One-Year Follow-Up Results of MIS-C Patients with Coronary Artery Involvement: A Multi-center Study.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children is a rare complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Knowing the course of the affected or unaffected coronary arteries in the patients under follow-up is important in terms of defining the long-term prognosis of the disease and determining the follow-up plan. This is a multicenter and retrospective study. The data were obtained from nine different centers. Between May 2020 and August 2022, 68 of 790 patients had coronary artery involvement. One-year echocardiographic data of 67 of 789 MIS-C patients with coronary artery involvement were analyzed. Existing pathologies of the coronary arteries were grouped as increased echogenicity, dilatation and aneurysm according to Z scores, and their changes over a 1-year period were determined. The data of all three groups are defined as frequency. SPSS Statistics version 22 was used to evaluate the data. In our study, aneurysm was observed in 16.4%, dilatation in 68.7% and increased echogenicity in 13.4% of the patients. All of the patients with involvement in the form of increased echogenicity recovered without sequelae by the end of the first month. No progression to aneurysm was observed in any of the patients with dilatation. No new-onset involvement was observed in patients with previously healthy coronary arteries during the convalescent period. In addition, from the sixth month follow-up period, there was no worsening in the amount of dilatation in any of the patients. At least 94% of the patients who completed the 12th month control period returned to normal.

Piccolo in transcatheter PDA closure multi-centre study from premature to adolescent children.

In this multi-centre study, the mid- to long-term efficacy and safety of the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder in patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature and term infants as well as children were discussed. Methods. Between 2016 and 2021, 645 patients, 152 of whom were less than 1 month old, underwent ductus closure with the Piccolo device from five different centres in Turkey. The median age of the patients was 2.2 years, and the mean narrowest point of duct diameter was 1.8 mm. Sixty-two patients weighed ≤ 1.5 kg, 90 patients 1.5-3 kg, and the mean follow-up was 20.4 months. In 396, the duct was closed by the retrograde route. Ductal anatomy was Type A in 285, C in 72, E in 171, and F in 64 patients. Fluoroscopy duration was 6.2 min. The procedure success rate was 99.1%. Device embolisation occurred in 13 patients (2%), and 11 were retrieved with a snare. Cardiac perforation and death developed in one premature baby. The left pulmonary artery and the descending aorta stenosis were observed in 3 (0.4%) and in 5 patients (0.5%). Results. Piccolo device is safe and effective in closing ductus in all age groups. It has low profile for use in premature and newborn babies, a small embolisation risk, and a low residual shunt rate after closure. Conclusion. The Piccolo device can be considered as close an ideal occluder. The lower profile, smaller delivery catheter size, and symmetry of this device allow for a venous or arterial approach.

Evaluation of the effect of obesity, dietary glycemic index and metabolic profiles on the cardiovascular risk in children with classical phenylketonuria.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the glycemic index(GI),obesity,echocardiographic,and arterial stiffness measurements with the healthy control group to evaluate the cardiovascular risk of pediatric classical phenylketonuria(PKU). METHODS: The study was a prospective observational,involving 104 pediatric volunteers between 2019 and 2020.Two groups were formed:the PKU patient group and the healthy control group.These two groups were further divided into three subgroups:obese,overweight,and normal weight.The patients' anthropometric measurements,body fat analysis,biochemical analysis, GI and glycemic load(GL),arterial stiffness measurements,and echocardiographic findings were recorded. RESULTS: The PKU patient group's glucose,total cholesterol,LDL,and HDL values were significantly lower than the healthy control group(p = 0.010 for glucose and p = 0.001 for total cholesterol,LDL and HDL).Triglyceride levels were higher in the PKU patient group than in the healthy controls(109.6 vs. 76.7 mg/dl,p = 0.001). GI and GL were significantly lower in the PKU patient group than in the healthy control group(GI 453 vs. 392.9,p = 0.017 and GL 101.1 vs. 85.5,p = 0.036).Left ventricular mass(LVM)-z-score and LVM index were significantly higher in the PKU group than in the healthy control group(LVM z-score 0.9 vs. 0.5,p = 0.014 and LVM index 38.9 vs. 32.7 g/m2.7,p = 0.001). A moderately statistically significant positive correlation was found between the mean phenylalanine(phe) value and pulse wave velocity(PWV) among the PKU patient groups(R: 0.477,p < 0.001).A moderately statistically significant positive correlation was also found between waist circumference and PWV in the PKU patient group(R:0.541, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that close follow-up of phe levels and PWV is more critical than obesity, GI, and GL in the cardiovascular evaluation of classical PKU patients.A large number of multicenter pediatric studies are needed in this area.

