Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: Diagnoses and Surgical Results in 12 Pediatric Patients.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital condition. It responds well to early diagnosis and treatment, but otherwise the prognosis is poor. We present our case series of 12 patients (mean age, 2 ± 2.

3D printed models for planning endovascular stenting in transverse aortic arch hypoplasia.

Objectives: To evaluate whether three-dimensional (3D) printed models can be used to improve interventional simulation and planning in patients with aortic arch hypoplasia.

Background: Stenting of a hypoplastic transverse arch is technically challenging, and complications such as stent migration and partial obstruction of the origin of the head and neck vessels are highly dependent on operator skills and expertise.

Methods: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, a 3D model of a repaired aortic coarctation of a 15-year-old boy with hypoplastic aortic arch was printed.

Mid-term morbidity and mortality of patients after arterial switch operation in infancy for transposition of the great arteries.

Introduction And Objectives: The arterial switch operation is currently the preferred surgical approach for complete transposition of the great arteries. We sought to determine the mid-term results of this intervention.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective review of clinical records of all consecutive patients who underwent the arterial switch surgery between 1985 and 2010.

A simple method of aortic valve reconstruction with fixed pericardium in children.

Aortic valve reconstruction with fixed pericardium may occasionally be very useful when treating children with aortic valve disease. This is because diseased aortic valves in children are sometimes too dysmorphic for simple repair without the addition of material, their annulus may be too small for a prosthesis, and the Ross operation may be precluded due to other congenital anomalies such as pulmonary valvar or coronary malformations. Such reconstruction is usually technically demanding and requires much precision.

[Experience with the Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome].

Introduction And Objectives: To describe our experience and to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Methods: Between October 1991 and June 2005, 42 children underwent the Norwood procedure. In the first 30 patients, pulmonary circulation was established using a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (Group 1), while a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit was used in the remaining 12 (Group 2).

De novo KCNQ1 mutation responsible for atrial fibrillation and short QT syndrome in utero.

Objective: We describe a genetic basis for atrial fibrillation and short QT syndrome in utero. Heterologous expression of the mutant channel was used to define the physiological consequences of the mutation.

Methods: A baby girl was born at 38 weeks after induction of delivery that was prompted by bradycardia and irregular rythm.

[Postsurgical pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract].

Cardiac pseudoaneurysm, a sealed rupture of the heart, is potentially fatal if not repaired surgically. The incidence in children is low, and it has been described in connection with surgery involving the right ventricular outflow tract. We describe a case diagnosed 20 months after complete repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with a single coronary artery.

[Aortopulmonary window: clinical assessment and surgical results].

Introduction And Objectives: Aortopulmonary septal defect is an uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly. To date, approximately 300 cases have been reported. We present our experience, emphasizing the importance of early correction to avoid irreversible pulmonary hypertension.