A quantitative assessment of renal function utilizing albuminuria in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney disease is common after pediatric heart transplantation. Serum creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate is the most frequently reported measure of kidney function. Albuminuria is an additional marker of kidney dysfunction and is not well described in this population. In this study, we evaluate the prevalence and degree of albuminuria and describe clinical factors associated with albuminuria in a cohort of pediatric heart transplant recipients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of pediatric heart transplant recipients. Albuminuria was assessed using spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio collected at the most recent annual screening cardiac catheterization through August 2019. RESULTS: In 115 patients at a median duration of 10.2 years post-transplant, 39% had albuminuria. Stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease was present in 6%. The immunosuppressive regimen at the time of measurement contained a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in 88% and a proliferation signal inhibitor (PSI) in 62%. In multivariable modeling, lower eGFR, PSI use, and younger age at transplant were associated with higher levels of albuminuria, whereas CNI use was associated with lower levels of albuminuria. CONCLUSION: Albuminuria is a prevalent finding in medium-term follow up of pediatric heart transplant recipients, reflecting kidney injury, and is associated with other markers of kidney dysfunction, such as low eGFR. Younger age at transplant, lower eGFR, and PSI use were among the associations with albuminuria.

Applying the Hybrid Concept as a Bridge to Transplantation in Infants Without Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Therapies to support small infants in decompensated heart failure that are failing medical management are limited. We have used the hybrid approach, classically reserved for high-risk infants with single ventricle physiology, in patients with biventricular physiology with left ventricular failure. This approach secures systemic circulation, relieves left atrial hypertension, protects the pulmonary vasculature, and allows the right ventricle to support cardiac output. This approach can be used as a bridge to transplantation in select individuals. Infants without single ventricle congenital heart disease who were treated with the hybrid approach between 2008 and 2021 were included in analysis. Eight patients were identified. At the time of hybrid procedure, the median weight was 3.2 kg (range 2.4-3.6 kg) and the median age was 18 days (range 1-153 days). Seventy five percent were mechanically ventilated and 88% were on inotropic support. The median duration from hybrid procedure to transplant was 63 days (range 4-116 days). All patients experienced a good outcome (delisted for improvement or transplanted). The hybrid procedure is an appropriate therapeutic bridge to transplantation in a carefully selected subset of critically ill infants without single ventricle congenital heart disease in whom alternate therapies may confer increased risk for morbidity and mortality.

Contemporary outcomes of pediatric cardiac transplantation with a positive retrospective crossmatch.

BACKGROUND: A positive crossmatch (+ XM) has traditionally been associated with adverse outcomes following pediatric heart transplantation. However, more recent studies suggest that favorable intermediate-term outcomes may be achieved despite a + XM. This study's hypothesis is that children with a + XM have similar long-term survival, but higher rate of complications such as rejection, coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and infection, compared to patients with a negative (-) XM. METHODS: The Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Registry (PHTS) database was queried from 2010-2021 for all patients <18 years of age with a known XM. Baseline demographics were compared between + XM and - XM groups using appropriate parametric and non-parametric group comparisons. Cox Proportional Hazards Modeling was used to identify risk factors for post-transplant graft loss, rejection, and CAV. RESULTS: Of 4599 pediatric heart transplants during the study period, XM results were available for 3914 (85%), of which 373 (9.5%) had a + XM. Univariate analysis showed lower 10-year survival for patients with + XM (HR = 1.3, p = .04). Multivariate analyses revealed no significant difference in 10-year survival in the 2 groups; however, time to first rejection (p = .0001) remained significantly shorter in the + XM group. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients transplanted across a + XM experience earlier rejection; however, after multivariate adjustment, + XM is not independently associated with intermediate-term graft loss. The risk of heart transplantation against a + XM must be balanced with the ongoing risk of waitlist mortality.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 4-year-old female with pneumococcal meningitis.

A previously healthy 4-year-old female presented in cardiogenic shock with pneumococcal meningitis. Findings on echocardiogram raised suspicion for takotsubo cardiomyopathy. With supportive care, left ventricular systolic function normalised. Findings on cardiac imaging helped determine the aetiology and avoid further invasive studies or unnecessary treatment.

Waitlist and posttransplant outcomes of critically ill infants awaiting heart transplantation managed without ventricular assist device support.

