Cardiovascular events in perimembranous ventricular septal defect with left ventricular volume overload: a French prospective cohort study (FRANCISCO).

Unlabelled: The long-term prospective multi-centre nationwide (French) observational study FRANCISCO will provide new information on perimembranous ventricular septal defect with left ventricular overload but no pulmonary hypertension in children older than 1 year. Outcomes will be compared according to treatment strategy (watchful waiting, surgical closure, or percutaneous closure) and anatomic features of the defect. The results are expected to provide additional guidance about the optimal treatment of this specific population, which is unclear at present.

Artenimol-piperaquine in children with uncomplicated imported falciparum malaria: experience from a prospective cohort.

Background: Although malaria remains one of the major public health threats in inter-tropical areas, there is limited understanding of imported malaria in children by paediatricians and emergency practitioners in non-endemic countries, often resulting in misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Moreover, classical treatments (atovaquone-proguanil, quinine, mefloquine) are limited either by lengthy treatment courses or by side effects. Since 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of oral artemisinin-based combination therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria worldwide.

SCN5A mutations in 442 neonates and children: genotype-phenotype correlation and identification of higher-risk subgroups.

Aims: To clarify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with SCN5A-mediated disease and to improve their risk stratification.

Methods And Results: A multicentre, international, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 25 tertiary hospitals in 13 countries between 1990 and 2015. All patients ≤16 years of age diagnosed with a genetically confirmed SCN5A mutation were included in the analysis.

Effect of halofantrine on QT interval in children.

In order to assess cardiac tolerance of halofantrine in children, we studied, retrospectively, 15 non complicated falciparum malaria cases treated with halofantrine, and focused on the effect on ventricular repolarisation. Our data showed that halofantrine can produce a moderate QTc prolongation without any life-threatening arrhythmia. As long as contraindications of the drug are respected, this treatment should be considered as a therapeutical option in young children presenting with non complicated falciparum malaria.

The role of stress test for predicting genetic mutations and future cardiac events in asymptomatic relatives of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia probands.

Aims: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmic disorder with a highly malignant clinical course. Exercise-stress test is the first-line approach to diagnose suspected individuals. We sought to elucidate the value of exercise-stress test for predicting mutations and future cardiac events in CPVT-family relatives.