Does biventricular pacing improve hemodynamics in children undergoing routine congenital heart surgery?

Biventricular (BiV) pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapy for heart failure in adults. In children, cardiac dyssynchrony occurs most commonly following repair of congenital heart disease (CHD) where multisite pacing has been shown to improve both hemodynamics and ventricular function. Determining which patient types would specifically benefit has not yet been established.

Effect of chorioamnionitis on brain development and injury in premature newborns.

Objective: The association of chorioamnionitis and noncystic white matter injury, a common brain injury in premature newborns, remains controversial. Our objectives were to determine the association of chorioamnionitis and postnatal risk factors with white matter injury, and the effects of chorioamnionitis on early brain development, using advanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Ninety-two preterm newborns (24-32 weeks gestation) were studied at a median age of 31.