Evaluation of left ventricular functions by speckle-tracking echocardiography in coarctation patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a novel method that allows the assessment of regional myocardial function. The aim of our study was to use 2D-STE to assess left ventricular deformation in patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA). METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with CoA (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 39) were recruited. Children with CoA who visited the outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2014 were included. The data were compared with those obtained from the sex- and age-matched controls. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.8 ± 4.5 years. Global longitudinal strain based on all three apical views and total global strain values did not appear to be different between the patient and the control groups (P = .59, P = .51, P = .15, P = .38). Hypertension was detected in 14 (33.3%) patients with CoA. There were significant differences between the global longitudinal strain values of the normotensive CoA subgroup and the hypertensive CoA subgroup (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that 2D-STE total strain analysis of patients with CoA was not different from comparative healthy controls. However, we determined that 2D-STE parameters were lower in the hypertensive CoA subgroup compared to the normotensive CoA subgroup.

Assessments of left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions with tissue Doppler imaging and myocardial performance index in children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to document early left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD) using methods such as tissue Doppler imaging and the myocardial performance index (MPI). METHODS: A total of 40 patients diagnosed with CKD (mean age, 10.1 ± 4.1 years) and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (mean age, 9.6 ± 4.3 years) were examined. In the patient group, 20 patients had early stage (Stage 2-3) CKD and 20 patients had late-stage (stage 4-5) CKD, and 18 patients had hypertension. RESULTS: The pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAPs) and LV mass index (LVMI) were significantly higher in the patient group (P < 0.05). The LV septal and lateral margins of the mitral annulus E'/A' ratio, E/E' ratio and MPI results were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). The MPI scores were higher in late-stage CKD than in early stage CKD (P < 0.05). The E'/A' ratio was lower and the MPI was higher in the hypertensive CKD group compared with the normotensive CKD group (P < 0.05). The E/E' ratio was correlated positively with the LVMI, and the PAPs, and negatively with glomerular filtration rate, S' value, E'/A' ratio. The MPI was correlated positively with blood pressure, LVMI, PAPs, and the S value, and negatively with the E'/A' ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The E'/A' ratio, the E/E' ratio, and the isovolumetric relaxation time measured by tissue Doppler imaging is highly accurate and easily applicable for detecting diastolic LV function, and the MPI is suitable for detecting both systolic and diastolic LV dysfunction. Their routine use may be useful in evaluating LV functions in children with CKD.

Evaluation of left ventricular systolic functions in two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in children with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic kidney disease may lead to left ventricular dysfunction. Early detection of cardiovascular disease in children with chronic kidney disease is essential to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early adulthood. This study aimed to document the dysfunction using methods such as two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the early stage. METHODS: A total of 34 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (mean age ± standard deviation, 10.5 ± 4.1 years) and 37 sex- and age-matched (mean age 9.8 ± 4.2 years) healthy controls were studied. The results of the two groups were compared along with those of the published studies. RESULTS: The echocardiography measurements had no significant difference in the end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter values of left ventricular, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, mitral E value, mitral A value, and E/A ratio between the groups. Pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressure and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher in the patient group (p < 0.01). The longitudinal global strain values in the apical four-chamber, three-chamber, and two-chamber views and the total global strain values were significantly lower in the patients (p < 0.01). The circumferential global strain values in the apical, mid, basal, and total global strain were lower in the patient group, but this difference was statistically significant in the apical global and total global strain values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Speckle-tracking echocardiography might help identify subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease with unremarkable conventional echocardiography.

Tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography assessment of left ventricular function in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis may lead to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This dysfunction can be documented by methods such as tissue Doppler echocardiographic (TDI) imaging and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in early stage. STUDY DESIGN: This was prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 34 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (mean age and SD 9.9 ± 4.9 years) and 37 healthy control subjects with a comparable gender and age distribution (mean age 9.8 ± 4.3) were studied. The results for the two groups were compared along with the results of published reports. RESULTS: No significant relationship was found between the groups in terms of systolic and diastolic measurements of the interventricular septum and posterior left ventricular wall, and ejection fraction (P > .05). Myocardial performance indexes of left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum increased in the patient group compared with the controls (P < .05). As measured by STE, seven segments in the LV myocardial longitudinal strain and three segments in the LV myocardial circumferential strain showed significant reductions in patients with cystic fibrosis compared with controls (P < .05). The longitudinal global, circumferential global, and total global strain values had no significant difference between the groups (P > .05). Longitudinal strain rates and circumferential strain rates were both lower in five segments in the patient group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Tissue Doppler echocardiographic imaging and STE may help identifying subclinical LV dysfunction in cystic fibrosis patients with unremarkable conventional echocardiography. They may be considered for the routine follow-up of cystic fibrosis patients.

