Current opinion in pediatrics
-
Biochemical markers are available to detect cardiac involvement in many pediatric disease states and should be considered. ⋯ Increased workload of the heart has been associated with the release of biochemical markers (natriuretic peptides and cardiac enzymes) that indicate that a new genetic program has been activated and maladaptation is occurring in the atria, ventricles, or both. This review summarizes those that have been identified in fetal and pediatric practice. The expression of such markers is traced from early embryonic development to fetal life, to the neonate, to childhood, and then to adult life.
-
This paper reviews the past year's literature on computerized outcomes analysis for congenital heart disease. ⋯ Methods of congenital heart disease outcomes analysis continue to evolve, with continued advances in four areas: nomenclature, database, complexity adjustment, and data verification.