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Can J Cardiol 2020 Apr 15. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

BMC Vet Res 2020 Jun 30;16(1):224. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Background: Congenital heart diseases are occasionally encountered in the bovine species. Ventricular septal defects (VSD) and atrial septal defects (ASD) are reported to be the most common; however, a vast collection have been reported [1, 2]. Congenital heart diseases is thought to represent less than 3% of all congenital abnormalities in calves [3]. Read More

Radiol Case Rep 2020 Aug 18;15(8):1285-1288. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390.

A 3-year-old girl presented with ataxia, dilated pupils, and behavioral change prompting work up for stroke. Her medical history included chronic mydriasis and patent ductus arteriosus requiring aortoplasty. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated confluent white matter signal abnormality concerning for leukodystrophy. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2020 May 4;30:1-6. Epub 2020 May 4.

Purdue University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026, USA.

A 27-month-old male neutered French bulldog that was originally diagnosed with tricuspid valve dysplasia and a bidirectional shunting patent foramen ovale was evaluated for progressive polycythemia and exertional cyanosis. There was a high clinical suspicion for a right-to-left shunting patent ductus arteriosus, but given the presence of agitated saline within the left atrium, left ventricle, ascending aorta, and abdominal aorta from the previously diagnosed bidirectional shunting patent foramen ovale, a definitive diagnosis could not be made. The use of dynamic and static nuclear scintigraphy imaging using technetium-labeled macroaggregated albumin (Tc-MAA) allowed a definitive diagnosis to be made in this animal with multilevel right-to-left shunting as well as quantifying the severity of the right-to-left shunt in a minimally invasive and cost-effective manner. Read More

Can J Cardiol 2020 Jun 27;36(6):837-843. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: There is little published data regarding percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in adults. We aim to describe the outcomes of adult patients undergoing PDA closure at a single tertiary referral centre.

Methods: All adults who underwent device PDA closure at our centre from 2001 to 2017 were identified and enrolled in the study. Read More

Pediatr Cardiol 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Neonatology, Kaplan Medical Center, P.O. Box 1, Rehovot, Israel.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a whole-body bioimpedance device (NICaS®, NI Medical, Petach Tikva, Israel) to predict the presence of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. A total of 36 infants less than 35 week's gestation age and birth weights of less than 1750 g were included in the study. Using the NICaS® device, we obtained whole-body bioimpedance measurements of stroke volume index (SI), cardiac output index (CI) and total peripheral resistance index. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2020 May 12;15(1):87. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Radiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China.

Background: Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA), usually associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), is a very rare clinical condition. Pulmonary artery dissection (PAD) is considered the most life-threatening complication of PAA, and patients can progress from being asymptomatic to sudden death. We report the following case of PAA associated with complicated congenital heart disease and simultaneous chronic PAD. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2020 26;7(4):001511. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Department of Radiology & Imaging, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is an extremely rare congenital cyanotic heart disease characterized by complete disruption between the ascending and descending aorta. A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or other collateral pathways provide blood flow to the distal descending aorta. Mortality is extremely high at early infancy, particularly after closure of the ductus arteriosus. Read More

Vasc Health Risk Manag 2020 1;16:99-101. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

Hemitruncus arteriosus refers to an uncommon congenital cardiovascular abnormality. It usually presents in infancy and leads to the development of pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and in severe cases maybe death. Herein, we reported hemitruncus arteriosus in a 10-day-old neonate with respiratory distress, patent ductus arteriosus, and thrombocytopenia. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2020 Mar 13;21:e919766. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital "St. Ekaterina", Sofia, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.

BACKGROUND Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart malformation, encountered in 1-2% of the population, while interventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus are the most common congenital malformations associated with bicuspid aortic valve. Although bicuspid valve can have no clinical manifestation, patients with bicuspid valve are prone to develop vascular abnormalities. Aortic dilatation is the most common of these abnormalities, which in turn can lead to serious complications and often requires surgical treatment. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2020 Feb 24;20(1):68. Epub 2020 Feb 24.

Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, 2 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.

