Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of an in-class combination therapy switch from bosentan plus sildenafil to ambrisentan plus tadalafil in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The aim of this single-centre retrospective observational study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of an in-class combination therapy switch from bosentan plus sildenafil to ambrisentan plus tadalafil in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Children aged over 5 years who were established on sildenafil plus bosentan were offered to undergo a therapy switch from May 2014 to May 2021 and, if remaining in the service, followed up to May 2024. Children with Eisenmenger syndrome, open intra or extra-cardiac shunt, or with pulmonary hypertension-associated lung disease were excluded.

The effect of exposure to traffic related air pollutants in pregnancy on birth anthropometry: a cohort study in a heavily polluted low-middle income country.

Background: Ambient air pollution has been recognized as one of the most important environmental health threats. Exposure in early life may affect pregnancy outcomes and the health of the offspring. The main objective of our study was to assess the association between prenatal exposure to traffic related air pollutants during pregnancy on birth weight and length.

Survival of Left-to-Right Shunt Repair in Children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension at a Tertiary Hospital in a Low-to-Middle-Income Country.

Background: In low-to-middle-income countries, repair of the left-to-right shunts congenital heart disease (CHD) are often done with existing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Long-term outcomes data of this condition in either low-to-middle or high-income countries are limited. We conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes of children with PAH related to left-to-right shunt CHD who underwent surgical or transcatheter repair.

The effect of non-organophosphate household pesticides exposure during pregnancy on infants birth sizes and growth rate: a cohort study.

Background: To date, there is limited evidence on the effect of antenatal exposure to non-organophosphate household pesticides on infant health. Our hypothesis is that antenatal exposure to non-organophosphate household pesticides will be associated with birth sizes and infant growth rate.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 284 mother-infant pairs were studied.

Pulmonary Vasodilator Therapy in Children with Single Ventricle Physiology: Effects on Saturation and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure.

In children with single ventricle physiology, increased pulmonary vascular resistance may impede surgical progression or result in failing single ventricle physiology. The use of pulmonary vasodilators has been suggested as a potential therapy. However, knowledge on indication, dosage, and effect is limited.

Effects of HIV Infection on Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Children.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension may complicate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and result in right ventricular (RV) failure and premature death. There are limited data of the effects of childhood HIV infection or antiretroviral therapy (ART) on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).

Objectives: To establish if there is an association between childhood HIV infection or its treatment and pulmonary artery pressure.

Pre-pregnancy parental BMI and offspring blood pressure in infancy.

Aims: A growing body of evidence suggests that a higher maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index results in higher offspring's blood pressure, but there is inconsistency about the impact of father's body mass index. Furthermore, evidence is limited with regard to low and middle income countries. We aimed to determine the association between parental pre-pregnancy body mass index and offspring's blood pressure during the first year of life.

Antenatal exposure to second hand smoke of non-smoking mothers and growth rate of their infants.

Objectives: There is limited evidence on the effect of exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) in non-smoking pregnant mothers and infant health. We assessed the effects of maternal antenatal exposure to SHS on infant growth rate, and secondarily, on birth weight, birth length and head circumference at birth.

Methods: In this prospective cohort, 305 mother-infant pairs were studied.

Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children with a History of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

We assessed carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and arterial stiffness in 28 children and adolescents with previous dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (mean interval between DHF and cardiovascular assessment, 8.4 years), and 34 controls in a low-resource setting. Participants with previous DHF had an adjusted increased cIMT of 42.

Characterization of rhinovirus C from a 4-year-old boy with acute onset dilated cardiomyopathy in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Introduction: Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, can be caused by infections, autoimmune disease or exposure to toxins. The major cause of myocarditis in the paediatric population is viral infection, including coxsackievirus B3, adenovirus, herpesvirus, parvovirus, influenza A and B, and hepatitis. Here, we report the detection of rhinovirus C in a boy with a clinical presentation of myocarditis, suggesting a possible causative role of this virus in this case.

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Adolescents and Adults: A Case Series.

During 11 years period from January 2005 to December 2015 there were 18 adolescent and adult patients  who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA using PDA Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADO). There were 9 cases with age of 14 to 18 years and 9 cases with age of more than 18 years where the oldest case was 46 years old. Two cases were male and 16 cases were female.

Association between human immunodeficiency virus infection and arterial stiffness in children.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and adverse cardiovascular outcome in adults. Early recognition of changes in vascular properties might prove essential in cardiovascular prevention in HIV-infected patients. We investigated the relations between HIV infection and arterial stiffness in children.

