Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Simin Zhang, Jingjing Wang, Yan Pei, Jijing Han, Xiaowei Xiong, Yani Yan, Juan Zhang, Yan Liu, Fangfei Su, Jinyu Xu, Qingqing Wu
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for congenital heart defects (CHDs) with different cardiac phenotypes and extracardiac abnormalities (ECAs) and to explore the pathogenic genetic factors of CHDs. CMA examination for CHDs is still necessary, as it can help identify the existence of fetal ECAs and specific cardiac phenotypes, which are helpful for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
Article
Surgery
Amanda R. Jensen, Raghavendra Rao, Jeremy L. Herrmann, Troy A. Markel, Brian W. Gray
Summary: This study compared outcomes of gastrostomy tube placement between patients undergoing cardiac surgery and those who did not. It found that patients undergoing cardiac surgery had a higher incidence of feeding intolerance and took longer to attain full feeds, but technical complications were similar between the two groups. Additionally, a significant portion of cardiac surgery patients were able to wean off supplemental enteral feeding assistance within a year after gastrostomy tube placement.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Massimiliano Cantinotti, Pietro Marchese, Marco Scalese, Eliana Franchi, Nadia Assanta, Martin Koestenberger, Alessandra Pizzuto, Vitali Pak, Giuseppe Santoro, Vivek Jani, Shelby Kutty, Raffaele Giordano
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of atrial speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) strain analysis and the progression of atrial ε values in children after pediatric cardiac surgery. The results show that atrial ε is significantly reduced after surgery and only partially recovers in the near term. Additionally, the post-surgical atrial and ventricular ε responses correlate with each other.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Benjamin J. Landis, Benjamin M. Helm, Jeremy L. Herrmann, Madeline C. Hoover, Matthew D. Durbin, Lindsey R. Elmore, Manyan Huang, Michael Johansen, Ming Li, Leon F. Przybylowski, Gabrielle C. Geddes, Stephanie M. Ware
Summary: This study found that routine genetic evaluations and chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing can help stratify mortality risk in severe congenital heart disease. Genetic abnormalities were associated with prematurity, extracardiac anomaly, and lower weight at surgery. However, CMA abnormalities were not associated with postoperative length of hospitalization, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or extubation time.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Guocheng Shi, Jihong Huang, Mingan Pi, Xinxin Chen, Xiaofeng Li, Yiqun Ding, Hao Zhang
Summary: The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in total surgical volume and a change in case mix, which seems to be related to traffic restrictions. Follow-up through online medical services appeared to be an effective alternative to the conventional method.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yaara Kahan, Samantha G. Tope, Adi Ovadia, Adi Shpring, Rachel Shatzman-Steuerman, Gilad Sherman, Galia Barkai, Avigdor Mandelberg, Keren Armoni-Domany, Diana Tasher
Summary: This retrospective case-control study investigated the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and risk factors for candidemia in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) after cardiac surgery. The incidence of candidemia was 6.3 episodes per 1000 admissions, with an attributable mortality of 28.5%. Non-albicans candida species, particularly fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis, were the most common pathogens. Risk factors for candidemia included cumulative antibiotic exposure, the need for total parenteral nutrition or peritoneal dialysis, male sex, and delayed sternal closure.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laszlo Kiraly, Nishant C. Shah, Osama Abdullah, Oraib Al-Ketan, Reza Rowshan
Summary: The study highlights the clinical benefits of using 3D-printed models in surgical planning for complex congenital cardiac surgeries, emphasizing the role of team learning experience and model refinement in improving operative plans.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katarzyna Kowalczyk, Magdalena Bartnik-Glaska, Marta Smyk, Izabela Plaskota, Joanna Bernaciak, Marta Kedzior, Barbara Wisniowiecka-Kowalnik, Krystyna Jakubow-Durska, Natalia Braun-Walicka, Artur Barczyk, Maciej Geremek, Jennifer Castaneda, Anna Kutkowska-Kazmierczak, Pawel Wlasienko, Marzena Debska, Anna Kucinska-Chahwan, Tomasz Roszkowski, Szymon Kozlowski, Boyana Mikulska, Tadeusz Issat, Ewa Obersztyn, Beata Anna Nowakowska
Summary: Congenital heart defects are common in newborns, and array comparative genomic hybridization is recommended as the first-line test for prenatal diagnosis of fetal heart defects. This method can help identify pathogenic variants and genetic loci associated with heart defects.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ivan Malcic, Darko Anic
