Int J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis
December 2024
Int J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis
September 2024
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcchd.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis
September 2024
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, but serious condition, with a non-negligible risk of adverse events. Several risk factors for PPCM have been individuated over the years, including Afro-American ethnicity, preeclampsia, advanced maternal age, genetic predisposition, multiparity, twin pregnancy, obesity, smoking and diabetes. However, PPCM pathophysiology is still poorly understood, thus making it challenging to develop disease specific therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcchd.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: There is dearth of data on long-term outcomes of systemic semilunar (SS) or atrioventricular (AV) valve operation in adult patients with a Fontan circulation. We describe a single-centre experience of adults who underwent valve surgery late after a Fontan procedure.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a Fontan circulation who had a reoperation for severe valve disease during adulthood in our centre.
As patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to enjoy longer lives, non-congenital cardiologists and other healthcare professionals are increasingly encountering them in their practice and are challenged by their specific needs. Most under- and post-graduate medical training tends to overlook this common pathology, resulting in insufficient awareness of post-repair or post-palliation residual lesions and sequelae from previous interventions. In a strive towards improving the quality of care for this ever-growing cardiovascular patient cohort, it is prudent to outline the areas of concern and specific management needs pertaining to adult patients with CHD and share it with non-CHD professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPulmonary hypertension (PH) is highly prevalent in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Widely available noninvasive screening tools are warranted to identify patients at risk for PH, especially severe PH, that could be managed at expert centres. This review summarises current evidence on noninvasive diagnostic modalities and prediction models for the timely detection of PH in patients with ILD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a haemodynamic condition characterised by elevation of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg, assessed by right heart catheterisation. Pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) distinguish pre-capillary PH (PAWP ≤15 mmHg, PVR >2 Wood Units (WU)), isolated post-capillary PH (PAWP >15 mmHg, PVR ≤2 WU) and combined post- and pre-capillary PH (PAWP >15 mmHg, PVR >2 WU). Exercise PH is a haemodynamic condition describing a normal mPAP at rest with an abnormal increase of mPAP during exercise, defined as a mPAP/cardiac output slope >3 mmHg/L/min between rest and exercise.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Fontan circulation procedure is the palliative surgery of choice for patients with single ventricle physiology, many of whom are now reaching childbearing age due to advances in care. Our study examines the impact of pregnancy on women with Fontan circulation, assessing both short and long-term outcomes.
Methods: We retrospectively analysed pregnancies in women with Fontan circulation at our centre from 2005 to 2023, including a matched non-pregnant, nulliparous cohort for comparison.
Background And Aims: Many adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are still afflicted by premature death. Previous reports suggested natriuretic peptides may identify ACHD patients with adverse outcome. The study investigated prognostic power of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) across the spectrum of ACHD in a large contemporary cohort.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImproved survival rates for patients with a Fontan circulation has allowed more women with this complex cardiac physiology to contemplate pregnancy. However, pregnancy in women with a Fontan circulation is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, high rates of miscarriage, and preterm delivery. Factors associated with a successful pregnancy outcome are younger age, normal body weight, absence of significant functional limitation, no Fontan-related complications, and well-functioning single ventricle physiology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe present 4 patients with Fontan circulation who underwent successful pregnancies, albeit with complications that required close monitoring and timely intervention. Each Fontan patient presents with a unique clinical picture, making risk stratification challenging but all the more important.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study aimed to determine the status of training of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cardiologists in Europe.
Methods: A questionnaire was sent to ACHD cardiologists from 34 European countries.
Results: Representatives from 31 of 34 countries (91%) responded.
Int J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis
December 2023
Rates of successful surgical repair and life expectancy for patients with congenital heart disease have increased dramatically in recent decades. Thanks to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, an ever-increasing number of individuals with congenital heart disease are reaching advanced age. The exposure to cardiovascular risk factors during their lifetime is modifying the outlook and late clinical trajectory of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Establishing surgical criteria for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in severe aortic regurgitation in young adults is challenging due to the lack of evidence-based recommendations. We studied indications for AVR in young adults with severe aortic regurgitation and their outcomes, as well as the relationship between presurgical echocardiographic parameters and postoperative left ventricular (LV) size, function, clinical events, and valve-related complications. Methods and Results Data were collected retrospectively on 172 consecutive adult patients who underwent AVR or repair for severe aortic regurgitation between 2005 and 2019 in a tertiary cardiac center (age at surgery 29 [22-41] years, 81% male).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: COVID-19 has caused significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is likely to increase vulnerability and understanding the predictors of adverse outcomes is key to optimising care.
Objective: Ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on people with CHD and define risk factors for adverse outcomes.