BReastfeeding Attitude and Volume Optimization (BRAVO) trial: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: A growing body of evidence shows the short-term benefits of breastfeeding, which include protection against infections, allergies, and lung diseases. However, evidence on the long-term benefits of breastfeeding is scarce and often conflicting. The BReastfeeding Attitude and Volume Optimization (BRAVO) trial is designed to study the effect of breastfeeding on early signs of later chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic risks later in life.

Effects of paediatric HIV infection on electrical conduction of the heart.

Objective: To investigate the effects of HIV infection in children on heart electrical conduction, particularly to delineate the effects of HIV infection from treatment.

Methods: On a 12-lead ECG, available for 37 antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve, 42 ART-exposed vertically-acquired HIV-infected and 50 healthy children in Jakarta, Indonesia, we measured cardiac conduction parameters: PR, QRS, and QTc (corrected using Bazett's formula) intervals. The associations between HIV infection/treatment status and ECG intervals were evaluated using general linear modelling with further adjustment for potential confounders or intermediary variables.

Pro-Inflammatory Markers in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease in HIV Infection. A Systematic Review.

Background: In the past years many inflammatory markers have been studied in association with clinically manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in HIV-infected patients, to obtain insights in the increased cardiovascular risk observed in HIV infection. This systematic review provides an oversight of the current knowledge.

Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane in July 2014, identifying all articles from 1996 onwards addressing the relation between inflammatory markers and CVD or CIMT in HIV-positive adults.

Cardiac Effects of Antiretroviral-Naïve versus Antiretroviral-Exposed HIV Infection in Children.

Background: Cardiac involvement in HIV infected children has been frequently reported, but whether this is due to HIV infection itself or to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unknown.

Methods: This cross sectional study involved 114 vertically-acquired HIV-infected (56 ART-naive, 58 ART-exposed) and 51 healthy children in Jakarta, Indonesia. Echocardiography was performed to measure dimensions of the left ventricle (LV) and systolic functions.

Effects of paediatric HIV infection on childhood vasculature.

Aims: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may alter childhood vascular properties and influence future cardiovascular risk. Whether vascular changes are associated with HIV infection per se or antiretroviral therapy (ART) is unknown. We investigated the effects of ART-naive or ART-exposed HIV infection in children on childhood vascular characteristics.

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in a Center With Limited Resources: Outcomes and Short Term Follow-Up.

Background: Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) has been accepted world-wide as an alternative to surgical closure with excellent results. This interventional, non-surgical technique plays an important role in the treatment of ASD mostly in the developing world where resources are limited.

Objectives: To report the outcomes and short term follow-up of transcatheter closure of ASD over a 12-year period at our institution with limited resources.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: 11 years of clinical experience in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been suggested to be the standard treatment of PDA. Although, in general, the procedure shows a high successful rate, outcomes may vary among pediatric cardiology centers. To evaluate the effectiveness of transcatheter closure of PDA in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, this was a retrospective study on patients who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital during the period of 2002-2013.

Cardiovascular manifestations of HIV infection in children.

Background: HIV infection in children is now considered as a chronic condition, in which various non-infectious complications may occur, including those affecting the developing cardiovascular system. As children are expected to survive well into adulthood, understanding childhood as well as potential future cardiovascular complications is of major importance.

Methods And Results: We reviewed published literature on childhood cardiac manifestations and longer term effects of pediatric HIV infection on the cardiovascular system.

Transcatheter closure of post-operative residual ventricular septal defect using a patent ductus arteriosus closure device in an adult: a case report.

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous and muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) has been performed widely and it has more advantages compare to surgery. However, transcatheter closure of residual VSD post operation of complex congenital heart disease is still challenging because of the complexity of anatomy and concern about device stability, so the operator should meticulously choose the most appropriate technique and device. We would like to report a case of transcatheter closure of residual VSD post Rastelli operation in a patient with double outlet right ventricle (DORV), sub-aortic VSD, severe infundibulum pulmonary stenosis (PS) and single coronary artery.

Effect of physical activity on vascular characteristics in young children.

Background: Physical activity has long been proposed as an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in adults. We assessed whether physical activity already has an effect on childhood vasculature.

Methods: In the Wheezing-Illnesses-Study-in-Leidsche-Rijn birth cohort, we performed vascular ultrasound to measure carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and functional properties (distensibility, elastic modulus) at 5 and 8 years of age.

Famine in childhood and postmenopausal coronary artery calcification: a cohort study.

Objective: To assess the effects of famine exposure during childhood on coronary calcium deposition and, secondarily, on cardiac valve and aortic calcifications.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Community.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in adolescents and adults: technique and difficulties.

Aim: to evaluate the results of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in adolescents and adult.

Methods: a case series of patients undergoing transcatheter closure of ASD in RS Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta during 2002 -2013. Transesophageal echocardiography, hemodynamic study, and angiography were performed before the procedure.