Summary: This article describes the process of establishing a pediatric cardiac service program in a resource-limited country. Croatia, as a part of the former Yugoslavia, did not have an organized strategy for pediatric cardiac care. After Croatian independence, a humanitarian mission provided by a non-governmental organization from the United States led to the development of organized care for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Although the Croatian team was not initially able to cover the entire range of pediatric cardiac care, the addition of a specialized congenital heart surgeon improved the program, resulting in a higher number and quality of surgeries performed in Croatia. Today, most standard congenital heart surgeries can be performed in the country.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Tao Xiong, Lei Pu, Yuan-Feng Ma, Yun-Long Zhu, Xu Cui, Hua Li, Xu Zhan, Ya-Xiong Li
Summary: This meta-analysis of 13 studies with 837 pediatric patients found that normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (NCPB) was associated with reduced postoperative bleeding revison, lower levels of serum lactate and creatinemia, shorter CPB time, and fewer major adverse events compared to hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (HCPB) in simple congenital heart surgery for children.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Massimiliano Cantinotti, Pietro Marchese, Marco Scalese, Paola Medino, Vivek Jani, Eliana Franchi, Pak Vitali, Giuseppe Santoro, Cecilia Viacava, Nadia Assanta, Shelby Kutty, Martin Koestenberger, Raffaele Giordano
Summary: STE epsilon analysis revealed significant LV systolic impairment after surgery, with improvement thereafter but incomplete normalization at discharge. Differences between base and apex emerged, with apical segments showing relative hypercontractility after surgery. Slower recovery of LV epsilon values compared to LVEF suggests that STE epsilon analysis may be more accurate for follow-up of mild LV post-surgical impairment.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Samantha M. Meenaghan, Gillian M. Nugent, Eithne C. Dee, Hazel A. Smith, Colin J. McMahon, Lars Nolke
Summary: This study compared the health-related quality of life scores of children following cardiac ECLS to a healthy control group, finding that ECLS children had significantly lower scores in every domain, especially in school functioning. Further research is needed to explore the effects of cardiac ECLS on pediatric survivors and improve their health-related quality of life.
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lena Sagi-Dain, Amihood Singer, Reeval Segel, Racheli Berger, Bibi Kanengisser-Pines, Idit Maya
Summary: The study found that the residual risk of clinically significant chromosomal microarray analysis results in pregnancies with fetuses with congenital heart defects following normal noninvasive prenatal screening was higher than those in pregnancies with normal ultrasound. The detection rate of noninvasive prenatal screening varied depending on the type of congenital heart defect, with higher risks in certain subtypes. It is important for obstetricians and genetic counselors to consider this information when deciding on diagnostic testing options.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Aldersley, Andre Brooks, Paul Human, John Lawrenson, George Comitis, Rik De Decker, Barend Fourie, Rodgers Manganyi, Harold Pribut, Shamiel Salie, Lenise Swanson, Liesl Zuhlke
Summary: The Western Cape public pediatric cardiac service is under-resourced and COVID-19 restrictions have significantly impacted the service. The study found a decrease in admissions and cardiac surgeries, as well as an increase in urgent cases and complications.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Reaksmei Ly, Clement Karsenty, Pascal Amedro, Sarah Cohen, Olivia Domanski, Francois Godart, Jelena Radojevic, Guy Vaksmann, Nicole Naccache, Anissa Boubrit, Vincent Bataille, Sebastien Hascoet, Magalie Ladouceur
Summary: This study aimed to determine the predictive value of quality of life (QoL) on outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) and heart failure (HF). The study results showed that patients with poor QoL experience severe events more frequently, thus highlighting the importance of evaluating QoL and implementing rehabilitation programs to alter their trajectory.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jayani B. Abeysekera, Dora L. Gyenes, Joseph Atallah, Charlene M. T. Robertson, Gwen Y. Bond, Ivan M. Rebeyka, Elham Khodayari Moez, Irina A. Dinu, Heather N. Switzer, Lisa K. Hornberger
Summary: In fetal transposition of the great arteries and hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a higher UA-PI in the third trimester, suggestive of placental insufficiency but not MCA-PI, is associated with worse 2-year growth and neurodevelopment outcomes.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Joseph Atallah, M. Cecilia Gonzalez Corcia, Edward P. Walsh
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jeffrey A. Robinson, Martin J. LaPage, Joseph Atallah, Gregory Webster, Christina Y. Miyake, Christopher Ratnasamy, Nicholas J. Ollberding, Shaun Mohan, Nicholas H. Von Bergen, Christopher L. Johnsrude, Jason M. Garnreiter, David S. Spar, Richard J. Czosek
Summary: ICD is recommended for secondary prevention after SCA, but its outcomes in pediatric patients remain unclear. The study found that pediatric patients receiving an ICD after SCA are at high risk for future device therapy, with factors such as genetic predisposition and cardiac function playing a role. Lack of a definitive diagnosis after SCA does not reduce the risk of subsequent events, highlighting the importance of continued prophylactic measures.
