Low-molecular-weight heparin administered by subcutaneous catheter is a safe and effective anti-coagulation regimen in selected inpatient infants and children with complex congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS: Disadvantages of intravenous therapeutic unfractionated heparin, the first-line anti-coagulant agent in children with complex congenital heart disease, include unpredictable pharmacokinetics requiring frequent phlebotomies and the need for continuous intravenous access. OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin administered by a subcutaneous indwelling catheter with intravenous unfractionated heparin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data from 31 inpatients prospectively enrolled to receive subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin were compared with those from a historical group of 44 inpatients receiving intravenous unfractionated heparin. Investigation of parents' satisfaction by telephone survey. RESULTS: The percentage of anti-factor Xa levels outside therapeutic range was lower in the subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin group compared with the percentage of activated partial thromboplastin times outside therapeutic range in the intravenous unfractionated heparin group (40% versus 90%, p < 0.001). Neither group had a major complication. Transient local reactions occurred in 19% of patients of the subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin group. The number of needle punctures and that of placement of indwelling catheters were significantly lower in the subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin compared with the intravenous unfractionated heparin group (p < 0.001). In total, 84.2% of parents in the subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin group reported a positive experience when asked about comparison with prior intravenous unfractionated heparin treatment. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin offers a safe anti-coagulation regimen for children with complex congenital heart disease providing more efficient therapeutic anti-coagulation and a reduction in needle punctures, thus causing less pain and anxiety in this children.

Real-time CMR guidance for intracardiac and great vessel pressure mapping in patients with congenital heart disease using an MR conditional guidewire-results of 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to test a CE-certified MR-conditional guidewire to facilitate blood pressure measurement in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using fluid-filled catheters in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). The main purpose was to determine procedural success in a post market clinical follow-up (PMCF) for routine procedure in a diagnostic and interventional workflow. Real-time CMR provides high quality imaging without the risk of exposing the patient to X-rays, especially for patients with irregular heart anatomy and patients who are susceptible to radiation and iodinated contrast media. To date, the assessment of blood pressure gradients is not a common feature of CMR, as these gradients cannot be accurately evaluated in routine CMR. METHODS: Twenty-five CHD patients who were planned for combined clinical CMR and diagnostic and/or interventional catheterization were enrolled in the trial. Prior to inclusion, a specific procedure for catheterization in CMR was defined, encompassing the assessment of pressure and pressure gradients in the heart and great vessels. RESULTS: By the use of an MR-conditional guidewire we successfully measured specific pressure and pressure gradients in up to 92% of cases with liquid-filled catheters which were guided exclusively under CMR guidance. There were no guidewire-related adverse events, and guidewire guidance and manipulation of catheters were successful. CONCLUSIONS: Using a MR-conditional guidewire assists in easily reaching targets in the heart and great vessels and makes the catheter itself visible, so that invasive blood pressure assessment by CMR guidance with liquid-filled catheters can be improved. KEYWORDS: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR); congenital heart disease (CHD); cardiac catheterization; magnetic resonance; pressure; guidewire.