Coronary artery occlusion after arterial switch operation in an asymptomatic 15-year-old boy.

A 15-year-old boy with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and neonatal arterial switch operation (ASO) presented with complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Intra-operatively, an intramural left coronary artery was identified. Therefore, since age 7 years he had a series of screening exercise stress tests.

Stress echocardiography: a useful tool for children with aortic stenosis.

The development of echocardiographic ventricular wall motion abnormalities and ST segment changes with exercise may enhance the detection of myocardial ischemia in children with aortic valve stenosis (AS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the exercise wall motion index (WMIe), ST segment depression (STd), and overall functionality in asymptomatic children with isolated AS. A prospective interpretation of collected stress echocardiographic images was performed.

Managing the morbidity associated with respiratory viral infections in children with congenital heart disease.

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk for increased morbidity from viral lower respiratory tract infections because of anatomical cardiac lesions than can worsen an already compromised respiratory status. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains an important pathogen in contributing toward the morbidity in this population. Although the acute treatment of RSV largely remains supportive, the development of monoclonal antibodies, such as palivuzumab, has reduced the RSV-related hospitalization rate in children with CHD.

Exercise stress echocardiography after childhood Ross surgery: functional outcome in 26 patients from a single institution.

Adult studies suggest a better functional outcome after aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft compared with mechanical or homograft valves. Little is known about functional results after Ross surgery in growing children. This study reports formal exercise stress echocardiographic data from 26 pediatric Ross patients.

Endovascular stenting for native coarctation of the aorta is an effective alternative to surgical intervention in older children.

Objective: Assess the early and intermediate results with respect to blood pressure control in older children undergoing endovascular stenting for native coarctation of the aorta.

Design: Eleven hypertensive patients (10 +/- 3 years of age) underwent endovascular stenting via standard techniques for native coarctation of the aorta as an alternative to surgical repair. Resting and exercise assessment of blood pressure control with Doppler echocardiography was performed pre- and poststenting.

Efficacy of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and out-of-hospital automated external defibrillation as life-saving therapy in commotio cordis.

We report a child who sustained commotio cordis after being struck by a baseball, and offer documentation of the advantages of having readily available access to bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED). We suggest that communities and school districts reexamine the need for accessible AEDs and CPR-trained coaches at organized sporting events for children.