Impact of Neonatal Intervention on Left Ventricular Performance in Ebstein's Anomaly and Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia.

Background: Severe neonatal Ebstein's anomaly (EA) and tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) are associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. The authors recently demonstrated left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and dyssynchrony to be prevalent in affected newborns and to contribute to poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure, spontaneous or surgical ligation, or right ventricular exclusion (Starnes procedure) on LV performance in neonatal EA and TVD.

A case of incomplete Kawasaki disease - A 2-month-old infant with 1 day of fever who developed multiple arterial aneurysms.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis and is the most frequent pediatric acquired heart disease in developed countries. The diagnosis of KD is typically made by the: ≧ 5 of 6 principal signs. However, approximately 20% of KD patients present with less than 5 of these diagnostic signs but may be suffering from coronary artery aneurysms and have been diagnosed with incomplete KD.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Neonatal Ebstein's Anomaly and Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia.

Background: The mechanisms and prognostic importance of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in neonatal Ebstein's anomaly (EA) and tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) are not well understood. The authors recently demonstrated reduced cardiac output and dyssynchrony to be common in fetal EA/TVD and therefore hypothesized that LV dysfunction may be associated with worse outcomes in neonatal EA/TVD.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was conducted among neonatal patients with EA/TVD (n = 32) and a healthy control cohort (n = 17) encountered from 2004 to 2019.

Simple method to distinguish the type of fetal premature contraction using arterial Doppler time interval measurements.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to establish a simple method to distinguish premature ventricular contractions (PVC) from premature atrial contractions (PAC) using a fetal Doppler ultrasound arterial pulse waveform to measure time intervals between sinus node restarting.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 14 fetuses with premature contraction (8 with PAC, 6 with PVC). We measured two distinct parts of time intervals using an arterial pulsed-wave Doppler: the two consecutive waveforms just before the premature contraction (2-V interval) and two consecutive waveforms including the premature contraction (XV interval) to measure time intervals between sinus node restarting.

Intracardiac Echocardiography as a Guide for Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

Background: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (TC-PDA), conventionally guided by aortography, has become the standard treatment of this disease. The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) may be used for measuring PDA size and be used as a guide for TC-PDA.

Methods: This study had 2 phases.

Transpulmonary echocardiography to guide stent implantation into coarctation of the aorta.

Although stent implantation into aortic coarctation has been performed solely under fluoroscopy, we successfully applied intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to guide this procedure in a 13-year-old patient. Placing an intracardiac echocardiographic catheter in the left pulmonary artery facing upward, we readily visualized the precise anatomy of coarctation, measured the pressure gradient, and monitored the stent inflation process. This report suggests a new application of ICE for intervention with structural and vascular diseases other than interatrial septum.

Trans-pulmonary echocardiography as a guide for device closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop trans-pulmonary echocardiography (TPE) to guide device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (DC-PDA).

Background: Aortography requires a large amount of contrast yet may give us an inadequate image to evaluate anatomy or residual shunt in patients with large PDA or dilated vessels and is precluded in patients with renal dysfunction. Practically, there is no imaging modality to monitor the entire procedure except for trans-esophageal echocardiography that requires general anesthesia.

Long-term prognosis of patients with Kawasaki disease complicated by giant coronary aneurysms: a single-institution experience.

Background: Some patients with Kawasaki disease develop giant coronary aneurysms and coronary stenosis, leading to ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term prognosis of patients with Kawasaki disease with giant aneurysms.

Methods And Results: From our institutional database, 76 patients (57 men and 19 women) who developed giant aneurysms after January 1, 1972, were identified.

Increased plasma type B natriuretic peptide in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify possible factors associated with type-B natriuretic peptide (BNP) production in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD).

Methods: Subjects were 54 patients with KD (KD group [KDG]) and 18 age-matched controls (control group [CG]). We evaluated left ventricular function using multi-modal echocardiography and determined blood chemistry including BNP, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 in the KDG.

Microembolic signals measured by transcranial Doppler during transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using the Amplatzer septal occluder.

Purpose: To determine the frequency and factors associated with increase in microembolic signals during transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using the Amplatzer septal occluder.

Methods: During the procedure in 16 patients, we measured microembolic signals using transcranial Doppler. Procedure time was divided into five periods: right cardiac catheterisation; left cardiac catheterisation; left cardiac angiocardiography; sizing and long sheath placement; device placement and release.