Outcomes Following Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in Symptomatic Neonates With Tetralogy of Fallot-A CCRC Study.

Background: Complete repair (CR) can be delayed in neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF) using surgical or transcatheter palliation to relieve cyanosis. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) is an established treatment for pulmonary valve stenosis; however, its effectiveness in palliating neonates with sTOF has not been well investigated.

Methods: A retrospective chart review between 2005 and 2017 on neonates with sTOF who underwent initial BPV from 9 participating centers of the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative was performed.

Impact of Management Strategy on Feeding and Somatic Growth in Neonates with Symptomatic Tetralogy of Fallot: Results from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Objective: To evaluate early growth following primary or staged repair of neonatal symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF).

Study Design: We performed a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of consecutive infants with sTOF who underwent initial intervention at age ≤30 days, from 2005 to 2017. Management strategies were either primary repair or staged repair (ie, initial palliation followed by complete repair).

Transcatheter Recanalization of Atretic Pulmonary Veins in Infants and Children.

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis is a progressive disease associated with a high rate of mortality in children. If left untreated, myofibroblastic proliferation can lead to pulmonary vein atresia (PVA). In our experience, transcatheter recanalization has emerged as a favorable interventional option.

Palliation Strategy to Achieve Complete Repair in Symptomatic Neonates with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF) may undergo palliations with varying physiology, namely systemic to pulmonary artery connections (SPC) or right ventricular outflow tract interventions (RVOTI). A comparison of palliative strategies based on the physiology created is lacking. Consecutive sTOF neonates undergoing SPC or RVOTI from 2005-2017 were reviewed from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Comparative Costs of Management Strategies for Neonates With Symptomatic Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Recent data have demonstrated that overall mortality and adverse events are not significantly different for primary repair (PR) and staged repair (SR) approaches to management of neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF). Cost data can be used to compare the relative value (cost for similar outcomes) of these approaches and are a potentially more sensitive measure of morbidity.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the economic costs associated with PR and SR in neonates with sTOF.

Factors Influencing Reintervention Following Ductal Artery Stent Implantation for Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: Results From the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Background: Stenting of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an established palliative option for infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow. Following initial palliation, reintervention on the PDA stent is common, but risk factors have not been characterized.

Methods: Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow palliated with PDA stent between 2008 and 2015 were reviewed within the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Systemic Sirolimus Therapy for Infants and Children With Pulmonary Vein Stenosis.

Background: Anatomic interventions for pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) in infants and children have been met with limited success. Sirolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has demonstrated promise as a primary medical therapy for PVS, but the impact on patient survival is unknown.

Objectives: The authors sought to investigate whether mTOR inhibition with sirolimus as a primary medical therapy would improve outcomes in high-risk infants and children with PVS.

Data quality methods through remote source data verification auditing: results from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Background: Multicentre research databases can provide insights into healthcare processes to improve outcomes and make practice recommendations for novel approaches. Effective audits can establish a framework for reporting research efforts, ensuring accurate reporting, and spearheading quality improvement. Although a variety of data auditing models and standards exist, barriers to effective auditing including costs, regulatory requirements, travel, and design complexity must be considered.

Comparison of Management Strategies for Neonates With Symptomatic Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Neonates with tetralogy of Fallot and symptomatic cyanosis (sTOF) require early intervention.

Objectives: This study sought to perform a balanced multicenter comparison of staged repair (SR) (initial palliation [IP] and subsequent complete repair [CR]) versus primary repair (PR) treatment strategies.

Methods: Consecutive neonates with sTOF who underwent IP or PR at ≤30 days of age from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Comprehensive comparative outcomes in children with congenital heart disease: The rationale for the Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative.

Clinical research in the treatment of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is limited by the wide variety of CHD manifestations and therapeutic options as well as the generally low incidence of CHD. The availability of comprehensive, contemporary outcomes studies is therefore limited. This inadequacy may result in a lack of data-driven medical decision making.