BACKGROUND: Infants listed for heart transplant are at high risk for waitlist mortality. While waitlist mortality for children has decreased in the current era of increased ventricular assist device use, outcomes for small infants supported by ventricular assist device remain suboptimal. We evaluated morbidity and survival in critically ill infants listed for heart transplant and managed without ventricular assist device support. METHODS: Critically ill infants (requiring ≥1 inotrope and mechanical ventilation or ≥2 inotropes without mechanical ventilation) listed between 2008 and 2019 were included. During the study period, infants were managed primarily medically. Mechanical circulatory support, specifically extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, was utilized as "rescue therapy" for decompensating patients. RESULTS: Thirty-two infants were listed 1A, 66% with congenital heart disease. Median age and weight at listing were 2.2 months and 4.4 kg, with 69% weighing <5 kg. At listing, 97% were mechanically ventilated, 41% on ≥2 inotropes, and 25% under neuromuscular blockade. Five patients were supported by ECMO after listing. A favorable outcome (transplant or recovery) was observed in 84%. One-year posttransplant survival was 92%. Infection was the most common waitlist complication occurring in 75%. Stroke was rare, occurring in one patient who was supported on ECMO. Renal function improved from listing to transplant, death, or recovery (eGFR 70 vs 87 ml/min/1.73m2 , p = .001). CONCLUSION: A strategy incorporating a high threshold for mechanical circulatory support and acceptance of prolonged mechanical ventilation and neuromuscular blockade can achieve good survival and morbidity outcomes for critically ill infants listed for heart transplant.

A Quality Initiative to Improve Appropriate Use of Initial Outpatient Echocardiography Among Pediatric Cardiologists.

INTRODUCTION: Appropriate use criteria (AUC) guide initial transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) use in outpatient pediatrics. We sought to improve pediatric cardiologist TTE ordering appropriateness (mean AUC score) with a quality improvement initiative. METHODS: The outcome of interest was the prospective AUC score for all initial outpatient TTEs ordered between November 2016 and August 2017, categorized per the AUC: "appropriate" (score 7-9), "may be appropriate" (4-6), "rarely appropriate" (1-3). Interventions included a didactic review of 2014 AUC and participant documentation of AUC criteria for each TTE. Participants met quarterly to evaluate outcome, process, and balancing measures, intervention effectiveness, and to identify and mitigate barriers. RESULTS: Twenty-two pediatric cardiologists participated. TTE appropriateness level before (n = 216) and after (n = 557) intervention was high. There was no significant difference in mean baseline and post-intervention AUC score (7.42 ± 1.87 versus 7.16 ± 2.87, P = 0.1), nor in TTE sensitivity (27% versus 25%, P > 0.1) as a balancing measure. Among baseline studies, 81% were "appropriate," and 6% "rarely appropriate." Among post-intervention studies, 76% were "appropriate," and 11% "rarely appropriate." Barriers identified to implementing AUC include TTE indications not specified by current AUC, expectations of referring provider or parent to perform TTE, consistent provider application of AUC, and ability of AUC to capture comprehensive clinical judgment. CONCLUSIONS: Although the mean AUC appropriateness level was high, we were able to identify significant barriers to the implementation of AUC. Future efforts should focus on the reduction of "rarely appropriate" TTE ordering.

Hypophosphatemic Hypovitaminosis D Induces Osteomalacia in the Adult Female Rat.

Osteomalacia is a bone-demineralizing disease of adulthood, often caused by hypovitaminosis D. Current animal models of the disease mimic osteomalacia as a consequence of gastric bypass or toxic exposure to metals, but a relevant model of diet-induced osteomalacia is lacking. For that purpose, 7-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 2 weight-stratified groups and maintained for 4 months on synthetic diets containing negligible or normal levels of vitamin D. The dietary regimen resulted in vitamin D deficiency as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels; however, hypovitaminosis D per se did not affect biomarkers of calcium metabolism and bone turnover, nor did it result in increased osteoid. Thus, vitamin D depletion through the diet was found to be insufficient to induce an osteomalacia-like phenotype in the adult rat. After 4 months, the phosphate content of the vitamin D-depleted diet had decreased to 0.16% (calcium:phosphorus ratio of 5.85), resulting in an osteomalacic-like condition (trabecular osteoid surface/bone surface constituted 33%; CI, 26-40). The diet change also affected both metabolic and bone turnover biomarkers, including significantly suppressing serum fibroblast growth factor 23. Furthermore, decreased dietary phosphate in a vitamin D-depleted diet led to microarchitectural changes of trabecular and cortical bone, lower bone mass density, lower bone mass content and decreased bone strength, all indicating reduced bone quality. Taken together, our results show that osteomalacia can be induced in the adult female rat by depleting vitamin D and lowering phosphate content in the diet.

