Cardiol Young [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Incidence, risk factors, and outcome of early post-operative arrhythmia after open-heart surgery in the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit: a retrospective study.
Tria KG, Munusamy MMJ, Mohd Khalid KF
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41732850 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Early post-operative arrhythmia is a frequent complication after paediatric cardiac surgery. Although usually transient, it contributes to considerable morbidity and may increase mortality. This study aimed t...
BACKGROUND: Early post-operative arrhythmia is a frequent complication after paediatric cardiac surgery. Although usually transient, it contributes to considerable morbidity and may increase mortality. This study aimed to determine the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of early post-operative arrhythmia following paediatric open-heart surgery. METHODOLOGY: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted on paediatric patients who underwent open-heart surgery for congenital or acquired heart diseases between January 2022 and December 2024. Pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative parameters were analysed to identify independent predictors using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 2,096 patients analysed, 220 (10.5%) developed early post-operative arrhythmias, mainly tachyarrhythmias. The most common were complete heart block (3.2%), accelerated junctional rhythm (2.8%), and junctional ectopic tachycardia (1.9%). Tetralogy of Fallot repair had the highest incidence (20.2%). Independent predictors included prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.002-1.009, = 0.002), extended aortic cross-clamp time (OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.011, = 0.011), and prolonged inotropic support (OR 1.035, 95% CI 1.009-1.063, = 0.009). Serum magnesium ≥ 1.0 mmol/L was identified as a protective factor. Arrhythmia was associated with longer mechanical ventilation (median 4 vs. 2 days), ICU stay (8 vs. 4 days), and hospitalisation (20 vs. 12 days; all < 0.001). Mortality was higher but not statistically significant (5.9% vs. 3.6%, = 0.087). CONCLUSION: Post-operative arrhythmia occurred in 10.5% of paediatric cardiac surgeries, most frequently after Tetralogy of Fallot repair. Prolonged bypass, aortic cross-clamp times, hypomagnesemia, and high inotropic support were independent risk factors associated with increased morbidity.
Individualised interventional strategies and clinical outcomes in paediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Torun EG, Dogan O, Bagrul D … +1 more , Ece İ
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41725363 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of individualised interventional strategies in paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension, focusing on the outcomes of atrial septostomy, reverse Potts shunt, and p...
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of individualised interventional strategies in paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension, focusing on the outcomes of atrial septostomy, reverse Potts shunt, and partial ASD closure in patients unresponsive to medical therapy or with rapid right ventricular deterioration. METHODS: A retrospective analysis included 12 paediatric patients who underwent 18 interventional procedures between 2019 and 2024. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was confirmed by right heart catheterisation, and pre- and post-procedural clinical, echocardiographic, and haemodynamic data were compared. RESULTS: Interventions included graded balloon atrial septostomy ( = 10), partial ASD closure ( = 2), and reverse Potts shunt via ductal stenting ( = 1). All surviving patients showed clinical improvement with significant reductions in heart rate ( < 0.01), NT-proBNP ( = 0.008), mean right atrial pressure ( < 0.001), and RV/LV end-diastolic diameter ratio ( = 0.014), along with improvements in six-minute walk distance ( = 0.002), WHO functional class ( < 0.001), and TAPSE ( = 0.028). One patient (8.3%) died within days following atrial septostomy due to nonadherence to medical therapy. Three patients required repeat atrial septostomy because of shunt restriction or spontaneous narrowing. CONCLUSION: Individualised interventional strategies guided by comprehensive haemodynamic assessment can slow disease progression and improve quality of life in paediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension. Partial ASD closure, as a novel approach in this cohort, reduces excessive left-to-right volume load while preserving a controlled right-to-left shunt, thereby enhancing haemodynamic stability and optimising outcomes. Timely implementation of interventional strategies before disease progression may help reduce mortality.
Giant paediatric common carotid pseudoaneurysm after fish bone ingestion treated with primary end-to-end repair.
