Establishing a nationwide pediatric heart transplantation program with mid-term results comparable to worldwide data - The Czech experience.

Background: Heart transplantation (HTx) is an established therapeutic option for children with end-stage heart failure. Comprehensive pediatric nationwide HTx program was introduced in 2014 in the Czech Republic. The aim of this study was to evaluate its mid-term characteristics and outcomes and to compare them with international data.

Pulmonary Right Ventricular Resynchronization in Congenital Heart Disease: Acute Improvement in Right Ventricular Mechanics and Contraction Efficiency.

Background: Electromechanical discoordination may contribute to long-term pulmonary right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients after surgery for congenital heart disease. We sought to evaluate changes in RV function after temporary RV cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods And Results: Twenty-five patients aged median 12.

Acute right ventricular resynchronization improves haemodynamics in children after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Aims: Right bundle branch block is associated with right ventricular (RV) electromechanical dyssynchrony, which may contribute to acute haemodynamic impairment after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). We sought to evaluate the effects of RV resynchronization on haemodynamics and tissue oxygenation during the first 24 h after surgery.

Methods And Results: Arterial pressures, cardiac output, and tissue oxygenation were measured in 28 consecutive patients (median age 10.

Improved results after the primary repair of interrupted aortic arch: impact of a new management protocol with isolated cerebral perfusion.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse results and risk factors of death after the repair of the interrupted aortic arch, and to compare results obtained with the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest versus isolated cerebral perfusion.

Methods: The primary repair of the interrupted aortic arch and associated heart lesions was performed in 50 consecutive patients. The median age was 5 days and the mean weight was 3.

Haemodynamic changes due to delayed sternal closure in newborns after surgery for congenital cardiac malformations.

Background: Delayed sternal closure is used to prevent low cardiac output syndrome in selected newborns shortly after cardiac surgery for congenital cardiac defects. Sternal closure itself often causes haemodynamic and ventilatory instability that cannot be entirely assessed by standard monitoring means. Therefore, we used transpulmonary thermodilution technique for an exact evaluation of the haemodynamic changes.

Predictors of left ventricular remodelling and failure in right ventricular pacing in the young.

Aims: To identify risk factors for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in right ventricular (RV) pacing in the young. methods and results: Left ventricular function was evaluated in 82 paediatric patients with either non-surgical (n = 41) or surgical (n= 41) complete atrioventricular block who have been 100% RV paced for a mean period of 7.4 years.

Congenital atresia of the left coronary artery--myocardial revascularization in two children.

Two patients with congenital atresia of the left coronary artery ostium underwent myocardial revascularization at the age of three years and three months, respectively. The patients were admitted to the hospital with a clinical history of sudden chest pain or short apnea not necessitating resuscitation. Non-invasive examinations and hemodynamic studies revealed dysfunction of the left ventricle and ostial atresia of the left coronary artery.

Slide plasty of trachea and right main bronchus in a newborn.

Congenital stenosis of airways is a rare and possibly life-threatening congenital defect with difficult treatment and uncertain prognosis. In our report, we describe a rare case of a 1-month-old newborn with concomitant stenosis of trachea and main bronchus and its successful treatment using slide plasty.

Repair of persistent truncus arteriosus with interrupted aortic arch.

Objective: The aim of our study was to analyse experience with repair of truncus arteriosus with interrupted aortic arch.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2004, eight consecutive patients underwent repair of truncus arteriosus with interrupted aortic arch. The median age was 6.

Use of a modified, commercially available temporary pacemaker for R wave synchronized atrial pacing in postoperative junctional ectopic tachycardia.

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a life-threatening arrhythmia frequently seen after surgical correction of congenital heart defects. This study evaluates the use of a modified, commercially available temporary dual chamber pacemaker used to reestablish AV synchrony by R wave synchronized atrial pacing, a technique not routinely applied because of a lack of appropriate equipment. Ten consecutive children with postoperative JET (median maximum heart rate 185, range 130-240 beats/min) age 0.

Corrective surgery of congenital heart defects in neonates: the Prague experience.

Aim: To assess the outcome and mortality trend in newborns undergoing corrective surgery for congenital heart defect.

Method: We reviewed the hospital records of 1,033 neonates under 30 days of life, who had congenital heart defects operated on at the Kardiocentrum, Motol University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, during 1977-2001. Early and late mortality and reoperation rates were analyzed.