Background: Congenital mydriasis and retinal arteriolar tortuosity are associated with the life-threatening multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) due to mutations in the gene, ACTA2, which encodes alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Previous reports attributed MSMDS-related congenital mydriasis to the absence of iris sphincter muscle. Similarly, it has been hypothesized that abnormal proliferation of the vascular smooth muscle cells causes the marked tortuosity of retinal arterioles in MSMDS. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 May 17;137:243-246. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address:

Background: The MYH11 gene codes for smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, which has a critical function in maintaining vascular wall stability. Patients with this mutation most commonly have aortic and cardiac defects. Documented involvement of intracranial vessels is exceptional. Read More

West Afr J Med 2020 Jan-Mar;37(1):58-61

Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Background: Transthoracic open surgical ligation (TTOSL) of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) remains the most readily available and affordable treatment option in resource-poor countries such as Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and outcome of aortic valve regurgitation (AR) following TTOSL of PDA.

Methods: Retrospective audit of consecutive patients who underwent TTOSL of PDA over a 4½-year period (January 2015 to June 2019) at the OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Read More

Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2020 Jan-Mar;13(1):16-24. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Altinbas University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Carotid artery (CA) access allows a more straight route for many left heart lesions. This has previously been achieved via a surgical cut-down approach in certain pediatric cardiac interventions. However, there are little data considering CA access in pediatric cases, percutaneously. Read More

Cureus 2019 Dec 31;11(12):e6529. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Department of Radiology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, CHN.

In this case, we report a simple coarctation of the aortic isthmus (CoA) in a patient without intracardiac abnormalities or patent ductus arteriosus, who was misdiagnosed as essential hypertension for over 20 years. The patient underwent X-rays, echocardiography, and 320-slice CT angiography (CTA). Among them, CTA comprehensively showed the diameter of the aortic coarctation, the anatomy and morphology of the heart and aortic arch, and the collateral circulation before surgery. Read More

Curr Med Imaging Rev 2020 ;16(2):111-122

Department of Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania.

Development of interventional methods has revolutionized the treatment of structural cardiac diseases. Given the complexity of structural interventions and the anatomical variability of various structural defects, novel imaging techniques have been implemented in the current clinical practice for guiding the interventional procedure and for selection of the device to be used. Three- dimensional echocardiography is the most used imaging method that has improved the threedimensional assessment of cardiac structures, and it has considerably reduced the cost of complications derived from malalignment of interventional devices. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2019 Dec;7(24):4355-4365

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu Province, China.

Background: Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is a rare genetic disease worldwide. The main mutation is the actin alpha 2 () gene p.R179H. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2020 May 18;95(6):1141-1148. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Objectives: Describe the use of three-dimensional (3D) patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) modeling to better define ductal anatomy to improve preprocedural planning for ductal stent placement.

Background: Ductal stenting is an alternative to surgical shunting in patients with ductal dependent pulmonary blood flow. Ductal anatomy is often complex with extreme tortuosity and risk of pulmonary artery isolation, thus increasing procedural risks. Read More

Pediatr Radiol 2020 02 19;50(2):180-187. Epub 2019 Dec 19.

Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.

Background: Pediatric cardiac computed tomography (CT) can be acquired without electrode placement by using synthetic electrocardiogram (ECG).

Objective: To determine whether the depiction of gross cardiac structures and coronary arteries in 320-row pediatric CT is not inferior when CT is gated with synthetic ECG at 150 beats per minute (bpm), compared to the patients' own ECG.

Materials And Methods: Sixty 320-row CT examinations performed in children younger than 3 years old with congenital cardiac anomaly were enrolled in this retrospective study. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Dec;98(50):e18283

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation.

Rationale: Cochlear implantation (CI) in CHARGE syndrome is technically challenging because of the anatomical anomalies. This case aims to report a successful case of CI in CHARGE syndrome by using the modified transcanal approach with external auditory canal (EAC) obliteration.

