Routine Detection of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Predicts a Worse Outcome in a Cohort of Tetralogy of Fallot Patients During 23 Years of Follow-Up.

Atrial flutter/fibrillation (AFL/AF) is a late complication in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Its effects on long-term prognosis are not fully understood. We evaluate the impact of AFL/AF in adults with repaired TOF on global mortality and unplanned hospitalizations during follow-up, and the predictors for AFL/AF occurrence.

Increased S100B serum levels in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Background: The S100B protein is considered a biochemical marker for brain injuries. However, our group demonstrated that the isolated rat heart releases S100B. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of S100B in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients to evaluate its levels in heart disease.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect with Amplatzer device in children aged less than 10 years old: immediate and late follow-up.

Aims: To analyze the efficacy and follow-up results of percutaneous closure of Atrial septal defect (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder in children aged <10 years old.

Methods: Between November 1998 and September 2005, 27 patients diagnosed with ASD were treated percutaneously with an Amplatzer septal occluder. The procedure was carried out in the cathlab, under general anesthesia and with both fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

Effectiveness of the Amplatzer device for transcatheter closure of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Amplatzer septal occluder in the treatment of ostium secundum atrial septal defects (OS ASDs).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study conducted between November 1998 and September 2005 involving 101 OS ASD transcatheter occlusion procedures in our institution. All procedures were conducted in the hemodynamic laboratory under general anesthesia with transoesophageal echocardiographic monitoring (TEE).

Late clinical outcomes of the fontan operation in patients with tricuspid atresia.

Objective: Evaluation of the long-term clinical results of the Fontan operation in patients with tricuspid atresia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was made at the Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul (Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul), from August 1980 through January 2000, of 25 patients with a long-term follow-up, out of a series of 36 patients who underwent the Fontan operation or one of its variants due to tricuspid atresia. Their mean age at surgery was 5.