Cardiology in the young
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Cardiology in the young · Dec 2013
End-organ consequences of the Fontan operation: liver fibrosis, protein-losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis.
The Fontan operation, although part of a life-saving surgical strategy, manifests a variety of end-organ complications and unique morbidities that are being recognised with increasing frequency as patients survive into their second and third decades of life and beyond. Liver fibrosis, protein-losing enteropathy and plastic bronchitis are consequences of a complex physiology involving circulatory insufficiency, inflammation and lymphatic derangement. ⋯ A better characterisation of the end-organ consequences of the Fontan circulation is necessary, which can then allow for development of specific methods for treatment. Ideally, the goal is to establish systematic strategies that might reduce or eliminate the development of these potentially life-threatening challenges.
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2013
Case ReportsR-wave synchronised atrial pacing in post-operative junctional ectopic tachycardia using a transoesophageal pacemaker.
We report the first case of R-wave synchronised atrial pacing using a transoesophageal pacemaker. A 3-month-old baby developed a junctional ectopic tachycardia after surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect. R-wave synchronised atrial pacing with an external pacemaker was not possible owing to dislocation of the atrial epimyocardial pacing wires. Therefore, a temporary oesophageal pacemaker was connected in series to the external pacemaker to allow transoesophageal atrial pacing triggered by the preceding ventricular actions.
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2013
Ketorolac-associated renal morbidity: risk factors in cardiac surgical infants.
We aimed to identify the risk factors for acute kidney injury in infants who have received ketorolac after a cardiac surgical procedure by identifying patients with a > or = 50% increase in serum creatinine from baseline and matching them by age with three controls that had < 50% increase in serum creatinine. Significant differences in primary surgical procedure, baseline serum creatinine, and concomitant aspirin use were noted. We conclude that the concomitant use of aspirin with ketorolac is associated with increased renal morbidity in young post-cardiac surgical infants.
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2013
Outcome of patent ductus arteriosus ligation in premature infants in the East of England: a prospective cohort study.
Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus is considered when medical treatment fails or is contraindicated. This study aims to determine the mortality and morbidity of preterm neonates referred for patent ductus arteriosus ligation. ⋯ Patent ductus arteriosus ligation in premature infants is associated with low mortality and complication rates; however, there is a high incidence of neonatal morbidity. Surgical capacity for patent ductus arteriosus ligation needs to be carefully planned nationally as the duration of ‘‘waiting time’’ and transport to another surgical centre could adversely affect outcomes in this high-risk population.
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Cardiology in the young · Aug 2013
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyAmplatzer occluder versus CardioSEAL/STARFlex occluder: a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of transcatheter occlusion for patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect.
Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion has benefited thousands of patients suffering from patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect. However, no general agreement has been reached on the superiority among occluders. Thus, a meta-analysis between the two most commonly adopted types of occluders was conducted. ⋯ The meta-analysis has proven the Amplatzer to be the superior occluder, serving better prognosis with more fluent procedure and less complications.