A fatal case of bortezomib-induced lung toxicity in a young adult heart transplant recipient.

Bortezomib is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma but increasingly used in heart transplant (HTx) recipients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Severe pulmonary toxicity is a rare complication in multiple myeloma patients treated with bortezomib, but has not been described in a solid organ transplant recipient. A 20-year-old man 7 years post-HTx presented with acute rejection with hemodynamic compromise. Endomyocardial biopsy showed mixed rejection (ISHLT grade 2R-3R acute cellular rejection (ACR) and pAMR 1 (I+) with diffuse C4d staining). Two new high MFI circulating MHC class-II donor-specific antibodies (DSA) were detected. Treatment included corticosteroids, antithymocyte globulin, plasmapheresis, IVIG, rituximab, and bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 ). Due to rebound in DSA, a second course of bortezomib was started. Thrombocytopenia and peripheral neuropathy prompted a 50% dose reduction during the 2nd course. Shortly after the 3rd reduced dose, the patient developed hypoxemic respiratory failure. Bronchoscopy revealed pulmonary hemorrhage with negative infectious studies. Chest CT showed bilateral parenchymal disease with bronchiectasis and alveolar bleeding. Despite treatment with high-dose steroids, severe ARDS ensued with multisystem organ failure. The patient expired 23 days after the final dose of bortezomib. Post-mortem lung histology revealed diffuse alveolar damage, pulmonary fibrosis, and hemorrhage. Cardiac histology showed resolving/residual ACR 1R and pAMR 1 (I+). While rare, bortezomib-induced lung toxicity (BILT) can occur in HTx recipients and can carry a high risk of mortality. Drug reaction and immediate drug withdrawal should be considered in patients who develop respiratory symptoms, though optimal management of BILT is unclear.

Management of the sensitized pediatric heart transplant patient.

Despite advancements in transplant immunosuppression and techniques for managing critically ill patients awaiting heart transplantation, children who are immunologically sensitized to human leukocyte antigen remain at increased risk for morbidity and mortality, both while awaiting and after heart transplant. In this review we will discuss the epidemiology of sensitization, review the immunologic basis and methods of human leukocyte antigen antibody detection, describe outcomes for sensitized pediatric transplant candidates, and consider both pre- and post-transplant management options for sensitized patients.

Circulating nociceptin and CGRP in medication-overuse headache.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies found low serum levels of nociceptin in migraine patients but high serum levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP can elicit migraine-like headache. Medication-Overuse Headache (MOH) often has migraine features and can mimic chronic migraine. We therefore hypothesized that as in migraine, serum levels of nociceptin would be lower and CGRP serum levels higher in MOH patients compared with those in healthy volunteers. We hypothesized that the serum levels would normalize after detoxification. METHODS: Seventeen MOH patients, hereof 70.6% with chronic migraine and MOH, and 30 sex and age matched headache-free controls were included. MOH patients underwent a 2-month outpatient detoxification program and after 6 months, 10 patients and 19 controls were retested. Blood samples were analyzed blinded. RESULTS: We found no differences in the levels of nociceptin and CGRP between MOH patients and controls (P = 0.65 and P = 0.59). The mean headache frequency reduction was 43% and 70% of patients reverted to episodic headache after 6 months, but the levels of nociceptin and CGRP were unchanged (P = 0.71 and P = 0.82). CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous findings in migraine patients, we found normal serum levels of nociceptin and CGRP in MOH patients. Thus, we find no evidence that the increased headache frequency of MOH patients could be caused by altered nociceptin and CGRP levels. This underlines the importance of identifying medication overuse in chronic headache and treating the MOH.

Ascending aortic size in aortic coarctation depends on aortic valve morphology: Understanding the bicuspid valve phenotype.

