Clinical and biochemical spectrum of metabolic cardiomyopathy in Egyptian children.

Background: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) commonly present with pediatric cardiomyopathy. Identification of the underlying cause is necessary as it may lead to improved outcomes.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic rate, the clinical, and biochemical spectra of IEMs among Egyptian pediatric patients presenting with cardiomyopathy, and their outcome measures.

Safety of Occlutech Septal Occluder ACCELL Flex II for Transcatheter Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children: A Long-Term Follow-Up.

Objectives: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the Occlutech® ACCELL® Flex II device used for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. This device differs from the regular device by having two very thin patches that are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These patches enhance faster sealing of the defect.

Incidental diagnosis of 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency: a case report.

A 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency (17OHD) is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In this article we discuss a case of 8-year-old girl presented with upper respiratory infection symptoms and a history of hospital admission of fatigue and dehydration. She was incidentally found to have hypertension and hypokalemia.

Experience with balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty and predictors of outcome: a ten-year study.

Background: Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is the treatment of choice for patients with moderate to severe pulmonary valve stenosis.

Methods: An observational retrospective cross-sectional study including neonates, small infants, and children who underwent balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in the period from 2007 to 2016 in the cardiac catheterisation unit of the paediatric cardiology department in Cairo University. Multivariable models were built to report the predictors of the outcome of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty and its complications.

Comparison of adipose tissue- and bone marrow- derived mesenchymal stem cells for alleviating doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction in diabetic rats.

Introduction: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a well-known anticancer drug. However its clinical use has been limited due to cardiotoxic effects. One of the major concerns with DOX therapy is its toxicity in patients who are frail, particularly diabetics.

MEFV gene mutations and cardiac phenotype in children with familial Mediterranean fever: a cohort study.

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disorder in the world. It is characterized by recurrent febrile inflammatory attacks of serosal and synovial membranes. MEFV gene mutations are responsible for the disease and its protein product, pyrin or marenostrin, plays an essential role in the regulation of the inflammatory reactions.

Transcatheter closure of secundum ASD using Occlutech Figulla-N device in symptomatic children younger than 2 years of age.

Introduction: Atrial septal defect (ASD) transcatheter occlusion techniques have become alternatives to surgical procedures. We evaluated the efficiency and safety of the Occlutech Figulla-N device in percutaneous closure of secundum ASDs in symptomatic children younger than 2 years of age.

Methods: The study included 17 patients (9 girls, 8 boys; mean age, 10.

Balloon angioplasty for native aortic coarctation in children and infants younger than 12 months: immediate and medium-term follow-up.

Background: Despite more than 20 years of experience, balloon angioplasty as treatment for native coarctation of the aorta (CoA) during childhood remains controversial.

Methods And Results: Fifty-three pediatric patients with discrete native coarctation for whom balloon angioplasty (BA) was performed were included in this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group A patients, ≤3 months of age (n = 20); group B patients, between 4-12 months of age (n = 15); and group C patients, between 1 and 12 years (n = 18).

Percutaneous closure of medium and large PDAs using amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) I and II in infants: safety and efficacy.

Background: The use of the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO; AGA Medical Corporation) is well established and reported in children and adults, but there are only occasional reports on use in symptomatic infants.

Methods And Results: Between March 2009 and January 2011, a group of 47 infants less than 2 years of age with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was treated using ADO I and II devices. Patients were divided into infants less than 1 year old (group A; n = 28/47; 59.

Erythropoietin protects against doxorubicin-induced heart failure.

The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) has been demonstrated to have cardioprotective properties. The present study investigates the role of EPO to prevent heart failure following cancer treatment with doxorubicin [adriamycin (AD)]. Male Wistar rats (150 ± 10 g) were treated with saline (vehicle control group); with EPO, subcutaneously at 1,000 IU/kg body wt, three times per week for 4 wk (EPO group); with adriamycin, intraperitoneally at 2.

Association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms with susceptibility and clinical outcomes of rheumatic heart disease.

Objective: To examine the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene polymorphisms with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and valve damage, and their influence on TNF-alpha production and disease outcome.

Methods: We performed this cross-sectional study at Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, from December 2008 to October 2009. Eighty children with chronic RHD and valve affection, and 50 controls were included.

Diagnostic dilemma of cardiac syncope in pediatric patients.

Aims: Syncope is defined as temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone resulting from an abrupt transient decrease in cerebral blood flow. The present work aimed at determining how diagnostic tests are used in the evaluation of pediatric syncope at a tertiary pediatric referral center and to report on the utility and the yield of these tests.

Settings And Design: Retrospective study conducted at a tertiary referral arrhythmolology service

Methods And Material: The clinical charts of 234 pediatric patients presenting with a primary complaint of syncope with an average age of 7.