Congenital heart disease
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Congenital heart disease · Nov 2014
Review Historical ArticlePublic health research in congenital heart disease.
Public health research is an integral part of the study of congenital heart disease. While this type of research has become more popular, particularly over the past decade, it has a history that stretches back to almost the beginnings of pediatric cardiology as a field. This review aims to introduce the concepts and methodologies of public health and how they relate to congenital heart disease, describe some of the challenges of traditional research methods in congenital heart disease, describe the history of public health research, and demonstrate the relevance of public health research, particularly databases, to pediatric cardiology fellows.
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Congenital heart disease · Nov 2014
Is there a benefit to postoperative fluid restriction following infant surgery?
Fluid restriction is often employed immediately following cardiac surgery in children. The goal of this approach is to achieve an early negative fluid balance, which theoretically should lead to less interstitial edema and earlier extubation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether time to negative fluid balance in infants after undergoing systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt palliation impacts duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital length of stay. ⋯ Time to negative fluid balance is not associated with duration of mechanical ventilation, CICU, and hospital length of stay in patients after undergoing systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt palliation. The utility of a restricted fluid strategy immediately following infant heart surgery is questionable.
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Congenital heart disease · Nov 2014
Elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein levels in children with restrictive right ventricular physiology following tetralogy of Fallot repair.
This study aimed to compare the levels of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in relation to oxygen transport between patients with restrictive right ventricle (rRV) and those without (non-rRV) early after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. ⋯ rRV physiology is associated with significantly higher BNP and CRP levels with poorer balance of systemic oxygen transport. Information about these pathophysiological changes may help to identify appropriate treatment strategies in this difficult group of patients.