Echocardiographic presentations of endocarditis, and risk factors for rupture of a sinus of Valsalva in childhood.

Background: In recent years, the diagnosis of infective endocarditis has been enhanced by the use of echocardiography. We sought, therefore, to review its effect on the management of endocarditis in children.

Methods: We reviewed all the patients presenting to our institution for evaluation for infective endocarditis from May 1994 to January 2002.

Cardiac catheterisation in infants weighing less than 2500 grams.

Objectives: To investigate the indications for, and outcome of, cardiac catheterisation in infants weighing less than 2500 g at a single institution over an 8-year period.

Patients And Methods: We assessed all infants who were less than 2500 g at the time of cardiac catheterisation at Texas Children's Hospital from January 1993 to January 2001. Comparisons of morbidity and mortality were drawn with an equivalent number of infants of similar age weighing greater than 2500 g seen over the same period of time.

Pericardial effusion and tamponade in infants with central catheters.

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, cause, and outcome of central venous catheter (CVC)-related pericardial effusions (PCE) in infants.

Methods: A retrospective case review was conducted of CVC-related PCE at university and private neonatal intensive care units. Data from our cases were combined with published case reports and included clinical presentation and outcome; biochemical evaluation of pericardial fluid; days until diagnosis; cardiothoracic ratios; and CVC characteristics, insertion site, and tip placement site.

Exercise Correlates of Electrophysiologic Assessment of Sinus Node Function in Young Individuals.

This study evaluated prospective exercise correlates of sinus node function in young individuals. Subjects for this study were 25 children and young adults who required cardiac catheterization for a symptomatic arrhythmia. Measurements of sinus node function at elechophysiological catheterization were the sinus node recovery time (SNRT) and sinoatrial conduction time (SACT).

SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULA OF THE SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY: CASE REPORT.

A 10-month-old infant was found to have an isolated congenital arteriovenous fistula between the right subclavian artery and vein. Ligation of the fistula resulted in complete anatomic correction and rapid resolution of cardiomegaly.