BACKGROUND: In roughly half of patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA), the aorta may be enlarged. It is uncertain whether enlargement is independent of aortic valve morphology. We sought to compare aortic size in CoA with a tricuspid valve (TAV) to those with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). METHODS: Sixty-eight CoA patients and 20 healthy controls with prior cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included. CMR was retrospectively reanalyzed to measure aortic root and mid-ascending aorta. The maximum aortic diameter was compared between CoA with TAV, CoA with BAV, and control groups. RESULTS: CoA with TAV patients (n=27) had smaller aortic root diameters than CoA with BAV (n=41) (32±4.9 vs. 37±5.8mm, p=0.001), despite being older (40 vs. 32years, p=0.01). Similarly, TAV CoA patients had a smaller mid-ascending aortic diameter (28±4.5 vs. 33±6.9mm, p=0.019) than BAV patients. TAV CoA was similar to controls in all metrics. Twenty-four patients (35%) with CoA had dilated aortas (>37mm), of which 79% had BAV. A history of hypertension did not predict larger aortic root or mid-ascending aortic dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CoA, TAV is associated with smaller aortic size compared to those with BAV, and similar to healthy controls. Aortic size in CoA is independent of hypertension. Therefore, aortopathy associated with BAV is likely a reflection of the BAV phenotype rather than CoA or its physiologic effects. This distinction may have implications for the frequency and types of monitoring and treatment of CoA patients.

Part II: Biochemical changes after pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 infusion in migraine patients.

Background Intravenous infusion of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP38) provokes migraine attacks in 65-70% of migraine without aura (MO) patients. We investigated whether PACAP38 infusion causes changes in the endogenous production of PACAP38, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B), neuron-specific enolase and pituitary hormones in migraine patients. Methods We allocated 32 previously genotyped MO patients to receive intravenous infusion PACAP38 (10 pmol/kg/minute) for 20 minutes and recorded migraine-like attacks. Sixteen of the patients were carriers of the risk allele rs2274316 ( MEF2D), which confers increased risk of MO and may regulate PACAP38 expression, and 16 were non-carriers. We collected blood samples at baseline and 20, 30, 40, 60 and 90 minutes after the start of the infusion. A control group of six healthy volunteers received intravenous saline. Results PACAP38 infusion caused significant changes in plasma concentrations of VIP ( p = 0.026), prolactin ( p = 0.011), S100B ( p < 0.001) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; p = 0.015), but not CGRP ( p = 0.642) and TNFα ( p = 0.535). We found no difference in measured biochemical variables after PACAP38 infusion in patients who later developed migraine-like attacks compared to those who did not ( p > 0.05). There was no difference in the changes of biochemical variables between patients with and without the MEF2D-associated gene variant ( p > 0.05). Conclusion PACAP38 infusion elevated the plasma levels of VIP, prolactin, S100B and TSH, but not CGRP and TNFα. Development of delayed migraine-like attacks or the presence of the MEF2D gene variant was not associated with pre-ictal changes in plasma levels of neuropeptides, TNFα and pituitary hormones.

Hemodynamic responses to mental stress during salt loading.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to examine whether prolonged moderate stress associated with a student exam would increase the blood pressure response to a salt load in young healthy normotensive individuals. METHODS: Ten healthy young subjects were examined at two different occasions in random order (i) during preparation for a medical exam (prolonged stress) and (ii) outside the exam period (low stress). All subjects consumed a controlled diet for 3 days with low- or high-salt content in randomized order. The subjective stress was measured by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Scale, SCL Symptom Checklist for stress and the Visual Analogue Scale. On each level of stress, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and cardiac output (CO) were measured. Furthermore, plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-four-hour ABP, 24-h heart rate, CO as well as plasma levels of NE, E and PRA remained unchanged by changes in stress level. Day-night reduction in SAP was significantly larger during moderate stress and high-salt intake; however, no significant difference was observed during daytime and night-time. Individual increase in mental stress correlated significantly with an individual decrease in PRA (SCL-17, r = -0·80, P<0·05, STAIr = -0·64 P<0·05) during high-salt intake. CONCLUSION: Moderate stress over a period of time in young healthy normotensive individuals does not lead to changes in 24-h ABP. However, the augmented reduction in day-to-night systolic blood pressure during high-salt intake and moderate stress may indicate that stress affects blood pressure regulation.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 does not have acute effects on central or renal hemodynamics in patients with type 2 diabetes without nephropathy.

