Genophenotypic correlates and long-term outcome prognosticators of left ventricular non-compaction in children.

Background: To investigate the outcomes, clinical prognosticators, and genetic profiles of pediatric left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC).

Methods: All subjects were <18 years old, diagnosed with LVNC between January 2008 and December 2020. Whole-exome sequencing was undertaken.

Atrial flutter/fibrillation in adult congenital heart disease: Insights from a large Asian cohort.

Background: The incidence of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) in general population is lower in Asia compared to Western countries. It is unclear whether a similar trend exists among adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). We determine the profile, risk factors, and impact of AF/AFL in an Asian ACHD cohort.

Liver fibrosis detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and its functional correlates in Fontan patients.

Objectives: The evaluation of Fontan-associated liver disease is often challenging. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging can detect hepatic fibrosis from capillary perfusion and diffusion abnormalities from extracellular matrix accumulation. This study investigated its role in the evaluation of liver disease in Fontan patients and explored possible diagnostic methods for early detection of advanced liver fibrosis.

Risk Factors of Long-Term Sequelae After Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Young Children.

Background: Complications arising from transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD) in children, such as residual shunts and aortic regurgitation (AR), have been observed. However, the associated risk factors remain unclear. This study identified risk factors linked with residual shunts and AR following transcatheter closure of pmVSD in children aged 2-12 years.

Association between Cesarean section delivery and increased risk of childhood Kawasaki disease.

Aim: Cesarean section delivery is associated with microbiota disruption and immuno-dysregulation during childhood, but the association with Kawasaki disease remains uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the association between Cesarean section and Kawasaki disease.

Methods: We examined the association between Kawasaki disease between six and eighteen months and Cesarean section within a birth cohort of 15,796 mother-infant pairs in Taiwan.

Self-Expanding Pulmonary Valves in 53 Patients With Native Repaired Right Ventricular Outflow Tracts.

Background: Self-expanding pulmonary valve grafts have been designed for percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) in patients with native repaired right ventricular (RV) outflow tracts (RVOTs). However, their efficacy, in terms of RV function and graft remodelling remain unclear.

Methods: Patients with native RVOTs who received Venus P-valve (N = 15) or Pulsta valve (N = 38) implants between 2017 and 2022 were enrolled.

The implications of airway anomalies on children with congenital heart disease and bronchiolitis.

Background: Bronchiolitis is a common airway infection in young children. Hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD) predicts a more complicated course. However, the role of airway anomalies remains unknown.

Computed tomography jellyfish angiography in pediatric endovascular interventions.

Contrast pooling (CP) reconstruction is widely used in computed tomography (CT) studies of congenital heart diseases. However, endovascular devices are usually obscured in CP. To improve visualization of the vascular lumen, we developed jellyfish angiography (JFA), a semitransparent blood pool inversion technique.

Changes of ECG parameters after BNT162b2 vaccine in the senior high school students.

The purpose of this study is to determine the ECG parameter change and the efficacy of ECG screening for cardiac adverse effect after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in young population. In December 2021, in cooperation with the school vaccination system of Taipei City government, we performed a ECG screening study during the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccines. Serial comparisons of ECGs and questionnaire survey were performed before and after vaccine in four male-predominant senior high schools.

Management of cardiovascular symptoms after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in teenagers in the emergency department.

Background: Cardiovascular complications after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (BNT) vaccination are a concern, especially in adolescents. We analyzed the risk factors for myocarditis after BNT vaccination.

Methods: We used a special evaluation protocol for all patients aged 12-18 years who presented to our emergency department with cardiovascular symptoms after BNT vaccination.

Normal ECG standards and percentile charts for infants, children and adolescents.

Background: Normal ECG standards in newborns, infants, children and adolescents have been collected and published by many authors. Only those by Davignon et al., Rijinbeek et al.

Outcomes of pediatric patients supported with ventricular assist devices single center experience.

Background: There has been a remarkable increase in the number of pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) implanted over the past decade. Asian pediatric heart centers had not participated in the multicenter registries among the Western countries. This article aimed to report the outcomes of pediatric VAD in our hospital.

Microrna-486-5P Regulates Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Migration via Endothelin-1.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal or life-threatening disorder characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Abnormal vascular remodeling, including the proliferation and phenotypic modulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), represents the most critical pathological change during PAH development. Previous studies showed that miR-486 could reduce apoptosis in different cells; however, the role of miR-486 in PAH development or HPASMC proliferation and migration remains unclear.

Angiotensin receptor blockers and β blockers in Marfan syndrome: an individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Background: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and β blockers are widely used in the treatment of Marfan syndrome to try to reduce the rate of progressive aortic root enlargement characteristic of this condition, but their separate and joint effects are uncertain. We aimed to determine these effects in a collaborative individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised trials of these treatments.

Methods: In this meta-analysis, we identified relevant trials of patients with Marfan syndrome by systematically searching MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL from database inception to Nov 2, 2021.

Long-term outcome of repaired tetralogy of Fallot: Survival, tachyarrhythmia, and impact of pulmonary valve replacement.

Background: Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is recommended for severe pulmonary regurgitation in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the event rate and effectiveness of PVR.

Methods: A retrospective study of tetralogy of Fallot patients who survived total repair from 1970 to 2020 was conducted.

Clinical implications of airway anomalies and stenosis in patients with heterotaxy syndrome.

In heterotaxy syndrome, bronchopulmonary situs usually reflects atrial situs, resulting in either right (RAI) or left atrial isomerism (LAI). This study determines airway anomalies and its implications in patients with heterotaxy. This retrospective study included 223 patients with heterotaxy syndrome who received an integrated cardiac computed tomography evaluation.