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World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2021 May 6:2150135120988640. Epub 2021 May 6.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Mitera Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) is a life-threatening condition with mortality rates approximating 80%. Herein, we describe the case of a 19-year-old patient with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary atresia, who underwent seven cardiac surgical procedures in the past. The patient was operated for AE of a previously implanted pulmonary valve homograft associated with septic pulmonary embolism and right heart failure but succumbed to multi-organ failure three months later. Read More

J Nucl Cardiol 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2020 Jul-Sep;61(3):905-910

Department of Anatomy, Department of Pathology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania;

The latest decades are characterized by an enormous progression in the field of human genetics. In consequences, for various phenotypic manifestations, genetic testing could identify a specific underlying cause. An estimated incidence for all types of 18q deletions is one in 55 000 births predominant on females. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2021 Apr 2;14(4):e011688. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Department of Cardiology (M.J.S., T.v.d.B., S.M.B., R.J.d.W.), Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Cureus 2021 Feb 23;13(2):e13502. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Cardiology, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, New York, USA.

Imaging technology has diminished the reliance on cardiac auscultation as a definitive diagnostic tool. However, it retains relevance in its immediacy, minimal preparation, and power source independence. We present a case of clinically detected continuous murmur raising specific diagnostic possibilities not accounted for advanced imaging. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Mar 1;4(3):e213538. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Importance: Prenatal diagnosis of complex congenital heart defects reduces mortality and morbidity in affected infants. However, fetal echocardiography can be limited by poor acoustic windows, and there is a need for improved diagnostic methods.

Objective: To assess the clinical utility of fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in cases in which fetal echocardiography could not visualize all relevant anatomy. Read More

J Chin Med Assoc 2021 May;84(5):550-554

Pediatric Cardiology, Heart center, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is noninvasive but can only be performed intermittently during fluoroscopy. In a prior study, we created a transducer holder device to allow for hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit. The current study is the first instance of the use of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed TTE transducer holder, which is easily customized and personalized to a previous transducer holder at relatively low cost and short production time, to enable continuous TTE monitoring during device closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Read More

Front Pediatr 2021 8;9:584741. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.

Patients who have undergone cardiac surgery using prosthetic devices have an increased risk of developing prosthetic device-related infection and mediastinitis. However, accurate diagnosis of prosthetic device-related infection can be difficult to evaluate and treat with antibiotic therapy alone. In recent years, F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (F-FDG PET-CT) has made promising contributions to detect infective endocarditis, pacemaker infections, or other inflammations. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Apr 22;10(7):e018580. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Clinical Medicine Aarhus University Aarhus N Denmark.

Background Children operated on for a simple congenital heart defect (CHD) are at risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Abnormal cortical development and folding have been observed in fetuses with CHD. We examined whether sulcal folding patterns in adults operated on for simple CHD in childhood differ from those of healthy controls, and whether such differences are associated with neuropsychological outcomes. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2021 Feb 30;5(2):ytaa534. Epub 2020 Dec 30.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.

Background: Gerbode defect is a congenital or acquired communication between the left ventricle and right atrium. While the defect is becoming a more well-recognized complication of cardiac surgery, it presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for providers. This case highlights the predisposing factors and imaging features that may assist in the diagnosis of Gerbode defect, as well as potential approaches to treatment. Read More

Vet Med Sci 2021 Mar 13. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

University Teaching Hospital, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia.

Aortic valve malformation is a common congenital abnormality reported in human medicine. The malformation is characterised by an increased or decreased number of cusps. Anatomical variations of the aortic valve that have been documented in humans include unicuspid, bicuspid, quadricuspid and quinticuspid valves. Read More

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2021 Mar;12(2):230-233

Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, 6993Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: During unifocalization procedures for pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, collateral arteries are either ligated or detached. Not much is known of the fate of the remaining arterial origins in the long term. Available computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the intrathoracic arteries was examined to investigate possible abnormalities at the former position of the collateral arteries as well as ascending aortic diameters. Read More

Pediatr Cardiol 2021 Mar 8. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington School of Medicine, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.

Precise delineation of central and branch pulmonary artery anatomy, patent ductus arteriosus, and major aorto-pulmonary collateral artery anatomy in the fetal diagnosis of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect is challenging but important to prenatal counseling and postnatal management. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of fetal echocardiography to determine these anatomical nuances in pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. This was a retrospective, single-institution, 10-year chart review of consecutive prenatal diagnosis of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect for assessment of pulmonary artery, patent ductus arteriosus, and major aorto-pulmonary collateral artery anatomy and comparison with postnatal imaging including echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and computerized tomography angiography. Read More

J Card Surg 2021 Jun 8;36(6):2164-2167. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Imaging Department, Heart Hospital, Monasterio Foundation, Massa and Pisa, Italy.

Fallot-type ventricular septal defect (VSD) is characterized by anterior malalignment of the outlet septum with variable degree of aortic dextroposition. Correct identification of the borders of the defect is crucial to achieve an optimal surgical repair. We describe a particular postsurgical lesion, identified by cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography, which results from an improper surgical closure technique of anterior malaligned VSD. Read More

Cardiol Young 2021 Mar 8:1-7. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Division of Cardiology, Labatt Family Heart Center, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8.

Background: In resource limited settings, children with cardiac disease present late, have poor outcomes and access to paediatric cardiology programmes is limited. Cardiac point of care ultrasound was introduced at several Médecins Sans Frontières sites to facilitate cardiopulmonary assessment. We describe the spectrum of disease, case management and outcomes of cases reviewed over the Telemedicine platform. Read More

Cureus 2021 Jan 31;13(1):e13041. Epub 2021 Jan 31.

Cardiology, Smt. Nathiba Hargovandas Lakhmichand (NHL) Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, IND.

