Use of Munsell color charts to measure skin tone objectively in nursing home residents at risk for pressure ulcer development.

Aims: To assess the feasibility of classifying skin tone using Munsell color chart values and to compare Munsell-based skin tone categories to ethnicity/race to predict pressure ulcer risk.

Background: Pressure ulcer classification uses level of visible tissue damage, including skin discoloration over bony prominences. Prevention begins with early detection of damage.

Impact of stent implantation on pulmonary artery growth.

Background: Goals of stent implantation (SI) in children with pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis are to relieve obstruction and improve flow to the distal vasculature. We evaluated stent impact on distal PA growth.

Methods: We compared data of children who underwent unilateral SI using the nonstenotic contralateral PA (CPA) as a control (1998-2005; f/u data through 2009).

Transverse aortic arch to descending aorta ratio: a new echocardiographic parameter for management of coarctation of the aorta in the infant.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish an objective criterion to help assess adequacy of the transverse arch in newborns with coarctation and thereby optimize preoperative surgical decision making.

Methods: Echocardiograms of 47 patients < 6 months of age who underwent coarctation repair from September 2005 to November 2008 and 47 age-matched healthy infants were reviewed. The proximal and distal transverse aortic arch to descending aorta ratios (TAA:DAO ratio) were calculated from the end-systolic proximal and distal transverse aortic arch diameters and diameter of the descending aorta at the diaphragm.

Surgical approaches to epicardial pacemaker placement: does pocket location affect lead survival?

Permanent cardiac pacing in pediatric patients presents challenges related to small patient size, complex anatomy, electrophysiologic abnormalities, and limited access to cardiac chambers. Epicardial pacing currently remains the conventional technique for infants and patients with complex congenital heart disease. Pacemaker lead failure is the major source of failure for such epicardial systems.

Stent implantation for coarctation of the aorta in children <30 kg.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine key characteristics of stents commonly implanted in the aorta through bench testing and to describe our technique and acute results in patients weighing <30 kg.

Background: Despite the increasing use of stents for interventional treatment for coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in larger patients, use of large stents is controversial in small children.

Methods: Methods included bench testing of large stents, and retrospective review of all patients over 1 year of age who had stent implantation for treatment of CoA.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in children after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Children undergoing cardiac surgery often experience traumatic situations related to their care and may be at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this study was to examine children's responses to cardiac surgery and the factors that mediate responses.

Study Design: Forty-three 5- to 12-year-old children undergoing cardiac surgery were evaluated pre- and postoperatively for PTSD.

Do paediatric cardiologists discuss cardiovascular risk factors with patients and their families?

Atherosclerotic disease of the heart likely has its origins in childhood. The promotion of cardiovascular health in children, however, has been studied only for those practicing in general paediatrics. We hypothesised that paediatric cardiologists do not consistently discuss cardiovascular risk factors with patients and their families.

Measuring health-related quality of life in children with heart disease.

This study tested an instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with heart disease. HRQL was measured using the New York University Children's Heart Health Survey in a sample of 0- to 20-year-old subjects with heart disease compared with a control group. Heart disease was associated with impairment on all subscales except psychological function.