Impaired systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in children and adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia receiving corticosteroid therapy.

AimThe present study aimed to evaluate systolic and diastolic myocardial function in children and adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. METHODS: The study included 44 children with the diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 39 healthy children whose age, pubertal status, and gender were similar to those of the patient group. Anthropometric parameters and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were measured, and bone age was calculated. The average daily hydrocortisone dose was calculated over the last 1-year file records. Hyperandrogenic state was defined according to bone age SD score (⩾2) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels (>10 ng/ml). Echocardiographic examinations were assessed by conventional two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS: Patients had higher morphological parameters, such as left ventricular end-systolic diameter, interventricular septal thickness at end diastole, left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole, left ventricular mass and index, than the control group (p<0.05). On pulsed-wave and tissue Doppler echocardiography, significant subclinical alterations were observed in systolic (isovolumic contraction time), diastolic (isovolumic relaxation time), and global left ventricular functional (myocardial performance index) parameters in the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In partial correlation analyses, after controlling the effect of hyperandrogenism, the mean hydrocortisone dosage was positively correlated with isovolumic relaxation time in congenital adrenal hyperplasia group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are at risk for left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic myocardial subclinical alterations. Overtreatment may be responsible for the increased risk of myocardial dysfunction in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Can ambulatory blood pressure monitoring detect early diastolic dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: correlations with B-type natriuretic peptide and tissue Doppler findings.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between 24-h blood pressure (BP) measurements and diastolic heart function evaluated by Doppler tissue imaging and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 diabetic and 18 healthy children were enrolled. Spectral Doppler analysis and tissue Doppler measurements were performed by conventional echocardiography. The 24-h ambulatory BP and serum BNP levels were measured. RESULTS: Analysis of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recordings showed that median daytime diastolic BP load were significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to controls [12.35 (4.23-27.23) vs. 2.5 (0-8.7), p = 0.007]. Patients with elevated daytime systolic and diastolic BP loads had significantly higher BNP values compared to patients with normal BP load (31.4 ± 24.36 vs. 11.84 ± 11.25 pg/mL, p = 0.03 and 23.21 ± 15.12 vs. 12.12 ± 14.65 pg/mL, p = 0.03, respectively). Isovolemic contraction time (47.43 ± 7.84 vs. 42.27 ± 7.47, p = 0.045), isovolemic relaxation time (68.84 ± 10.43 vs. 58.77 ± 10.02, p = 0.02), and myocardial performance index (0.45 ± 0.10 vs. 0.37 ± 0.09, p = 0.02) as determined by tissue Doppler echocardiography were significantly high in diabetic patients compared to that of control cases. Ratio of mitral peak early diastolic flow velocity (E) to peak early diastolic myocardial velocities by tissue Doppler echocardiography (E') was also higher in patients with elevated daytime systolic BP load (E/E', 6.71 ± 1.97 vs. 4.91 ± 1.02, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Elevated BP loads detected by 24-h ambulatory BP measurements in children with type 1 diabetes are associated with increased BNP levels and abnormal tissue Doppler echocardiography indices, indicating early stage cardiac dysfunction.

Revisiting subclavian flap repair for neonates and small infants.

OBJECTIVE: We have utilized subclavian flap angioplasty (SFA) frequently in infants with coarctation particularly in patients with arch hypoplasia which is quite frequent. We have followed these patients with serial echocardiography and have analyzed our results in this study to determine recoartation rates, recurrent hypertension and left arm development. METHODS: Thirty eight infants less than 3 months age (22 boys and 16 girls, mean age was 28±22.6 days) operated at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital between August 2007 - December 2013. Twelve (32%) patients with pulmonary banding due to accompanying VSD or AVSD were included to the study, those infants with complex pathologies such as transposition of great arteries or single ventricle, while the patients less than 1000 gram in weight were excluded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 21 months (1-76 months). Twelve (32%) patients had aortic arch hypoplasia proximal to the left subclavian artery. Operative mortality was found 7.7% for isolated coarctation, 16% for coarctation repair with pulmonary banding. In 5 patients, a residual gradient was detected and re intervention was required in 7.8% patients with balloon angioplasty. CONCLUSION: Subclavian flap angioplasty is a safe repair technique in small infants and neonates. High gradients and intervention more likely depends on the anatomy of the aortic arch rather than the subclavian flap angioplasty technique.

Evaluation of Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Hypertension.

Background: Childhood hypertension, a disease with increasing prevalence, can lead to severe health problems. With the increased pressure on the vascular endothelium in hypertension, lesions in the endothelium result in endothelial activation and a process of inflammation, which causes platelet activation and in the bone marrow the release of platelet precursor cells into the peripheral blood stream. During inflammation, changes in the number and size of platelets are observed. With the release of platelet precursors into the peripheral blood stream due to platelet activation, an increase in mean platelet volume (MPV) is also seen. Aim: Our aim in this study is the evaluation of MPV changes in the hemogram of children suffering from hypertension, a condition causing severe cardiovascular problems. Material and Methods. This research is a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study. It consists of a patient group diagnosed with hypertension and a control group of children presenting for routine check-ups with no diagnosed hypertension. Demographic characteristics, arterial pressure values, and hemogram parameters have been evaluated. Results: A total of 90 cases were enrolled in the study, including a patient group of 45 cases with hypertension (19 females, 26 males) and a control group of 45 cases (27 females, 18 males). The median age was 15 years in the hypertension group and 13 years in the control group. In the hypertension cases, the thickness of the carotis intima media was statistically significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.001). Echocardiographic findings (IVSd, LVDd, LVPWd, IVSs, LVDs, LVPWs, and LV mass) were significantly higher in the hypertension group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in platelet count and MPV values between the groups was not found (p = 0.151, p = 0.405, respectively). Conclusion: While MPV is hypothesized to be higher in hypertensive individuals, there was no statistically significant difference between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups in this study.

Pediatricians' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Therapeutic Approaches Regarding Diaper Dermatitis: A Common Condition with Many Different Practices.

Background: Diaper dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases in early childhood. The prevalence of diaper dermatitis varies between 7% and 35% depending on population and age groups. There may be some differences among the pediatricians about treatment approaches to this common skin condition. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the management strategies of pediatricians for diaper dermatitis. Methods: The questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2021. The questionnaire which contained 21 items aimed to investigate the approaches of pediatricians to diaper dermatitis treatment, follow-up and prevention strategies. Results: A total of 217 pediatricians (59.4% female, median age 40.0 years) practicing in 32 different provinces of Turkey completed the questionnaire. The most preferred medical treatments in the first visit of children with diaper dermatitis, in respect of frequency, were zinc oxide, panthenol/dexpanthenol, and hamamelis virginiana extract (70.9%, 36.9%, 33.6% respectively). If there was no response to the first-line treatment in the control examination, the treatment was rearranged by adding an antifungal creams, topical low-potency corticosteroids, and/or high concentration zinc oxide creams (67.7%, 57.6%, 28.6%, respectively). Most cases were referred to a dermatologist if these treatments were not effective in the control visits of patients. Conclusion: Although pediatricians often prefer topical barrier creams for the treatment of diaper dermatitis, options may change depending on the severity of the lesions or the treatment response to the first-line topical treatments.

Risk factors for community-acquired urinary tract infection caused by ESBL-producing bacteria in children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk factors of antimicrobial resistance in children with urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. METHODS: A total of 344 patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI) between January 2008 and December 2009 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Causative microorganisms were ESBL-producing bacteria in 148 patients and non-ESBL-producing bacteria in 196 patients. There was no difference between the two groups regarding distribution of age, sex and length of follow up. RESULTS: The most frequent causative agent was Escherichia coli, of which 41.4% were ESBL producing. Among Klebsiella species, 53.2% were ESBL producing. The proportion of ESBL-producing bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics was 83.1% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 18.2% for nitrofurantoin, 47.3% for quinolones, and 39.9% for aminoglycosides. For non-ESBL-producing bacteria, the resistance rate was 62.2% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, 4.6% for nitrofurantoin, 9.7% for quinolones, and 9.7% for aminoglycosides. Age <1 year, high UTI recurrence rate, long duration of prophylaxis, use of cephalosporins for prophylaxis, hospitalization within the previous 3 months and clean intermittent catheterization were found to be significant risk factors for ESBL-producing bacteria (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified age <1 year and high recurrence UTI rate to be independent risk factors, increasing the risk 1.74-fold and 2.25-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of the risk factors for ESBL-producing bacteria may be helpful to determine new policies in the management of UTI. Recurrence of UTI should be prevented especially in the first year of life, and prophylactic cephalosporins should be avoided.

Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 (Endocan) Levels in Obese Children.

Obesity in children appears to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases later in life. Early development of insulin resistance (IR) may lead to endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) even in childhood. We compared endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) levels in pediatric obese patients with those in healthy controls to determine whether endocan could be used as a biological marker of complications caused by endothelial damage. In 80 obese pubertal children (44 males [M] and 36 females [F], mean age: 12.8 ± 2.5 years), anthropometric measurements, cIMT, endocan levels, and IR indices (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) were evaluated and compared with 80 healthy pubertal patients (42M/38F, mean age: 12.3 ± 3.2 years). High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure the cIMT. Obese children had higher levels of endocan compared with the controls (P < .001). Fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR were also higher in obese children (P < .001 for both). In addition, obese children had an increased cIMT (P < .001). In obese children, there was a significant correlation between cIMT and HOMA-IR (ß = -1.314, P = .002) and between cIMT and endocan (ß = .483, P = .004). Measuring cIMT and endocan levels (noninvasive investigations) in obese children, together with early preventive measures, could significantly decrease morbidity and mortality in adulthood.

Residents and interns in the 3 university hospitals: their knowledge of and attitudes to drug allergy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies revealed there are many gaps in the awareness and knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of drug allergy (DA) among various health-care professionals. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards DA among residents and interns of 3 university hospitals in the region of Trakya (Thrace), Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at university hospitals of 3 cities in the Trakya region: 1. Trakya University Medical Faculty, Edirne (n = 405), 2. Namik Kemal University Medical Faculty, Tekirdag (n = 114), and 3. Canakkale 18 Mart University Medical Faculty, Canakkale (n = 111). A Turkish questionnaire was developed based on previous published studies. RESULTS: The majority of participants (67%) had not received education on DA as a separate subject during their medical education. Less than a third (28.3%) of all respondents were satisfied with their knowledge concerning patients with clinical signs of DA. Of the 6 knowledge questions on DA, the average score for the study was 3.51 out of 6 (58.5%). Residents had a higher knowledge score (3.93 ± 1.1) compared with interns (3.05 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001). The lowest percentage of correct answers were in response to questions on laboratory confirmation of drug-related anaphylaxis (14.5%) and the possibility of penicillin toleration in patients with a history of penicillin allergy (11.8%). The majority of participants (92%) believe that medical doctors should be educated in DA. There were no significant correlations between taking DA histories and the frequency during daily practice of encountering patients. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that DA knowledge and attitudes are not at satisfactory level among respondents, and we concluded the importance and necessity of reinforcement of DA education in pre- and postgraduate education of medical doctors.

Anemia and Its Effect on Cardiovascular Findings in Obese Adolescents

Objective: We assessed the effect of anemia on cardiovascular findings in obese adolescents. Materials and Methods: We studied 29 anemic and 33 nonanemic obese adolescents, and 33 nonobese healthy adolescents. These three groups were investigated for clinical and laboratory features of anemia and obesity. Echocardiography was used to examine cardiac functions. Results: The anemia was mild (mean hemoglobin: 11.67±0.79g/dL), ferritin level was significantly low, and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were significantly high in anemic obese patients. Increased cardiac pulse and echocardiographic findings, which may be indicative of early left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, were present in these patients. Conclusion: Anemia may develop due to iron deficiency and chronic inflammation in obese adolescents. Even mild anemia may cause increased heart rate and affect left ventricular diastolic functions. Diet programs for obese children should be carefully planned to avoid iron deficiency anemia, which may worsen the cardiac events in long-term follow-up.

Signs in Neuroradiology: A Pictorial Review.

One of the major problems radiologists face in everyday practice is to decide the correct diagnosis, or at least narrow down the list of possibilities. In this context, indicative evidences (signs) are useful to recognize pathologies, and also to narrow the list of differential diagnoses. Despite classically being described for a single disease, or a closely related family of disorders, most indications are not restricted exclusively to their traditional definition. Therefore, using signs for prognosis requires knowledge of the mechanism of their appearance, and which pathologies they are observed in. In this study, we demonstrate some of the more common and useful neuroradiologic signs with relevant images, and discuss their use in differential diagnosis.

Hydatid disease located in the cerebellomedullary cistern.

Hydatid disease is an endemic zoonotic disease in many areas of the world. Liver, followed by lung, is the most commonly affected organ and involvement of other organs is rare. When brain is involved, lesions are typically supratentorial, and infratentorial localisation is even rarer. We present a 45-year-old woman with hydatid disease located in premedullary location compressing the brain stem, an exceedingly rare location for cerebral echinococcosis. Relevant literature regarding typical properties of cerebral disease was reviewed.