Hybrid Palliation for Hypoplastic Borderline Left Ventricle: One More Chance to Biventricular Repair.

Treatment options for hypoplastic borderline left ventricle (LV) are critically dependent on the development of the LV itself and include different types of univentricular palliation or biventricular repair performed at birth. Since hybrid palliation allows deferring major surgery to 4-6 months, in borderline cases, the decision can be postponed until the LV has expressed its growth potential. We aimed to evaluate anatomic modifications of borderline LV after hybrid palliation.

Case Report: "Smart Palliation" and "Clepsydra Shape": A new approach in complex congenital heart disease.

A limiting factor in using vascular conduits in the pediatric/newborn population is their inability to grow. Many complex congenital heart diseases require palliative surgery, but using rigid and nonexpandable conduits does not allow the structures to grow and anticipates the need for redo surgery. In newborns, a way to increase the palliation time according to the patient's growth is desirable.

[Proposal of a common model for informed consent for interventional procedures in congenital heart disease patients].

Background: A multidisciplinary study group involving physicians and jurists was established to review and approve an informed consent about the most frequent interventional procedures for congenital heart diseases.

Methods: The authors worked together with representatives of the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease (SICP) Council and Jurist's expert in the field of health case-law. The final draft was shared with the major Italian centers involved in congenital interventional procedures and with AICCA, the Italian Patients Association of Congenital Heart Diseases - Adults and Children.

Impact of hard lockdown on interventional cardiology procedures in congenital heart disease: a survey on behalf of the Italian Society of Congenital Heart Disease.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has thoroughly and deeply affected the provision of healthcare services worldwide. In order to limit the in-hospital infections and to redistribute the healthcare professionals, cardiac percutaneous intervention in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) patients were limited to urgent or emergency ones. The aim of this article is to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pediatric and ACHD cath laboratory activity during the so-called 'hard lockdown' in Italy.

A Rare Variant of Hypogenetic Lung Syndrome Mimicking Scimitar Vein.

Hypogenetic lung syndrome, also known as scimitar syndrome, is a rare and well-known congenital condition that includes hypoplastic right pulmonary artery and lung, right displacement of the heart, anomalous systemic arterial supply to the lung, and a characteristically curved anomalous right pulmonary vein draining into the inferior vena cava. In exceptional cases, the anomalous pulmonary vein may drain into left atrium. We here report a case of a 17-year-old girl with a rare variant of hypogenetic lung syndrome diagnosed by means of multimodality imaging and treated with percutaneous occlusion of the aortopulmonary collateral.

Atrial septal defect morphology and stenting in hypoplastic left heart syndrome after hybrid palliation.

Unlabelled: Aims The aim of this study was to describe atrial septal defect morphology in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, to report the incidence of restrictiveness and its relationship with defect morphology, to correlate restriction with midterm outcome, and to describe our interventional approach to restrictive defect. Methods and results From 2011 to 2015, 31 neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent hybrid procedure with pulmonary artery banding and ductal stenting at our Institution. Restrictive physiology of the atrial septal defect was based on Doppler gradient >6 mmHg through the defect and on clinical signs of pulmonary hypertension.

Early hybrid approach and enteral feeding algorithm could reduce the incidence of necrotising enterocolitis in neonates with ductus-dependent systemic circulation.

Background: The reported incidence of necrotising enterocolitis in neonates with complex CHD with ductus-dependent systemic circulation ranges from 6.8 to 13% despite surgical treatment; the overall mortality is between 25 and 97%. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications after hybrid palliation for neonates with ductus-dependent systemic circulation still has to be defined, but seems comparable with that following the Norwood procedure.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium after colorectal surgery for carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Data regarding the incidence and risk factors for postoperative delirium (PD) after gastrointestinal surgery are heterogeneous because they include both benign and malignant disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for PD in 100 consecutive patients over 65 years who underwent colorectal surgery for carcinoma.

Methods: Pre-operative cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination.

Stenting of aortic coarctation and exercise-induced hypertension in the young.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the stenting of aortic coarctation enhance the risk of exercise-induced hypertension (EIH).

Background: There is the theoretical concern that aortic stents may cause increased aortic wall impedance and therefore systolic hypertension during exercise.

Methods: Blood pressure and the Doppler derived peak and mean systolic pressure gradient (PSG and MSG) across the distal aorta at the peak of exercise were evaluated in young patients (mean age 14 +/- 3 years) with aortic coarctation successfully treated with surgery or with stent implantation at least 1 year before the test.