Abnormal left atrial strain and left atrial stiffness index are associated with adverse outcomes in children with cardiomyopathies: a pilot study.

Conventional diastolic dysfunction parameters seem to be imperfect when applied to the pediatric cardiomyopathy population. The aim of this pilot study was to search for novel echocardiographic parameters associated with adverse outcomes in children with the most common cardiomyopathies. Fifty-six patients with pediatric cardiomyopathies (28 with dilated, 21 with hypertrophic, 7 with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy) and 28 healthy subjects were included in the study.

Utility and acceptability of remote 6-lead electrocardiographic monitoring in children with inherited cardiac conditions.

Objective: This pilot study sought to investigate the utility and acceptability of the KardiaMobile 6-lead ECG (KM6LECG) as a tool for remote monitoring in children with inherited cardiac conditions.

Design: A single-centre prospective cohort study. Children underwent standard clinical evaluation including a 12-lead ECG and a KM6LECG in the clinic.

Cardiopulmonary capacity is reduced in children with ventricular arrhythmia.

Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are frequently seen in children and are considered benign. A substantial group of adolescents with PVCs complain about a broad range of clinical symptoms, including low exertion tolerance.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively whether ventricular arrhythmia affects physical performance in adolescents with normal left ventricular function, using a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and evaluating the electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of patients with PVCs with regard to exercise capacity.

Electrocardiographic Parameters Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Children with Cardiomyopathies.

Cardiomyopathies have a low prevalence in children and thus may lead to malignant ventricular arrhythmias or the progression of heart failure, resulting in death. In adults, the QRS-T angle derived from ECG has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies. We aimed to assess the electrocardiographic parameters, including QRS-T angle, associated with adverse cardiac events in children with cardiomyopathies.

Left Ventricular Noncompaction-A Systematic Review of Risk Factors in the Pediatric Population.

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous, often hereditary group of diseases, which may have diverse clinical manifestations. This article reviews the risk factors for unfavorable outcomes of LVNC in children, as well as discuss the diagnostic methods and the differences between pediatric and adult LVNC. Through a systematic review of the literature, a total of 1983 articles were outlined; 23 of them met the inclusion criteria.

Impact of a Single Session of Inhalation Technique Training on Inhalation Skills and the Course of Asthma and COPD.

Background: A significant percentage of patients with asthma and COPD do not use their inhalers properly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a single session of inhalation technique training on the frequency of inhalation errors and the course of asthma and COPD.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included adults who had been diagnosed with and treated for asthma or COPD with at least one inhaler use daily on a regular basis.

Mishandling of pMDI and DPI inhalers in asthma and COPD - Repetitive and non-repetitive errors.

Background: Pharmacological treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is based mainly on inhaled medications. There is a continuous need to examine and train patients in their inhalation technique. The objective of the presented study is to determine whether the errors which patients made during inhalations are repetitive, and therefore easier to eradicate, or rather accidental, hence require more attention and effort from the health care professionals.