Predictive value of intraoperative diagnosis of residual ventricular septal defects by transesophageal echocardiography.

Background: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (IOTEE) is well established as a monitoring tool during ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair to ensure complete closure of the defect. Residual shunts detected by IOTEE are common. The predictive value of IOTEE findings on the long-term course of residual shunts is not well documented, especially in regard to the need for reoperation or bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis.

Evaluation of myocardial ischemia after surgical repair of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery in a series of pediatric patients.

Objectives: We sought to prospectively evaluate evidence of myocardial ischemia after surgical repair of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery with an interarterial course (AAOCA).

Background: An AAOCA is a rare anomaly associated with increased myocardial ischemia and sudden death risk in children. Data evaluating ischemia after AAOCA repair are limited.

Atrioventricular valve morphology and dynamics in congenital heart disease as imaged with real-time 3-dimensional matrix-array echocardiography: comparison with 2-dimensional imaging and surgical findings.

Objective: We sought to describe our initial experience with real-time 3-dimensional echocardiographic (RT3DE) imaging of atrioventricular valve (AVV) anomalies in pediatric patients to resolve a specific morphologic or dynamic detail, which, although suggested, could not be well resolved during the conventional 2-dimensional (2D)/Doppler examination.

Methods: In all, 41 patients (age range 1 day-24 years) with different AVV anomalies underwent RT3DE as part of their comprehensive echocardiographic assessment. Matrix-array transducers with a frequency range of 1 to 4 MHz were used.

Influence of consanguinity on the pattern of familial aggregation of congenital cardiovascular anomalies in an outpatient population: studies from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Familial aggregation of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been well described in different populations, in particular those with a high consanguinity rate. Extensive genetic study of affected families has improved the understanding of basic genetics of different cardiac lesions.

Objective: To identify the role of consanguinity as a risk factor among familial cases of CHD in a stable outpatient population of a tertiary care center in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Illustration of the additional value of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography to conventional transthoracic and transesophageal 2-dimensional echocardiography in imaging muscular ventricular septal defects: does this have any impact on individual patient treatment?

Objective: We sought to answer the question of whether the additional morphologic details obtained by real-time 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic (RT3DE) imaging of muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) has any significant impact on treatment options of individual patient.

Background: Muscular VSD can be safely and effectively closed by interventional catheterization procedure using VSD devices under transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance. Recent application of RT3DE has shown great promise for imaging VSD with better display of the exact geometry, size, and location of the defect.

Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of congenital heart disease using matrix-array technology: freehand real-time scanning adds instant morphologic details not well delineated by conventional 2-dimensional imaging.

Objective: We sought to investigate whether real-time (RT) 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3D) using matrix-array technology could resolve a specific morphologic detail that could not be well resolved during conventional 2-dimensional (2D)/Doppler echocardiographic imaging of congenital heart disease.

Background: Although 2D echocardiography is currently the primary imaging modality of congenital heart disease, there are still some anatomic details that cannot be well delineated by that modality.

Methods: In all, 70 patients underwent RT3D examination using matrix-array transducer.

Spontaneous Obstruction of Interatrial Communication in Infants with Atrioventricular Valve Atresia or Stenosis in the Neonatal Period: Serial Echocardiographic-Doppler Study.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The objective of this serial echocardiographic study was to document the critical size of the interatrial communication in infants with atrioventricular valve atresia, with which spontaneous obstruction is most likely to occur. Spontaneous obstruction of interatrial communication (patent foramen ovale) has been reported to occur in infants with atrioventricular valve atresia or severe stenosis. Atrial septostomy or septectomy therefore may be considered during initial palliation of these infants.