Diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in coarctation of aorta: systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in detecting coarctation of the aorta (CoA). METHODS: An individual participant data meta-analysis was performed to report on the strength of association and diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs in detecting CoA prenatally. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched for studies published between January 2000 and November 2021. Inclusion criteria were fetuses with suspected isolated CoA, defined as ventricular and/or great vessel disproportion with right dominance on ultrasound assessment. Individual participant-level data were obtained by two leading teams. PRISMA-IPD and PRISMA-DTA guidelines were used for extracting data, and the QUADAS-2 tool was used for assessing quality and applicability. The reference standard was CoA, defined as narrowing of the aortic arch, diagnosed after birth. The most commonly evaluated parameters on ultrasound, both in B-mode and on Doppler, constituted the index test. Summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and likelihood ratios were computed using the hierarchical summary receiver-operating-characteristics model. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 72 studies, of which 25 met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies (640 fetuses) were included. On random-effects logistic regression analysis, tricuspid valve/mitral valve diameter ratio > 1.4 and > 1.6, aortic isthmus/arterial duct diameter ratio < 0.7, hypoplastic aortic arch (all P < 0.001), aortic isthmus diameter Z-score of < -2 in the sagittal (P = 0.003) and three-vessel-and-trachea (P < 0.001) views, pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio > 1.4 (P = 0.048) and bidirectional flow at the foramen ovale (P = 0.012) were independently associated with CoA. Redundant foramen ovale was inversely associated with CoA (P = 0.037). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, tricuspid valve/mitral valve diameter ratio > 1.4 had a sensitivity of 72.6% (95% CI, 48.2-88.3%), specificity of 65.4% (95% CI, 46.9-80.2%) and DOR of 5.02 (95% CI, 1.82-13.9). The sensitivity and specificity values were, respectively, 75.0% (95% CI, 61.1-86.0%) and 39.7% (95% CI, 27.0-53.4%) for pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio > 1.4, 47.8% (95% CI, 14.6-83.0%) and 87.6% (95% CI, 27.3-99.3%) for aortic isthmus diameter Z-score of < -2 in the sagittal view and 74.1% (95% CI, 58.0-85.6%) and 62.0% (95% CI, 41.6-78.9%) for aortic isthmus diameter Z-score of < -2 in the three-vessel-and-trachea view. Hypoplastic aortic arch had a sensitivity of 70.0% (95% CI, 42.0-88.6%), specificity of 91.3% (95% CI, 78.6-96.8%) and DOR of 24.9 (95% CI, 6.18-100). The diagnostic yield of prenatal ultrasound in detecting CoA did not change significantly when considering multiple categorical parameters. Five of the 11 evaluated continuous parameters were independently associated with CoA (all P < 0.001) but all had low-to-moderate diagnostic yield. CONCLUSIONS: Several prenatal ultrasound parameters are associated with an increased risk for postnatal CoA. However, diagnostic accuracy is only moderate, even when combinations of parameters are considered. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Three-dimensional echocardiography: preliminary experience in congenital cardiac disease]. / Ecocardiografía tridimensional: experiencia preliminar en las cardiopatías congénitas.

INTRODUCTION: Anatomical comprehension of congenital cardiac diseases by 2D echocardiography is occasionally very difficult. 3D echocardiography provides a more spatial anatomical information avoiding the need of two-dimensional reconstruction. METHODS: Of the 271 cases studied 80 were foetal and 191 patients. In all cases, 2D and 3D echocardiography was performed (Sonos 7500 with matrix probe). Four modes of 3D imaging were used. RESULTS: 3D echocardiography gave an accurate description of the size, form and wedges of septals defects. In atrioventricular septal defects and mitral anomalies, 3D echocardiography was useful for the assessment of dynamic valve morphology and mechanisms of regurgitation. In foetal screening the segmentary heart study was carried out from a single acoustic window. CONCLUSIONS: 3D real time echocardiography is a feasible, easy and rapid technique. It provides anatomical and functional details needed for an accurate comprehension of congenital cardiac diseases. In foetal screening, it provides an easier segmentary analysis of the entire foetal heart.

[Parapneumonic pleural effusion: an 11-year review]. / Derrame pleural paraneumónico: revisión de 11 años.