Benli O, Topcuoglu MS
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41716003 · Publisher ↗
A 7-year-old boy with a history of fish bone ingestion presented with a progressively enlarging, painless right-sided neck mass one year after the initial event. Contrast-enhanced CT angiography revealed a giant 5 × 5 cm...
A 7-year-old boy with a history of fish bone ingestion presented with a progressively enlarging, painless right-sided neck mass one year after the initial event. Contrast-enhanced CT angiography revealed a giant 5 × 5 cm pseudoaneurysm originating from the right common carotid artery. Surgical treatment consisted of complete excision of the pseudoaneurysm followed by primary end-to-end arterial anastomosis. The patient was extubated on postoperative day one and discharged on day five without neurological deficits. At two-year follow-up, Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated durable patency of the anastomosis with no evidence of recurrence or stenosis. An intraoperative surgical video demonstrating aneurysm excision and primary end-to-end repair is provided as supplementary material. This case highlights the importance of considering vascular injury in children presenting with delayed neck masses after foreign body ingestion and supports primary end-to-end repair as a safe surgical option in selected paediatric patients.
Transcatheter extracardiac Fontan completion: a minimally invasive pathway for single-ventricle care.
Guzeltas A, Ugan Atik S, Gokalp S … +5 more , Cılsal E, Yıldız O, Haydın S, Şahin M, Onan İS
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41709125 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Transcatheter completion of the extracardiac Fontan provides a minimally invasive option for selected children with single-ventricle physiology who have undergone staged preparation at the time of the bidirec...
BACKGROUND: Transcatheter completion of the extracardiac Fontan provides a minimally invasive option for selected children with single-ventricle physiology who have undergone staged preparation at the time of the bidirectional cavopulmonary connection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-centre review of consecutive patients treated between 2022 and 2025. Candidate selection, cross-sectional imaging, diagnostic catheterisation, procedural steps, early recovery, and follow-up outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Five patients underwent transcatheter completion at a median age of 7 years (range 4-17). The interval between the preparatory operation and catheter procedure was 7 months (range 6-9). Median procedure time was 140 minutes (range 120-180). The ICU stay was 2 days (range 1-3), and the total hospital stay was 5 days (range 4-6). Minimal pleural effusions occurred in four patients, none requiring drainage. At a median follow-up of 28 months (range 4-36), all patients were clinically stable; resting oxygen saturation was 96% (range 94% to 97%). One late-presenting patient had biochemical evidence consistent with protein-losing enteropathy but remained asymptomatic without targeted therapy. No thromboembolic events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In a programme that couples surgical preparation with later catheter-based completion, the extracardiac Fontan can be performed safely and effectively in carefully selected candidates, with rapid recovery and stable mid-term clinical status. Larger studies are needed to define long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness versus surgical completion.
An alternative surgical approach to redo pulmonary valve replacement: the vertical left axillary thoracotomy.
Chigurupati BS, Kunde MF, Dammalapati PK
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41703949 · Publisher ↗
Redo cardiac surgery is often needed for right ventricular outflow tract complications after tetralogy of Fallot repair. Common approaches include redo sternotomy or anterior thoracotomy. We report a case of pulmonary va...
Redo cardiac surgery is often needed for right ventricular outflow tract complications after tetralogy of Fallot repair. Common approaches include redo sternotomy or anterior thoracotomy. We report a case of pulmonary valve replacement performed via vertical left axillary thoracotomy, which effectively minimises cardiac injury risk during reentry and offers a safe, cosmetic alternative to conventional thoracotomy approaches.
Pregnancy in CHD: delivery decisions, complications, and length of stay.
Pesce S, Stolfi L
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41703948 · Publisher ↗
Survivorship among individuals with CHD has expanded, bringing more pregnancies into routine care. In this issue, a single-centre retrospective case-control study (162 CHD deliveries vs 321 controls) reports higher compo...