During acute administration of native glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), we previously demonstrated central hemodynamic effects in healthy males, whereas renal hemodynamics, despite renal uptake of GLP-1 in excess of glomerular filtration, was unaffected. In the present study, we studied hemodynamic effects of GLP-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes under fixed sodium intake. During a 3-h infusion of GLP-1 (1.5 pmol·kg(-1)·min(-1)) or saline, intra-arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured continuously, concomitantly with cardiac output estimated by pulse contour analysis. Renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and uptake/release of hormones and ions were measured using Fick's Principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Urine collection was conducted throughout the experiments at voluntary voiding, and patients remained supine during the experiments. During the GLP-1 infusion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cardiac output remained unchanged, whereas heart rate increased significantly. Arterio-venous gradients for GLP-1 exceeded glomerular filtrations significantly, but renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate as well as renal sodium and lithium excretion were not affected. In conclusion, acute administration of GLP-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes leads to a positive chronotropic effect, but in contrast to healthy individuals, cardiac output does not increase in patients with type 2 diabetes. Renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion are not affected.

Effect of paracentesis on metabolic activity in patients with advanced cirrhosis and ascites.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis often suffer from malnutrition. To enable appropriate nutritional supplementation a correct estimation of resting energy expenditure (REE) is needed. It is, however, unclear whether the volume of ascites should be included or not in the calculations of the REE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 19 patients with cirrhosis and ascites, measurements of REE by indirect calorimetry were performed before paracentesis, after paracentesis, and four weeks after paracentesis. Moreover, handgrip strength (HGS), dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and biochemistry were assessed. RESULTS: Calculated and measured REE differed more than 10% in 63% of the patients at baseline. By including the weight of ascites in the calculation of REE, the REE was overestimated by 283 (-602-1381) kJ/day (p = 0.69). By subtracting the weight of ascites in the calculation of REE, it was underestimated by -379 (-1915 - 219) kJ/day, (p = 0.06). Patients in whom measured REE decreased after paracentesis had higher middle arterial pressure (MAP) (p = 0.02) and p-sodium (p = 0.02) at baseline. Low HGS (M: <30 kg; W < 20 kg) was evident in 68% of the patients. T-scores revealed osteopenia and osteoporosis in 58% and 16%, respectively. Reduced vitamin D levels (<50 nmol/l) were found in 68%. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ascites seems to increase REE, why we suggest that when REE is calculated, the weight of ascites should be included. Indirect calorimetry is, however, preferable for REE estimation. More than two-third of patients with ascites suffer from muscle weakness and/or osteopenia.

Renal extraction and acute effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on central and renal hemodynamics in healthy men.

The present experiments were performed to elucidate the acute effects of intravenous infusion of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 on central and renal hemodynamics in healthy men. Seven healthy middle-aged men were examined on two different occasions in random order. During a 3-h infusion of either GLP-1 (1.5 pmol·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) or saline, cardiac output was estimated noninvasively, and intraarterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured continuously. Renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, and uptake/release of hormones and ions were measured by Fick's Principle after catheterization of a renal vein. Subjects remained supine during the experiments. During GLP-1 infusion, both systolic blood pressure and arterial pulse pressure increased by 5±1 mmHg (P=0.015 and P=0.002, respectively). Heart rate increased by 5±1 beats/min (P=0.005), and cardiac output increased by 18% (P=0.016). Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate as well as the clearance of Na⁺ and Li⁺ were not affected by GLP-1. However, plasma renin activity decreased (P=0.037), whereas plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide were unaffected. Renal extraction of intact GLP-1 was 43% (P<0.001), whereas 60% of the primary metabolite GLP-1 9-36amide was extracted (P=0.017). In humans, an acute intravenous administration of GLP-1 leads to increased cardiac output due to a simultaneous increase in stroke volume and heart rate, whereas no effect on renal hemodynamics could be demonstrated despite significant extraction of both the intact hormone and its primary metabolite.

Striatal D(2/3) Binding Potential Values in Drug-Naïve First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients Correlate With Treatment Outcome.

