Maternal steroid therapy for fetuses with second-degree immune-mediated congenital atrioventricular block: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of maternal fluorinated steroid therapy on fetuses affected by second-degree immune-mediated congenital atrioventricular block.

Material And Methods: Studies reporting the outcome of fetuses with second-degree immune-mediated congenital atrioventricular block diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound and treated with fluorinated steroids compared with those not treated were included. The primary outcome was the overall progression of congenital atrioventricular block to either continuous or intermittent third-degree congenital atrioventricular block at birth.

What pediatric residents should learn (or what pediatricians should know) about congenital heart disease.

Technologic advances in the care of children with congenital heart disease have resulted in improved care, younger ages at completion of treatment, and improved outcomes. A gap between what the pediatrician needs to do to identify a child with congenital heart disease and the specialized care provided by a cardiologist has developed over time. This has altered physician roles and the training needs for general pediatricians.

Significance of a Q wave in lead I in the newborn.

We present 11 healthy newborns whose electrocardiograms had a pure Q wave in lead I and who did not have a myocardial infarction clinically. We propose that in the healthy newborn, a pure Q wave in lead I may be due to increased right ventricular mass, not myocardial infarction.

Magnetic resonance imaging compared with echocardiography in the evaluation of pulmonary artery abnormalities in children with tetralogy of Fallot following palliative and corrective surgery.

Background: Abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries following palliative or corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are common. Our purpose was to compare the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography in the post- operative evaluation of the pulmonary arteries in children with TOF.

Objective: Our hypothesis was that MRI is more sensitive than echocardiography in the detection of branch pulmonary artery abnormalities in children with TOF.

Intussusception of the catheter sheath: a nonemergency.

Percutaneous balloon dilatation angioplasty is a common therapeutic modality in patients with congenital heart disease. We report three cases of the catheter sheath telescoping into the hub of the sheath after removal of the balloon catheter. Although initially it appeared as though the sheath was torn, in actuality it was intact.