Early hybrid cardiac rehabilitation in congenital heart disease: the QUALIREHAB trial.

Background And Aims: Cardiopulmonary fitness in congenital heart disease (CHD) decreases faster than in the general population resulting in impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). As the standard of care seems insufficient to encourage and maintain fitness, an early hybrid cardiac rehabilitation programme could improve HRQoL in CHD.

Methods: The QUALIREHAB multicentre, randomized, controlled trial evaluated and implemented a 12-week centre- and home-based hybrid cardiac rehabilitation programme, including multidisciplinary care and physical activity sessions.

Impact of cardiac surgical timing on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborns with Complex congenital heart disease (CHD).

Background: More than half of infants with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) will have a neurodevelopmental disorder of multifactorial causes. The preoperative period represents a time-window during which neonates with complex CHD are in a state of hypoxia and hemodynamic instability, which fosters the emergence of brain injuries and, thus, affects early brain networks and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal age for cardiac surgery in terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes, and its definition is a real challenge.

How should we determine normal echocardiographic right ventricle function reference values in pediatrics?

Several models have been used to establish pediatric Z-scores for echocardiographic right ventricle (RV) variables. This study aimed to determine the most appropriate mathematical model for RV function reference values in pediatrics. Prospective cross-sectional study among 314 healthy children ages 2 days to 18 years (46% female, 88 infants, 26 neonates, 226 children).

[When an encircling aortic arch anomaly hides behind respiratory and digestive symptoms in children].

Aortic arch anomalies are relatively frequent and account for 15 to 20 % of all congenital cardiovascular malformations. They can be discovered in case of symptoms of airway or esophageal compression such as dysphagia, chronic cough, stridor, wheezing and recurrent respiratory infections. We report the cases of two children with encircling aortic arch anomaly.