CIRCULATION-ARRHYTHMIA AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Susan Christian, Alicia Welsh, Jeremy Yetman, Patrician Birch, Kirsten Bartels, Lindsay Burnell, Fiona Curtis, Cathleen Huculak, Laura Zahavich, Laura Arbour, Julien Marcadier, Joseph Atallah
Summary: This study developed and evaluated 4 cardiac decision aids for families with genetic diagnoses of certain heart conditions. The response to the aids was positive, with high acceptability and understandability scores. These tools can be used before, during, or after genetic counseling appointments to help guide discussions and provide a balanced approach to decision-making.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dania Kallas, Thomas M. Roston, Sonia Franciosi, Laura Brett, Krystien V. V. Lieve, Sit-Yee Kwok, Prince J. Kannankeril, Andrew D. Krahn, Martin J. LaPage, Susan Etheridge, Allison Hill, Christopher Johnsrude, James Perry, Linda Knight, Peter Fischbach, Seshadri Balaji, Svjetlana Tisma-Dupanovic, Ian Law, Joseph Atallah, David Backhoff, Anna Kamp, Peter Kubus, Adam Kean, Peter F. Aziz, Joshua Kovach, Yung Lau, Jordana Kron, Sally-Ann Clur, Georgia Sarquella-Brugada, Arthur A. M. Wilde, Shubhayan Sanatani
Summary: In this study of pediatric CPVT patients, it was found that proband status is an independent predictor of time to first cardiac event. Age at symptom onset and sex were not identified as predictive factors. Treatment and strategies can influence event risk for both probands and relatives.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Drake A. Comber, Brianna Davies, Jason D. Roberts, Rafik Tadros, Martin S. Green, Jeffrey S. Healey, Christopher S. Simpson, Shubhayan Sanatani, Christian Steinberg, Ciorsti MacIntyre, Paul Angaran, Henry Duff, Robert Hamilton, Laura Arbour, Richard Leather, Colette Seifer, Anne Fournier, Joseph Atallah, Shane Kimber, Bhavanesh Makanjee, Wael Alqarawi, Julia Cadrin-Tourigny, Jacqueline Joza, Karen Gibbs, Laura Robb, Laura Zahavich, Martin Gardner, Mario Talajic, Alice Virani, Andrew D. Krahn, Anna Lehman, Zachary W. M. Laksman
Summary: Research teams developing biobanks and genomic databases must establish policies for disclosing and reporting potentially actionable genomic results to research participants. There are various approaches to returning results, requiring decisions on informed consent, disclosure practices, and clinical validation.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Puck J. Peltenburg, Dania Kallas, Johan M. Bos, Krystien V. V. Lieve, Sonia Franciosi, Thomas M. Roston, Isabelle Denjoy, Katrina B. Sorensen, Seiko Ohno, Ferran Roses-Noguer, Takeshi Aiba, Alice Maltret, Martin J. LaPage, Joseph Atallah, John R. Giudicessi, Sally-Ann B. Clur, Nico A. Blom, Michael Tanck, Fabrice Extramiana, Koichi Kato, Julien Barc, Martin Borggrefe, Elijah R. Behr, Georgia Sarquella-Brugada, Jacob Tfelt-Hansen, Esther Zorio, Heikki Swan, Janneke A. E. Kammeraad, Andrew D. Krahn, Andrew Davis, Frederic Sacher, Peter J. Schwartz, Jason D. Roberts, Jonathan R. Skinner, Maarten P. van den Berg, Prince J. Kannankeril, Fabrizio Drago, Tomas Robyns, Kristina Haugaa, Terezia Tavacova, Christopher Semsarian, Jan Till, Vincent Probst, Ramon Brugada, Wataru Shimizu, Minoru Horie, Antoine Leenhardt, Michael J. Ackerman, Shubhayan Sanatani, Christian van der Werf, Arthur A. M. Wilde
Summary: Selective beta-blockers are associated with a higher risk of arrhythmic events in symptomatic children with CPVT compared to nonselective beta-blockers, especially nadolol. Nadolol, or propranolol if nadolol is unavailable, should be the preferred beta-blocker for treating symptomatic children with CPVT.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaveh Rayani, Brianna Davies, Matthew Cheung, Drake Comber, Jason D. Roberts, Rafik Tadros, Martin S. Green, Jeffrey S. Healey, Christopher S. Simpson, Shubhayan Sanatani, Christian Steinberg, Ciorsti MacIntyre, Paul Angaran, Henry Duff, Robert Hamilton, Laura Arbour, Richard Leather, Colette Seifer, Anne Fournier, Joseph Atallah, Shane Kimber, Bhavanesh Makanjee, Wael Alqarawi, Julia Cadrin-Tourigny, Jacqueline Joza, Martin Gardner, Mario Talajic, Richard D. Bagnall, Andrew D. Krahn, Zachary W. M. Laksman
