Specific Morphology of Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Mainly White Patients With Kawasaki Disease: Initial Data From the Cardiac Catheterization in Kawasaki Disease Registry.

Background: Patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery involvement require long-term cardiac care. Although respective evidence-based recommendations are missing, cardiac catheterization is still considered the gold standard for diagnosing detailed coronary pathology. Therefore, to better understand coronary artery pathology development, we conducted a survey to document and evaluate cardiac catheterization data in a European population.

Pulmonary hemodynamics before and after pediatric heart transplantation.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) may limit the outcome of pediatric heart transplantation (pHTx). We evaluated pulmonary hemodynamics in children undergoing pHTx.

Methods: Cross-sectional, single-center, observational study analyzing pulmonary hemodynamics in children undergoing pHTx.

Risk Factors and Outcome of Pulmonary Artery Stenting After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Connection (BDCPC) in Single Ventricle Circulation.

After bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BDCPC) central pulmonary arteries (PAs) of single ventricle (SV) patients can be affected by stenosis or even closure. Aim of this study is to compare SV patients with and without PA-stent implantation post-BDCPC regarding risk factors for stent implantation and outcome. Single center, retrospective (2006-2021) study of 136 SV consecutive patients with and without PA-stent implantation post-BDCPC.

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect with Carag Bioresorbable Septal Occluder™: First-in-Child Experience with 12-MonthFollow-Up.

Background: Nowadays, transcatheter device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) is a standard approach in children. Potential early and long-term side effects or complications related to the metal framework of the devices are a known issue. A bioresorbable device such as the Carag Bioresorbable Septal Occluder™ (CBSO) could resolve such complications.

Balloon angioplasty and stent implantation within 30 days postcongenital heart surgery (CHS) in children.

Objectives: This study aims to assess balloon angioplasty (BAP) and stent implantation (SI) procedures early after congenital heart surgery (CHS) in children.

Background: These interventions are considered potential high-risk procedures and often avoided or postponed.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single centre study of all BAP and SI procedures within 30 days after CHS (01/2001 until 01/2021).

Favourable Short- to Mid-Term Outcome after PDA-Stenting in Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

Background: Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a minimally invasive catheter-based temporary palliative procedure that is an alternative to a surgical shunt in neonates with duct-dependent pulmonary perfusion.

Methods: An observational, single-centre, cross-sectional study of patients with duct-dependent pulmonary perfusion undergoing PDA-stenting as a stage I procedure and an analysis of short- to mid-term follow-up until a subsequent surgical procedure (stage II), with a focus on the interstage course.

Results: Twenty-six patients were treated with PDA-stenting at a median (IQR) age of 7 (4-10) days; 10/26 patients (38.

Single Ventricle Physiology Patients and Coagulation Abnormalities: Is There a Relationship With Hemodynamic Data and Postoperative Course? A Pilot Study.

This study evaluates coagulation profiles of single ventricle (SV) patients in relationship to liver function, hemodynamic variables and outcome. Twenty-six children with SV anatomy were included. Advanced coagulation profiles, invasive preoperative hemodynamic parameters and clinical course were retrospectively analyzed.

2019 updated consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension: The European Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network (EPPVDN), endorsed by AEPC, ESPR and ISHLT.

The European Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease Network is a registered, non-profit organization that strives to define and develop effective, innovative diagnostic methods and treatment options in all forms of pediatric pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease, including pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, PH associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), persistent PH of the newborn, and related cardiac dysfunction. The executive writing group members conducted searches of the PubMed/MEDLINE bibliographic database (1990-2018) and held face-to-face and web-based meetings. Ten section task forces voted on the updated recommendations, based on the 2016 executive summary.

Approaches to Establish Extracardiac Total Cavopulmonary Connections in Animal Models-A Review.

Background: Long-term survival of patients with a single ventricle palliated with a Fontan procedure is still limited. No curative treatment options are available. To investigate the pathophysiology and potential treatment options, such as mechanical circulatory support (MCS), appropriate large animal models are required.

First-in-man pulmonary artery stenting in children using the Bentley® BeGrow™ stent system for newborns and infants.

Background: Stent implantation into growing vessels is a common treatment option in infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and corresponding vessel lesions. After stent implantation in small children, repetitive stent redilations are frequently necessary to accommodate for somatic growth. Until now, all available stents have limited final expansion diameters.

Risk factor analysis for a complicated postoperative course after neonatal arterial switch operation: The role of troponin T.

Objective: To find risk factors for a complicated early postoperative course after arterial switch operation (ASO) in neonates with d-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA). In addition to anatomical and surgical parameters, the predictive value of early postoperative troponin T (TnT) values in correlation to the early postoperative course after ASO is analyzed.