Survivorship among individuals with CHD has expanded, bringing more pregnancies into routine care. In this issue, a single-centre retrospective case-control study (162 CHD deliveries vs 321 controls) reports higher composite maternal cardiac events (8.6 vs 3.4%; risk ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.4), greater use of operative or assisted delivery, and an approximately doubled length of stay. Modified WHO class correlates with length of stay but not with discrete cardiac events; maternal age independently predicts cardiac events; rates of pre-eclampsia are lower in CHD. These findings support first-trimester cardio-obstetric triage, standardised delivery bundles, and capacity planning that uses risk class to anticipate monitoring needs, with routine 6-12-week postpartum review. Limitations include selection, era differences, and modest sample size. Overall, anticipatory planning and disciplined intrapartum decision-making remain key to safe, resource-aware care for pregnant women with CHD.
Bidirectional Glenn and pulmonary artery banding as a bridge to arterial switch in late-diagnosed dextro-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum.
Erden D, Polat B
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41703941 · Publisher ↗
AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two-stage arterial switch operation using bidirectional Glenn anastomosis combined with pulmonary artery banding in late-diagnosed dextro-transposition of the great arteries wi...
AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two-stage arterial switch operation using bidirectional Glenn anastomosis combined with pulmonary artery banding in late-diagnosed dextro-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum. METHOD: This single-centre retrospective study included 24 children with late-diagnosed dextro-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum treated between 2020 and 2025, all with left ventricular mass index <35 g/m and banana-shaped geometry. Demographics, interventions, imaging, postoperative course, and follow-up data were collected. Haemodynamics, left ventricular retraining, complications, and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The cohort included 9 boys (37.5%) and 15 girls (62.5%), with a median age at first-stage surgery of 5 months (4-9.75). Patent ductus arteriosus was more common in patients without prior interventions (61.54% vs. 0%, = 0.002). Additional surgical interventions performed concurrently with the first-stage BDG + pulmonary artery banding differed by prior-intervention status ( = 0.016). One mortality (4.17%) occurred due to sepsis in the no-prior group. Twenty-three patients proceeded to second-stage arterial switch (median interval 15 months, median age 22 months). In the prior-intervention group, post-second-stage ICU stay (median 5 vs. 4 days, = 0.007) and inotrope use (median 4 vs. 3 days, = 0.027) were longer. Two patients (8.7%) required ECMO (both prior group, resolved). At follow-up (1-4 years), all survivors were NYHA class I, with mild neo-aortic insufficiency in 52.17% and mild neo-pulmonary insufficiency in 13.04%. CONCLUSION: Bidirectional Glenn anastomosis combined with pulmonary artery banding is a safe and effective strategy for gradual left ventricular retraining in late-diagnosed dextro-transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum. It reduces perioperative morbidity and provides good survival and functional outcomes, which is valuable in resource-limited settings.
Developing the multidisciplinary M-COPE Psychosocial Program in a paediatric heart centre.
Cousino MK, Rea K, Dusing C … +12 more , Butcher J, Fredericks E, Goldberg C, Joynt M, McCormick AD, Zitterman V, Pasquali S, Schumacher K, Stoll S, Ohye RG, Charpie JR, M-COPE Team
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41703939 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence of mental health challenges, the field of paediatric cardiology has increasingly recognised the need for integrated and embedded psychosocial programming in cardiology care. In respo...
BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence of mental health challenges, the field of paediatric cardiology has increasingly recognised the need for integrated and embedded psychosocial programming in cardiology care. In response to this, the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Centre Psychosocial and Educational (M-COPE) Program was established in January 2020. This paper aims to describe the development, current structure, preliminary outcomes, and future directions of the M-COPE Program to inform similar programme development efforts. METHODS: Informed by a comprehensive needs assessment (group/individual interviews, patient surveys), the M-COPE Program mission centres on expanding (1) psychosocial clinical services, (2) psychosocial research, (3) mental health training for all learners, and (4) advocacy for improved psychosocial care for paediatric cardiology patients and families. RESULTS: In its first five years, the M-COPE Program has expanded access to mental health care by increasing the number of psychosocial clinicians, embedding psychology/perinatal psychiatry in select cardiology clinics, and developing novel modes of service delivery through collaborative efforts across our multidisciplinary teams. Training initiatives have included the development of cardiac psychology fellowships and a mental health curriculum for cardiology physician fellows. Research is foundational to the programme, ranging from federally funded research to centre-specific quality improvement projects. DISCUSSION: The M-COPE Program has become foundational to our heart centre. Future directions include enhancing psychosocial care at home for patients/caregivers, integration of a perinatal psychiatrist, and wider-scale launch of novel patient-focused initiatives. Continued study of programme impact will be ongoing with key metrics including referral patterns and patient/family outcomes.
