Cardiology in the young
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Cardiology in the young · Jun 2014
Accelerated junctional rhythm in children with acute rheumatic fever: is it specific to the disease?
During the course of acute rheumatic fever, some electrocardiographic changes are seen. First-degree atrioventricular block is the most common electrocardiographic abnormality. Second- and third-degree atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, and junctional acceleration are also seen. In the present study, the specificity of accelerated junctional rhythm to acute rheumatic fever was INVESTIGATED. ⋯ Accelerated junctional rhythm is specific to acute rheumatic fever. Although its frequency is low, it seems that it can be used in the differential diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever, especially in patients with isolated polyarthritis.
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Cardiology in the young · Jun 2014
Aberrant subclavian artery origin in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis is associated with chromosomal or genetic abnormality.
We determined the relationship between aortic arch anatomy in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis and chromosomal or genetic abnormality, by performing analysis of 257 consecutive patients undergoing surgical repair from January, 2003 to March, 2011. Chromosomal or genetic abnormality was identified in 49 of the 257 (19%) patients. These included trisomy 21 (n = 14); chromosome 22q11.2 deletion (n = 16); other chromosomal abnormalities (n = 9); CHARGE (n = 2); Pierre Robin (n = 2); and Kabuki, Alagille, Holt-Oram, Kaufman McKusick, Goldenhar, and PHACE (n = 1 each). ⋯ Syndromes in patients with an aberrant subclavian artery included trisomy 21 (n = 4); chromosome 22q11.2 deletion (n = 5); and Holt-Oram, PHACE, CHARGE, and chromosome 18p deletion (n = 1 each). Aberrant right or left subclavian artery in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis is associated with an increased incidence of chromosomal or genetic abnormality, whereas right aortic arch with mirror image branching is not. The assessment of aortic arch anatomy at prenatal diagnosis can assist counselling.
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Cardiology in the young · Jun 2014
Increased ischaemia-modified albumin is associated with inflammation in acute rheumatic fever.
Ischaemia-modified albumin, a novel biochemical marker for tissue ischaemia, was found to be associated with oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of ischaemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and also to evaluate the ischaemia-modified albumin levels in children with heart valve disease. ⋯ The increased level of ischaemia-modified albumin in children with acute rheumatic fever seems to be associated with inflammation. However, further studies are needed to provide stronger evidence.