Patient Concerns: The 3-year-old girl presented at the outpatient department with bilateral hearing loss and nasal obstruction since birth. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Dec 11;20(24). Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Arrhythmology and Clinical Electrophysiology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by various degrees of abnormalities in the liver, heart, eyes, vertebrae, kidneys, face, vasculature, skeleton, and pancreas. This case report describes a newborn child exhibiting a congenital neural tube defect and peculiar craniofacial appearance characterized by a prominent forehead, deep-set eyes, bulbous nasal tip, and subtle upper lip. Just a few hours after birth, congenital heart disease was suspected for cyanosis and confirmed by heart evaluation. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2020 Mar 9;95(4):726-733. Epub 2019 Dec 9.

Department of Pediatrics, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

Background: Carotid artery (CA) and axillary artery (AA) access are increasingly used for transcatheter stenting of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), although reports are limited.

Methods: The Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative (CCRC) reviewed multicenter data from infants who underwent PDA stenting via the CA or AA approach from 2008 to 2017, and compared outcomes to those of infants undergoing PDA stenting via the femoral artery (FA) approach. Post-procedure ultrasound (US) imaging was reviewed. Read More

J Comput Assist Tomogr 2019 Nov/Dec;43(6):906-911

From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine.

The aim of this article was to review computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. This disorder is a rare complex congenital heart disease. Preoperative imaging of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect with computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography is important for complete anatomical delineation and planning for treatment. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2019 10;56(10):868-872

Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Neonates with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) are known to have associated congenital cardiac malformations. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one the most common cardiac anomalies associated with CRS. PDA refractory to medical management and associated with ventilatory dependence is considered for surgical ligation. Read More

Tex Heart Inst J 2019 Jun 1;46(3):225-228. Epub 2019 Jun 1.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, a rare congenital cardiac defect, is typically not diagnosed during infancy. On the other hand, Turner syndrome is usually diagnosed early, and it is classically associated with bicuspid aortic valve and aortic coarctation. Individuals with Turner syndrome are also at increased risk for coronary artery anomalies. Read More

Vasc Endovascular Surg 2020 Feb 10;54(2):165-168. Epub 2019 Nov 10.

UC Riverside/Riverside Community Hospital, CA, USA.

Background: Pseudoaneurysm developing after repair of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is uncommon, with only a handful of cases reported in the literature. While older literature cites infection, recent series suggest that formation of pseudoaneurysm off of a ligated PDA attributed to breakdown in the suture line. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for this rare pathology has been demonstrated in selected case reports. Read More

G Ital Cardiol (Rome) 2019 Nov;20(11):627-631

ASUR Marche - Area Vasta 4 Fermo, Ospedale Civile Augusto Murri, Fermo.

Echocardiographic quantification is crucial for the diagnosis and management of patients with acquired and congenital heart disease (CHD). In neonatal and pediatric age, the echocardiogram begins with subxiphoid, or subcostal, imaging instead of left parasternal views. This allows for the determination of visceral situs (site or location) at the beginning of an examination. Read More

Front Pediatr 2019 22;7:408. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

To assess maternal and neonatal risk factors for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). To examine the association of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its treatment, with IVH and its severity. In this retrospective cohort study, we included preterm neonates born at <29 weeks, admitted to a tertiary level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Calgary, Canada, between 2013 and 2016, who had a head ultrasound in the first 7 days of life. Read More

Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2019 Nov 5. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland.

Background: The aim of the study was to perform qualitative and quantitative computed tomography (CT) angiography-based evaluation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) morphology and its influence on morphology of the great vessels.

Materials And Methods: Two-thousand twenty-two patients underwent 64-slice or dual-source CT and were retrospectively screened for the presence of PDA. Those who had presence of PDA underwent evaluation of its anatomy and morphology. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Dec 30;29(12):1435-1439. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.

Abnormal small fistulous flows in the pulmonary artery were detected on routine transthoracic echocardiography in asymptomatic patients by colour Doppler echocardiography. The most likely diagnosis is small coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistulas. We evaluated the clinical, echocardiographic, and follow-up findings of 101 patients. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Oct 23;12(10). Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Cardiovascular Radiology and Endovascular Interventions, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Ital J Pediatr 2019 Oct 22;45(1):131. Epub 2019 Oct 22.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria S Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy.

