Endoscopic Management of a Chronic Gastrocutaneous Fistula after Bariatric Revisional Surgery Using a Novel Cardiac Septal Occluder.

Introduction: Endoscopic techniques are now considered the first-line approach for the management of bariatric surgery-related fistulas. The off-label use of cardiac septal defect occluders (CSDO) is an emerging technique that has demonstrated favorable outcomes for the closure of extravascular defects, including gastrointestinal (GI) disruptions. Previous case reports have reported similar results with the CSDO Amplatzer™ for the management of GI disruptions following bariatric surgery.

Percutaneous Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Babies: The Initial Brazilian Experience.

Background: The presence of patent ductus arteriosus can be as high as 50% in preterm babies. Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus is a common cause of delayed weaning of respiratory support and an important risk factor of necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in this population.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe an initial experience of percutaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants weighing less than 2 kg.

Standardizing Radiation Exposure during Cardiac Catheterization in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Data from a Multicenter Brazilian Registry.

Background: In recent years the increasing number of interventional procedures has resulted in growing concerns regarding radiation exposure for patients and staff. The evaluation of radiation exposure in children is difficult due to the great variability in body weight. Therefore, reference levels of radiation are not well defined for this population.

A comparison of radiation dose between standard and 3D angiography in congenital heart disease.

Background: The use of three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D-RA) to assess patients with congenital heart diseases appears to be a promising technique despite the scarce literature available.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe our initial experience with 3D-RA and to compare its radiation dose to that of standard two-dimensional angiography (2D-SA).

Methods: Between September 2011 and April 2012, 18 patients underwent simultaneous 3D-RA and 2D-SA during diagnostic cardiac catheterization.

From bare to covered: 15-year single center experience and follow-up in trans-catheter stent implantation for aortic coarctation.

Background: Bare stents has become the first line therapy for aortic coarctation. Covered stents has been reported more recently in clinical practice.

Objectives: The present study, reports comparatively 15-year experience of bare and covered stent implantation for aortic coarctation in a single tertiary referral center.