Methods: Seventy-nine neonates (57 (72%) male) with simple dTGA treated by ASO between 2009 and 2016 were included in the analysis.

Aortopulmonary collaterals in neonates with d-transposition of the great arteries - Clinical significance early after arterial switch operation.

Objectives: Purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) during the early postoperative course after arterial switch operation (ASO) in d-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA).

Methods: Clinical data of 98 patients with simple dTGA between January 2007 and December 2016 at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: 37 from 98 patients (38%) required cardiac catheterization (CC) due to an early complicated postoperative course or difficult coronary transfer due to special coronary anatomy.

Stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex vascular grafts in complex congenital heart disease.

Background: Gore-Tex grafts are integral in the management of congenital heart disease. Issues of graft stenosis or somatic outgrowth may precipitate high-risk early surgery, and catheter intervention is a relatively under-reported management option.

Objectives: To assess efficacy, safety, and outcomes of stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex vascular grafts with the aim of optimizing surgical timing.

Stenting of the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Promotes Better Pulmonary Arterial Growth Compared With Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt Palliation in Tetralogy of Fallot-Type Lesions.

Objectives: This study sought to compare pulmonary arterial (PA) growth during palliation after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) in patients coming forward for complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot-type lesions.

Background: RVOT stenting is a recent alternative to mBTS in the initial palliation of selected patients with Fallot-type lesions.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study of nonrandomized, consecutive palliated Fallot patients over a 10-year period.

Right ventricular outflow tract stent versus BT shunt palliation in Tetralogy of Fallot.

Objective: This study sets out to compare morbidity, mortality and reintervention rates after stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) for palliation in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF)-type lesions.

Methods: Retrospective case review study evaluating 101 patients (64 males) with ToF lesions who underwent palliation with either mBTS (n=41) or RVOT stent (n=60) to augment pulmonary blood flow over a 10-year period. Procedure-related morbidity, mortality and reintervention rates were assessed and compared.

Closure of coronary artery fistula in childhood: treatment techniques and long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital anomalous connection between the coronary arteries (CA) and a cardiac chamber or great vessel. Treatment options of symptomatic CAF consist of transcatheter or surgical closure.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients with CAF diagnosed between 1993 and 2014 concerning treatment approaches and follow-up after closure.

Interventional Closure of Secundum Type Atrial Septal Defects in Infants Less Than 10 Kilograms: Indications and Procedural Outcome.

Aims: This study set out to assess indications, feasibility, complications, and clinical outcome of percutaneous transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in infants with a bodyweight below 10 kg.

Methods And Results: Retrospective single center chart and echocardiography review study from 8/2005-12/2013. Twenty-eight children with ASD (13 female) with a median age of 1.

Factors Influencing ACT After Intravenous Bolus Administration of 100 IU/kg of Unfractionated Heparin During Cardiac Catheterization in Children.

Anticoagulation using intravenous bolus administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH) aims to prevent thromboembolic complications in children undergoing cardiac catheterization (CC). Optimal UFH dosage is needed to reduce bleeding complications. We analyzed the effect of bolus UFH on activated clotting time (ACT) in children undergoing CC focusing on age-dependent, anesthesia-related, or disease-related influencing factors.

Effectiveness of Balloon Angioplasty in Children With Recurrent Aortic Coarctation Depends on the Type of Aortic Arch Pathology.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of balloon angioplasty (BAP) for recurrent aortic coarctation (ReCoA) in infants comparing simple and complex type of aortic arch pathology (Norwood I procedure).

Background: ReCoA is a known complication after cardiovascular surgery for coarctation of the aortic arch.

Methods And Results: In a single center case study, we analyzed 20 infants undergoing BAP for ReCoA comparing simple (n = 10) and complex type of aortic arch pathology (n = 10).

Catheter interventional treatment of congenital portosystemic venous shunts in childhood.

Objectives: The study aimed on the catheter interventional treatment of congenital portosystemic venous shunt (CPSVS) in childhood and the impact on vascular growth of hypoplastic portal veins. Clinical course and follow up of partial or complete closure of CPSVS are described.

Background: CPSVS is a very rare vascular malformation of the portal venous drainage resulting in potentially life threatening abdominal, pulmonary, cerebral, and cardiac complications.

Restrictive atrial septum after the Fontan procedure.

In this study, three patients presenting with early or late postoperative Fontan complications were identified to suffer from restriction of the native atrial septum. This caused significant obstruction to pulmonary venous return and elevated systemic venous pressure. Dobutamine stress testing was used in one patient to identify this lesion.