Long-term follow-up of percutaneous secundum-type atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer Septal Occluder since 1995: a single-centre study.

Introduction: The goal of this single-centre study was to evaluate long-term results of percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect using Amplatzer Septal Occluder with the follow-up to 25 years.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect between September 1995 and October 2012 in our institution was performed. All procedures were performed after fulfilling strict indication criteria.

Evaluating exposure of northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus, to microplastic pollution through fecal analysis.

Environmental microplastics are widely documented in marine life and bioaccumulation may present risks to marine predators. Investigations of microplastics in marine mammals are increasing, though none have examined animals routinely consumed by humans. Here, we investigate microplastic exposure in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), a species consumed by humans, using fecal material.

Comparison of Non-Gated vs. ECG-gated CT Angiography of Fontan Circulation in Patients with Implanted Stents in Pulmonary Branches.

Background: Motion artifacts may degrade CT examination of Fontan pathway and hinder accurate diagnosis of in-stent restenosis.

Purpose: We retrospectively compared ECG-gated multi-detector computed tomography (CT) with non-ECG-gated CT in order to demonstrate whether or not one of the methods should be preferred.

Method: The study included 13 patients with surgically reconstructed Fontan pathway.

Double aortic arch anomalies in Children: A Systematic 20-Year Single Center Study.

Aortic arch anomalies underlie numerous congenital disorders. Effectively diagnosing and treating them requires close understanding of cardiovascular embryology. As our Center serves the entire pediatric population of our country, we performed a comprehensive retrospective analysis of all aortic arch anomalies diagnosed at our Center over the past 20 years.

Utilisation of three-dimensional printed heart models for operative planning of complex congenital heart defects.

Background And Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of the three-dimensional (3D) printing of cardiovascular structures. To explore whether utilisation of 3D printed heart replicas can improve surgical and catheter interventional planning in patients with complex congenital heart defects.

Methods: Between December 2014 and November 2015 we fabricated eight cardiovascular models based on computed tomography data in patients with complex spatial anatomical relationships of cardiovascular structures.

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia in patient with pulmonary vein stenosis/atresia.

No abstract Keywords.

Stenting of stenotic aortopulmonary collaterals in non-surgically treated adolescent or adult patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and multiple aortopulmonary collaterals.

Objectives: To present our experience with stent implantations in non-surgically treated patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and stenotic aortopulmonary collaterals.

Methods: Between April 2007 and June 2009, 6 stents in 4 patients were implanted into stenosed segments of MAPCAs. The median age and weight of patients at stent implantation were 24 years (range 13-34 years) and 58.

Factors regulating excystment of in Puget Sound, WA, USA.

Factors regulating excystment of a toxic dinoflagellate in the genus were investigated in cysts from Puget Sound, Washington State, USA. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory using cysts collected from benthic seedbeds to determine if excystment is controlled by internal or environmental factors. The results suggest that the timing of germination is not tightly controlled by an endogenous clock, though there is a suggestion of a cyclical pattern.

A complex pulmonary vein varix -- diagnosis with ECG gated MDCT, MRI and invasive pulmonary angiography.

A case of an asymptomatic 32-year-old male with a complex congenital pulmonary vein varix is reported herein. Chest X-ray incidentally revealed a tubular opacity passing from the periphery of the left lingula to the mediastinum. ECG gated multidetector computed tomography showed the opacity to be a vessel emptying into the left atrium via the left superior pulmonary vein.

First experience with AndraStent XL implantation in children and adolescents with congenital heart diseases.

Objectives: To present our experience with a new type of extra-large (dilatable up to 25 mm), balloon-expandable, nonpremounted, cobalt-chromium peripheral stent with semiopen designed cells: AndraStent.

Methods: Between December 2008 and August 2011, 21 AndraStents in 21 patients were implanted into vessel stenoses of varied localizations. AndraStents XL of 21, 30, and 39 mm in length were used.

The optimal timing for magnetic resonance imaging in long-term follow-up of patients after a complete correction of the Tetralogy of Fallot.

Objectives: Long-term pulmonary regurgitation (PR) leads to right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction. In patients after a complete correction of the tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) it represents the most frequent and high risk late complication. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an objective possibility for RV measurements; on the other hand MRI is complicated and not always accessible method.

The new Amplatzer duct occluder II: when is its use advantageous?

Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer duct occluder and the Amplatzer duct occluder II in different types of arterial ducts, and to determine in which types of ducts the use of this new device can be advantageous.