Differences and similarities of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, Kawasaki disease and macrophage activating syndrome due to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a comparative study.

To compare the clinical and laboratory findings of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and with macrophage activating syndrome due to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA-MAS) on real-life data. Patients diagnosed with MIS-C, KD, and sJIA-MAS from 12 different centers in Turkey who were followed for at least 6 months were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings of all patients were analyzed. A total of 154 MIS-C, 59 KD, and 31 sJIA-MAS patients were included. The median age of patients with MIS-C were higher than those with KD while lower than those with sJIA-MAS (8.2, 3, 12 years, respectively). Myalgia (39.6%), cardiac (50.6%), gastrointestinal (72.7%), and neurological (22.1%) involvements were more common in patients with MIS-C compared to others. MIS-C patients had lower levels of lymphocyte (950 vs 1700 cells/µl) and thrombocyte (173,000 vs 355,000 cells/µl) counts and higher pro-BNP (1108 vs 55 pg/ml) levels than KD. Ferritin levels were higher in patients with MIS-C compared to patients with KD while they were lower than patients with sJIA-MAS (440, 170, 10,442 ng/ml, respectively). Patients with MIS-C had a shorter duration of hospitalization than sJIA-MAS (p = 0.02) while they required intensive care unit admission more frequently (55 vs 8 patients, p < 0.001). The median MAS/sJIA score of MIS-C patients was - 1.64 (- 5.23 to 9.68) and the median MAS/sJIA score of sJIA-MAS patients was -2.81 ([- 3.79] to [- 1.27]). MIS-C patients displayed certain differences in clinical and laboratory features when compared to KD and sJIA-MAS. Definition of the differences and similarities between MIS-C and the other intense inflammatory syndromes of childhood such as KD and MAS will help the clinicians while making timely diagnosis.

Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defects with the MemoPart Atrial Septal Occluder: The Early-Term Results of a Multicenter Study.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease with left-to-right shunt that may lead to pulmonary hypertension over time. Secundum ASD closure with transcatheter technique is currently the preferred method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical experience and early-term outcomes of patients treated with a MemoPart ASD occluder device between June 2013 and June 2019. Fifty-six patients (35 females) with a mean age of 9.4 ± 6.6 years (range: 2-44 years) were included in the study. The diameters of the devices used to close the ASDs were 7-28 mm. The ratio of the device/defect diameter was 1.14:1. Atrial septal defect closure was applied successfully in all patients. The MemoPart septal occluder is a safe and effective device for ASD closure. In wide ASDs and cases with more than one deficient rim, weak rims, or wide and complicated cases, it can be used carefully with sufficient experience.

Is Increased Intracranial Pressure a Factor in Persistent Headache After Coronavirus Disease 2019?

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine pain characteristics in patients with persistent headache after COVID-19 and to investigate the role of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the pathogenesis of this headache. This is a case-control study comparing the parameters and measurements indicating increased ICP based on magnetic resonance imaging between COVID-19-diagnosed patients with persistent headache and a control group. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and eyeball transverse diameter (ETD) were performed on the left eye of each participant. Seventeen of the patients (53.12%) met the diagnostic criteria for new daily persistent headache. Seven patients (21.87%) had migraine, and eight (25%) had tension headache characteristics. No significant difference was observed between the patient and control groups in terms of the ONSD and ETD values. It is possible that the etiopathogenesis is multifactorial. We consider that future studies that will evaluate ICP measurements in large patient groups can present a different perspective for this subject.

