The influence of oxidative stress on cardiac remodeling in obese adolescents.

Oxidative stress seems to be an important link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to assess oxidative stress in obese patients stratified according to ambulatory blood pressure status and to determine independent predictors of abnormal left ventricular geometry.A cross-sectional study was conducted.

An (In)Significant Ventricular Septal Defect and/or Double-Chambered Right Ventricle: Are There Any Differences in Diagnosis and Prognosis in Adult Patients.

A double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is an uncommon congenital anomaly: the right ventricle (RV) is divided into two chambers due to the presence of an abnormally located muscular band or anomalous muscle hypertrophy in the subinfundibular part of RV outflow tract, with a variable degree of obstruction. Generally, DCRV is well recognized in childhood and misdiagnosed in adult patients. Transthoracic and/or transesophageal echocardiography are the mx0435;thods of choice for the diagnosis of DCRV.

[The Role of Two-Dimensional Echocardiography in Diagnostics of Coarctation of the Aorta in Newborns].

Introduction: Diagnosis of neonatal coarctation of the aorta (CoA) still presents a challenge in routine practice because of absence of reliable morphologic and functional parameters for early detection of this congenital heart defect in newborns.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify easy obtainable two-dimensional echocardiographic parameters for detection of the CoA in newborns.

Methods: Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 30 newborns with CoA and 20 healthy neonates (control group).

[Outcomes of surgery for total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage].

Introduction: Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare congenital heart disease and in some variants represents the only true surgical emergency in congenital heart surgery. Basic anatomical characteristic of this anomaly is an abnormal connection of pulmonary veins with systemic venous circulation. Although the results of TAPVC repair in infancy have been markedly improved in recent years, the recurrent pulmonary venous obstruction (RPVO) remains relatively frequent complication of surgical treatment.

Balloon valvuloplasty as a treatment of congenital aortic stenosis in children and adolescents.

Introduction: Balloon valvuloplasty (BVP) is one of the primary therapies for congenital aortic stenosis in children and adolescents. The aim of this interventional procedure is to gain time before possible surgical therapy (aortic valve replacement) until adulthood.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and mid-term results oftranscatheter BVP in children and adolescent in our Center.

Transcatheter stenting of arterial duct in duct-dependent congenital heart disease.

Introduction: Critical congenital heart diseases (CHD) are mostly duct-dependent and require stable systemic-pulmonary communication. In order to maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus (DA), the first line treatment is Prostaglandin E1 and the second step is the surgical creation of aortic-pulmonary shunt. To reduce surgical risk in neonates with the critical CHD, transcatheter stenting of DA can be performed in selected cases.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, scimitar syndrome, and aortic coarctation.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) represents one of the most common causes of myocardial ischemia in infants and if left untreated results in a high mortality rate. When ALCAPA coexists with other congenital malformations, particularly those associated with pulmonary hypertension, the initial presentation can be quite confusing and is often misinterpreted. We report an infant with ALCAPA associated with scimitar syndrome and aortic coarctation whose clinical course illustrates the complexities and difficulties of management with a successful outcome.

The role of modern imaging techniques in the diagnosis of malposition of the branch pulmonary arteries and possible association with microdeletion 22q11.2.

Malposition of the branch pulmonary arteries is a rare malformation with two forms. In the typical form, pulmonary arteries cross each other as they proceed to their respective lungs. The “lesser form” is characterised by the left pulmonary artery ostium lying directly superior to the ostium of the right pulmonary artery, without crossing of the branch pulmonary arteries.

[Results of treatment of cyanotic heart defects in children].

Cyanotic heart diseases are relatively rare, but they are severe and heterogeneous congenital heart diseases, which require complex surgery. Development of different advanced surgical procedures, such as arterial switch operation (ASO), Fontan and its modifications, Norwood etc. operations, as well as better perioperative care significantly improved survival rate and quality of life of these children.