Afterload reduction therapy in patients following intraatrial baffle operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Patients with intraatrial baffle procedure for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) have diastolic dysfunction, decreased exercise capacity, stroke volume response and elevated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) during exercise. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors improve exercise capacity in adults with congestive heart failure by improving diastolic function and decreasing SVR. We tested the hypothesis that ACE inhibitors decrease SVR and improve exercise capacity in patients after intraatrial baffle procedure for TGA.

Nursing dynamics of pediatric intraaortic balloon pumping.

Care of the child on the IABP continues to be a challenging experience. Further advances in IABP technology will improve the rate of survival for children with complex congenital heart defects and other more complicated diagnoses. Likewise, this technology will enable critical care nurses to increase their expertise resulting in new gains in nursing knowledge.