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.

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.

Fetal ductal constriction caused by maternal ingestion of green tea in late pregnancy: an experimental study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that experimental maternal intake of green tea in late pregnancy causes fetal ductus arteriosus constriction, probably because of prostaglandin inhibition.

Methods And Results: Twelve fetal lambs (pregnancy > 120 days) were assessed before and after maternal administration of green tea (n = 8) or water (n = 4; controls) as the only source of liquid. After 1 week, echocardiography showed signs of constriction of the ductus arteriosus in all fetuses from mothers ingesting green tea, with increase in mean systolic velocity(from 0.

The use of a wire control catheter to treat complex pulmonary artery or vein anatomy.

The difficult performance of certain percutaneous interventions in the field of congenital heart disease is well known. Crossing pulmonary arteries in patients who have previously undergone surgical repair or stenotic pulmonary veins in infants can be typical examples of these technical challenges in the catheterization laboratory. The Venture wire 6 Fr control catheter (St Jude Medical) is compatible with a steerable tapered radiopaque tip that can be manually angulated (up to 90°) by clockwise rotation of a knob located in the proximal handle.

Aortic isthmus blood flow in fetuses of diabetic mothers.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the aortic isthmus flow index (IFI) is lower in fetuses of diabetic mothers than in fetuses of nondiabetic mothers.

Study Design: We performed a cross-sectional observational study to assess the IFI in fetuses, with (n = 13) and without (n = 37) myocardial hypertrophy, of mothers with diabetes mellitus and in fetuses of nondiabetic mothers (n = 23). Analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to assess differences among the groups.

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis using the femoral and the carotid artery approach: a 16-year experience from a single center.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to report a 16-year experience with percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAVP) in newborns and young infants up to 3 months of age in a tertiary care cardiac reference center in a developing country and to determine its value in postponing open heart surgery.

Background: Congenital aortic stenosis (AS) is a potentially life threatening disorder. BAVP and surgical procedures have similar short and medium-term efficacy.

New insights on fetal ductal constriction: role of maternal ingestion of polyphenol-rich foods.

Fetal ductus arteriosus constriction is a clinical disorder that occurs as a result of inhibition of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, and has long been associated to maternal intake of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in late pregnancy. As a consequence of an increased right ventricular pressure, with tricuspid regurgitation and heart failure, there is a risk for the development of neonatal pulmonary artery hypertension. This article reviews the basic knowledge of the mechanisms involved in this important disorder.

Relief of severe immediate postoperative superior vena cava stenosis with covered stent: case report with midterm follow up.

Sinus venous atrial septal defects are commonly associated with abnormal pulmonary venous connection. Numerous surgical techniques have been proposed with excellent short- and long-term outcomes. Pulmonary and superior vena cava obstructions, as well as rhythm disturbances, are the most common problems seen during follow up.