Giant cardiac hydatid cysts with haemodynamic obstruction and arrhythmia: a surgical case series in two Syrian children.
Younes M, Hasan G
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41693266 · Publisher ↗
Cardiac hydatidosis accounts for less than 2% of infections. Despite Syria's high endemicity, paediatric cardiac involvement remains exceptionally rare and underreported. We report two Syrian children (aged 5.5 and 9 ye...
Cardiac hydatidosis accounts for less than 2% of infections. Despite Syria's high endemicity, paediatric cardiac involvement remains exceptionally rare and underreported. We report two Syrian children (aged 5.5 and 9 years) with giant interventricular septal hydatid cysts. Case 1 presented with significant hemodynamic obstruction, while Case 2 exhibited malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Both underwent successful cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted cystectomy with capitonnage repair and adjuvant albendazole therapy. These cases underscore (1) the life-threatening nature of advanced paediatric cardiac hydatidosis and (2) the critical role of early surgical intervention in endemic regions. Written informed consent for publication was obtained.
Neonatal right ventricular mass presenting with pericardial effusion and tamponade.
Araújo LR, Guerra JLS, Santos VHPD … +2 more , Benvenuti LA, Vaz A
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41680969 · Publisher ↗
Prenatally diagnosed cardiac mass in a newborn caused cardiac tamponade. Cardiac MRI and histopathology confirmed a rare right ventricular mesenchymal hamartoma, previously reported only in the left ventricle.
Prenatally diagnosed cardiac mass in a newborn caused cardiac tamponade. Cardiac MRI and histopathology confirmed a rare right ventricular mesenchymal hamartoma, previously reported only in the left ventricle.
Neonatal Kommerell diverticulum with mid-ductal aneurysmal patent ductus arteriosus: serial imaging documentation of early natural history.
Lim YT, Lee J
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41680967 · Publisher ↗
We report an exceptionally early diagnosis of a Kommerell diverticulum on the first day of life, distinguished by unusual mid-ductal aneurysmal dilatation of the patent ductus arteriosus. Serial echocardiography document...
We report an exceptionally early diagnosis of a Kommerell diverticulum on the first day of life, distinguished by unusual mid-ductal aneurysmal dilatation of the patent ductus arteriosus. Serial echocardiography documented the serial evolution of spontaneous ductal closure and thrombosis formation. CT confirmed a right aortic arch with a retroesophageal Kommerell diverticulum. The infant remains asymptomatic under close surveillance. This case represents one of the youngest reported cases with serial imaging documentation, providing unique insights into the early natural history and highlighting management challenges in asymptomatic neonatal patients.
Truncus arteriosus arising exclusively from the right ventricle associated with a non-committed ventricular septal defect: morphologic insights from a rare case.
Provost B, Zoghbi J, Lacour-Gayet F
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41674085 · Publisher ↗
We report a rare case of truncus arteriosus arising exclusively from the right ventricle associated with a restrictive inlet-type ventricular septal defect. Three-dimensional reconstruction provided essential spatial und...
We report a rare case of truncus arteriosus arising exclusively from the right ventricle associated with a restrictive inlet-type ventricular septal defect. Three-dimensional reconstruction provided essential spatial understanding for operative planning and highlights the morphological variability of conotruncal development.
Five-year outcomes in a paediatric and young adult Fontan cohort: the relevance of atrial function and body mass index.
