Fetal Cardiology Bioethics: An Innovative New Curriculum for Cardiology Trainees.

Decision-making in fetal cardiology is fraught with ethical issues yet education in bioethics for trainees is limited or nonexistent. In this innovation report, we describe the development of a fetal cardiology bioethics curriculum designed to address this gap. The curriculum was developed to supplement the core curriculum for cardiology fellows and fetal cardiology subspecialty trainees.

Repeated systematic surveillance of Kawasaki disease in Ontario from 1995 to 2006.

Background: Rising incidences of Kawasaki disease (KD) have been reported worldwide. Reported herein are the results of 4 triennial KD surveillances conducted in Ontario.

Methods: Between 1995 and 2006 all hospitals in Ontario were asked on 4 occasions to identify all patients with discharge diagnoses of KD and report incident cases.

Outcome and growth potential of left heart structures after neonatal intervention for aortic valve stenosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine trends of growth of left heart structures after intervention for neonatal aortic valve stenosis.

Background: The growth potential of left heart structures in neonatal aortic valve stenosis after relief of obstruction might influence risk for subsequent outcomes.

Methods: From 1994 to 2004, 53 patients underwent neonatal (< or =30 days old) balloon aortic valve dilation.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a proposed public health legislative/educational strategy to reduce tap water scald injuries in children.

Objective: To determine the cost effectiveness of a public health legislative/educational strategy to reduce tap water scalds in children less than 10 years of age.

Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis conducted from the government perspective over a 10-year time horizon.

Population: Children under 10 years of age in Ontario, Canada

Interventions: Legislation to set thermostat settings on new domestic water heaters to lower temperatures (maximum 49 degrees C) plus annual educational notices to utility customers versus status quo.

Association between physical activity, adiposity, and lipid abnormalities in children with familial hyperlipidemia.

Background: The benefits of physical activity in children have been studied extensively; however, its role in children with familial hyperlipidemia (FH) is unknown.

Objective: To determine associations between physical activity, adiposity, and lipid profiles in children with FH.

Design: A physical activity questionnaire was completed by 147 children with FH.

Outcomes of uncomplicated aortic valve stenosis presenting in infants.

Background: The management of uncomplicated aortic valve stenosis presenting with critical obstruction in infants continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, not all infants have critical obstruction, and outcomes spanning the broader spectrum of disease severity are less well defined.

Methods: In a 12-year period, 55 infants (<3 months of age) were seen with aortic valve stenosis and with anatomy suitable for biventricular repair.