Cardiology in the young
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Cardiology in the young · Oct 2019
Salusin-α levels are negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure in children with obesity.
Salusins have emerged as a new biomarker that reflects an increased inflammatory state, which is associated with cardiovascular risk. We investigated the predictive value and usefulness of salusins as an inflammatory biomarker in obese children. This prospective cohort study included 75 obese children and 101 healthy children (as a control group). ⋯ Overall, there was no significant difference in the Salusin-α and Salusin-β levels between obese and healthy children. However, a negative correlation was found between Salusin-α and diastolic blood pressure. Although this result suggests that Salusin-α might be an early marker of cardiovascular involvement in obese children, further studies are needed to demonstrate the predictive value of salusins.
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Cardiology in the young · Sep 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialComparison of intranasal midazolam, intranasal ketamine, and oral chloral hydrate for conscious sedation during paediatric echocardiography: results of a prospective randomised study.
There are several agents used for conscious sedation by various routes in children. The aim of this prospective randomised study is to compare the effectiveness of three commonly used sedatives: intranasal ketamine, intranasal midazolam, and oral chloral hydrate for children undergoing transthoracic echocardiography. ⋯ Results of our prospectively randomised study indicate that all three agents provide adequate sedation for successful transthoracic echocardiography. When compared the three sedatives, intranasal midazolam has a more rapid onset of sedation while intranasal ketamine has a shorter duration of sedation. Intranasal ketamine can be used safely with fewer side effects in children undergoing transthoracic echocardiography.
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Cardiology in the young · Sep 2019
Experience of stent implantation for recurrent aortic arch obstruction following Norwood or Damus-Kaye-Stansel operation over the last decade.
Recurrent aortic arch obstruction following the Norwood procedure is recognised as an important complication. Balloon arch angioplasty is associated with a high recoarctation rate. ⋯ The prevalence of recurrent aortic arch obstruction following Norwood/Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedure was 18%. Stent implantation is safe and reliably eliminates the aortic obstruction. Redilation can be successfully achieved to accommodate somatic growth or development of stent recoarctation.
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Cardiology in the young · Aug 2019
Comparative Study Observational StudyAccuracy of a portable pulse oximeter in monitoring hypoxemic infants with cyanotic heart disease.
Infants with single ventricle physiology have arterial oxygen saturations between 75 and 85%. Home monitoring with daily pulse oximetry is associated with improved interstage survival. They are typically sent home with expensive, bulky, hospital-grade pulse oximeters. This study evaluates the accuracy of both the currently used Masimo LNCS and a relatively inexpensive, portable, and equipped with Bluetooth technology study device, by comparing with the gold standard co-oximeter. ⋯ Both devices tended to overestimate oxygen saturation in this patient population when compared to the gold standard, co-oximetry. The study device is at least as accurate as the hospital device and offers the advantage of being more portable with Bluetooth technology that allows reliable, efficient data transmission. Currently FDA-approved, smaller portable pulse oximeters can be considered for use in home monitoring programmes.
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Cardiology in the young · Jul 2019
Case ReportsOperable ventricular septal defect despite severe pulmonary hypertension and cyanosis!
Patients with a significant left-to-right shunt at ventricular level may become inoperable at an early age due to irreversible pulmonary vascular disease. On the other hand, even suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension due to mitral stenosis remains treatable. We report a 24-year-old patient with large ventricular septal defect, severe mitral stenosis and cyanosis who improved after surgical correction of both the lesions. This emphasises the importance of additional post-capillary pulmonary hypertension in Eisenmenger syndrome.