Paediatric and adult congenital cardiology education and training in Europe.

Background: Limited data exist on training of European paediatric and adult congenital cardiologists.

Methods: A structured and approved questionnaire was circulated to national delegates of Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology in 33 European countries.

Results: Delegates from 30 countries (91%) responded.

QRS Duration During Follow-Up of Tetralogy of Fallot: How Valuable is it? Analysis of ECG Changes in Relation to Pulmonary Valve Implantation.

Long-term results after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair are determined by the extent of right ventricular remodeling to chronic pulmonary regurgitation entailing progressive RV dysfunction and a risk of developing ventricular arrhythmia. Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) can alleviate this burden. As a predictor of ventricular arrhythmia, QRS duration remains a strong parameter in this decision.

When coronary arteries need systolic pressure: surgical considerations.

Objectives: Patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) may have coronary sinusoids connected to a hypertensive right ventricle. Coronary perfusion may then completely depend on the right ventricular systolic pressure wave; decompression of the right ventricle can be deleterious in these patients. This study was set to investigate the treatment strategies and outcomes of patients with coronary sinusoids.

Influence of combined aerobic and resistance training on metabolic control, cardiovascular fitness and quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of combined exercise training on metabolic control, physical fitness and quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Design: A double-blind randomized controlled trial with patients receiving combined aerobic and strength or no training.

Setting: University Hospital Ghent (Belgium).

The effect of bosentan in patients with a failing Fontan circulation.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of bosentan in patients with a failing Fontan circulation.

Design: A multicentric open label, non-controlled study.

Setting: 5 tertiary care centres for congenital cardiology.

Midterm assessment of the reconstructed arteries after the arterial switch operation.

Background: The arterial switch operation is the preferred treatment for transposition of the great arteries (TGA), but there are concerns on the fate of the neoarterial trunks.

Methods: Ninety-three children were reviewed for functional and morphologic assessment of both reconstructed arteries after the arterial switch operation. Longitudinal analysis focused on neoaortic valve function, neoaortic obstruction, and neopulmonary stenosis as well as on the time-related size changes of both roots, with its clinical implications.