Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

G3 (Bethesda) 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle WA 98101 USA.

To discover genes implicated in human congenital disorders, we performed ENU mutagenesis in the mouse and screened for mutations affecting embryonic development. In this work we report defects of heart development in mice homozygous for a mutation of Coactivator-associated Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (Carm1). While Carm1 has been extensively studied, it has never been previously associated with a role in heart development. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2022 Jun 22;15(6). Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) demonstrate a wide variety of pulmonary and coronary artery abnormalities; additionally, coronary-to-pulmonary artery fistula (CPAF) is a rare manifestation of PA/VSD and is seldom detected during pregnancy. In this report, we present a case of prenatal diagnosis of CPAF in PA/VSD and impactful images in a neonate, which were obtained using fetal echocardiography and postnatal electrocardiography-gated 320-row CT. Prenatal diagnosis of CPAF can facilitate the provision of better therapeutic strategies after birth. Read More

Biochem J 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

The Francis Crick Institute, LONDON, United Kingdom.

The protein kinase PKN2 is required for embryonic development and PKN2 knockout mice die as a result of failure in expansion of mesoderm, cardiac development and neural tube closure.  In the adult, cardiomyocyte PKN2 and PKN1 (in combination) are required for cardiac adaptation to pressure-overload.  The specific role of PKN2 in contractile cardiomyocytes during development and its role in the adult heart remain to be fully established. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2022 Jun 14;11(12):e020915. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Clinical Medicine Aarhus University Denmark.

Background Delayed brain development, brain injury, and neurodevelopmental disabilities are commonly observed in infants operated for complex congenital heart defect. Our previous findings of poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in individuals operated for simple congenital heart defects calls for further etiological clarification. Hence, we examined the microstructural tissue composition in cerebral cortex and subcortical structures in comparison to healthy controls and whether differences were associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. Read More

Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Interventional Imaging Laboratory, École de technologie supérieure, Montreal, Canada.

Purpose: Ventricular septal defects (VSD) are congenital heart malformations and, in severe cases, they require complex interventions under echocardiography guidance. Heart phantoms can be helpful to train and to understand the complex hemodynamics of VSD. The goal of this study was to characterize the best blood mimicking fluids in such heart phantoms for modelling the hemodynamics of VSD patients using echocardiography. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2022 Jun 2;15(6):e013827. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Departments of Cardiovascular Surgery (Z.L., W.Z., S.Z., Q.C., Z.G., Q.W.), Tianjin Chest Hospital, China.

Kyobu Geka 2022 Jun;75(6):461-465

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Odawara Cardiovascular Hospital, Odawara, Japan.

There are only few reports on surgery for partial atrioventricular septal defect( pAVSD) in patients aged over 70 years. This report is about successful surgical correction of pAVSD in a 79-year-old women. Echocardiography showed left-sided atrioventricular valve regurgitation with cleft and ostium primum atrial septal defect, but without ventricular septal defect. Read More

Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2021 Oct-Dec;14(4):554-556. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Department of Imaging Sciences and Intervention Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Insitute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

An 11-month-old girl was detected to have muscular ventricular septal defect with hyperkinetic pulmonary hypertension (PH) was urgently operated upon. On follow-up, her PH worsened, resulting in right ventricular dysfunction and was later detected to have absent portal vein. Read More

Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2021 Oct-Dec;14(4):559-560. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, R.K. Hospital for Women and Children, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.

Congenital Heart Diseases occur in close to 90% of children with Trisomy 18. A ventricular septal defect along with abnormalities of more than one cardiac valve is considered to be an imaging hallmark of Trisomy 18. We present echocardiographic images of an infant with Trisomy 18 who had a large ventricular septal defect and abnormalities of all cardiac valves. Read More

J Radiol Case Rep 2021 Nov 1;15(11):17-29. Epub 2021 Nov 1.

Department of Radiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing in medicine have emerged to encompass every aspect of medical applications. This ranges from education, illustration, and treatment, as well as patient care whether for purposes of diagnosis or treatment and surgical planning. In the past few decades, these novel tools have shown promising utility to help radiologists and the medical team to improve quality of patient care and outcomes via 3D printing application and utilization. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022 May 3. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Sakakibara Heart Institute of Okayama, 2-5-1 Nakaicho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0804, Japan.

Cureus 2022 Apr 28;14(4):e24553. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Cardiology, Instituto Cardiovascular del Cesar, Valledupar, COL.

Left ventricular diverticulum is a rare cardiac congenital anomaly. It is believed to be caused by the impaired development of the endocardial tube during the fourth week of embryologic development. It contains endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium and displays normal contraction. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2022 May 3;18(1):162. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584, CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Background: Though spontaneous closure of isolated congenital ventricular septal defects in humans is very common, it has been rarely reported in dogs.

Case Presentation: A 4 month old Havanese dog and a 4.5 month old Chihuahua x Jack Russell terrier cross were presented for murmur evaluation to the authors' institution. Read More

Sci Rep 2022 05 3;12(1):7136. Epub 2022 May 3.

The State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 99 Yan Cheung Road, Xi'an, Shannxi, China.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of blood pool and myocardial models made by stereolithography in the diagnosis of different types of congenital heart disease (CHD). Two modeling methods were applied in the diagnosis of 8 cases, and two control groups consisting of experts and students diagnosed the cases using echocardiography with computed tomography, blood pool models, and myocardial models. The importance, suitability, and simulation degree of different models were analyzed. Read More

J Card Surg 2022 Jul 2;37(7):2105-2106. Epub 2022 May 2.