Background: Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) has increasingly been used to assess the hemodynamic status in neonates. Aim of this survey was to investigate the utilization of NPE in Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods: We conducted an on-line survey from June to September 2017. Read More

J Clin Lab Anal 2020 Feb 18;34(2):e23054. Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Department of Medical Imaging Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

Background: Centronuclear myopathy (CNM), a subtype of congenital myopathy (CM), is a group of clinical and genetically heterogeneous muscle disorders. Centronuclear myopathy is a kind of disease difficult to diagnose due to its genetic diversity. Since the discovery of the SPEG gene and disease-causing variants, only a few additional patients have been reported. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2019 10 11;19(1):216. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, sanhao street 36#, Shenyang, 110004, CN, China.

Background: Infantile hepatic hemangioma (IHH) is a rare endothelial cell neoplasm, which may be concurrent with severe complications and result in poor outcomes. Moreover, the coexistence of IHH and congenial heart disease is even rarer.

Case Presentation: We present a 10-day-old male born with IHH associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrial septal defect (ASD) and pulmonary hypertension. Read More

PLoS One 2019 9;14(10):e0223676. Epub 2019 Oct 9.

Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, Milano, Italy.

One hundred and twenty dogs were enrolled to value the effect of loading condition changes on left ventricular volumes before and 24-hours after the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion by Amplatzer Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO) using standard echocardiography. The animals were divided in pure breed (n. 94) and mixed breed (n. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Sep 18;12(9). Epub 2019 Sep 18.

Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.

Prostaglandins are widely used in aortic coarctation to maintain ductal patency and preserve systemic perfusion until surgical intervention can be performed. Although the short-term use of prostaglandins to ameliorate aortic narrowing in neonates with a closed ductus has been reported, it has not been described as a longer term therapy in extremely preterm neonates. A 27-week gestation baby weighing 560 g presented at 40 days of age with coarctation and a closed ductus arteriosus. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2019 09 13;19(1):333. Epub 2019 Sep 13.

Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the most commonly diagnosed cardiovascular condition in preterm infants, is associated with increased mortality and harmful long-term outcomes (chronic lung disease, neurodevelopmental delay). Although pharmacologic and/or interventional treatments to close PDA likely benefit some infants, widespread routine treatment of all preterm infants with PDA may not improve outcomes. Most PDAs close spontaneously by 44-weeks postmenstrual age; treatment is increasingly controversial, varying markedly between institutions and providers. Read More

Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2019 Sep-Dec;12(3):248-253

Department of Imaging, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Anomalous origin of the pulmonary arteries from the ascending aorta is a rare, but severe clinical entity necessitating a scrupulous evaluation. Either the right or the left pulmonary arteries can arise directly from the ascending aorta while the other pulmonary artery retains its origin from the right ventricular outflow tract. Such a finding can be isolated or can coexist with several congenital heart lesions. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Nov 10;29(11):1380-1386. Epub 2019 Sep 10.

Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Dr. Siyami Ersek Hospital for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Although percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus is an established safe procedure, protrusion of the device to descending aorta may occur in various degrees during these procedures, especially in small infants. The aim of our study is to evaluate the benefits of balloon-assisted device releasing technique in the era of preventing device protrusion and conditions related to protrusion.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-five infants, who underwent patent ductus arteriosus closure with Amplatzer duct occluder I device between January, 2012 and December, 2018, were retrospectively analysed. Read More

J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Sep 9;14(1):160. Epub 2019 Sep 9.

Medical master,department of cardiothoracic surgery, Chongqing Medical University Affiliated Children's Hospital, Chongqing, 400000, People's Republic of China.

Objectives: Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital vascular malformation. This study aims to summarize the experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment for congenital double aortic arch.

Methods: The clinical data of 24 cases with double aortic arch (DAA) from January 2008 to January 2018 in our hospital was reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Sep;98(36):e17044

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Rationale: A single atrium is a rare congenital heart disease (CHD) involving zero atrial septal traces and preserved intact ventricular septum and atrioventricular valves, requiring careful surgical intervention. However, developing to Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) makes the surgery complicated. Based on bidirectional cardiac shunting, vegetation easily develops in case of bacterial infection. Read More

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2019 Sep;47(6):498-502

Department of Cardiology, Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are rare congenital anomalies. Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture, leads to biventricular failure due to systemic to pulmonary shunting. Surgical repair has been the traditional treatment for these aneurysms. Read More

Pediatr Pulmonol 2019 12 29;54(12):1895-1904. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington DC.

