Post cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: Results and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Background: The increasing complexity of congenital cardiac surgery has led to greater utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for children post-surgery. This study aims to identify risk factors for mortality and brain injury in pediatric patients requiring post-cardiotomy ECMO and to evaluate their neurological outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study includes pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases who required ECMO after surgery.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Intrathecal Synthesis of Immunoglobulins: A Review about the Contribution of OCBs and K-index.

The diagnosis of MS relies on a combination of imaging, clinical examinations, and biological analyses, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assessments. G-Oligoclonal bands (OCBs) are considered a "gold standard" for MS diagnosis due to their high sensitivity and specificity. Recent advancements have involved the introduced of kappa free light chain (k-FLC) assay into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum (S), along with the albumin quotient, leading to the development of a novel biomarker known as the "K-index" or "k-FLC index".

Right disc thrombosis of the new Gore Cardioform ASD Occluder.

Background: The GCA is a well performing device in terms of efficacy despite complex anatomies (aortic rim <5 mm and ASD diameter >17 mm) with a good safety profile.

Aims: To evaluate atrial septal defect (ASD) features impacting on right disc device thrombosis in patients who underwent Gore Cardioform ASD Occluder (GCA) implantation.

Methods: A total of 44 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous ASD with GCA device from January 2020 to September 2022 at our tertiary care Center were evaluated.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Simple Congenital Heart Defects: Preserving Aesthetics without Jeopardizing Patient Safety.

Minimally invasive surgeries for pediatric patients have been proposed for decades, with different approaches in mind. Minimal right axillary thoracotomy (MRAT), proposed two decades ago, allows the preservation of patients' safety alongside faster aesthetic and functional recovery. The MRAT did not become widely adopted due to the prejudice that to follow a minimally invasive approach, safety and efficacy must be compromised.

Cervical aortic arch in the pediatric population: a meta-analysis of individual patient's data.

Background: This is the first meta-analysis to analyze all reports of published pediatric cases of cervical aortic arch (CAA) by highlighting the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes using the reported individual data of the patients. The aim of the study is to investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of such a rare disease in the pediatric population.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in various academic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, DOAJ, and Cochrane Library, until June 2022 for case reports describing the presence of cervical aortic arch in the pediatric age.