Fetal valproate syndrome with coronary arteriovenous fistula: a case report.

Interestingly, our case presenting with coronary AV fistula firstly reported in the literature with fetal valproate syndrome. Although differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult, it can be diagnosed with detailed history, physical examination and appropriate laboratory tests. Fetal valproate syndrome can be prevented by discontinue of the valproic acid especially during first trimester of pregnancy.

The immediate haemodynamic response and right and left cardiac remodelling after percutaneous transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect in children: a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the immediate haemodynamic response and the timing of cardiac remodelling in paediatric secundum atrial septal defect patients who underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study with 41 paediatric secundum ASD patients who underwent PTC with Amplatzer Occluder device were assessed for immediate post-interventional haemodynamic response measured by catheterisation and was evaluated for right and left cardiac remodelling during a follow-up period of 12 months by transthoracic echocardiography. SPSS 20.0 was used for statistical analyses of pre- and post-interventional invasive haemodynamic parameters of the patients, and pre- and post-interventional TTE data compared with the values of the control group consisted of 39 healthy children. RESULTS: The mean diameter of ASD was 13.9 ± 4.7 mm. PTC intervention in all patients completed with 100% success and 0% complication rates. All invasive haemodynamic data, except the ratio of pulmonary resistance to systemic resistance, significantly reduced after PTC (p < 0.05). TTE and PW Doppler revealed that right and left cardiac remodelling started as soon as the post-interventional 24th hour and completed in the 12th month. CONCLUSIONS: This study with a very high interventional success rate can be counted as the first example of research on the haemodynamic response and timing of cardiac remodelling after PTC of secundum ASD in children. We suggest that future multicentric studies with larger cohorts and a comprehensive methodology like ours with longer follow-up periods would better serve to further assess the cardiac remodelling in children after PTC of secundum ASD.

Torsion of Wandering Spleen: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Wandering spleen is defined as the localization of the spleen in the lower parts of the abdomen or the pelvic region, rather than the left upper quadrant. The torsion of wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition. CASE REPORT: We evaluate a case diagnosed with torsion of wandering spleen and underwent splenectomy in our hospital and discuss it in light of the literature. A 26-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and abdominal distention. The patient was diagnosed with the torsion of wandering spleen based on computed tomography scan results. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The torsion of wandering spleen is rare in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain, but it is an important condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The diagnosis of wandering spleen should be made before the development of potentially life-threatening complications. Emergency surgery should be undertaken in patients with splenic infarction.

Is hypertension the fate of aortic coarctation patients treated with Cheatham Platinum (CP) stent?

AIM: The aim of this study is to address the presence of hypertension and risk for cardiovascular diseases in patients with Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) who were treated with endovascular stent placement. METHODS: Twenty patients (mean age: 14.2 ± 3.9 years) who were treated with stent and 20 age- and sex-matched controls were included to the study. Structure and functions of left ventricle were assessed by echocardiography. Carotid intima media (CIM) thickness was measured by using sonography as a marker for detecting cardiovascular risk. As indirect marker of arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index were recorded by ambulatory blood pressure monitorization/arteriography device. RESULTS: By ambulatory blood pressure monitorization, 24 h and daytime systolic and mean arterial pressure values were found to be significantly higher in patient group. Based on percentile values, 15% and 5% of patients were pre-hypertensive and hypertensive, respectively. Pulse wave velocity and cardiac output values were found to be significantly higher than control group. CIM thickness was also found to be significantly higher in patient group when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that hypertension incidence as demonstrated by ambulatory blood pressure monitorization and risk for cardiovascular diseases as indicated by CIM thickness and Pulse wave velocity were higher than those in healthy population even after CoA is corrected.