An unroofed coronary sinus is a rare congenital anomaly in the roof of the coronary sinus causing a communication between the coronary sinus and the left atrium leading to a left to right shunt. It is often associated with a persistent left superior vena cava and other complex congenital lesions like anomalous pulmonary venous return and heterotaxy. Since it is a deep-seated defect, it is seldom diagnosed by transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and requires multimodal imaging for a diagnosis. Read More

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021 Mar 1. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

Objectives: To compare conventional procedures with the half-turned truncal switch operation (HTTSO) for the management of complete transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction using time-resolved 3-dimensional magnetic resonance phase-contrast imaging.

Methods: We identified 2 cases that underwent the Rastelli procedure and one case that underwent the Réparation a l'étage ventriculaire before 2002 [conventional procedures group (group C)], and 16 cases of HTTSO that were performed between 2002 and 2020 [HTTSO group (group H)]. Postoperative haemodynamics were assessed using time-resolved 3-dimensional magnetic resonance phase-contrast imaging in cases in both groups. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Feb;100(8):e24896

Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital.

Introduction: Hemodynamically-instable ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are rare in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). To the best of our knowledge, only 1 case has been reported so far. Moreover, the pathogenesis of this kind of arrhythmia remains obscured and its treatment is challenging. Read More

Front Pediatr 2021 15;9:576527. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.

Pseudo-aneurysm is a fatal disease, and the main cause of death is massive hemorrhage secondary to the rupture of the aneurysm. This case report aims to evaluate the effects of pseudo-aneurysm excision procedure on the disease. A 4-year-old girl was readmitted on the 20th day after ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure procedure with a high fever of 40°C; aortic pseudo-aneurysm was suspected based on a spherical cystic echo (82 × 76 mm) of the ascending aorta which was detected by ultrasonic cardiogram, and the diagnosis was confirmed by an aortic computed tomograph angiography (CTA) examination and intraoperative findings. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Dec 7;4(6):1-7. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

Department of Cardiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore.

Background: Ventricular cystic masses are uncommon. Elucidating the cause is essential for early directed therapy and prevention of complications. We present two cases of ventricular cystic masses, one in each ventricle, after myocardial infarction (MI) and ventricular septal rupture (VSR), respectively. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2021 Feb 24. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of different surgical strategies in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with septal thickness ≤18 mm and systolic anterior motion (SAM)-related moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: Seventy-six HOCM patients with septal thickness 17 [16; 18] mm, resting left ventricle outflow tract gradient 60 [41; 85] mmHg and SAM-related MR ≥2+/4+, underwent septal myectomy alone (54%) or mitral valve (MV) surgery ± myectomy (46%).

Results: No hospital death and no ventricular septal defect occurred. Read More

Cardiol Young 2021 Feb 22:1-4. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

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

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Cardi-O-Fix plug used for the treatment of muscular ventricular septal defects.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of five patients with muscular ventricular septal defects who underwent transcatheter closure using the Cardi-O-Fix Plug, from November 2017 to August 2019. The median age was 5. Read More

Oxf Med Case Reports 2021 Feb 15;2021(2):omaa144. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Department of Radiology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.

Persistent truncus arteriosus is a rare congenital heart disease with four variants, and the last being the rarest. The prognosis without surgical intervention is poor. In such cases, an echocardiography is not sufficient hence computed tomography (CT) imaging is required. Read More

J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021 Apr 7;29(2):172-174. Epub 2020 Sep 7.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, India.

Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2021 Jan 1;37(Suppl 1):91-103. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, India.

Objectives: Complex congenital heart defects that present earlier in life are sometimes channelled in the single ventricle pathway, because of anatomical or logistic challenges involved in biventricular correction. Given the long-term functional and survival advantage, and with the surgeons' improved understanding of the cardiac anatomy, we have consciously explored the feasibility of a biventricular repair in these patients when they presented later for Fontan completion. We present a single institution's 10-year experience in achieving biventricular septation of prior univentricular repairs, the technical and physiological challenges and the surgical outcomes. Read More

Echocardiography 2021 Mar 18;38(3):508-510. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India.

Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in which the pulmonary blood flow is supplied by major aorta pulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). The complete repair includes unifocalization of MAPCAs, closure of VSD, and placement of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit. We report a case of VSD with PA, where the computed tomography and echocardiography images described a large single collateral artery arising from descending thoracic aorta dividing into left and right branches and supplying the entire pulmonary circulation. Read More

J Card Surg 2021 Apr 15;36(4):1389-1400. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Aim: To evaluate the imaging features and associations in patients with supravalvar aortic stenosis on multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all CT angiography studies performed for evaluation of congenital heart diseases at our institution through the period from January 2014 to June 2020. Cases with supravalvar aortic stenosis were identified and classified as syndromic and nonsyndromic based on history, physical examination, and relevant investigations. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2021 Feb;9(4):992-998

Medical Imaging Department, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong Province, China.

Background: Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital heart disease defined by an interruption of the lumen and anatomical continuity between the ascending and descending major arteries. It is usually found within a few hours or days of birth. Without surgery, the chances of survival are low. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2021 Feb 6. Epub 2021 Feb 6.

Cardiovascular Institute, Banner University Medical Center - Phoenix, United States; Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, United States.

Cureus 2021 Jan 6;13(1):e12532. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Cardiology, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.

We report a case of a 60-year-old male with decompensated heart failure secondary to severe aortic insufficiency in the setting of a complex ventricular septal defect. The case highlights the use of multimodality imaging, including transthoracic echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which contributed to the findings and diagnosis of the defect noted and was confirmed during surgery. The images provide an exceptional understanding of a complex ventricular septal defect and the associated pathology, which resulted in severe aortic regurgitation leading to cardiomyopathy. Read More