Rato J, Cordeiro S, Anjos R
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41674078 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: The Fontan procedure enables survival in individuals with univentricular physiology but is associated with progressive circulatory failure. Identifying predictors of adverse outcomes is essential to improve...
INTRODUCTION: The Fontan procedure enables survival in individuals with univentricular physiology but is associated with progressive circulatory failure. Identifying predictors of adverse outcomes is essential to improve long-term management. This study evaluated five-year outcomes and baseline predictors of major events in a previously characterised paediatric and young adult Fontan cohort. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study included 51 patients (median age 18 years, interquartile range 11) who underwent comprehensive evaluation between 2018 and 2019, including echocardiography with atrial strain analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The composite outcome comprised death, heart transplantation listing, hospitalisation for heart failure, or conduit thrombosis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of adverse outcomes. RESULTS: During a five-year follow-up, 7 patients (14%) met the composite outcome. Those with events had lower body mass index (19.8 kg/m [4.1] vs 16.9 [3.6]; = 0.007), lower atrial conduit strain (10.95% [8.95] vs 2.8 [6.2]; = 0.011), reduced peak oxygen uptake, and higher VE/VCO slope. In multivariable analysis, lower body mass index (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.93; = 0.028) and reduced atrial conduit strain (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.96; = 0.026) were independently associated with adverse outcome, with excellent model discrimination (AUC = 0.95). DISCUSSION: Both nutritional status and atrial functional parameters demonstrated a strong association with the outcome. Reduced atrial conduit strain, reflecting diastolic dysfunction, and lower body mass index, possibly reflecting myopenia or cachexia, identified higher-risk patients and potential areas for intervention. Routine assessment of atrial function and nutritional status should be integrated into clinical surveillance and risk stratification of the Fontan population.
The first case of a Caucasian child with calmodulinopathy related to CALM2 N98S mutation.
Buratti G, Elango D, Mohammed AS … +1 more , Hares D
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41665141 · Publisher ↗
We report the first Caucasian patient with CALM2 p. Asn98Ser, a 2-year-old girl who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after emotional stress. The initial rhythm was broad-complex tachycardia degenerating into ventr...
We report the first Caucasian patient with CALM2 p. Asn98Ser, a 2-year-old girl who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after emotional stress. The initial rhythm was broad-complex tachycardia degenerating into ventricular fibrillation. Normal QT intervals and absent structural disease suggest a CPVT-like presentation, highlighting diagnostic and management challenges in calmodulinopathy.
Associations between parental adversity and health outcomes for young children with single ventricle heart disease.
Dusing C, McCormick AD, Yu S … +5 more , Verma S, Rea K, Uzark K, Butcher J, Cousino MK
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41665138 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Parental adverse childhood experiences have been associated with poorer health outcomes for children in the general population. This single-centre study examined the prevalence of parental adverse childhood expe...
PURPOSE: Parental adverse childhood experiences have been associated with poorer health outcomes for children in the general population. This single-centre study examined the prevalence of parental adverse childhood experiences in a sample of young children with single ventricle CHD, the associations between parental adverse childhood experiences and child health outcomes, and the moderating effects of parental stress and social support on the relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences and child health outcomes. METHOD: Parents ( = 72) responded to questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, parental adverse childhood experiences, social support, and stress. Child health outcomes (hospital admissions, length of stay, missed appointments) were assessed via parent-report and medical record review. RESULTS: Half of parents (52.8%) endorsed exposure to at least one adverse childhood experience. In univariate analyses, children whose parents had a history of adverse childhood experiences were 1.78 times as likely to have more parent-reported hospital admissions ( = 0.002) and 2.22 times as likely to have more missed visits ( = 0.03) compared to children of parents without a history of adverse childhood experiences. Parental social support significantly moderated the relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences and total hospital length of stay ( = 0.03). Specifically, for each unit increase in parents' social support total score, parents with a history of adverse childhood experiences were likely to have an 83% reduction in their child's length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Parental adverse childhood experiences may be associated with poorer single ventricle CHD outcomes. Strengthening parental social support may improve health outcomes for children with single ventricle CHD in the setting of pre-existing psychosocial risk.