Percutaneous Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in Patients Under 1 Year of Age.

Untreated ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an important cause of congestive heart failure in early infancy. Growth is impaired in this population, and surgical closure is challenging because of congestion in the lungs, making infants prone to respiratory infection, and because of their poor nutritional status. The aim of this study is to share our experience with percutaneous VSD closure in patients under 1 year of age. Patients with hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunt, less than 1 year of age, and with VSD diameter ≤ 6 mm were retrospectively included in the study between December 2014 and January 2017. The median length of follow-up was 8.5 (4-14.2) months. Twelve patients from 2 to 12 months of age, with a median weight of 6.75 (5.4-8) kg, were included. The mean VSD diameter as measured by angiography from the left ventricle side was 4.7 ± 0.25 mm, and from the right ventricle side was 3.4 ± 1.1 mm. All were of a perimembranous type except three, which were muscular. All defects were closed with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADO II) or the ADO II-additional size. The mean fluoroscopy duration and total radiation dose were 22.6 ± 18.7 min and 1674 ± 851 cGy/min, respectively. No aortic regurgitation associated with device closure was seen in any of the patients. Complete atrioventricular block occurred in one patient 6 months after the procedure, and was treated with a permanent pacemaker. VSD closure is challenging, regardless of whether a surgical or percutaneous procedure is used. The risks are higher for children younger than 1 year with low body weight. Percutaneous closure, which carries similar risks but is less invasive than surgery, may be the preferred alternative in early infancy.

Mid-term results of percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure with Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II in children.

Aim The aim of this study was to share the mid-term results of percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure using Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II in children. BACKGROUND: Nowadays, percutaneous ventricular septal defect closure is accepted as an alternative to surgery, but so far no ideal device has been developed for this procedure. METHODS: In the study centre, between April, 2011 and October, 2016, the ventricular septal defect of 49 patients was closed percutaneously using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II device, and seven of them were <1 year old. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 86.8±52.6 months. The mean weight of the patients was 24.3±16 kg. The mean diameter of the defect was 3.7±1.4 mm. Mean fluoroscopy time and total procedure time were 37±19.3 and 74.1±27 minutes, respectively. The types of ventricular septal defects were muscular in six patients, and were perimembranous in the rest of them. We did not face any major complications during the procedure, but one patient was admitted with a complete atrioventricular block in the 6th month of follow-up. The total follow-up period was 66 months. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, our study includes the largest series of paediatric patients whose ventricular septal defect was closed using Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II percutaneously. When the complications during the 66-month follow-up period are taken into consideration, we can state that Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II is a safe and effective device, even in infants aged <1 year.

Percutaneous PDA Closure in Extremely Low Birth Weight Babies.

AIM: Patent Ductus Arteriosus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in preterms. As birth weight decrease, risks increase. Main aim of our study is to emphasize the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous PDA closure even in extremely low birth infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our center between the dates June 2014-June 2016, PDA of 10 patients less than 1,000 gr were closed percutaneously. To the best of our knowledge this study includes the largest cohort of infants less than 1,000 g in the literature, that PDA of those were percutaneously closed. RESULTS: Symptomatic patients, less than 1,000 gr having PDA were included in the study. All have 3 times medical therapy for PDA closure but it did not work. PDA was decided to be contributor of this medical state of them. The mean patient age was 19.5 ± 7.2 days. The median weight was 950 (842-983) gr. Mean gestational age was: 26.3 ± 0.63 weeks. Mean PDA diameter was 1.9 ± 0.41 mm. Morphology of PDA:6 of them were conical and 4 of them were tubular. In all patients ADOII-AS device were used for PDA closure via venous route. No major complications were reported. Left pulmonary arterial stenosis was detected in 1 patient who was resolved in 6 months duration. CONCLUSION: We want to emphasize that in experienced centers percutaneous closure of PDA can be an alternative to surgery even in the extremely low birth weight babies.

