Identifying Subclinical Coronary Abnormalities and Silent Myocardial Ischemia After Arterial Switch Operation.

The incidence of late coronary complications is reported around 8% after arterial switch operation (ASO) for d-transposition of the great arteries, but the affected patients are usually asymptomatic. Exercise stress test (EST) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are common non-invasive modalities to screen for silent myocardial ischemia, but their diagnostic reliability in children after ASO is unclear. We retrospectively reviewed asymptomatic patients following ASO with EST, MPI, and coronary imaging studies (CIS) and examined the reliability of each test in identifying abnormal coronary lesions responsible for myocardial ischemia.

Standardization of a Continuous Ramp Ergometer Protocol for Clinical Exercise Testing in Children.

Developing a standardized protocol for pediatric exercise laboratories is challenging. Our objective was to report normal pediatric values for a continuous non-steady state cycle ergometer ramp protocol to achieve 8-10 min of exercise based on sex and weight. One hundred seventeen patients (117) [mean age 13 ± 2.

Predicting utility of exercise tests based on history/holter in patients with premature ventricular contractions.

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are considered benign in patients with structurally normal hearts, particularly if they suppress with exercise. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) requires exercise testing to unmask the malignant phenotype. We studied risk factors and Holter monitor variables to help predict the necessity of exercise testing in patients with PVCs.