Transposition of Great Arteries with Complex Coronary Artery Variants: Time-Related Events Following Arterial Switch Operation.

Coronary artery anatomy represents a challenging and, often, determining predictor of outcome in an arterial switch operation (ASO). Impact of specific coronary artery variants, such as single, intramural and inverted, on time-related events following ASO, is, yet, to be determined. We sought to compare early and late outcomes within the group of nonstandard coronary artery variants. Patients who underwent ASO from January 1995 to October 2010 were reviewed. Patients with coronary artery variants other than L1Cx1R2 ("standard" by Leiden classification) were included. Patients with single, intramural and inverted coronary artery variants incorporated in group A. All other nonstandard coronary variants incorporated in group B. Demographics, perioperative variables, early and late outcomes were assessed. Of the 123 ASO, 24 patients (19.5%) with nonstandard coronary variant were studied. Thirteen were in group A and 11 in group B. There were two early deaths (1 in group A and 1 in group B) (p > 0.05). There is one death early after hospital discharge (group A). Mean follow-up was 59.4 ± 55.1 months. There was no structural coronary artery failure after hospital discharge following ASO. Freedom from any reintervention at 8 years was (78.3 ± 9.6%) (p 0.55) with no late neo-aortic or mitral valve intervention. ASO with single, intramural or inverted coronary artery course carries no added longitudinal risk for structural or flow impairment within the group of nonstandard coronary artery variants. There is an early hazard period with no late survival attrition. Aortic arch repair as part of staged strategy prior to ASO might influence early and late outcome.

The pediatric cardiology pharmacopeia: 2013 update.

The use of medications plays a pivotal role in the management of children with heart diseases. Most children with increased pulmonary blood flow require chronic use of anticongestive heart failure medications until more definitive interventional or surgical procedures are performed. The use of such medications, particularly inotropic agents and diuretics, is even more amplified during the postoperative period. Currently, children are undergoing surgical intervention at an ever younger age with excellent results aided by advanced anesthetic and postoperative care. The most significant of these advanced measures includes invasive and noninvasive monitoring as well as a wide array of pharmacologic agents. This review update provides a medication guide for medical practitioners involved in care of children with heart diseases.

Atrioventricular block after transcatheter ASD closure using the Amplatzer septal occluder: risk factors and recommendations.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defects is now considered an alternative option to open heart surgery with good short-term and long-term results (Du et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1836-1844, Chessa et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1061-1065); in comparison with surgical closure, the complication rate is lower (Du et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1836-1844). Arrhythmias are known infrequent complications of device closure. However, complete heart block is a rare complication of both treatment modalities (Chessa et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;39:1061-1065). We report two patients who developed atrioventricular (AV) block within 48 hr after uncomplicated device closure of ASD using the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) device. Despite trials of high dose steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in both patients, the response was inadequate and by the end of the first week, both patients were ultimately sent for surgical removal of their devices with complete resolution of their atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. We discuss the possible etiology and risk factors of AV block and propose recommendations for management of such a complication.

Reversible cardiomyopathy in an adolescent with idiopathic aortic cusp ventricular tachycardia.

This report describes the case of an asymptomatic patient with a ventricular tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy that resolved completely after successful radiofrequency ablation. This type of presentation and outcome has not been reported in the pediatric literature.