The bridging bronchus is a rare congenital airway anomaly in which the right upper lobe of the lung is supplied by the right main bronchus while the right lower lobe, and often the right middle lobe is supplied by an aberrant bronchus arising from the left main bronchus. The aberrant bronchus crosses (bridges) the lower part of the mediastinum, hence the term bridging bronchus (BB). This potentially life-threatening condition, usually accompanied by diffuse or focal airway stenosis, commonly presents with signs and symptoms related to large airway obstruction, such as respiratory distress, apnea, wheezing, stridor, and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Read More

Cardiol Young 2019 Sep 22;29(9):1222-1224. Epub 2019 Aug 22.

Department of Pediatrics, Saiseikai Shimonoseki General Hospital, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan.

A Japanese female infant with trisomy 18 was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome variant. She was administered oral prostaglandin E1 every 6 hours through a feeding tube as an alternative drug for lipo-prostaglandin E1. Oral prostaglandin E1 was effective for maintenance of the ductus arteriosus and may serve as a palliative treatment approach. Read More

J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Aug 19;48(1):38. Epub 2019 Aug 19.

College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Background: The natural history of patients diagnosed with Eisenmenger's Syndrome typically revolve around the pediatric population. Medical advances have allowed these patients to live longer and present with a different subset of symptoms as a result of the progression of their disease process.

Case Presentation: In this case report, we discuss a 77-year-old Caucasian female with Eisenmenger's Syndrome presenting with hoarseness. Read More

Front Pediatr 2019 31;7:318. Epub 2019 Jul 31.

Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

Newborn piglets are commonly used in biomedical research. However, cardiovascular imaging of this species is quite challenging. For point of care diagnostics of heart function transthoracic echocardiography may be used, which appears to differ comparing newborn piglets with adult pigs. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 09 7;36(9):1736-1743. Epub 2019 Aug 7.

Department of Ultrasound, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Objective: To individually analyze echocardiographic features in fetuses with ductal-dependent congenital heart diseases (DDCHD) and to verify the anatomical characteristics corresponding to the echocardiogram scan views.

Background: Ductal-dependent congenital heart diseases depends on the ductus arteriosus (DA) remaining open to maintain suitable pulmonary or systemic circulation after birth. An accurate diagnosis using prenatal echocardiography has important clinical significance in evaluating disease prognosis and ensuring timely treatment. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 08 5;36(8):1532-1539. Epub 2019 Aug 5.

Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a validated method to measure longitudinal deformation in premature infants, but there is a paucity of data on STE-derived circumferential and radial strain in this population. We assessed the feasibility and reproducibility of circumferential and radial deformation measurements in premature infants.

Methods: In a prospective study of 40 premature infants (<29 weeks of gestation at birth), STE-derived circumferential and radial strain, systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic strain rate (SRe), and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) were measured on day 2 and day 8. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2019 Nov;44(11):879-880

From the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.

Eisenmenger syndrome refers to the elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure to the systemic level caused by an increased pulmonary vascular resistance with right-to-left shunt through an intracardiac or aortopulmonary communication. A 36-year-old woman with Eisenmenger syndrome due to patent ductus arteriosus underwent Tc-MAA lung perfusion scintigraphy to evaluate right-to-left shunt. Whole-body imaging visualized extrapulmonary activity in both kidneys, spleen, and intestinal tract, confirming the presence of right-to-left shunt. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 09 26;124(6):952-959. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

The Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Cardiology, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Electronic address:

There have been no clinical studies evaluating the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal stents (BMS) for infants who underwent ductus arteriosus (DA) stent placement for ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF). We aimed to compare the use of second-generation (fluoropolymer-coated everolimus) DES to BMS in infants who underwent DA stenting for ductal-dependent PBF. A retrospective study of infants who underwent DA stenting for ductal-dependent PBF from January 2004 to March 2018 at a single tertiary care pediatric hospital was performed. Read More