An adult patient with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and chromosome 17p13.3 microdeletion including gene.
McDonnell E, Kasouridis I, Mansour S
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41656856 · Publisher ↗
17p13.3 microdeletions involving deletion of the gene are a newly recognised cause of neurodevelopmental disorder. There are now emerging case reports of this genetic disorder associated with CHDs, and this case report...
17p13.3 microdeletions involving deletion of the gene are a newly recognised cause of neurodevelopmental disorder. There are now emerging case reports of this genetic disorder associated with CHDs, and this case report outlines the first instance of this specific 17p13.3 microdeletion with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect.
Progressive cardiac strangulation by an epicardial lead in a single-ventricle patient: a case report.
Kim EC, Woo HS, Kwak JG
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41645505 · Publisher ↗
We report a 24-year-old male with functional single ventricle who developed ventricular dysfunction associated with strangulation by a previous epicardial pacemaker lead. During conversion to dual-chamber pacing, the con...
We report a 24-year-old male with functional single ventricle who developed ventricular dysfunction associated with strangulation by a previous epicardial pacemaker lead. During conversion to dual-chamber pacing, the constricting ventricular lead was removed, with intraoperative echocardiography demonstrating improvement in apical contraction. Relief of mechanical compression, together with restoration of atrioventricular synchrony, likely contributed to the recovery of ventricular function.
The relationship between serum ghrelin and cardiac geometry structure in children with left-to-right shunt CHD and its clinical significance.
Zhou X, Liu Q, Zhang F … +3 more , Hou M, Wang P, Huang J
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41640225 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variations of serum ghrelin levels in children with left-to-right shunt CHD, and analyse the correlation with the geometric structure of the heart. It may provide some clinical guidance for...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the variations of serum ghrelin levels in children with left-to-right shunt CHD, and analyse the correlation with the geometric structure of the heart. It may provide some clinical guidance for evaluating the early changes of cardiac structure and function in CHD children. METHODS: A total of 93 children with left-to-right shunt CHD who were hospitalised to Children's Hospital of Soochow University from September 2021 to February 2023 were included in the CHD group (of which 58 were ventricular septal defect and 35 were patent ductus arteriosus). In addition, 57 cases (mainly inguinal hernia) were selected as the control group. The corresponding clinical data were recorded, and the fasting serum ghrelin levels of the two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on the day of admission. Then, the clinical data and serum ghrelin levels of the two groups were compared, and the Spearman correlation was analysed. RESULTS: The serum ghrelin level in CHD group was higher than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( < 0.05). score of weight for age and score of height for age in CHD group were lower than those in control group were statistically significant difference ( < 0.05). But there was no correlation between serum ghrelin and BMI, , and ( > 0.05). Ghrelin in the enlarged heart group was lower than that in the non-enlarged heart group, and there were statistical significance of among those groups ( < 0.05). There were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening among different cardiac load groups ( > 0.05). The left ventricular end-systolic diameter Z-scores, left ventricular mass Z-scores, left ventricular mass index, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume-scores in the cardiomegaly groupwere higher than those in the non-cardiomegaly group, and those two groups were significantly different ( < 0.05). The relative wall thickness and left ventricular remodelling index in the cardiomegaly group were lower than those in the non-cardiomegaly group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant ( < 0.05). Serum ghrelin was negatively correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter Z-scores, left ventricular end-systolic diameter Z-scores, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume Z-scores in cardiac indexes ( < 0.05), positively correlated with left ventricular remodelling index ( < 0.05), and had no correlation with relative wall thickness, left ventricular mass Z-scores, and left ventricular mass index ( > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The levels of serum ghrelin are increased in CHD children, and serum ghrelin is negatively correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic volume in cardiac geometric structure, and positively correlated with left ventricular remodelling index. Additionally, patients with cardiac enlargement present with a low serum ghrelin level. These findings collectively suggest that serum ghrelin may play a potential role in cardiac remodelling.
