Management of aortopulmonary collaterals in children following cardiac transplantation for complex congenital heart disease.

Background: Heart transplantation (HTx) is increasingly utilized as therapy for end-stage cyanotic congenital heart disease. This study investigates the presence and impact of aortopulmonary collaterals (APCs) associated with cyanotic heart disease on the early post-operative course of patients undergoing transplantation. High output cardiac failure due to residual aortopulmonary collaterals can affect outcome following heart transplantation.

Norepinephrine elicits beta2-receptor-mediated dilation of isolated human coronary arterioles.

Background: The exact role of adrenoceptors in norepinephrine (NE)-mediated regulation of the human coronary circulation has yet to be elucidated. Thus, the goals of this study were to characterize the adrenoceptors involved in the responses to NE in isolated human coronary arterioles and small arteries.

Methods And Results: Arterioles (n=39) and small arteries from the left ventricle of explanted human hearts were isolated and cannulated.