Does the External Pericardial Lateral Tunnel Fontan Pathway Enlarge to Accommodate Somatic Growth? A Preliminary Analysis.

An ideal Fontan pathway should be capable of adapting to changes in circulatory demands. The external pericardial lateral tunnel Fontan (EPLTF) is constructed of viable, autologous tissue and may be capable of changing in size. We investigated the ability of the EPLTF to enlarge with increasing physiologic demands of somatic growth.

mRNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine-Associated Myopericarditis in Adolescents: A Survey Study.

In this survey study of institutions across the US, marked variability in evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of adolescents 12 through 18 years of age with mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-associated myopericarditis was noted. Only one adolescent with life-threatening complications was reported, with no deaths at any of the participating institutions.

Anomalous Right Coronary Artery off the Pulmonary Artery Strikes When You Least Expect It!

• Flow reversal in the right main coronary artery may indicate ARCAPA. • Coronary artery origins must be confirmed by color Doppler imaging. • Advanced imaging is indicated when coronary anatomy is equivocal by echocardiography.

Novel handheld ultrasound technology to enhance non-expert screening for rheumatic heart disease in the Republic of Palau: A descriptive study.

Aim: Non-expert training in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) detection is a valuable strategy in resource-limited settings. Here we present an innovative handheld ultrasound application featuring views of correct probe position, imaging protocol and echocardiographic loops of RHD pathology versus normal, accessible during real-time scanning.

Methods: This prospective study was implemented into a pre-existing school health screening programme at an elementary school in Koror, Palau.

The personal and clinical impact of screen-detected maternal rheumatic heart disease in Uganda: a prospective follow up study.

Background: Pre-existing maternal cardiac disease is a significant contributor to adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. In 2015-2017, our team conducted the first community-based study of maternal rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in sub-Saharan Africa and identified RHD in 88% of those with pre-existing heart disease. Here we conducted a follow up investigation of women previously identified with RHD, describing clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, identifying barriers to medical adherence and evaluating the personal impact of RHD.

Troponin I Levels Correlate with Cardiac MR LGE and Native T1 Values in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Cardiomyopathy and Identify Early Disease Progression.

Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Elevated troponin levels are observed in DMD and may vary with disease progression. We studied troponin levels in DMD related to cardiac fibrosis and native T1 measures.