One of best validated findings in schizophrenia research is the association between blockade of dopamine D2 receptors and the effects of antipsychotics on positive psychotic symptoms. The aim of the present study was to examine correlations between baseline striatal D(2/3) receptor binding potential (BP(p)) values and treatment outcome in a cohort of antipsychotic-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients. Additionally, we wished to investigate associations between striatal dopamine D(2/3) receptor blockade and alterations of negative symptoms as well as functioning and subjective well-being. Twenty-eight antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 26 controls were included in the study. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with [(123)I]iodobenzamide ([(123)I]-IBZM) was used to examine striatal D(2/3) receptor BP(p). Patients were examined before and after 6 weeks of treatment with the D(2/3) receptor antagonist amisulpride. There was a significant negative correlation between striatal D(2/3) receptor BP(p) at baseline and improvement of positive symptoms in the total group of patients. Comparing patients responding to treatment to nonresponders further showed significantly lower baseline BP(p) in the responders. At follow-up, the patients demonstrated a negative correlation between the blockade and functioning, whereas no associations between blockade and negative symptoms or subjective well-being were observed. The results show an association between striatal BP(p) of dopamine D(2/3) receptors in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients with schizophrenia and treatment response. Patients with a low BP(p) have a better treatment response than patients with a high BP(p). The results further suggest that functioning may decline at high levels of dopamine receptor blockade.

Subspecialty surveillance of long-term course of small and moderate muscular ventricular septal defect: heterogenous practices, low yield.

BACKGROUND: No expert consensus guides practice for intensity of ongoing pediatric cardiology surveillance of hemodynamically insignificant small and moderate muscular ventricular septal defect (mVSD). Therefore, despite the well-established benign natural history of mVSD, there is potential for widely divergent follow up practices. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate (1) variations in follow up of mVSD within an academic children's hospital based pediatric cardiology practice, and (2) the frequency of active medical or surgical management resulting from follow up of mVSD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 600 patients with isolated mVSD echocardiographically diagnosed between 2006 and 2012. Large mVSD were excluded (n = 4). Patient age, gender, echocardiographic findings, provider, recommendations for follow up, and medical and surgical management were tabulated at initial and follow up visits. Independent associations with follow up recommendations were sought using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Initial echocardiography showed small single mVSD in 509 (85%), multiple small mVSD in 60 (10%), and small-to-moderate or moderate single mVSD in 31 (5%). The mean age at diagnosis was 15.9 months (0-18.5 years) and 25.7 months (0-18.5 years) at last follow up. There was slight female predominance (56.3%). Fourteen pediatric cardiology providers recommended 316 follow up visits, 259 of which were actually accomplished. There were 37 other unplanned follow up visits. No medical or surgical management changes were associated with any of the follow up visits. The proportion of patients for whom follow up was advised varied among providers from 11 to 100%. Independent associations with recommendation for follow up were limited to the identity and clinical volume of the provider, age of the patient, and the presence of multiple, small-to-moderate, or moderate mVSD. CONCLUSIONS: In this large series of moderate or smaller mVSD, pediatric cardiology follow up was commonly recommended but resulted in no active medical or surgical management. Major provider based inconsistency in intensity of follow up of mVSD was identified, but is difficult to justify.

Circulatory responses to lower body negative pressure in young Afghans and Danes: implications for understanding ethnic effects on blood pressure regulation.

PURPOSE: We have previously shown that Afghans residing in Denmark for at least 12 years exhibit a lower 24-h ambulatory blood pressure compared to Danes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the lower blood pressure reflects attenuated compensatory baroreflex responses in the Afghans. METHODS: On a controlled diet (2,822 cal/day, 55-75 mmol + 2 mmol Na+/kg/day), 12 young males of Afghan (Afghans) and 12 young males of Danish (Danes) origin were exposed to a two-step lower body negative pressure (LBNP) protocol of -20 and -50 mmHg, respectively, each of 10-min duration. RESULTS: Afghans had lower 24-h systolic blood pressure compared to Danes (115 ± 2 vs. 123 ± 1 mmHg, p < 0.05). Cardiac output and stroke volume were significantly lower in Afghans compared to Danes prior to and during each level of LBNP. However, it decreased to the same extent in both groups during LBNP. During LBNP of -20 mmHg, plasma noradrenaline concentration and plasma renin activity (PRA) increased significantly only in the Afghans. At LBNP of -50 mmHg plasma noradrenaline concentration and PRA both increased significantly and similarly in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The lower 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in the Afghans is probably caused by a lower stroke volume, which augmented the circulatory and vasoactive hormonal responses to LBNP in the Afghans. The lower stroke volume in Afghans residing in Denmark compared to that of matched native Danes remains to be explained.