Summary: Variants in splice sites of cardiac genes may increase the risk of potentially lethal arrhythmias. Screening of 1315 patients and relatives revealed that 10% of patients carried variants near the splice sites, and these variants were classified and evaluated using nine in silico tools. Among these tools, CADD showed good sensitivity, dbscSNV was highly sensitive, and SpliceAI exhibited high specificity. Splice variants remain an important consideration in inherited arrhythmia syndromes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lauren A. Yee, Hui-Chen Han, Brianna Davies, Charles M. Pearman, Zachary W. M. Laksman, Jason D. Roberts, Christian Steinberg, Rafik Tadros, Julia Cadrin-Tourigny, Christopher S. Simpson, Martin Gardner, Ciorsti MacIntyre, Laura Arbour, Richard Leather, Anne Fournier, Martin S. Green, Shane Kimber, Paul Angaran, Shubhayan Sanatani, Jacqueline Joza, Habib Khan, Jeffrey S. Healey, Joseph Atallah, Colette Seifer, Andrew D. Krahn
Summary: The study confirmed the high predictive value of the 3-step algorithm based on exercise response for diagnosing LQTS in a more representative population, with better accuracy in confirming the condition in female patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Amol A. Moray, Charlene M. T. Robertson, Gwen Y. Bond, Jayani B. Abeysekera, Parsa Mohammadian, Irina A. Dinu, Joseph Atallah, Heather N. Switzer, Lisa K. Hornberger
Summary: This study examines the relationships between umbilical and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (PI) in fetuses with major congenital heart disease (CHD) and neurodevelopment (ND) outcomes. The results show an inverse relationship between third trimester umbilical artery PI and cognitive, motor, and language domains of neurodevelopment at 2 years, indicating impaired neurodevelopment in these fetuses.
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Richelle C. Waldner, Manpreet Doulla, Joseph Atallah, Sarah Rathwell, Chelsey Grimbly
Summary: This study aimed to determine the proportion of gender-diverse youth with QTc prolongation on leuprolide acetate therapy. A retrospective chart review revealed that none of the gender-diverse youth receiving leuprolide acetate therapy showed clinically significant QTc prolongation (QTc >460 milliseconds) at a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Alberta, Canada.
TRANSGENDER HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mikyla L. Janzen, Brianna Davies, Zachary W. M. Laksman, Jason D. Roberts, Shubhayan Sanatani, Christian Steinberg, Rafik Tadros, Julia Cadrin-Tourigny, Ciorsti Macintyre, Joseph Atallah, Anne Fournier, Martin S. Green, Robert Hamilton, Habib R. Khan, Shane Kimber, Steven White, Jacqueline Joza, Bhavanesh Makanjee, Erkan Ilhan, David Lee, Simon Hansom, Alexios Hadjis, Laura Arbour, Richard Leather, Colette Seifer, Paul Angaran, Christopher S. Simpson, Jeffrey S. Healey, Martin Gardner, Mario Talajic, Andrew D. Krahn
Summary: Inherited arrhythmia syndromes are rare genetic conditions that increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest and death in seemingly healthy individuals. The Hearts in Rhythm Organization is a Canadian network that aims to improve care for patients and families affected by these conditions. This review provides consensus care pathways for common inherited cardiac conditions, as well as guidelines for investigating and managing sudden cardiac arrest and related cases.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jeremy P. Moore, Natasja M. S. de Groot, Matthew Connor, Daniel Cortez, Jonathan Su, Austin Burrows, Kevin M. Shannon, Edward T. O. Leary, Maully Shah, Paul Khairy, Joseph Atallah, Tom Wong, Michael S. Lloyd, Yannick J. H. J. Taverne, Anne M. Dubin, Jens C. Nielsen, Reinder Evertz, Richard J. Czosek, Malini Madhavan, Philip M. Chang, Alper Aydin, Oscar Cano
Summary: This study compared the clinical outcomes of cardiac conduction system pacing (CSP) versus conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with biventricular, systemic left ventricular anatomy. The results showed that CSP achieved similar improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) but greater QRS narrowing compared to conventional CRT.
JACC-CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michael Khoury, Morteza Hajihosseini, Charlene M. T. Robertson, Gwen Bond, Darren Freed, Irina Dinu, Sue Makarchuk, Ari Joffe, Joseph Atallah
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes in 4-to 6-year-old children with Fontan circulation. Factors such as female sex, years of maternal schooling, age at Fontan surgery, need for concomitant atrioventricular valve intervention, and time for lactate normalization were found to be associated with optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Amol Moray, Charlene Robertson, Gwen Bond, Jayani Abeysekera, Parsa Mohammadian, Irina Dinu, Joseph Atallah, Lisa K. Hornberger