INTRODUCTION: In the last few years, the incidence of parapneumonic effusions in children with community-acquired pneumonia seems to have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and incidence of parapneumonic effusions throughout an 11-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients aged < 15 years old with parapneumonic effusions from 1993 to 2003. Annual incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 children < 15 years old from Health Area 5 of Madrid and per 100 children hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department of our hospital. The linear association test was used to compare the incidence rates over the previous 11 years. RESULTS: There were 130 patients with parapneumonic pleural effusions. The mean age was 4.7 years. Forty-one percent received antibiotics before diagnosis. The causative organisms were identified in 42 patients (32.3%). The most effective diagnostic method was pleural-fluid culture (18/58, 31%). The most common organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (18), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8), Staphylococcus aureus (4), Streptococcus pyogenes (3), Haemophilus influenzae (3) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2). Thirty-two percent of the patients required pleural drainage and 16% underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Of 12 S. pneumoniae antibiograms available, 91.7% showed full susceptibility to penicillin and 75% were susceptible to erythromycin. The annual incidence of parapneumonic effusions rose from 18.1 in 1993 to 42.9 in 2003 (p < 0.001) per 100,000 children and from 0.76 in 1993 to 3.3 in 2003 (p < 0.001) per 100 children hospitalized in our unit. CONCLUSION: The incidence of parapneumonic effusions in children with community-acquired pneumonia showed a statistically significant increase between 1993 and 2003. The most common causal organism was S. pneumoniae, with a low rate of penicillin resistance.

[Fetal bradycardia: a retrospective study in 9 Spanish centers]. / Bradicardia fetal: estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo en 9 hospitales españoles.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the current management and outcomes of fetal bradycardia in 9 Spanish centers. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study: analysis of all fetuses with bradycardia diagnosed between January 2008 and September 2010. Underlying mechanisms of fetal bradyarrhythmias were studied with echocardiography. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were registered: 3 sinus bradycardia, 15 blocked atrial bigeminy, and 19 high grade atrioventricular blocks. Sinus bradycardia: 3 cases (100%) were associated with serious diseases. Blocked atrial bigeminy had an excellent outcome, except for one case with post-natal tachyarrhythmia. Of the atrioventricular blocks, 16% were related to congenital heart defects with isomerism, 63% related to the presence of maternal SSA/Ro antibodies, and 21% had unclear etiology. Overall mortality was 20% (37%, if terminations of pregnancy are taken into account). Risk factors for mortality were congenital heart disease, hydrops and/or ventricular dysfunction. Management strategies differed among centers. Steroids were administrated in 73% of immune-mediated atrioventricular blocks, including the only immune-mediated IInd grade block. More than half (58%) of atrioventricular blocks had a pacemaker implanted in a follow-up of 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained fetal bradycardia requires a comprehensive study in all cases, including those with sinus bradycardia. Blocked atrial bigeminy has a good prognosis, but tachyarrhythmias may develop. Heart block has significant mortality and morbidity rates, and its management is still highly controversial.

Inesperada reagudización de enfermedad de Kawasaki / Unexpected exacerbation of Kawasaki disease

Introducción: La enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) es la segunda vasculitis más frecuente de la infancia, después de la púrpura de Schönlein-Henoch, y la primera causa de enfermedad cardiaca adquirida en la infancia en los países desarrollados. Caso clínico: Se presenta un caso clínico de EK con reagudización y aparición de aneurismas gigantes coronarios como complicación secundaria. Discusión: El diagnóstico se basa en la combinación de criterios clínicos y analíticos, como presencia de fiebre (duración ≥ 5 días) y 4 de los siguientes: conjuntivitis bilateral no supurativa, linfadenopatía cervical, exantema polimorfo que afecta a las palmas y las plantas, cambios en las mucosas (lengua aframbuesada, enrojecimiento labial) y cambios en las extremidades (edema y eritema de las palmas, descamación del pulpejo de los dedos). El tratamiento consiste en la administración temprana de gammaglobulina intravenosa 2 g/kg y ácido acetilsalicílico 50 mg/kg/día. La secuela más importante es la afectación del sistema cardiovascular, en especial de las arterias coronarias, que puede llegar a desarrollar aneurismas coronarios que evolucionen hacia una estenosis y una posterior isquemia miocárdica. Conclusiones: Para disminuir la morbimortalidad de este proceso es importante un inicio precoz del tratamiento, lo que precisa una alta sospecha diagnóstica ante cuadros febriles prolongados, así como una correcta evaluación de los factores de riesgo de evolución tórpida, para elegir el tratamiento más adecuado

