Feasibility and Safety of Unzipping Small Diameter Stents in the Blood Vessels of Piglets.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the feasibility and safety of unzipping small-diameter stents (SDS) in a growing animal model.

Background: SDS implanted to relieve stenosis of blood vessels in infants may result in refractory stenosis as the child grows. If stents can be longitudinally fractured-unzipped-then the target vessel can potentially be redilated to the eventual adult vessel diameter.

Radiation Protocol for Three-Dimensional Rotational Angiography to Limit Procedural Radiation Exposure in the Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Background: Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) offers more detailed anatomic information than 2D digital acquisition (2DDA). Concerns over potentially higher contrast and radiation doses have limited its routine use.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare radiation doses required to obtain 3DRA using a customized low dose radiation protocol with 2DDA.

Aortic Root Size by Echocardiogram Compared With Computed Tomography in Adolescents With Pectus Excavatum.

Purpose: Aortic root dilation is a risk factor for aneurysm and dissection. Echocardiography (echo) is the most frequently used initial screening method for the aortic root, but computed tomography (CT) is a preferred modality because of the ability to reformat the images and obtain measurements without the technical limits of echo image acquisition. There are limited data comparing the 2 modalities in measuring the aortic root.

Management of anomalous circumflex coronary artery from the neo-pulmonary artery in an adolescent following neonatal arterial switch operation.

A 15-year-old male with transposition of the great arteries presented with exertional chest pain. He was found to have a circumflex coronary artery from the neo-pulmonary artery that had not been transferred during his arterial switch operation. The circumflex coronary artery, fed through collaterals from a re-implanted single coronary artery, resulted in coronary steal.

Unzipping of small diameter stents: an in vitro study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if small-diameter stents can be unzipped in vitro.

Background: Small-diameter stents can relieve stenosis in infant blood vessels. As the child grows, refractory stenosis may result.

Current Trends in the Management of Neonates With Ebstein's Anomaly.

Background: The optimal management strategy for neonates with Ebstein's anomaly is unknown. This analysis was undertaken to assess current trends in the management and prognosis of neonates born with Ebstein's anomaly in the United States, as reflected in an administrative database.

Methods: The Pediatric Health Information System database (40 children's hospitals) was used to review the reported incidence and available data on neonates with Ebstein's anomaly treated in the United States between 2003 and 2007.