Aquaporins in sepsis- an update.

Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane proteins that facilitate the transport of water and small solutes, have garnered increasing attention for their role in sepsis, not only in fluid balance but also in immune modulation and metabolic regulation. Sepsis, characterized by an excessive and dysregulated immune response to infection, leads to widespread organ dysfunction and significant mortality. This review focuses on the emerging roles of aquaporins in immune metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets in sepsis, with particular attention to the modulation of inflammatory responses and organ protection.

Specific Morphology of Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Mainly White Patients With Kawasaki Disease: Initial Data From the Cardiac Catheterization in Kawasaki Disease Registry.

Background: Patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery involvement require long-term cardiac care. Although respective evidence-based recommendations are missing, cardiac catheterization is still considered the gold standard for diagnosing detailed coronary pathology. Therefore, to better understand coronary artery pathology development, we conducted a survey to document and evaluate cardiac catheterization data in a European population.

How Would We Treat Our Own Cystic Fibrosis With Lung Transplantation?

Lung transplantation is the only therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. In advanced lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), life expectancy increases, and it is important to recognize extrapulmonary comorbidities. Cardiovascular involvement, including pulmonary hypertension, right-heart failure, and myocardial dysfunction, are manifest in the late stages of CF disease.

Clinical course and follow-up of pediatric patients with COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis compared to non-vaccine-associated myocarditis within the prospective multicenter registry-"MYKKE".

Background: Since the onset of widespread COVID-19 vaccination, increased incidence of COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis (VA-myocarditis) has been noted, particularly in male adolescents.

Methods: Patients <18 years with suspected myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination within 21 days were enrolled in the PedMYCVAC cohort, a substudy within the prospective multicenter registry for pediatric myocarditis "MYKKE." Clinical data at initial admission, 3- and 9-months follow-up were monitored and compared to pediatric patients with confirmed non-vaccine-associated myocarditis (NVA-myocarditis) adjusting for various baseline characteristics.

Safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer™ Trevisio™ intravascular delivery system: Post-approval study results.

Background: The Amplatzer™ Trevisio™ Intravascular Delivery System (Trevisio DS; Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) facilitates the delivery of Amplatzer™ Occluders and features an ultraflexible tip, which improves assessment of occluder position before release.

Aims: To assess the safety and efficacy of the Trevisio DS for transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect.

Methods: The Amplatzer™ Trevisio™ Intravascular Delivery System Post-Approval Study was a prospective, postmarket, single-arm, multicentre, observational study of the Trevisio DS.

Pathogenic Variants in Cardiomyopathy Disorder Genes Underlie Pediatric Myocarditis-Further Impact of Heterozygous Immune Disorder Gene Variants?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart. Pediatric myocarditis with the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) phenotype may be caused by likely pathogenic or pathogenic genetic variants [(L)P] in cardiomyopathy (CMP) genes. Systematic analysis of immune disorder gene defects has not been performed so far.

Retrospective comparison of split-thickness skin graft versus local full-thickness skin graft coverage of radial forearm free flap donor site.

The study aimed at comparing outcomes between split-thickness skin graft (STSG) and local ipsilateral full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) after radial forearm free flap defect closure. A comprehensive study protocol for objective and subjective assessment was established for this retrospective, single-center study. Clinical examinations were carried out, encompassing measuring wrist and finger range of movement and grip strength, testing skin sensitivity, and evaluating aesthetics using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

Revascularization of Left Subclavian to Common Carotid Artery Prepares for Covered Stent Implantation in Patients With Complex Aortic Coarctation.

Seven adult patients underwent a two-stage treatment of complex coarctation (CoA), including surgical revascularization of the left subclavian artery (LSA) to left common carotid artery (LCCA), followed by transcatheter covered stent implantation. The majority of patients (5 of 7, 71%) received 1 covered stent (covered Cheatham Platinum stent: 8 zig/45 mm [ = 2], 10 zig/60 mm [ = 1], 10 zig/65 mm [ = 1]; BeGraft: 24/48 mm [ = 2]). In 1 patient (14%), the implantation of 2 covered stents (BeGraft 20/48 mm) was necessary.

Compensatory Upregulation of Anti-Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Antibody Levels Might Prevent Heart Failure Presentation in Pediatric Myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis can be associated with severe heart failure and is caused by different inflammatory and autoimmune responses. The aim of this study was to describe the immunological response in children with myocarditis by analyzing anti-beta-adrenergic receptor antibodies (anti-β-AR Abs).

Methods: Sera of children who were hospitalized with biopsy-proven myocarditis were prospectively collected between April 2017 and March 2019.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of biopsy-proven myocarditis in children - Results of the German prospective multicentre registry "MYKKE".

Background: Heart failure (HF) due to myocarditis might not respond in the same way to standard therapy as HF due to other aetiologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) for clinical decision-making and its relation to the outcome of paediatric patients with myocarditis.

Methods: Clinical and EMB data of children with myocarditis collected for the MYKKE-registry between 2013 and 2020 from 23 centres were analysed.

Nationwide Registry-Based Analysis of Infective Endocarditis Risk After Pulmonary Valve Replacement.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) after pulmonary valve replacements in congenital heart disease is a significant concern. This study aimed to identify specific long-term risk factors for IE after percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation or surgical pulmonary valve replacement. Methods and Results All patients with congenital heart disease from the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects with at least 1 pulmonary valve replacement before January 2018 were included.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with suspected myocarditis: current practice and applicability of adult protocols.

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance serves as a useful tool in diagnosing myocarditis. Current adult protocols are yet to be validated for children; thus, it remains unclear if the methods used can be applied with sufficient image quality in children. This study assesses the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children with suspected myocarditis.

Patterns of Early Coronary Artery Changes in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients Detected Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy, the leading cause of graft failure in pediatric heart transplant recipients, is characterized by diffuse and concentric coronary intimal thickening. Early treatment yields better outcomes. While coronary angiography is the standard for cardiac allograft vasculopathy screening and diagnosis, it only identifies luminal narrowing, which occurs in more severe disease.

Family-Centered Care at Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Units in Germany and the Relationship With Parent and Infant Well-Being: A Study Protocol.

Infants with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are at risk for neurodevelopmental delays, emotional, social and behavioral difficulties. Hospitalization early in life and associated stressors may contribute to these challenges. Family-centered Care (FCC) is a health care approach that is respectful of and responsive to the needs and values of a family and has shown to be effective in improving health outcomes of premature infants, as well as the mental well-being of their parents.

Pathogenic Variants Associated With Dilated Cardiomyopathy Predict Outcome in Pediatric Myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis is one of the most common causes leading to heart failure in children and a possible genetic background has been postulated. We sought to characterize the clinical and genetic characteristics in patients with myocarditis ≤18 years of age to predict outcome.

Methods: A cohort of 42 patients (Genetics in Pediatric Myocarditis) with biopsy-proven myocarditis underwent genetic testing with targeted panel sequencing of cardiomyopathy-associated genes.

Killer-like receptors and GPR56 progressive expression defines cytokine production of human CD4 memory T cells.

All memory T cells mount an accelerated response on antigen reencounter, but significant functional heterogeneity is present within the respective memory T-cell subsets as defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression, thereby warranting further stratification. Here we show that several surface markers, including KLRB1, KLRG1, GPR56, and KLRF1, help define low, high, or exhausted cytokine producers within human peripheral and intrahepatic CD4 memory T-cell populations. Highest simultaneous production of TNF and IFN-γ is observed in KLRB1KLRG1GPR56 CD4 T cells.