Introduction: Kawasaki disease is the second most common vasculitis of childhood and the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries. Case report: We present the case of an infant with Kawasaki disease and acute exacerbation with coronary aneurysms as a secondary complication arises Discussion: Diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical and laboratory criteria: fever (over five days) plus 4 of the following: non-suppurative bilateral conjunctivitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, polymorphous rash affecting the palms and soles, changes in the mucous membranes (strawberry tongue, redness lip) and changes in the extremities (edema and erythema of the palms, peeling the heel of the fingers). The treatment consists of early administration of intravenous immunoglobulin 2 g/kg and acetylsalicylic acid 50 mg/kg/day. The most important consequence is the involvement of the cardiovascular system, especially the coronary arteries may develop coronary aneurysms evolve towards stenosis and subsequent myocardial ischemia. Conclusion: To decrease the morbidity and mortality of this process is important early initiation of treatment, which requires a high suspicion diagnosis before prolonged febrile illness, and an accurate assessment of risk factors torpid, to choose the most appropriate treatment

Taquicardia fetal: estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo en 9 hospitales españoles / Fetal tachycardia: a retrospective study in 9 Spanish centers

Introducción y objetivo: El tratamiento óptimo de la taquicardia fetal es todavía objeto de controversia. El objetivo de este estudio es revisar el manejo y la evolución de los fetos diagnosticados de taquicardia en 9 centros españoles. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo, con análisis de todos los fetos con taquicardia diagnosticados en 9 centros españoles entre enero de 2008 y septiembre de 2010. Resultados: Se registraron 37 casos, un 30% hidrópicos. Un total de 26 casos no presentaba hidropesía; 4 de ellos se diagnosticaron de flutter auricular –cardioversión con éxito en todos, intraútero o posnatalmente– y 22 de taquicardia supraventricular (TSV), 17 con intervalo ventriculoauricular (VA) corto y 5 con intervalo VA largo. El fármaco inicial en la mayoría de los casos fue la digoxina. La taquicardia se controló prenatalmente en el 93% de las TSV con VA corto y en el 50% con VA largo. La digoxina resultó eficaz en los fetos con VA corto, pero ineficaz en los casos con VA largo (p= 0,019). Un feto con TSV con disfunción ventricular falleció. Asociaron hidropesía 11 casos, todos ellos diagnosticados de TSV. La estrategia terapéutica fue muy variable en este grupo. Fallecieron 5 de los fetos hidrópicos: 1 posnatalmente, 2 intraútero muy precozmente tras empezar el tratamiento, y 2 intraútero a pesar de haber convertido a ritmo sinusal con éxito (1 estando en tratamiento con flecainida y 1 con sotalol) . Conclusiones: En nuestra serie se ha registrado una mortalidad muy alta de los fetos hidrópicos. Proponemos un nuevo protocolo de tratamiento concordado para mejorar la evolución de la taquicardia fetal (AU)

Introduction and objective: Optimal treatment for fetal tachycardia is still controversial. The aim of this study is to review the actual management and outcome of fetal tachycardia in 9 Spanish centers. Method: Retrospective multicentric study: analysis of all fetuses with tachycardia diagnosed at 9 Spanish centers between January 2008 and September 2010. Results: 37 cases were registered, 30% of which were hydropic. We had 26 no hydropic cases, of which 4 atrial flutter –all of them successfully cardioverted intrautero or after delivery– and 22 with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), of which 17 short ventriculo-auricular (VA) interval and 5 long VA interval. Digoxin was the drug of choice in most cases. Prenatal control of the tachycardia was achieved in 93% of treated SVT with short VA interval and 50% of long VA, being digoxine effective in short VA but not long VA interval (p= 0.019). 1 fetus with supraventricular tachycardia with ventricular dysfunction died. 11 cases were hydropic, all of them diagnosed as SVT. Management strategies were highly diverse in this group. 5 patients died: 1 after delivery, 2 intrautero very shortly after starting treatment, and 2 intrautero in spite of being successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm (1 with sotalol, 1 with flecainide). Conclusions: Hydropic fetuses have shown a high mortality rate in our population, which calls for further studies and unification of criteria. Here we propose a common protocol aimed at improving the outcome of fetal tachycardia (AU)

Técnicas de imagen en cardiología pediátrica / Imaging techniques in pediatric cardiology

