Noninvasive measurement of atrial contribution to the cardiac output in children and adolescents with congenital complete atrioventricular block treated with dual-chamber pacemakers.

The contribution of atrial contraction to cardiac output (CO) has been the subject of extensive research but has yet to be quantified adequately in children and adolescents. Patients with third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block treated with pacemakers (PMs) are ideal candidates to assess the atrial contribution to CO by repeated measurements in single-chamber pacing mode (VVIR) and dual-chamber pacing mode (DDD/VDD). Hemodynamic measurements in children are often complicated by technical restrictions, but more recently a noninvasive method involving inert gas rebreathing has become available, which is an excellent tool for this age group.

Ventricular interaction in children after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a longitudinal echocardiographic study.

Aims: Progressive right ventricular (RV) dilation due to pulmonary regurgitation (PR) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) may impair left ventricular (LV) filling. Our aim was to analyse long-term time courses of M-mode LV and RV measurements and to relate these to the degree of PR.

Methods And Results: Retrospective longitudinal cohort of children (n = 88) after repair of TOF followed by serial echocardiography over 9 years.