Congenital heart disease
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Congenital heart disease · May 2018
Comparative StudyPreoperative echocardiographic measures in interrupted aortic arch: Which ones best predict surgical approach and outcome?
It is unclear whether neonates with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) and a smaller left ventricular outflow tract may have improved outcomes with a Yasui operation (ventricular outflow bypass procedure) over a primary complete repair. This study sought to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters to differentiate which neonates may have improved outcomes with a primary vs Yasui operation. ⋯ Neonates with IAA and an aortic root z-score less than -2.5 have lower odds of subsequent reoperations with a Yasui operation compared to a primary repair over the follow up period. These findings suggest a Yasui operation should be considered if the preoperative aortic root z-score is less than -2.5. Careful evaluation of these morphologic predictors on preoperative echocardiograms can be helpful in surgical planning in neonates with IAA.
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Congenital heart disease · May 2018
Improving outpatient advance care planning for adults with congenital or pediatric heart disease followed in a pediatric heart failure and transplant clinic.
To improve outpatient advanced care planning (ACP) for adults with congenital/pediatric heart disease followed in a pediatric heart failure (HF) and transplant clinic through quality improvement (QI) methodology. ⋯ The percentage of documented ADs in adults seen in the HF and Transplant Clinic at a quaternary children's hospital improved through a QI initiative. Over 50% of patients who were engaged in an ACP discussion completed an AD, suggesting this population is receptive to ACP and AD completion.
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Congenital heart disease · Jan 2018
Predicting unplanned readmissions to a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit using predischarge Pediatric Early Warning Scores.
Unplanned readmission to the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) predicts ward patients at risk for decompensation but has not been previously reported to identify at-risk patients with cardiac disease prior to ward transfer. This study aimed to determine whether PEWS prior to transfer may serve as a predictor of unplanned readmission to the CICU. ⋯ While implementation of a pretransfer PEWS assessment did not reduce the frequency of unplanned readmissions in this small single-center cohort, a multivariate model including pretransfer elements of an early warning scoring system, along with other patient characteristics serves as a good discriminator of patients likely to experience an unplanned readmission following CICU discharge. Further prospective investigation is needed to define objective measures of pretransfer discharge readiness to potentially reduce the likelihood of unplanned readmissions.
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Congenital heart disease · Jan 2018
Arrhythmia after cone repair for Ebstein anomaly: The Mayo Clinic experience in 143 young patients.
The increased incidence of preoperative and postoperative arrhythmia in Ebstein anomaly (EA) prompted some clinicians to perform an electrophysiology study (EPS) in all patients prior to surgery for EA. The cone repair (CR) is the current surgical option of choice for most young patients with EA but the effect of the CR on arrhythmia is not well established. ⋯ The risk of arrhythmia after CR for EA in young patients is very low when a preoperative EPS is limited to those with WPW, known arrhythmia, or suspected arrhythmia. In smaller patients, it may be reasonable to defer the EPS.
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Congenital heart disease · Dec 2017
Outcomes of Blalock-Taussig shunts in current era: A single center experience.
Mortality associated with the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) remains high despite advanced perioperative management. This study was formulated to provide data on (1) current indications, (2) outcomes, and (3) factors affecting mortality and morbidity. ⋯ The commonest indication for a MBTS in the current era was single ventricle palliation. Morbidity and mortality was considerable, partly explained by the higher at risk population. Alternative methods to maintain pulmonary blood flow in place of a MBTS requires further investigation.