Anti-inflammatory role of obestatin in autoimmune myocarditis.

Obestatin is a popular endogeneous peptide, known to have an autoimmune regulatory effect on energy metabolism and the gastrointestinal system. Studies regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of obestatin are scarce. The aim of this study was to show the anti-inflammatory effect of obestatin in an experimental model of autoimmune myocarditis in rats. Experimental autoimmune myocarditis was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with subcutaneous administration of porcine cardiac myosin, twice at 7-day intervals. Intraperitoneal pretreatment with obestatin (50 µg/kg) was started before the induction of myocarditis and continued for 3 weeks. The severity of myocarditis was evidenced by clinical, echocardiographic and histological findings. In addition, by-products of neutrophil activation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum. Obestatin significantly ameliorated the clinical and histopathological severity of autoimmune myocarditis. Therapeutic effects of obestatin in myocarditis were associated with reduced lipid peroxidation, suppression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and enhancement of glutathione synthesis, inhibition of serum inflammatory and activation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Histopathologically, the left ventricle was significantly dilated, and its wall thickened, along with widespread lymphocytic and histocytic infiltration. The myocardium was severely infiltrated with relatively large mononuclear cells. These histopathological changes were observed in lesser degrees in obestatin-treated rats. This study demonstrated a novel anti-inflammatory effect of obestatin in an experimental model of autoimmune myocarditis. Consequently, obestatin administration may represent a promising therapeutic approach for myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in the future.

Does N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide correlate with measured shunt fraction in children with septal defects?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the assessment of shunt severity and invasive haemodynamic parameters in children with atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects. METHODS: This is a prospective, controlled (n:62), observational study. Correlation analysis was performed between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and various invasive haemodynamic measurements in 127 children (ventricular septal defect: 64; atrial septal defect: 63). A ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs⩾1.5) was considered to indicate a significant shunt. RESULTS: Statistically significant relationship was found between the mean N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide values of the patients, with Qp/Qs⩾1.5 in both defect types and control group. For ventricular septal defect, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level⩾113.5 pg/ml was associated with high specificity and sensitivity for determining the significant shunt. In addition, the cut-off point for determining the significant shunt for atrial septal defect was 57.9 pg/ml. Significant positive correlation was found between all invasive haemodynamic parameters and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with ventricular septal defects. Whereas significant positive correlation was found only between mean pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and systemic pressure to pulmonary pressure ratio and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with atrial septal defects. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide measurements could be used as a supporting parameter in determining significance of the shunt.

Is it safe to close ASD with the guidance of transthoraxic echocardiography in pediatric population "ten years' experience of a single center".

OBJECTIVE: Main purpose of this study is to emphasize the usage and safety of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in appropriate pediatric cases. BACKGROUND: Nowadays, percutaneous closure is preferred as treatment modality for ASD in pediatric age group. METHODS: Between the dates December 2003-August 2013; 340 patients whose ASD were closed included in this study. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, TTE were done before the procedure, at the 24th hour, 1st and 6th month after the procedure. After the 6th month, routine control was done annually. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 184 cases with large, multifenestrated ASD and when TTE views were poor in quality. We selected the 201 patients whose ASD diameter between 10-20 mm and formed 2 homogeneous groups according to the type of echocardiography used (TEE or TTE) in order to compare the role of echocardiography. RESULTS: The demographic features of patients of 2 groups were similar. There was not any statistically difference between ASD, balloon sizing diameters between the groups. No statistically significant difference in the success, complication, and residual shunt rates was found between the groups. Procedure, fluoroscopy time, and amount were significantly higher in TEE group. When hemodynamic variables except pulmonary blood flow to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs; right-left atrium mean pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and peak-mean pulmonary arterial pressure) were compared, there was not statistically difference. CONCLUSION: TEE is an invasive procedure and requires general anesthesia, therefore, it should not be done routinely in ASD but only in selected cases. If the size and the anatomy of ASD is appropriate, TTE should be preferred primarily in percutaneous ASD closure.

