Balloon atrial septostomy for transposition of the great arteries: Safety and experience with the Z-5 balloon catheter.

Background: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) is an emergent and essential cardiac intervention to enhance intercirculatory mixing at atrial level in deoxygenated patients diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and restrictive foramen ovale. The recent recall of several BAS catheters and the changes in the European legal framework for medical devices (MDR 2017/745), has led to an overall scarcity of BAS catheters and raised questions about the use, safety, and experience of the remaining NuMED Z-5 BAS catheter.

Aims: To evaluate and describe the practice and safety of the Z-5 BAS catheter, and to compare it to the performance of other BAS catheters.

Correction: Putting genome-wide sequencing in neonates into perspective.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Pleuntje J. van der Sluijs, which was incorrectly given as Eline (P. J.

Putting genome-wide sequencing in neonates into perspective.

Purpose: Several studies have reported diagnostic yields up to 57% for rapid exome or genome sequencing (rES/GS) as a single test in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients, but the additional yield of rES/GS compared with other available diagnostic options still remains unquantified in this population.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all genetic NICU consultations in a 2-year period.

Results: In 132 retrospectively evaluated NICU consultations 27 of 32 diagnoses (84.

Preoperative cranial ultrasound findings in infants with major congenital heart disease.

Background: Advances in diagnostic testing and surgical techniques have resulted in reduced mortality in neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) and a major concern for neurological morbidity in the presence of preoperative neurological injury.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and nature of preoperative cerebral ultrasound abnormalities in neonates with major CHD and to examine the relationship between cerebral abnormalities and the type of CHD.

Methods: Retrospective study; inclusion criteria: (1) neonates with major CHD admitted to the NICU over a 3-y period, (2) gestational age >35 wk, (3) documented preoperative cranial ultrasound available; exclusion criteria: (1) small for gestational age, (2) other congenital anomalies and/or chromosomal abnormalities, (3) a 5-min Apgar score <7, (4) congenital infection.