Es posible diagnosticar a cualquier paciente con enfermedad cardiovascular utilizando diferentes métodos que varían ampliamente en sus requerimientos técnicos, beneficios, limitaciones y costes. El uso adecuado de cada una de estos test alternativos requiere una integración de expertos en estos métodos colaborando con los servicios de diagnóstico clínico. Las pruebas diagnósticas deben evaluarse por su impacto en los resultados clínicos, mediante criterios que permitan juzgar la calidad diagnóstica. Deben estar validadas y han de desarrollarse guías clínicas que comparen las diferentes técnicas y que permitan orientar a los especialistas en cada caso particular. Pretendemos hacer un repaso de las novedades tecnológicas en las diferentes modalidades de diagnóstico por imagen, intentando valorar los pros y contras de las principales técnicas de uso cotidiano (ecocardiografía, TAC y RNM), las guías existentes en la actualidad y tendencias de futuro (AU)

It is possible to diagnose any patient with cardiovascular disease using different methods that widely vary in their technical requirements, benefits, limitations and costs. The adequate use of each one of these alternative test requires the incorporation of experts in these methods, collaborating with clinical diagnosis services. The diagnostic test should be evaluated for their impact on the clinical results using criteria that make it possible to judge the diagnostic quality. The should be validated and clinical guides should be developed that compare the different techniques and make it possible to orient the specialist in each specific case. We aim to review the technological novelties in the different imaging diagnostic modalities, attempting to evaluate the pros and cons of the principal techniques of daily use (Echocardiography, CT scan and MRI), the currently existing guidelines and the future tendencies (AU)

Miocardiopatías y trasplante cardíaco / Cardiomyopathies and heart transplants

Se ha publicado un nuevo documento de consenso de la American Heart Association (AJHA) que define las miocardiopatías como el conjunto de enfermedades del miocardio asociadas a alteración mecánica y/o eléctrica del corazón que normalmente se acompaña de hipertrofía o dilatación secundaria a una serie de causas frecuentemente genéticas. Este nuevo documento hace un enfoque etiológico clasificándolas en primarias (con afectación fundamentalmente del corazón) y secundarias a enfermedades sistémicas. Las primarias se clasifican según su etiología en genéticas, adquiridas y mixtas. A efectos prácticos-didácticos se sigue hablando de miocardiopatías hipertrófica, dilatada o restrictiva. Se exponen su clínica, los estudios complementarios necesarios para su diagnóstico y los tratamientos médicos y quirúrgicos, con especial referencia a las indicaciones del trasplante cardíaco (AU)

A new consensus document of the AHA has been recetly published and it defines cardiomyopathies as a group of diseases of the myocardium that causes mechanic or electrical dysfuntion. They are usually associated with hypertrophy or dilatation and are more often secondary to different causes, frequently of genetic origin. This new document addfresses an etiological approach and classifies diseases as primary (involvement of the heart) and secondary to systemic diseases. Primary cardiomyopathies are further classified as genetic, acquired or mixed. Symptoms, complementary studies for diagnosis and medical and surgical treatments are explained, with special reference to the indications of heart transplantation (AU)

Ecocardiografía tridimensional: experiencia preliminar en las cardiopatías congénitas / Three-dimensional echocardiography: preliminary experience in congenital cardiac disease

Introducción: Las cardiopatías congénitas pueden presentar una anatomía difícil de interpretar. La ecocardiografía tridimensional aporta imágenes únicas sin necesidad de reconstrucción mental anatómica tan a menudo necesaria en la ecocardiografía bidimensional. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 271 casos: 80 registros fetales y 191 transtorácicos. En todos se realizó ecocardiografía bidimensional (2D) y tridimensional (3D) (equipo Philips Sonos 7500, con sonda matricial) con cuatro modalidades de ecografía 3D: 3D tiempo real, biplano, color y volumen completo. Resultados: En los defectos septales, esta técnica definió de manera precisa el tamaño, la forma y los bordes. En los canales auriculoventriculares y anomalías mitrales determinó la anatomía y mecanismos de regurgitación y estenosis. En el cribado fetal permitió un estudio segmentario del corazón fetal. Conclusiones: La ecocardiografía 3D en tiempo real es una técnica factible, sencilla y rápida. Aporta detalles anatómicos y funcionales esenciales en las cardiopatías congénitas. El rastreo fetal facilita un análisis segmentario completo del corazón fetal

