Permanent pacemaker implantation in pediatric heart transplant recipients: A systematic review and evidence quality assessment.

Bradyarrhythmias are a common complication following pediatric OHT and may require permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of children undergoing PPM implantation following OHT. A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review was performed using the PubMed database and the Cochrane Library (end-of-search date: January 27, 2019).

Minimally Invasive Surgery vs Device Closure for Atrial Septal Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Device closure is the first-line treatment for most atrial septal defects (ASDs). Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been found safe and effective for ASD closure with comparable mortality/morbidity and superior cosmetic results compared to conventional median sternotomy. Our goal was to compare percutaneous versus MICS of ASDs.

Performing modified fontan before six years of age leads to superior long-term exercise capacity.

We investigated the influence of age at Fontan completion on the exercise capacity of patients who underwent a Fontan operation. Our study demonstrated that age at the time of the Fontan operation significantly affects the peak oxygen consumption at mid-term follow up and that exercise capacity is superior in patients who have undergone Fontan completion at an earlier age. These findings provide support for recommendations to perform Fontan completion procedures relatively early.

Abdominal Vessel Cannulation Before Resternotomy in Complex Congenital Heart Surgery.

Repeat cardiac operations are common among patients with complex congenital heart disease. Inadvertent cardiotomy during redo sternotomy can increase intraoperative time and mortality. Establishing extracorporeal circulation before resternotomy may render redo congenital cardiac surgery cases safer and more expeditious.

Surgical Outcomes in Syndromic Tetralogy of Fallot: A Systematic Review and Evidence Quality Assessment.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is one of the most common cyanotic congenital heart defects. We sought to summarize all available data regarding the epidemiology and perioperative outcomes of syndromic ToF patients. A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review of PubMed and Cochrane Library was performed.

Physical activity levels and self-efficacy of Greek children with congenital heart disease compared to their healthy peers.

Objective: It remains a challenge for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) to develop healthy lifestyle behaviors. This study investigates the interrelationship of physical activity and self-efficacy levels in Greek children with corrected CHD and compares them with those of healthy controls.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 76 patients with operated CHD and 78 healthy volunteers (n = 154) was conducted.

Preservation of right ventricular structure and function following transatrial-transpulmonary repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Objectives: Management strategy of patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)-including timing, as well as surgical technique-remains a controversial topic. We sought to analyse both early and late results of our consistent policy of non-neonatal transatrial/transpulmonary (TA/TP) repair of TOF over almost 14 years, in order to assess preservation or possible deterioration of right ventricular (RV) function.

Methods: All 245 consecutive patients with TOF, referred to our group for repair between September 1997 and December 2010, have been prospectively followed up.

The contegra® valved heterograft conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction: a reliable solution.

Introduction: The Contegra® bioprosthetic valved conduit, a glutaraldehyde-preserved valve-containing bovine jugular vein graft (Contegra, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis MN, USA) introduced for clinical trials in 1998, is used for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), mainly in children. This study evaluates our surgical experience with the Contegra® graft, emphasizing the assessment of conduit durability at mid-term follow up.

Impact of age at fontan completion on functional status at mid-term follow up.

Introduction: Although the Fontan palliation is now being applied to younger patients, the influence of patients' age at the time of surgery on mid- and long-term results remains unclear. It has been our policy to perform Fontan operations when patients are around 5 years old in order to fit a larger conduit and minimize the risk of later obstruction. We sought to investigate whether age at Fontan completion affects subsequent clinical status in patients followed up for more than 3 years.

Emergency transmediastinal pneumonectomy for scimitar syndrome.

Repair of scimitar syndrome presenting in infancy involves either tunneling or reimplantation of the anomalous vein to the left atrium and may be fraught with serious complications such as thrombosis and secondary pulmonary infarction necessitating pneumonectomy. The authors present the case of a severely symptomatic infant with scimitar syndrome, managed initially with closure of an atrial septal defect in the hope of avoiding a repair with considerable risk of scimitar vein thrombosis and pulmonary infarction. Despite initial clinical improvement, subsequent rapid development of spontaneous massive emphysematous degeneration of the right lung necessitated emergency pneumonectomy, which was accomplished via the median sternotomy approach.

The fontan procedure in Greece: early surgical results and excellent mid-term outcome.

Introduction: The Fontan operation (modified from its original version) affords excellent palliation for many patients with various forms of anatomic or functional single ventricle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of our experience with the Fontan procedure in Greece.

Methods: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with single ventricle physiology had a modified Fontan operation between 1997 and 2009.

Anterior aortic reimplantation of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) originating from the nonfacing sinus in an adult.

We report successful repair of a rare type of anomalous origin left main coronary artery from the nonfacing pulmonary artery sinus in an adult patient presenting with cardiac arrest as first symptom. Intraoperative findings and surgical technique are discussed.

Bronchial stump buttressing with an intercostal muscle flap in diabetic patients.

Background: The development of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a devastating complication after lung resection. Diabetic patients exhibit a high propensity for postpneumonectomy complications, particularly BPF. This study evaluated the use of an intercostal muscle flap to reinforce the bronchus in high-risk diabetic patients after pneumonectomy.