Can we Trust in Routine Echocardiography to Assess the Right Ventricle and Pulmonary Insufficiency? A Comparative Study with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the method of choice for assessing right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function, and pulmonary insufficiency (PI).

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography (2D ECHO) in estimating RV function and dimensions, and the degree of PI, and compare the 2D ECHO and CMR findings.

Methods: We compared ECHO and CMR reports of patients whose indication for CMR had been to assess RV and PI.

Current Use of Pediatric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Brazil.

Background: Data on the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) on children in Brazil is lacking.

Objectives: This study sought to provide information on current pediatric CMR practices in Brazil.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent out to referring physicians around the country.

Does sedation influence cardiac magnetic resonance duration for children?

Purpose: The aims of our study were to compare cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scan time (time elapsed between first and last acquired sequence) and room time (time elapsed between patients' entrance and exit of the MRI room) between sedated and non-sedated children and to assess the contributing factors.

Methods: It is a cohort study performed at a CMR facility in a tertiary-care center. We compared scan time and room time between sedated and non-sedated children and assessed the influence of gender, age, weight, height, body surface area, number of sequences, and patients' diagnosis/previous procedures.

Genetic and genomics in congenital heart disease: a clinical review.

Objective: Discuss evidence referring to the genetic role in congenital heart diseases, whether chromosomic alterations or monogenic diseases.

Data Source: LILACS, PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO, Google Scholar, and references of the articles found. Review articles, case reports, book chapters, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations were included.

Transvenous dual-chamber pacemaker after paediatric heart transplantation using left ventricle pacing through the coronary sinus.

A 12-year-old child with end-stage heart failure due to restrictive cardiomyopathy was submitted to orthotopic heart transplantation. Primary graft dysfunction required venous arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Heart function normalized, but complete atrioventricular block remained after 3 weeks.

Atrioventricular septal defect with coexisting tricuspid atresia.

We describe two infants having an atrioventricular septal defect in the setting of a double inlet atrioventricular connection, but with patency of the left-sided valvar orifice and an imperforate right-sided valvar component, and a further case with atrioventricular septal defect and an imperforate Ebstein's malformation, all producing the haemodynamic effect of tricuspid atresia. We make comparisons with the arrangement in trisomy 16 mice, in whom deficient atrioventricular septation is seen at times with the common atrioventricular junction exclusively connected to the left ventricle, a situation similar to that seen in two of our infants. We also review previous reports emphasising the important theoretical implication of the findings despite their rarity.

Autologous pericardium patch aneurysm after ventricular septal defect closure and arterial switch operation.

A neonate with L-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect underwent complete repair using fresh autologous pericardium to close the ventricular septal defect as well as to reconstruct the neo pulmonary artery sinuses. Four months later, the child came back with right ventricular inflow obstruction related to aneurysmal pericardial patch, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and severe supra-valvular pulmonic stenosis. At reoperation, there was a redundant, aneurysmal pericardial patch densely adherent to the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve, which was damaged.

Complete repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in adult patient.

A 22 year-old male patient was admitted with supracardiac, nonobstructive, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and large atrial septal defect. Cardiac catheterization revealed severe pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary overflow (Qp/Qs 6, pulmonary vascular resistance = 1.6 Woods/m(2)).

Use of centrifugal pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as cardiopulmonary support in pediatric cardiovascular surgery.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a well-documented resuscitation method in patients with severe hemodynamic and/or respiratory impairment.

Objective: To describe several aspects related to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a pediatric heart center and determine its immediate and late outcomes.

Methods: Between October 2005 and January 2007, 10 patients who were submitted to pediatric cardiac surgery underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implant.

[Echocardiographic post-neonatal progress of preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosus].

Objective: To identify clinical and echocardiography predictors of the spontaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.

Methods: Sixty-one consecutive preterm neonates (gestational age 30+/-2 weeks, birth weight 1.2+/-0.

[Ebstein's anomaly: results of the conic reconstruction of the tricuspid valve].

Objective: To assess the results of a technical modification of tricuspid valvuloplasty in Ebstein's anomaly.

Methods: From November 1993 to August 2002, 21 patients with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, with ages ranging from 20 months to 37 years (mean, 23 years), underwent a new technique of tricuspid valvuloplasty. This technique consisted of total or almost total detachment of the anterior tricuspid megaleaflet from the ventricular wall and valvular ring, transforming it into a cone, whose vertex remained fixed in the right ventricular tip, and the base was sutured to the tricuspid ring, after its plication, adjusting it to the size of the base of the cone (tricuspid ring), including the septal region.