Impaired cardiac autonomic nervous control after cardiac bypass surgery for congenital heart disease.

We undertook a study to describe changes in heart rate variability (HRV) postoperatively in children undergoing cardiac bypass surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). HRV was recorded for a 1-h period preoperatively and a 24-h period postoperatively in 20 children with CHD. We found a highly significant reduction in HRV in both time and frequency domain indices compared to preoperative values, which was sustained throughout the 24-h study period.

Effects of escalating doses of sildenafil on hemodynamics and gas exchange in children with pulmonary hypertension and congenital cardiac defects.

Objective: Sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) is being increasingly used to treat pulmonary hypertension in children. However, there are limited data available to suggest dosage regimens. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of escalating doses of sildenafil on hemodynamics and gas exchange in children with pulmonary hypertension because of congenital cardiac defects.

Current status of the Contegra conduit for pediatric right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is needed in a wide variety of congenital heart diseases at the time of primary repair, or later for replacement of existing valves or conduits. Ideally, the conduit or valve needed for such reconstruction should be formed of autologous tissue that grows, resists infection, lasts for the life span of the patient, and is readily available in all sizes. Such a conduit is not available, though several alternatives have been used, none of which is without potential drawbacks.