Introduction: Anatomical comprehension of congenital cardiac diseases by 2D echocardiography is occasionally very difficult. 3D echocardiography provides a more spatial anatomical information avoiding the need of two-dimensional reconstruction. Methods: Of the 271 cases studied 80 were foetal and 191 patients. In all cases, 2D and 3D echocardiography was performed (Sonos 7500 with matrix probe). Four modes of 3D imaging were used. Results: 3D echocardiography gave an accurate description of the size, form and wedges of septals defects. In atrioventricular septal defects and mitral anomalies, 3D echocardiography was useful for the assessment of dynamic valve morphology and mechanisms of regurgitation. In foetal screening the segmentary heart study was carried out from a single acoustic window. Conclusions: 3D real time echocardiography is a feasible, easy and rapid technique. It provides anatomical and functional details needed for an accurate comprehension of congenital cardiac diseases. In foetal screening, it provides an easier segmentary analysis of the entire foetal heart

Derrame pleural paraneumónico: revisión de 11 años / Parapneumonic pleural effusion: An 11-year review

Introducción En los últimos años parece existir un aumento en la incidencia del derrame pleural asociado a neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Los objetivos de nuestro estudio fueron describir la etiología y las características clínicas de los derrames paraneumónicos y determinar su incidencia a lo largo de 11 años. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de los pacientes menores de 15 años con derrame pleural paraneumónico en el período comprendido entre 1993 y 2003. Se calcularon incidencias anuales por cada 100.000 niños menores de 15 años del Área 5 de la Comunidad de Madrid y por cada 100 ingresos en la Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas del hospital y se evaluó su tendencia a aparecer a lo largo del período de estudio mediante el test de asociación lineal. Resultados Se diagnosticaron 130 derrames pleurales paraneumónicos. La edad media fue de 4,7 años. El 41 % recibieron tratamiento antibiótico previo al diagnóstico. Se descubrió la etiología en 42 pacientes (32,3 %). El mejor método diagnostico fue el cultivo de líquido pleural (18 aislamientos de 58 muestras, 31 %). Las bacterias más frecuentes fueron Streptococcus pneumoniae (18), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8), Staphylococcus aureus (4), Streptococcus pyogenes (3), Haemophilus influenzae (3) y Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2). El 32 % requirieron drenaje pleural y el 16 %, toracoscopia. De los 12 antibiogramas de S. pneumoniae disponibles, 91,7 % fueron sensibles a penicilina y 75 % a eritromicina. La incidencia anual de derrame pleural paraneumónico por cada 100.000 niños aumentó de 18,1 en 1993 a 42,9 en 2003 (p < 0,005) y de 0,76 en 1993 a 3,3 en 2003 (p < 0,005) por cada 100 niños hospitalizados en nuestra unidad. Conclusión Existe un aumento estadísticamente significativo en la incidencia de derrame pleural paraneumónico entre 1993 y 2003. S. pneumoniae es el microorganismo causal más frecuente con un bajo porcentaje de resistencia a penicilina

Introduction In the last few years, the incidence of parapneumonic effusions in children with community-acquired pneumonia seems to have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and incidence of parapneumonic effusions throughout an 11-year period. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients aged < 15 years old with parapneumonic effusions from 1993 to 2003. Annual incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 children < 15 years old from Health Area 5 of Madrid and per 100 children hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department of our hospital. The linear association test was used to compare the incidence rates over the previous 11 years. Results There were 130 patients with parapneumonic pleural effusions. The mean age was 4.7 years. Forty-one percent received antibiotics before diagnosis. The causative organisms were identified in 42 patients (32.3 %). The most effective diagnostic method was pleural-fluid culture (18/58, 31 %). The most common organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (18), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8), Staphylococcus aureus (4), Streptococcus pyogenes (3), Haemophilus influenzae (3) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2). Thirty-two percent of the patients required pleural drainage and 16 % underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Of 12 S. pneumoniae antibiograms available, 91.7 % showed full susceptibility to penicillin and 75 % were susceptible to erythromycin. The annual incidence of parapneumonic effusions rose from 18.1 in 1993 to 42.9 in 2003 (p < 0.001) per 100,000 children and from 0.76 in 1993 to 3.3 in 2003 (p < 0.001) per 100 children hospitalized in our unit. Conclusion The incidence of parapneumonic effusions in children with community-acquired pneumonia showed a statistically significant increase between 1993 and 2003. The most common causal organism was S. pneumoniae, with a low rate of penicillin resistance