Autonomic cardiac function in children and adolescents with long COVID: a case-controlled study.

Although the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of long COVID condition are still debated, there is growing evidence that autonomic dysfunction may play a role in the long-term complications or persisting symptoms observed in a significant proportion of patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, studies focused on autonomic dysfunction have primarily been conducted in adults, while autonomic function has not yet been investigated in pediatric subjects. In this study, for the first time, we assessed whether pediatric patients with long COVID present abnormalities in autonomic cardiac function.

Left Ventricular-Arterial Coupling and Vascular Function in Childhood Cancer Survivors Exposed to Anthracycline Chemotherapy.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a cause of increased long-term morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) treated with anthracyclines. These drugs may affect not only the heart, but also the vascular system. Left ventricular-arterial coupling (LVAC) represents a reliable parameter of altered ventricular and vascular performance, with validated prognostic value and never investigated in this setting.

Right ventricle-pulmonary artery coupling in repaired tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary regurgitation: Clinical implications.

Background: Right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling is a strong prognostic marker in several clinical settings, but few studies have focused on its role in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rToF) with pulmonary regurgitation.

Aim: To assess whether differences exist in RV-PA coupling, estimated by echocardiography, between patients with rToF and pulmonary regurgitation with or without an indication for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR).

Methods: The study population included 40 patients with rToF, who were allocated to two groups: 20 with an indication for PVR (i-PVR group); and 20 without an indication for PVR (ni-PVR group).

Prevalence of bladder cancer in Costello syndrome: New insights to drive clinical decision-making.

Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare disorder affecting development and growth characterized by cancer predisposition and caused by mutations in HRAS proto-oncogene. Somatic HRAS mutations drive bladder carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze prevalence and histological characterization of bladder cancer (BC) in a cohort of patients with CS to help clinicians plan effective management strategies.

Cardiac Surveillance for Early Detection of Late Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors After Anthracycline Therapy.

Background: In childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity is an important cause of morbidity and late mortality, but the optimal modality of cardiac surveillance still remains to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess whether non-invasive echocardiography-based functional cardiac measures can detect early subclinical myocardial changes in long-term pediatric cancer survivors who received anthracycline therapy.

Methods: Twenty anthracycline-treated long-term CCSs and 20 age, sex, and body surface area matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study.