Evaluation of pulmonary artery wall properties in congenital heart disease patients using cardiac magnetic resonance
Congenital heart disease patients (CHD) with complex right heart disease are often left with residual lesions that result in right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary artery (PA) dysfunction post surgery. The appropriate timing of re-intervention to correct these lesions is difficult to determine due to lack of suitable quantifiable diagnostic techniques. The PA wall (material) properties characterize the mechanical behavior of the PAs and thus, contribute significantly to the RV-PA function. Therefore, the arterial wall properties of the main PA (MPA), left PA (LPA), and right PA (RPA) of three CHD subjects with normal RV-PA funct...
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - October 3, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Gavin A. D'Souza, Michael D. Taylor, Rupak K. Banerjee Source Type: research
Developing an app for patients on ventricular assist devices: The VADKids app
Although there are numerous smart phone applications available for patients to promote medical adherence, there are none identified in the literature specific to aid patients in advanced heart failure being supported by ventricular assist devices (VADs). By developing a smart phone application called VADKids App, we sought to improve how we communicate, relay information, and share data with our patients and other providers on our VAD team. More research is needed to determine whether the VADKids App is indeed effective in achieving these goals. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - October 2, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Beth Hawkins, Courtney Ventresco, Christina VanderPluym Tags: Review Source Type: research
Norepinephrine levels in children with single ventricle circulation
Elevated plasma norepinephrine levels are a strong independent predictor of mortality in adults with heart failure with systolic dysfunction, and provide the mechanistic basis to its therapeutic paradigm. The pathogenesis of heart failure in the single ventricle circulation is unknown. It remains controversial whether conventional neurohormonal blockade in this population is beneficial. We hypothesize that norepinephrine levels can be elevated in children with single ventricle circulation and that it is associated with a poor outcome. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 30, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Yuk M. Law, Caitlyn M. Plonka, Brian Feingold Source Type: research
Pediatric ventricular assist device thrombosis
Pump thrombosis has best been described by Blitz as ‘a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma’. This statement underscores the issues with understanding pump thrombosis including the lack of a universal definition, the optimal method for diagnosis, and the ideal strategies for prevention and treatment [1]. Most information currently availab le comes from adult literature, where there continues to be a lack of randomized trials or systematic reviews. The purpose of this article in not to be an exhaustive review, but rather, to synthesize major insights and developments from the recent body of literature that can h...
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 25, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Devin Chetan, Holger Buchholz, Jennifer Conway Tags: Review Source Type: research
Left ventricular assist device support as destination therapy in pediatric patients with end-stage heart failure
The development of ventricular assist devices to sustain the circulation represents one of the great achievements in the treatment of heart failure. Though early (1st generation) pulsatile devices required that patients remain hospitalized while on support, newer 2nd and 3rd generation continuous-flow (CF) devices have allowed for hospital discharge, expanding their use beyond bridge to transplantation to include permanent support. This indication, referred to as “destination therapy” is emerging as a viable alternative to heart transplantation in adults, and more recently, children. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 5, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Seth A. Hollander Tags: Review Source Type: research
Novel strategies for supporting challenging populations: Inpatient infant, developing toddler, successful school-age, & the autonomous adolescent
Pediatric patients supported by ventricular assist devices form a growing and challenging population. They are high-risk, and heterogeneous (in terms of age, neurodevelopment stage, and underlying anatomy) and relatively low-volume. Standardization of care across the various ages and stages is difficult. Multidisciplinary teams managing these patients must have a good understanding of growth and development to provide optimal care and creative options for growth, development, and adherence in order to achieve improved outcomes for pediatric ventricular assist device patients. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 5, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: J. Lantz, M. Priest, M. Mehegan Tags: Review Source Type: research
Developmental hemostasis and ventricular assist devices: A troubled relationship
Children maintain balanced hemostasis despite many hemostatic differences in comparison to adults with the incidence of thrombosis and hemorrhage in normal children being diminutive. However, there are cohorts of children demonstrated to be a high-risk for thrombosis, which specifically include children with a ventricular assist device (VAD). Adult studies demonstrate that the addition of a VAD to the circulatory system results in hemostatic activation, which unless modulated by antithrombotic therapy (AT), may result in stroke, pump thrombosis, and possibly death. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 4, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: M. Patricia Massicotte, Mary E. Bauman Tags: Review Source Type: research
Pediatric ventricular assist devices: Trends in device utilization
Ventricular assist device (VAD) utilization for advanced heart failure support in children is increasing. Both pulsatile and continuous-flow VADs are used in children with pulsatile pumps being predominately used in small children. Pediatric VAD outcomes are improving, including decreasing mortality rates and complications, but there continues to be an undesirably high rate of neurologic events. Both small children and complex congenital heart disease continue to be challenging populations for pediatric VAD management. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 4, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Danielle S. Burstein, Joseph W. Rossano Tags: Review Source Type: research
Adaptations in pediatric VAD support: Fitting the square peg in the round hole
Pediatric end-stage heart failure is a field that has undergone immense change over the past decade as the emerging demand for advanced cardiac therapies has been met with the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs). Though heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy, VAD support has afforded pediatric heart failure patients clinical stability and improved outcomes. However, the use of mechanical circulatory devices designed and intended for adult patients necessitates adaptations in order to be feasible for pediatric support. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 4, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: David L. Sutcliffe, Robert D.B. Jaquiss Tags: Review Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Future Topics and Guest Editors
(Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Future Meetings
(Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Progress in Pediatric Cardiology
Cardiomyopathies result in some of the worst pediatric cardiology outcomes, as nearly 40 percent of children who present with symptomatic cardiomyopathy receive a heart transplant or die within the first 2 years after diagnosis. The percentage of children with cardiomyopathy who received a heart transplant has not declined over the past 10 years and cardiomyopathy remains the leading cause of transplantation for children over one year of age. Studies from the NHLBI-funded Pediatric Cardiomyop athy Registry have shown that etiologies are established in very few children with cardiomyopathy yet genetic causes are likely to ...
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Steven E. Lipshultz Source Type: research
Relative QT interval prolongation and electrical inhomogeneity of cardiac repolarization in childhood obesity
Studies in adults demonstrated an association of obesity with prolongation of cardiac repolarization and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential alterations in cardiac repolarization in obese children. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: C. Paech, A. Liebold, R.A. Gebauer, F. Wagner, M. Vogel, T. Kirsten, M. Schauff, A. Hiemisch, I. D ähnert, W. Kiess, A. Körner Source Type: research
Pediatric ventricular assist device simulation: Constructing an in situ simulation training program to facilitate education and competency
The last decade has seen a significant increase in ventricular assist device (VAD) utilization in children. Challenges remain in acquiring adequate hands-on training for trainees and clinical staff and maintaining device competency given the number of different devices in use and the relatively small number of patients in a given center. Medical simulation provides a mechanism to establish and maintain VAD experience as the field grows. Herein, we describe the creation of a VAD simulation program and knowledge gained to date. (Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology)
Source: Progress in Pediatric Cardiology - September 1, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Chet R. Villa, Amanda Schubert, Aimee Gardner, Katrina Fields, Lauren Burkhart, David L.S. Morales, Angela Lorts Tags: Disclaimer: none. Source Type: research