Reference standards and diagnosis-specific trends in cardiorespiratory fitness in paediatric patients with repaired CHD.
Griffith GJ, Wang A, Ward K
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41634884 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity (VO) predicts mortality in adult patients with CHD. There is a lack of paediatric exercise capacity data based on specific CHD lesions, limiting the ability to contextualise interpretation b...
BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity (VO) predicts mortality in adult patients with CHD. There is a lack of paediatric exercise capacity data based on specific CHD lesions, limiting the ability to contextualise interpretation based on expected performance during testing. The primary aim of this study was to establish VO percentiles for paediatric patients with repaired CHD undergoing treadmill-based cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of CPET data from 2004 to 2022. CPETs were analysed for patients with CHD aged 6-18 years. Patients with repaired CHD were categorised based on their most haemodynamically significant CHD lesion. Percentiles and age-based trends were plotted for each group. RESULTS: A total of 887 patients were included. CHD patients were divided into ten diagnostic subgroups. The mean percent expected VO for each of the subgroups were as follows: Atrial and ventricular septal defect (94.5 ± 25.1%), pulmonary valve repair (88.1 ± 18.4%), aortic valve repair (92.7 ± 16.4%), tricuspid and mitral valve repair (81.3 ± 20.4%), coarctation of the aorta (93.6 ± 18.8%), transposition of the great arteries (90.5 ± 19.4%), double outlet right ventricle and truncus arteriosus (80.5 ± 16.2%), tetralogy of Fallot (85.6 ± 20.9%), left ventricle dominant Fontan (74.7 ± 18.3%), and right ventricle dominant Fontan (75.7 ± 16.7%). CONCLUSION: There is a varying degree of reduced exercise capacity in paediatric patients with repaired CHD. Univentricular hearts and tricuspid and mitral valve repair have the lowest VO. These CHD-specific percentiles may help providers risk-stratify and counsel patients with CHD.
Cardiac electrophysiological index of balance evaluation in beta thalassaemia major patients.
Ertaş K, Okur N, Gül O … +1 more , Samancı S
Cardiol Young · 2026 Feb · PMID 41634802 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate patients with beta thalassaemia major using the cardiac electrophysiological index of balance, a new electrocardiography parameter, and to predict ventricular arrhythmias. METHODS...
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate patients with beta thalassaemia major using the cardiac electrophysiological index of balance, a new electrocardiography parameter, and to predict ventricular arrhythmias. METHODS: In this study, 60 beta thalassaemia major and 60 healthy children were included. All patients were evaluated with echocardiography. P-wave dispersion, repolarisation times, repolarisation dispersion times, and cardiac electrophysiological balance index were measured using 12-lead electrocardiography. Heart rate variability parameters were evaluated with a 24-hour Holter electrocardiography. RESULTS: Left ventricular functions were similar between the groups. Although repolarisation times (QT, JT, and JTp) were significantly lower in the beta thalassaemia major group, heart rate-corrected repolarisation times were similar. Except for Tpe/QT, which is one of the repolarisation dispersion parameters, the other parameters were similar. The heart rate-corrected cardiac electrophysiological index of balance ratio was significantly higher in the beta thalassaemia major group. QRS duration and QRS-dispersion duration (QRS-d) were similar between the groups. There was a correlation between blood ferritin levels and LVmass-i, Tpe/QT, Tpe/QTc, QTc/QRS ratio, and QT, JT, and JTp values. DISCUSSION: Patients with beta thalassaemia major are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmia due to a high QTc/QRS ratio, despite normal left ventricular systolic, diastolic, and autonomic function in the early period. We believe that there is a moderate correlation between blood ferritin levels and the QTc/QRS ratio and that the QTc/QRS ratio can provide important information for the follow-up and evaluation of patients with beta thalassaemia major. CONCLUSIONS: Despite normal early ventricular function in the beta thalassaemia major group, they were at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe