Lung ultrasound reclassification of chest X-ray data after pediatric cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Lung ultrasound is gaining consensus for the diagnosis of some pulmonary conditions. Pulmonary complications are common in pediatric cardiac surgery. However, its use remains limited in this setting.

Tracheal surgery in children: outcome of a 12-year survey.

Objectives: Despite the fact that team management has improved the results in recent years, perioperative deaths and complications remain high in paediatric tracheal surgery. We reviewed our institutional experience by comparing our results with those in the literature.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2017, 30 children underwent surgery for tracheal disease.

The role of posterior aortopexy in the treatment of left mainstem bronchus compression.

Objectives: We reviewed the role of posterior aortopexy for left mainstem bronchus compression in infants and children.

Methods: Eighteen children with respiratory symptoms were enrolled between 2005 and 2015 for surgical decompression of the left mainstem bronchus. The children were managed from diagnosis to follow-up by a dedicated tracheal team.

Custodiol Solution and Cold Blood Cardioplegia in Arterial Switch Operation: Retrospective Analysis in a Single Center.

Background: The cardioplegia is one of the most significant tools used to increase myocardial protection. The aim of our study is to compare the use of Custodiol solution versus intermitted blood cardioplegia in a retrospective analysis of data for patients who underwent arterial switch operation in our institution.

Material And Methods: From January 2008 to March 2011, myocardial protection was performed in 44 neonates (blood group) with intermittent blood cardioplegia.

Supra-annular mitral valve implantation in very small children.

Objective: Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is a surgical option when mitral valvuloplasty is not feasible/successful. This study reviews our experience with MVR in very young children.

Methods: From July 2004 to January 2014, seven children (mean age 13.

Successful simultaneous correction of complex congenital tracheal stenosis and tetralogy of fallot.

Congenital tracheal stenosis is frequently associated with heart malformations. Simultaneous correction of both anomalies has been advocated by several authors. We describe our experience with a premature neonate with congenital tracheal stenosis and tetralogy of Fallot.

The combined use of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and brain natriuretic peptide improves risk stratification in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Background: The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis whether the combined use of a cardio-specific biomarker, the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and a marker of early renal damage, the assay of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), may improve risk stratification in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 135 children [median age 7 (interquartile range 1-49) months] undergoing to cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. All biomarkers were evaluated pre- and post-operatively at different times after cardiopulmonary-bypass (CPB): uNGAL at 2, 6 and 12 h; BNP at 12 and 36 h; serum creatinine at 2, 6, 12, and 36 h.

Thyroid and brain natriuretic Peptide response in children undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease- age-related variations and prognostic value.

Background: Interest in hormonal response after pediatric cardiac surgery is growing, but many aspects remain unclear. The aim of this study was to test age-related variations and prognostic values of thyroid hormones, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels before and after surgery.

Methods And Results: A total of 162 children undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into 3 age groups (group 1, n=57 neonates; group 2, n=58 infants; group 3, n=47 toddlers).

An unusual case of tricuspid lesion in congenital corrected transposition of the great arteries.

An unusual case of severe supravalvular stenosing ring of the left atrium associated with tricuspid valve dysplasia in an adult symptomatic patient affected by congenitally corrected transposition and unrestrictive ventricular septal defect is reported. The stenosis of the systemic atrioventricular valve possibly prevented the development of obstructive pulmonary vascular disease; removal of the membrane, attached to the tricuspid annulus, together with pulmonary banding was carried out. Clinical conditions improved after surgery.

Sixteen-row multislice computed tomography in infants with double aortic arch.

Background: The introduction of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in 1998 has led to a considerable boost of CT angiography. Four-row MSCT has been employed in the diagnostic assessment of vascular rings. Sixteen-row MSCT is expected to further increase the diagnostic power of MSCT.