Aberrant right subclavian artery: the association with chromosomal defects and the related post-natal outcomes in a third level referral centre.

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is the most common embryologic abnormality of the aortic arch. The presence of ARSA has been previously associated with an increased risk of Down syndrome. ARSA at birth may be associated with dysphagia, respiratory distress and stridor and there is no clear evidence-based management.

Trans-catheter closure of a rare cause of pre-tricuspid left-to-right shunt: A "double" levoatriocardinal vein without left heart obstructive lesions.

The levoatriocardinal vein is a rare vascular anomalous connection between the left atrium and the superior vena cava (or left innominate vein). This defect is usually associated with left heart obstructive lesions, while it is rarely found in an isolated form. In the former case, the anomalous connection causes a pre-tricuspid left-to-right shunt with right-heart volume overload.

Two-dimensional strain and atrial function: a study on patients after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect.

Aims: To assess the value of two-dimensional (2D) strain in assessing regional myocardial function along the atrial wall.

Methods And Results: We studied 20 patients late after successful percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. The analysis was performed for atrial longitudinal peak systolic strain on the interatrial septum, in correspondence of the device, and on the lateral wall of the left atrium.

Two-dimensional strain to assess regional left and right ventricular longitudinal function in 100 normal foetuses.

Aims: Previous reports have demonstrated that myocardial velocities are not sufficiently sensitive in foetal heart studies. Strain (S) imaging is a new non-invasive ultrasonic technique able to quantify regional myocardial deformation properties. Strain imaging has a superior sensitivity than myocardial velocity for non-invasive assessment of ventricular function.

Severe, early onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a family with LEOPARD syndrome.

Objective: Leopard syndrome is an acronym (multiple Lentigines, electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities, ocular hypertelorism, pulmonic stenosis, abnormal genitalia, retardation of growth, and sensorineural deafness) describing an autosomal dominant disease due to mutations in the raS-MapK pathway.

Methods: Here, we describe a family (mother and daughter) with clinical and molecular diagnosis of Leopard syndrome 1 and HCM, and we report the prenatal diagnosis of HCM in a fetus at risk for Leopard syndrome.

Results: An echocardiography was conducted showing a significant hypertrophy of both ventricles (left and right ventricular wall thickness 9mm and 3 mm).

Congenital heart disease in a population of dizygotic twins: an echocardiographic study.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common malformation in the fetal and neonatal period but little is known about its cause. The distribution analysis of CHD in dizygotic twins could provide a useful tool to evaluate the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of CHD. Dizygotic twins are siblings with different genes, growing together in the same womb.