The Value of Programmed Ventricular Extrastimuli From the Right Ventricular Basal Septum During Supraventricular Tachycardia.

Background: The difference between the right ventricular (RV) apical stimulus-atrial electrogram (SA) interval during resetting of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) versus the ventriculoatrial (VA) interval during SVT (ΔSA-VA) is an established technique for discerning SVT mechanisms but is limited by a significant diagnostic overlap.

Objectives: This study hypothesized that the difference between the RV SA interval during resetting of SVTs versus the VA interval during SVTs (ΔSA-VA) would yield a more robust differentiation of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) when using the RV basal septal stimulation (ΔSA-VA) as compared to the RV apical stimulation (ΔSA-VA). Moreover, it was predicted that the ΔSA-VA might distinguish septal from free wall accessory pathways (APs) effectively.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Adult Patients With a Failing Systemic Right Ventricle: A Multicenter Study.

Background The objective of this international multicenter study was to investigate both early and late outcomes of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with a systemic right ventricle (SRV) and to identify predictors for congestive heart failure readmissions and mortality. Methods and Results This retrospective international multicenter study included 13 centers. The study population comprised 80 adult patients with SRV (48.

Impact and Modifiers of Ventricular Pacing in Patients With Single Ventricle Circulation.

Background: Palliation of the single ventricle (SV) circulation is associated with a burden of lifelong complications. Previous studies have identified that the need for a permanent ventricular pacing system (PPM) may be associated with additional adverse long-term outcomes.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to quantify the attributable risk of PPM in patients with SV, and to identify modifiable risk factors.

Successful Reduction of Postoperative Chest Tube Duration and Length of Stay After Congenital Heart Surgery: A Multicenter Collaborative Improvement Project.

Background Congenital heart disease practices and outcomes vary significantly across centers, including postoperative chest tube (CT) management, which may impact postoperative length of stay (LOS). We used collaborative learning methods to determine whether centers could adapt and safely implement best practices for CT management, resulting in reduced postoperative CT duration and LOS. Methods and Results Nine pediatric heart centers partnered together through 2 learning networks.

The added value of the advanced practice provider in paediatric acute care cardiology.

Objectives: Advanced practice providers (APPs) are being employed at increasing rates in order to meet new in-hospital care demands. Utilising the Paediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3) hospital survey, we evaluated variations in staffing models regarding first-line providers and assessed associations with programme volume, acuity of care, and post-operative length of stay (LOS).

Study Design: The PAC3 hospital survey defined staffing models and resource availability across member institutions.

Loss of ventricular preexcitation during noninvasive testing does not exclude high-risk accessory pathways: A multicenter study of WPW in children.

Background: Abrupt loss of ventricular preexcitation on noninvasive evaluation, or nonpersistent preexcitation, in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is thought to indicate a low risk of life-threatening events.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare accessory pathway (AP) characteristics and occurrences of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and rapidly conducted preexcited atrial fibrillation (RC-AF) in patients with nonpersistent and persistent preexcitation.

Methods: Patients 21 years or younger with WPW and invasive electrophysiology study (EPS) data, SCA, or RC-AF were identified from multicenter databases.

Intensive Care Unit and Acute Care Unit Length of Stay After Congenital Heart Surgery.

Background: Postoperative length of stay (LOS) is an important quality metric and is known to vary widely across hospitals after congenital heart surgery. Whether this variability is explained by factors associated with the intensive care unit (ICU) or acute care unit (ACU) remains unclear. We evaluated the relationship between ICU and ACU LOS and the impact of ACU characteristics on postoperative LOS.

Center Variation in Chest Tube Duration and Length of Stay After Congenital Heart Surgery.

Background: Nearly every child undergoing congenital heart surgery has chest tubes placed intraoperatively. Center variation in removal practices and impact on outcomes has not been well described. This study evaluated variation in chest tube management practices and outcomes across centers.

The many faces of early repolarization syndrome: A single-center case series.

Background: Early repolarization syndrome (ERS) is a rare but increasingly recognized cause of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the presentations and treatments of ERS at our institution.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients presenting to our institution between 2008 and 2019 with ERS.

Variable Presentations and Ablation Sites for Manifest Nodoventricular/Nodofascicular Fibers.

Background: Nodofascicular and nodoventricular (NFV) accessory pathways connect the atrioventricular node and the Purkinje system or ventricular myocardium, respectively. Concealed NFV pathways participate as the retrograde limb of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Manifest NFV pathways can comprise the anterograde limb of wide-complex SVT but are quite rare.

Comparison of Electrophysiologic Profiles in Pediatric Patients with Incidentally Identified Pre-Excitation Compared with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.

The rising utilization of screening electrocardiograms has resulted in increased incidental identification of ventricular pre-excitation in pediatric patients. We compared accessory pathways of incidentally identified pre-excitation to Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) with the aim to identify factors important in preprocedural counseling and planning. This single-center, retrospective study of patients ≤18 years without congenital heart disease identified 227 patients diagnosed with pre-excitation and referred for invasive electrophysiology study between 2008 and 2017.

Atrioventricular block after congenital heart surgery: Analysis from the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium.

Objectives: Our primary aims were to describe the contemporary epidemiology of postoperative high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB), the timing of recovery and permanent pacemaker (PPM) placement, and to determine predictors for development of and recovery from AVB.

Methods: Patients who underwent congenital heart surgery from August 2014 to June 2017 were analyzed for AVB using the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry. Predictors of AVB with or without PPM were identified using multinomial logistic regression.

What have we learned in the last 20 years? A comparison of a modern era pediatric and congenital catheter ablation registry to previous pediatric ablation registries.

Background: Since the onset of pediatric catheter ablation, the pediatric electrophysiology community has reported outcomes via various registries (PAPCA [Prospective Assessment After Pediatric Cardiac Ablation], PCAR [Pediatric Catheter Ablation Registry]). Most recently, a modern era pediatric and congenital ablation registry (MAP-IT [Multicenter Pediatric and Congenital EP Quality Initiative]) was developed for eventual incorporation into the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) IMPACT (Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment) registry.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe initial findings from the MAP-IT pilot registry and to compare these findings to earlier registries.

Life-Threatening Event Risk in Children With Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: A Multicenter International Study.

Objectives: This study sought to characterize risk in children with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome by comparing those who had experienced a life-threatening event (LTE) with a control population.

Background: Children with WPW syndrome are at risk of sudden death.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter pediatric study identified 912 subjects ≤21 years of age with WPW syndrome, using electrophysiology (EPS) studies.

Collective quality improvement in the paediatric cardiology acute care unit: establishment of the Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3).

Collaborative quality improvement and learning networks have amended healthcare quality and value across specialities. Motivated by these successes, the Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3) was founded in late 2014 with an emphasis on improving outcomes of paediatric cardiology patients within cardiac acute care units; acute care encompasses all hospital-based inpatient non-intensive care. PAC3 aims to deliver higher quality and greater value care by facilitating the sharing of ideas and building alignment among its member institutions.

Perioperative Factors Influence the Long-Term Outcomes of Children and Adolescents with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) often carries long-term seqüelae following surgical intervention. We hypothesized that early perioperative factors are associated with long-term adverse right ventricular (RV) remodeling, diminished exercise capacity, and increased morbidity. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients operated for TOF that underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study (CMR), exercise stress test (EST), and detailed review of past medical history.

22q11.2 Deletion Status and Perioperative Outcomes for Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia and Multiple Aortopulmonary Collateral Vessels.

Deletion of 22q11.2 (del22q11) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We sought to investigate its contribution to perioperative outcome in patients with a severe form of TOF characterized by pulmonary atresia (PA) or severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAS).