3D-Printed Cardiac Models for Fetal Counseling: A Pilot Study and Novel Approach to Improve Communication.

A fetal cardiology consultation involves using two-dimensional drawings to explain the cardiac anatomy which can result in inherent variation in how the congenital heart disease (CHD) is conveyed. In this pilot study, we incorporated three-dimensional printed (3DP) models into fetal counseling to demonstrate feasibility and evaluate the impact on parental knowledge, understanding, and anxiety. Parents with a prenatal diagnosis of a muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) and/or coarctation of aorta were enrolled. Providers were randomized into a Model or Drawing Group and crossed after six months. Parents completed a survey after the consultation which evaluated knowledge of the CHD lesion, expectant surgical management, self-rated understanding, attitude towards the visualization tool, and anxiety. Twenty-nine patients enrolled over a 12 month period. Twelve consultations were done for coarctation of aorta, 13 for VSD, and four for coarctation with a VSD. Both Model and Drawing groups scored similarly in self-reported understanding and confidence, helpfulness of and improvement in communication with the visualization tool. The Model group had higher scores on questions related to the CHD anatomy and surgical intervention [5 [4-5] versus 4 [3.5-5]], p = 0.23 although this didn't reach statistical significance. For the majority (83%) of consultations, the cardiologist agreed that the 3D model improved communication. In this pilot study, we demonstrate the use of 3DP cardiac models during prenatal CHD counseling is feasible and produces results related to parental understanding and knowledge that are equal to and possibly better than the current standard of care.

Cardiovascular computed tomography in pediatric congenital heart disease: A state of the art review.

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has increasingly been used in the assessment of both children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), in part due to advances in CCT technology and an increased prevalence of adults with palliated CHD. It serves as a complimentary modality to echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization. CCT can provide unique diagnostic information, is less invasive and less likely to require sedation compared to other modalities. Detailed knowledge of individual patient cardiac anatomy, physiology, surgical repair and possible residual lesions are paramount to optimal CCT imaging. This comprehensive review details the use of CCT both pre- and postoperatively for the most common CHD diagnoses. We also aim to highlight some new and innovative technologies that have become available and can further optimize CCT imaging for CHD patients.

Maternal Predictors of Disparate Outcomes in Children With Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Significant variability in morbidity and mortality persists for children with functionally single ventricle congenital heart disease (SV-CHD) despite standardization in medical and surgical care. We hypothesized that maternal health factors may be associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes in children with SV-CHD. Methods and Results This retrospective, observational, cohort study included term maternal-infant pairs with a diagnosis of SV-CHD who underwent surgical palliation from 2006 to 2015 at Primary Children's Hospital. Pairs lacking maternal variables of interest or infant follow-up data were excluded. The association of maternal risk factors of abnormal pre-pregnancy body mass index, abnormal gestational weight gain (<7 or >20 kg), hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes mellitus with death/transplant and hemodynamics were analyzed using regression models. Of 190 infants, 135 (71%) maternal-infant dyads had complete data for inclusion. Death or transplant occurred in 48 infants (36%) during an average follow-up of 2.2 years (0.1-11.7 years). Abnormal gestational weight gain was associated with an increased risk of death and/or transplant in logistic regression (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.32-7.86; P=0.01), but not Cox regression (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.7; P=0.055). Mean pulmonary artery pressures were higher in the setting of abnormal gestational weight gain (16.5±2.9 versus 14.7±3.0 mm Hg; P<0.001), and abnormal pre-pregnancy body mass index (15.7±3.5 versus 14.2±2.1 mm Hg; P<0.001) in the systemic right ventricle group. Conclusions Abnormal gestational weight gain (excessive or inadequate) is a novel risk factor for worse outcomes in SV-CHD. The fetoplacental environment may alter the trajectory of vascular development to impact outcomes in infants with SV-CHD.

High-sensitivity troponin T in preterm infants with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) leads to elevated high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and NTproBNP levels in serum. STUDY DESIGN: Infants <34 weeks and <1500 g were prospectively enrolled, except those with major congenital or chromosomal anomalies. An echocardiogram (ECHO) was performed and hsTnT and NTproBNP were measured within 5 days of life and repeated after treatment of hsPDA. Clinical, ECHO, and hsTnT data were analyzed using Student t-test, two proportion z-test, and regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy infants were enrolled. Infants in the hsPDA group had lower gestation and birth weight. Mean hsTnT and NTproBNP levels in the hsPDA group were higher compared to the group without an hsPDA, with levels being 251.54 vs 161.6 pg/ml, p < 0.01 for hsTnT and 18181.02 vs 3149.23 pg/ml, p < 0.001 for NTproBNP. CONCLUSION: HsPDA leads to increased hsTnT and NTproBNP levels in preterm infants without affecting cardiac function.

Quantitative assessment of lingual strength in late-onset Pompe disease.

INTRODUCTION: Skeletal muscle is common in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). Recent data implicate common bulbar muscle involvement (i.e., the tongue). METHODS: We used quantitative assessment of lingual strength to retrospectively determine the frequency and severity of lingual weakness in LOPD. We additionally examined associations between lingual strength and the presence or absence of dysarthria, and dysarthria severity. RESULTS: Quantitative assessment revealed lingual weakness to be present in 80% of the sample. In the 24 affected patients, severity was mild in 29%, moderate in 29%, and severe in 42%. Patients with clinical dysarthria had greater lingual weakness than those without. As dysarthria severity increased, lingual strength decreased by an average of 6.82 kPa. CONCLUSIONS: These quantitative data provide additional evidence for presence of bulbar muscle disease in patients with LOPD. Further study is necessary to determine functional effects, temporal progression, and effects of treatment.