Perforation and right ventricular outflow tract stenting: Alternative palliation for infants with pulmonary atresia/ventricular septal defect.

Background: Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stents have been used as palliation in patients with severe tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Radiofrequency perforation of the RVOT has also been described in patients with pulmonary atresia (PA)/ventricular septal defect (VSD). However, RVOT stenting in conjunction with radiofrequency perforation as a means for establishing reliable pulmonary blood flow in patients with PA/VSD has not previously been reported.

Stenting of the ascending aorta revisited.

Despite few institutions stenting the ascending aorta, it has been discouraged because of the proximity of the aortic valve, the coronary artery orifices, and the aortic arch branches. We describe a small case series of patients having acquired stenosis of the ascending that was relieved successfully by stenting. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Normal Range of Left Ventricular Strain, Dimensions and Ejection Fraction Using Three-dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Neonates.

Aims: Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) is a promising new technique to evaluate left ventricular (LV) mechanics. The feasibility and normal values of LV strain using 3D-STE have recently been established in adults and children. Unfortunately, no data are available in neonates.

Mid-term differences in right ventricular function in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia compared with controls.

Background: Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may have abnormal lung development, which may cause detrimental effects on right ventricular (RV) function. This study aimed to determine if there are persistent echocardiographic differences in RV function in patients with CDH years after repair versus control patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent repair for CDH were recruited.

Strain echocardiographic assessment of ventricular function after percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation.

Introduction: Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) is an emerging therapy for pulmonary valve dysfunction. Minimal data on the midterm effects of PPVI on ventricular function exist. We describe the effects of PPVI on right and left ventricular (RV, LV) function with speckle tracking echocardiography.

Two-dimensional speckle strain and dyssynchrony in single left ventricles vs. normal left ventricles.

Background: Patients with single left ventricle (LV) physiology maybe at increased risk for myocardial dysfunction and mechanical dyssynchrony. Newer echocardiographic modalities may be able to better quantitate LV function in this unique population. Our objective was to use 2D-speckle analysis of strain and strain rate to quantify systolic function and dyssynchrony in single LV post-Fontan patients and compare them to control LV patients.

Differences in tissue Doppler imaging between single ventricles after the fontan operation and normal controls.

Tissue Doppler imaging measurements could be used to quantitate ventricular function in patients with systemic single ventricles. The objective of the present study was to measure the tissue doppler imaging-derived indexes of function and dyssynchrony in patients with single ventricular physiology and compare these values with those from control patients. Echocardiograms were performed in patients with single left or right ventricular physiology and control patients.

Two-dimensional speckle strain and dyssynchrony in single right ventricles versus normal right ventricles.

Background: Patients with single-right ventricle (RV) physiology are at increased risk for myocardial dysfunction and mechanical dyssynchrony. Newer echocardiographic modalities may be better able to quantitate right ventricular function in this unique population. The aim of this study was to use two-dimensional speckle analysis of strain and strain rate to quantify systolic function and dyssynchrony in single-RV post-Fontan patients and compare them with values for controls.

Effect of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation on short-term right ventricular function as determined by two-dimensional speckle tracking strain and strain rate imaging.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (PVI) is an emerging therapy for right ventricular (RV) outflow dysfunction in congenital heart disease. We investigated, for the first time in children after surgery for congenital heart disease, the short-term effects of PVI on RV and left ventricular (LV) function using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. We hypothesized that the short-term RV and LV function would improve.

Amplatzer septal occluder associated with late pulmonary venous obstruction requiring surgical removal with acquired aorta to left atrial fistula.

The Amplatzer septal occluder is currently the preferred device for the transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects. Multiple studies have shown that device complications with the Amplatzer occluder are rare and often acute in presentation. The investigators describe the first reported case of late obstruction of the right pulmonary veins with an Amplatzer septal occluder and, in the same patient, an unusual intraoperative finding of a noncoronary aortic sinus to left atrium fistula after device removal.

Putative neutralization epitopes and broad cross-genotype neutralization of Hepatitis E virus confirmed by a quantitative cell-culture assay.

Monolayers of Hep G2/C3A cells were inoculated with genotype 1 Hepatitis E virus (HEV) mixed with either anti-HEV or an appropriate control. After 5 or 6 days, cell monolayers were stained with anti-HEV and infected cells were identified by immunofluorescence microscopy and counted. Anti-HEV from vaccinated or infected rhesus monkeys neutralized the virus, as did mAbs that recognized epitopes on the C terminus of a recombinant vaccine protein.