Methods: All children with a device-based ductal closure between September, 2005 and February, 2010 were included. We retrospectively analysed the catheterisation and follow-up data.

The first experience with the high-resolution multi-slice CT-angiography in pediatric cardiology in Slovakia.

Objectives: The high-resolution multi-slice computed tomography angiography (HRMS-CTA) is a new imaging method characterized by a precise isotropic imaging of any cardiovascular system structure. The purpose of this study was to review the first experience with the high-resolution multi-slice HRMS-CTA in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects as well as with acquired cardiac diseases in the Slovak Republic.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed benefits of HRMS-CTA and its influence on the subsequent choice of the most appropriate management in 20 patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and multiple aortopulmonary collaterals (PA, VSD, MAPCAs) and in 15 patients with different diagnoses with expected benefit from HRMS-CTA in terms of an exact delineation of extra-cardiac vascular structures.

Shock--manifestation of pulmonary atresia with aorto-pulmonary collaterals and single ventricle physiology in a 2-day neonate.

Background: The combination of pulmonary valve atresia and ventricular septal defect accounts for about 2% of cases of congenital heart disease. Most of the cases have intracardiac anatomy of Tetralogy Fallot and present with cyanosis in neonatal age.

Objectives: To report a case of a newborn with rare combination of pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and single ventricle physiology presenting with shock very early following birth.

Percutaneous management of cyanosis in Fontan patients using Amplatzer occluders.

Objectives: To determine causes of cyanosis and to evaluate percutaneous management of cyanosis in a group of consecutive Fontan patients.

Background: A variety of communications allow a right-to-left shunt in Fontan circulation causing cyanosis and these communications are amenable to percutaneous closure.

Methods: Between November 1997 and November 2007, 45 consecutive patients ranging in age from 2.

Echocardiographic measurements of the aorta in normal children and young adults.

Background: To be able to determine aortic valve and ascending aorta pathology, especially aortic root dilatation, it is important to establish normal aortic dimensions. The aim of the study was to measure the dimensions of the aorta in normal healthy children and young adults in Slovakia.

Patients And Methods: 702 healthy subjects, from newborns to 20 years of age, were examined at our institution.

Experiences with fenestration closure in patients after the Fontan operation.

Background And Objectives: [corrected] In this study, decision and timing of fenestration closure are discussed. We review our experiences with transcatheter occlusion of fenestration or residual baffle leak using Amplatzer occluder.

Patients And Methods: We have retrospectively reviewed the cath lab records of 26 patients who have undergone closure of fenestration (or another baffle leak) in period of 2002 to July 2006.

Neuropsychological outcome in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review a single-institutional experience gained over one decade, to assess late neuropsychological outcome in patients as well as to determine Norwood operation risk factors that are related to patient and procedure and influence these results.

Background: The reports of first successful staged operation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its numerous modifications have improved the early survival also in patients with complex forms. Specifically, the identification of other specific risk factors related to patient or procedure in the first stage of palliation for HLHS may play a role in cognitive deficit.

Arrhythmias in congenital heart defects.

Aim Of The Study: Evaluation of the incidence and severity of late arrhythmias in patients with predisposing congenital heart defects--either due to the anatomy of the defect itself or as a result of a particular type of surgical intervention.

Patients And Methods: In a retrospective long-term study authors analyzed 158 patients (divided into 5 groups) with congenital heart defects after surgical correction. Evaluated were: the incidence of rhythm disturbances, the type of arrhythmia and the need for medication or intervention.

Long-term outcome of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure using Amplatzer duct occluders.

Background: Immediate-, short-, and intermediate-term results of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure using Amplatzer duct occluders are excellent. However, long-term results have not yet been reported to date.

Methods: Between September 1996 and April 2002, 64 consecutive patients having isolated PDA with minimal diameter of > or =2 mm underwent percutaneous closure using Amplatzer duct occluders.

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with the eccentric Amplatzer device: multicenter follow-up study.

Using an Amplatzer membranous eccentric occluder, 186 patients with an average weight of 43.5 kg (range 12.5-77) underwent attempted catheter closure of a perimembranous venricular septal defect (PMVSD).

Long-term outcome of transcatheter secundum-type atrial septal defect closure using Amplatzer septal occluders.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess long-term results of percutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect (ASD II) using Amplatzer septal occluders (ASO).

Background: Only immediate-, short-, and intermediate-term results of ASO implantation are known so far.

Methods: Between September 1995 and January 2000, 151 patients underwent a successful percutaneous closure of ASD II in our institution.