ADO II in Percutaneous VSD Closure in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Main aim of our study to show that ADO II device can be used for the small ventricular septal defects successfully and safely with low complication rates in pediatric population. BACKGROUND: It is hard to find an ideal device to use for every VSD successfully. If inappropriate device was chosen; complication rate increases, procedure time gets longer that prolongs exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore interventionalists are in the search for new ideal devices. MATERIAL: Between the dates April 2011-October 2014, 21 VSD closures with ADO-II device. were performed. Twenty patients were included, age ranged between 4 months 18 years. Weight of the patients was between 5-76 kg. RESULTS: VSD diameter ranges between 2-6 mm (3.75 ± 1.25). VSD types were muscular in 2 patients, rest of them were perimembranous type. Most of the perimembranous defects (19/21) were aneursymatic and tunnel shaped. All the cases were successfully closed, no major complications were reported. There was no incidence of left bundle branch block, P-R prolongation, or complete heart block. CONCLUSION: Considering perimembraneous ventricular septal defects as difficult and risky for percutaneous closure because of its proximity to aortic, atrioventricular valves and conduction tissue, we suggest that ADO II device can be safely and effectively used for such defects in particular if an aneurysm formation is present which is also compatible with the literature.

Incidence and clinical features of acute rheumatic fever in Kayseri, Central Anatolia, 1998-2011.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, acute rheumatic fever is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in the paediatric and adolescent population. It is believed that vulnerability to developing acute rheumatic fever is associated with several factors such as socio-economic and living conditions. Aim Determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of acute rheumatic fever in the Central Anatolia region of Kayseri within the last 14 years, and to make a comparison of two 7-year periods. Material and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 624 patients who were diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology in the Medical Faculty of Erciyes University between January, 1998 and December, 2011. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 10.9±2.7 years. The female/male ratio was 1.4. When patients were categorised according to age groups, the largest group represented 376 patients (60.3%) aged between 10 and 14 years. The estimated incidence rate of acute rheumatic fever was 7.4/100,000 in the Central Anatolia region of Kayseri. Among the major findings, the most common included carditis at 54%, arthritis at 35%, Sydenham's chorea at 25%, and subcutaneous nodules at 0.5%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the first 7-year period and second 7-year period in distributions of age, gender, and major findings. CONCLUSION: Although there has been socio-economic development in Turkey in the recent years, the incidence of acute rheumatic fever is still high in the Central Anatolia region of Kayseri.

Importance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in monitoring acute rheumatic carditis.

PURPOSE: To detect the relationship of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels with clinical and laboratory findings by measuring them at diagnosis, during, and after treatment in children with acute rheumatic carditis. METHOD: A total of 40 children including 20 acute rheumatic carditis patients aged between 5 and 16 years 20 healthy children as controls were included in the study. Blood was drawn from patients at diagnosis and in the first week, first month and third month after treatment in order to detect pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. All patients underwent echocardiography. RESULTS: The N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels of children with acute rheumatic carditis were significantly higher than those of the control group at diagnosis and during treatment (p<0.05). Echocardiographic evaluation of acute rheumatic carditis patients revealed that the left atrium diameter continued to decrease during the study and that the mean left atrium diameters measured at diagnosis and in the first week were statistically higher than the mean left atrium diameters measured in the third month. There was significant correlation between left atrium diameters at diagnosis and in the first month and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels during the same periods in the patient group. CONCLUSION: Previous studies have used N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels as a marker of enlargement of the left atrium, whereas in this study we want to emphasise its role as a marker of inflammation. This increase was significantly correlated with enlargement in the left atrium. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were found to be a valuable determinant in indicating cardiac inflammation and haemodynamics.