Transcatheter embolization of a residual congenital coronary arteriovenous fistula with a detachable balloon; superiority of interventional cardiology?

A ten-year-old girl who presented with a continuous murmur was diagnosed with a right coronary to right ventricular fistula with colored Doppler echocardiography and selective arteriography. She underwent traditional treatment-ligation of the fistula by sternotomy. Afterwards, the systolic component of the murmur persisted and repeat arteriography showed a residual shunt through the fistula, with no change in the diameter of the right coronary artery. We describe the first case in which a residual fistula was treated with a detachable balloon embolization.

Transcatheter closure of the ductus arteriosus in children and young adults.

Transcatheter occlusion of persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was attempted in 32 patients (22 female and 10 male, mean age 5.12 +/- 3.98 years, range 9 months to 19.2 years) using Rashkind's occluder device (USCI). Implantation of a second occluder device was attempted in three of the patients. Device embolization to a pulmonary artery occurred in three patients, all with the 12 mm occluder device; two of these devices were retrieved by grabber catheter and the last with thoracotomy without adverse sequelae. Embolization to the right atrium occurred in another patient during a second device implantation attempt because of fluoroscopy problems; this patient required open-heart surgery with sequala of 2 (+) tricuspid insufficiency. In another patient with a significant shunt after the implantation of a 17 mm occluder device, mechanical hemolysis developed, but surgical intervention was not required. The overall complication rate was five out of 35 implantation procedures (14.3%). Besides these, sublingual nifedipine was required for two patients whose systolic blood pressure exceeded 160 mmHg just after the implantation procedure. Sixteen 12 mm and fifteen 17 mm occluder devices were successfully and uneventfully implanted in the first procedure, except for two patients in whom a 17 mm occluder device was implanted after retrieval of an embolized 12 mm occluder. Overall early and mid-term complete occlusion was achieved in 24 patients (75%). Complete occlusion of PDA in the first days after the procedure was achieved in all patients, with the narrowest ductal diameter of less-than 3 mm with the 12 mm occluder device, and less than 6 mm with the 17 mm occluder device.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone in the treatment of varicella associated thrombocytopenic purpura.

Two children with varicella associated thrombocytopenia are presented. Case 1, evidencing no mucosal or parenchymal bleeding was administered prednisone 2 mg/kg/day therapy after having been put under observation for a period of one week without medical treatment. There was an increase in the platelet count during the period of therapy culminating in a return to normal on the eighth day. Case 2, who was in poor clinical condition at presentation, was treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (HIVMP) 30 mg/kg/day, resulting in the platelet count returning to a normal level (180,000/mm3) on the second day of therapy. HIVMP therapy is recommended in the treatment of life-threatening cases of thrombocytopenia because of its rapid action, limited side-effects, and its low cost.