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

We present a case of a 2-year-old boy with a double outlet right ventricle and juxtaposed atrial appendages with anomalous drainage of the great cardiac vein into the aneurysmally dilated juxtaposed right atrial appendage. The case highlights the role of computed tomography (CT) angiography in depicting anomalous coronary venous anatomy and guiding therapeutic interventions involving the coronary venous approach. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2022 May 3;23:e935537. Epub 2022 May 3.

Department of Adult Cardiac Surgery, National Cardiovascular Centre Hospital Harapan Kita, Jakarta, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND Gerbode defect is a defect that communicates the left ventricle (LV) to the right atrium (RA). Although it was originally identified as a congenital defect, it is becoming more common accepted that the lesion has either an iatrogenic or non-iatrogenic origin. In this article, the author presents an unusual diverticulated appearance of direct Gerbode defect in an adult patient without any prior history of cardiac pathology and the surgical technique used, hoping to increase awareness of similar cases. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2022 May 1. Epub 2022 May 1.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan.

We present a case of fetal atrioventricular block, heterotaxy, and ventricular noncompaction observed longitudinally from the first to early second trimesters using B-mode and Doppler imaging, including superb microvascular imaging. At 12 weeks of gestation, the atrial and ventricular rates were 133 and 67 beats/min, respectively, and dextrocardia was noted. At 15 weeks of gestation, detailed sonography revealed ventricular septal defect, interruption of the inferior vena cava, dilated azygos vein, and double-outlet right ventricle. Read More

J Card Surg 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022 04 27;22(1):200. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, 26 Qian Street, Suzhou, 215000, Jiangsu, China.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to explore the application value of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed heart in surgery for left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction.

Methods: From August 2019 to October 2021, 46 patients with LVOT obstruction underwent surgical treatment at our institution. According to the treatment method, 22 and 24 patients were allocated to the experimental and control groups, respectively. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2022 May 28;15(5):e013861. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Echocardiography (J.X., X.J.M.), Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital, Hankou District, P.R. China.

Kyobu Geka 2022 May;75(5):392-395

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Matsunami General Hospital, Gifu, Japan.

Tricuspid pouch forms during the spontaneous closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cases have been reported in which the tricuspid pouch was discovered for the first time during surgery and could not be distinguished from an aneurysm of the membranous septum( AMS). A 58-year-old woman had a heart murmur. Read More

Children (Basel) 2022 Apr 5;9(4). Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Units of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology, Heart and Lung Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy.

Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals is a complex congenital heart defect that includes a heterogeneous subgroup of patients. Variation in the sources of pulmonary blood flow contributes to the complexity of the lesion and the diversity of approaches to its management. Unifocalization and rehabilitation focus on mobilization of collateral arteries and growth of native pulmonary arteries, respectively, with the ultimate surgical goal of achieving separated systemic and pulmonary circulations with the lowest possible right ventricular pressure. Read More

Cardiol Young 2022 Apr 22:1-5. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Advocate Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: Paediatric residents are often taught cardiac anatomy with two-dimensional images of heart specimens, or via imaging such as echocardiography or computed tomography. This study aimed to determine if the use of a structured, interactive, teaching session using heart specimens with CHD would be effective in teaching the concepts of cardiac anatomy.

Methods: The interest amongst paediatric residents of a cardiac anatomy session using heart specimens was assessed initially by circulating a survey. Read More

3D Print Med 2022 Apr 21;8(1):11. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, 19104, PA, USA.

Background: Surgical and catheter-based interventions for congenital heart disease require precise understanding of complex anatomy. The use of three-dimensional (3D) printing and virtual reality to enhance visuospatial understanding has been well documented, but integration of these methods into routine clinical practice has not been well described. We review the growth and development of a clinical 3D modeling service to inform procedural planning within a high-volume pediatric heart center. Read More

Pediatr Int 2022 01;64(1):e15029

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Anatol J Cardiol 2022 04;26(4):276-285

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Health Science University, Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

Background: Transcatheter closure of perimembraneous ventricular septal defect still poses a challenge due to the adjacent structures of the tricuspid and aortic valves and the risk of atrioventricular block. We report our experience at 2 centers using the KONAR-MF (multifunctional occluder) ventricular septal defect device, which gained its CE mark in May 2018.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on all patients who underwent transcatheter ventricular septal defect closure with the KONAR-MF (multifunctional occluder) ventricular septal defect device at 2 centers. Read More

Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J 2022 1;18(1):7-9. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, US.

Despite improvements and advancements in surgical technique, paravalvular leaks (PVL) continue to present a challenge when caring for patients with prosthetic valve disease. Paravalvular leaks result from dehiscence of the surgical ring from the mitral annulus. Some theories suggest that uneven distribution of collagen fibers in the mitral annulus leaves the posterior mitral annulus without a well-formed fibrous structure, which may predispose it to recurrent mechanical injury that leads to PVL. Read More

Heart Vessels 2022 Apr 15. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Stenbäckinkatu 9, POB 347, 00029, Helsinki, Finland.

Studies examining the link between abnormal fetal growth and cardiac changes in childhood have presented conflicting results. We studied the effect of abnormal fetal growth on cardiac morphology and function during childhood, while controlling for body size, composition and postnatal factors. We report on the follow-up of 90 children (median age 5. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022 04 13;22(1):168. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Heart Failure Center, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 North Lishi Road, Beijing, 100037, People's Republic of China.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with extreme hypertrophy, biventricular obstruction and diffuse myocardial fibrosis complicated by myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is a rare phenotype. Evidence and guideline recommendations are still lacking for a treatment strategy.

Case Presentation: Emergency coronary angiography was performed in a 38-year-old man with a 2-year history of nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presenting with acute myocardial infarction. Read More

Ann Card Anaesth 2022 Apr-Jun;25(2):240-241

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