Transitions between care networks: a prospective study among older adults in the Netherlands.

As health impairment increases, older adults utilize care from different types of caregivers, but little is known about changes in the composition of care networks. We mapped the transitions between different care networks to gain insight into which people develop care networks that include informal, privately and publicly paid care. We used three waves (2012-2015-2018) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam with 1413 Dutch community-dwelling adults, aged 64-100.

Three-year trajectories in functional limitations and cognitive decline among Dutch 75+ year olds, using nine-month intervals.

Background: Using longitudinal panel data, we aimed to identify three-year trajectories in cognitive and physical functioning among Dutch older adults, and the characteristics associated with these trajectories.

Methods: We used Group-based Trajectory Modelling with mortality jointly estimated to identify trajectories, using a scale composed of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as a measure of physical functioning, and the short mini mental status examination (sMMSE) or the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) as a measure of cognitive functioning. Data came from 574 Dutch adults aged 75+, collected in five nine-month measurement waves (2015-2018) for the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.

Evaluation of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease in a regional controlled case study.

Aims: This study evaluated the evolution of the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) between 2003 and 2008 and its repercussion for the CHD prevalence rate at birth in a well-defined population (Canton of Vaud, Switzerland).

Methods And Results: All 572 cases of CHD reported in the Eurocat Registry of Vaud-Switzerland between 1.5.

Perinatal arrhythmias.

Unlabelled: Cardiac arrhythmias are very frequent in fetuses and newborns. The prognosis depends on the nature of the arrhythmias but is most often either spontaneously benign or following short-term medication administration. A correct diagnosis is essential for both management and prognosis.

Congenital heart disease in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes mellitus. An international clinical collaboration, literature review, and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Investigation of the incidence and distribution of congenital structural cardiac malformations among the offspring of mothers with diabetes type 1 and of the influence of periconceptional glycemic control.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective clinical study, literature review, and meta-analysis. The incidence and pattern of congenital heart disease in the own study population and in the literature on the offspring of type 1 diabetic mothers were compared with the incidence and spectrum of the various cardiovascular defects in the offspring of nondiabetic mothers as registered by EUROCAT Northern Netherlands.

Validation of two echocardiographic indexes to improve the diagnosis of complex coarctations.

Objectives: Coarctation of the aorta is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Its diagnosis may be difficult in the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus, of other complex defects or of a poor echocardiographic window. We sought to demonstrate that the carotid-subclavian artery index (CSA index) and the isthmus-descending aorta ratio (I/D ratio), two recently described echocardiographic indexes, are effective in detection of isolated and complex aortic coarctations in children younger and older than 3 months of age.

[Fetal arrhythmias: premature atrial contractions and supraventricular tachycardia].

Fetal arrhythmias form a complicating factor in 1-2% of all pregnancies and in 10% of those cases morbidity or even mortality is encountered. The most frequent occurring arrhythmias are premature atrial contractions (PAC). These are usually benign phenomena which resolve spontaneously, but require some follow-up to exclude the development of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT).

Isolated congenital atrioventricular block diagnosed in utero: natural history and outcome.

Background: Isolated congenital atrioventricular block (CAVB) diagnosed in utero is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Prognosis is especially poor when heart rate drops below 55 beats per minute (bpm) and when fetal hydrops develops. We describe the natural history and outcome of 24 infants with isolated CAVB diagnosed in utero, review the literature, and assess the risk factors that could predict outcome.

A noninvasive diagnostic tool to differentiate myocarditis from myocardial infarction: late gadolinium enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance.

Studies in adults have shown that late gadolinium enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool which allows one to differentiate myocardial infarction from myocarditis. We believe that it may also be highly useful in the paediatric population for the same purpose.

Brugada syndrome in childhood: a potential fatal arrhythmia not always recognised by paediatricians. A case report and review of the literature.

We report on a youngster followed by his paediatrician from birth until 14 years of age for premature beats, most likely of ventricular origin. The sudden death of his sister provoked a re-assessment of his electrocardiograms (ECG), resulting in the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome and the subsequent implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator. This syndrome is a well known entity in adult cardiology, first described by Brugada and Brugada in 1992.

[Preoperative assessment of congenital cardiopathies].

Preoperative assessment in patients with congenital heart disease differs according to the age and the cardiac defect of the patient. In most cases blood tests and echocardiography are often sufficient whereas in complex lesions a more extensive assessment is required, including cardiac catheterization, MRI or CT-Scan. Some tests are also routinely included in the preoperative evaluation of neonates which are not necessary in older children.