood flow in the surgical history of children with univentricular hearts.

Methods: A series of 246 patients, from three joint institutions, having univentricular heart with restricted but not critical pulmonary blood flow received a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt with additional forward pulmonary blood flow. All patients have been studied according to their progression, or not, to Fontan operation.

Implantation of a Berlin Heart as single ventricle by-pass on Fontan circulation in univentricular heart failure.

The clinical management of ventricular failure after the Fontan operation presents a formidable challenge to surgeons. We report our experience with successful implantation of a Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation in a child with Fontan circulation.