Different BMI cardiovascular risk thresholds as markers of organ damage and metabolic syndrome in primary hypertension.

Obesity is the main intermediate phenotype of primary hypertension (PH), and increased fat mass is directly related to target organ damage (TOD) and metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of body mass index (BMI), percentile-based, definitions of obesity [BMI > 95th percentile (pc)], and overweight (BMI > 85th pc), and BMI thresholds for cardiovascular (cv) complications (BMIcv) described by Katzmarzyk et al. (Pediatrics 114:198-205, 2004) in predicting risk of TOD and MS in 122 adolescents with PH.

Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion in children with conotruncal heart defects: frequency, associated cardiovascular anomalies, and outcome following cardiac surgery.

The association of conotruncal heart defects with 22q11.2 chromosomal microdeletions is well established. However, it is not clear whether particular types of conotruncal malformations or additional cardiovascular anomalies are associated with microdeletions.

Metabolic abnormalities, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome in children with primary hypertension.

Background: We sought to describe the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities and of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relationship to target-organ damage in children with primary hypertension (PH).

Methods: Patients included 113 children with untreated PH at a mean age of 14.6 years (range, 5 to 18 years).

[Symptomatic recurrent bradycardia--always an indication for pacemaker implantation? The role of RF ablation for incessant focal tachycardia from AV node region and advanced AV nodal block].

We present a case of a 17-year-old patient in whom recurrent bradycardia and syncope episodes were present. During the pathological bradycardia incessant runs of irregular tachycardia from the region of atrial extension of AV node were observed. The bradycardia runs were due to advanced functional AV nodal block.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial wall thickening in children with essential hypertension.

Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased intima-media thickness (IMT) in Caucasian children with newly diagnosed, untreated essential hypertension (EH).

Participants: Our study cohort consisted of 72 children with EH (mean age: 14.5 years; range: 5-18 years).

[Risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in children].

The authors present an analysis of pre-, intra- and postoperative risk factors of late ventricular arrhythmias in 100 children in 5-12 years after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot. Complex arrhythmias (III-V class according to Lown classification) were found in 19% of patients. Risk factors were: in the pre- and intraoperative period--marked endocardial fibrosis of the right ventricular outflow tract, long bypass time (> 180 min) and aortic cross-clamp (> 90 min), in the post-operative period-left ventricular dysfunction in echocardiographic examination and age > 10 years at time of the study.

Cardiac tumours in tuberous sclerosis: their incidence and course.

Cardiac tumours have been frequently reported in patients with tuberous sclerosis but their incidence at different ages has been evaluated in only a few studies. We performed echocardiography in 47 children with tuberous sclerosis and found tumours in 22 (47%). In none, except one newborn, did we observe any clinical symptoms of heart failure.