ECTOPIC trial: The efficacy of flEcainide Compared To metOprolol in reducing Premature ventrIcular Contractions: A randomized open-label crossover study in pediatric patients.

Background: Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in children are usually considered benign. Symptoms and left ventricular dysfunction are indications for treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of flecainide vs metoprolol in reducing PVCs in children.

The effect of electro-anatomical mapping on the success rate and fluoroscopy time in supra-ventricular tachycardia ablation in children: single centre retrospective study.

Aims: To evaluate the effect of electro-anatomical mapping on success rate and fluoroscopy time in ablation of supraventricular tachycardia substrates in a large group of children.

Methods: Patients referred from multiple centres in the Netherlands and who received a first ablation for supraventricular tachycardia substrates in the Leiden University Medical Center between 2014 and 2020 were included in this retrospective cohort study. They were divided in procedures in patients with fluoroscopy and procedures in patients using electro-anatomical mapping.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Ebstein Anomaly Requires Both Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

With the trend towards childhood surgery in patients with Ebstein anomaly (EA), thorough imaging is crucial for patient selection. This study aimed to assess biventricular function by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and compare EA severity classifications. Twenty-three patients (8-17 years) underwent echocardiography and CMR.

Percutaneous embolization of lymphatic fistulae as treatment for protein-losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis in patients with failing Fontan circulation.

Background: To determine the feasibility and clinical result of selective embolization of hepatoduodenal or paratracheal lymphatics in Fontan patients with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) or plastic bronchitis (PB).

Methods: Dilated lymph vessels in periportal (PLE) or paratracheal (PB) position were percutaneously punctured with a 22G Chiba needle. Intralymphatic position was confirmed by water soluble contrast injection with drainage to hepatoduodenal or tracheal fistulae.

Clinical Characteristics of Infective Endocarditis in Children.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge associated with high morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the microbial profile and clinical manifestation of IE in children.

Methods: A retrospective study examining pediatric IE cases treated between 2000 and 2017 at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, KU Leuven, was conducted.

Preoperative Sildenafil administration in children undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled preconditioning study.

Objectives: Sildenafil has strong cardiac preconditioning properties in animal studies and has a safe side-effect profile in children. Therefore, we evaluated the application of Sildenafil preconditioning to reduce myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in children undergoing surgical ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure.

Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind study.

Medium term follow-up after percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement with the Melody® valve.

Introduction: Data on long term function of the Melody valve are scarce. Patients and methods: single institution; results of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) from 2006 to 2014. The function of the valved conduit was analyzed by Doppler echocardiography.

Infective endocarditis of a transcatheter pulmonary valve in comparison with surgical implants.

Background: Melody valved stents (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) have become a very competitive therapeutic option for pulmonary valve replacement in patients with congenital heart disease. After adequate prestenting of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) Melody valved stents have a good medium term functional result but are exposed to infective endocarditis (IE).

Patients And Methods: Retrospective study of tertiary centre Congenital Heart Disease database; to compare incidence of IE in three different types of valved conduits in RVOT: Melody valved stent, cryopreserved homograft (European Homograft Bank) and Contegra graft (Medtronic Inc).

Use of covered Cheatham-Platinum stents in congenital heart disease.

Background: Controversy remains regarding the use of covered stents in congenital heart disease (CHD). We evaluate the possibilities and safety of covered Cheatham-Platinum (CCP) stents in CHD.

Methods: Single-center retrospective CHD-database study of all CCP stents, 2003-2012.