Transcatheter Treatment for Double-Chambered Right Ventricle in Patient Presenting Severe Chronic Heart Failure.

We report a case involving a 9-year-old girl with severe biventricular dysfunction due to anomalous right ventricle muscle bands. After a thorough discussion, she underwent a transcatheter stenting procedure for the double-chambered right ventricle. During her follow-up, she regained biventricular function, while remaining asymptomatic, resulting in complete recovery.

Percutaneous Closure of Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Babies: The Initial Brazilian Experience.

Background: The presence of patent ductus arteriosus can be as high as 50% in preterm babies. Hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus is a common cause of delayed weaning of respiratory support and an important risk factor of necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in this population.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe an initial experience of percutaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants weighing less than 2 kg.

Does Ad Hoc Coronary Intervention Reduce Radiation Exposure? - Analysis of 568 Patients.

Background: Advantages and disadvantages of ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention have been described. However little is known about the radiation exposure of that procedure as compared with the staged intervention.

Objective: To compare the radiation dose of the ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention with that of the staged procedureMethods:The dose-area product and total Kerma were measured, and the doses of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were added.

Occlusion of the perimembranous ventricular septal defect using CERA® devices.

Background: High incidence of atrioventricular (AV) block has been the major limitation of percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PMVSD).

Methods: Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized study including 55 patients who were submitted to 56 procedures from March 2010 to November 2010. Inclusion criteria were PMVSD with diameter ≥ 5 mm or if ≤5 mm with hemodynamic significance and age ≥ 1 year.

Double balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: multi-track system versus conventional technique.

Objectives: To evaluate whether double balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (DBPV) with the Multi-Track system (MTS) may help to simplify the procedure.

Background: DBPV is usually required for patients with pulmonary valve stenosis with large annulus. However, it needs two venous accesses and can be technically demanding.

Intracoronary ultrasound assessment late after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Objectives: This research was undertaken to assess the status of the coronary wall morphology late after the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries employing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Background: Long-term patency of the reimplanted coronary arteries is a key issue after ASO. Follow-up studies have demonstrated coronary obstruction in up to 8% of patients that may be related to progressive fibrocellular intimal thickening.

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with the Amplatzer device: technical and morphological considerations.

Percutaneous closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSDs) has been feasible, safe, and effective with the new Amplatzer membranous septal occluder. We report further experience with this device with emphasis on morphological aspects of the VSDs and technical issues. Ten patients (median age and weight, 14 years and 34.

Recanalization of a discrete atretic right pulmonary artery segment with a new radiofrequency system.

We describe a case in which a discrete atretic segment of the right pulmonary artery (due to a Blalock-Taussig shunt) was reconstructed using a new radiofrequency system, balloon dilation, and stent implantation in an 18-month-old patient. The shunt was coil-occluded. The technique and applications of this novel approach are discussed.