B-type natriuretic peptide levels predict long-term mortality in a large cohort of adults with congenital heart disease.

Background And Aims: Many adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are still afflicted by premature death. Previous reports suggested natriuretic peptides may identify ACHD patients with adverse outcome. The study investigated prognostic power of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) across the spectrum of ACHD in a large contemporary cohort.

Prognostic significance of subpulmonary left ventricular size and function in patients with a systemic right ventricle.

Aims: To assess the additional prognostic significance of echocardiographic parameters of subpulmonary left ventricular (LV) size and function in patients with a systemic right ventricle (SRV).

Methods And Results: All adults with an SRV who underwent transthoracic echocardiography in 2010-18 at a large tertiary centre were identified. Biventricular size and function were assessed at the most recent examination.

Differential biventricular adaption to pulmonary vascular disease in patients with idiopathic/heritable and congenital heart disease: a prospective cardiac magnetic resonance and invasive study.

Aims: Despite shared pathophysiological mechanisms, patients with idiopathic/heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH/HPAH) have a poorer prognosis than those with PAH after congenital heart defect repair. Ventricular adaption remains unclear and could provide a basis for explaining differences in clinical outcomes. The aim of this prospective study was to assess clinical status, haemodynamic profile, and biventricular adaptation to PAH in children with various forms of PAH.

Association between Genotype, Presentation, and Outcome in Childhood Idiopathic and Hereditary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Paediatric-onset idiopathic/hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH/HPAH) is partially linked to genetic factors that may also affect treatment response and outcome. The relation between clinical characteristics and pathogenicity of gene variants in childhood IPAH/HPAH is still not well understood.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed IPAH/HPAH paediatric patients aged between 3 months and 18 years under follow-up at a large tertiary referral center.

Double outlet ventricles: review of anatomic and imaging characteristics.

Hearts with double outlet ventricles and concordant atrioventricular connections account for about 1%-3% of all cases of congenital heart disease. We review hearts with two ventricles and concordant atrioventricular connections with double outlet right ventricle (DORV), double outlet left ventricle (DOLV) and double outlet both ventricles (DOBV) from the morphological and clinical imaging perspectives. These hearts are a heterogeneous group of congenital cardiac malformations with a wide range of pathophysiologies that require an individualised surgical approach based on a precise understanding of the complex cardiovascular anatomy.

Right Heart Catheterization in Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Insights and Outcome from a Large Tertiary Center.

Aim: To define the clinical characteristics, hemodynamics, and adverse events for pediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) undergoing right heart catheterization (RHC). Methods: The large referral single center data of 591 diagnostic RHC procedures performed between 2005 and 2020 on pediatric PAH patients was retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 591 RHC procedures performed on 469 patients with congenital heart disease (CHD)-PAH (median age 8.

Better Outcomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension After Repair of Congenital Heart Disease, Compared With Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary vascular changes in postoperative pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) are similar to those seen in idiopathic PAH. Data are sparse on direct comparative midterm outcomes for these 2 high-risk populations.

Methods: Patients with idiopathic or postoperative PAH referred to a large tertiary hospital between June 2005 and July 2019 were retrospectively evaluated.

Biomimetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Blood Circulation and Cancer Therapy.

The biomimetic cell membrane camouflaged approach provides numerous opportunities in designing therapeutic platforms for various biomedical applications. It is necessary to understand the engineering of physicochemical properties on materials' surfaces for target biological functions to develop the next-generation anticancer nanomedicines. Herein, we envelope mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with red blood cell (RBC) membrane ghosts to obtain MSN@RBC, which possesses significantly stronger physiological stability and longer circulation time than bare MSNs.

Peripartum outcomes in a large population of women with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.

Aims: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe complication in patients with congenital heart disease and poses a significant risk to women wishing to become pregnant. This study describes the clinical presentation, maternal outcomes and risk factors for the peripartum period in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD).

Methods: All pregnant women with PAH-CHD who were admitted for delivery in a tertiary center between February 2011-September 2016 were included.

Diet, lifestyle and cognitive function in old Chinese adults.

Background: The relationship between diet, lifestyle and cognition of old adults has been indicated in several population-based studies. However, the conclusions derived from these studies are inconsistent.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 894 old Chinese adults aged 50 and above.