Cardiology in the young
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyMarkers of endothelial dysfunction and severity of hypoxaemia in the Eisenmenger syndrome.
Endothelial dysfunction has been reported in hypoxaemic patients with the Eisenmenger syndrome, but a direct correlation between levels of endothelial markers and the severity of hypoxaemia has not been explored. With this in mind, we compared the levels in the plasma of tissue-type plasminogen activator, thrombomodulin, and von Willebrand factor in 25 patients with the Eisenmenger syndrome. They had a median age of 31 years, and were divided into 2 groups according to their recent clinical history. ⋯ Tissue-type plasminogen activator was also increased, at 14.3 plus or minus 8.4 versus 6.5 plus or minus 2.7 nanograms per millilitre in controls (p less than 0.001), whereas thrombomodulin was decreased, with values of 14.4 versus 34.6 nanograms per millilitre in controls (p for median values of less than 0.001). There was no correlation with saturations of oxygen. We conclude that measurement of von Willebrand factor, as compared with tissue-type plasminogen activator and thrombomodulin, will prove a better marker of endothelial response to hypoxaemia in patients with the Eisenmenger syndrome.
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2005
Comparative StudyA comparison of hospital costs with reimbursement received for patients undergoing the Norwood procedure for hypoplasia of the left heart.
To determine whether the present system of reimbursement, based on diagnosis-related groups and regular financial budgeting, covers the costs incurred during hospitalisation of 7 children undergoing the three stages of the Norwood sequence for surgical treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. ⋯ Our study shows that steps involved in the Norwood sequence are low-volume but high-cost procedures. The reimbursement received by our hospital for the procedures was less than one-third of the recorded costs.
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2005
A survey of professionals delivering secondary care regarding their requirements for paediatric cardiac services as provided by specialists.
The provision of outreach services by paediatric cardiac centres enhances the choice for both parents and professionals. We have conducted a survey to investigate the processes for information and communication at times of interface between specialist and local services for cardiac disease. Based on the responses, we suggest that distance from, and level of contact with, the specialist centre may influence satisfaction and the perceived usefulness of more information. We suggest strategies to increase contact, and make more effective targeting of resources.