A handsewn pericardial valved pulmonary conduit: pulsatile flow loop in vitro and acute porcine in vivo evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricle to pulmonary artery anatomic discontinuity is common in complex congenital heart malformations. Handsewn conduits are a practised method of repair. In a proof-of-concept study, we evaluated pulmonary valve replacement with a handsewn pericardial valved pulmonary conduit in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: A pulsatile flow-loop model (in vitro) and an acute 60-kg porcine model (in vivo) were used. With echocardiography and pressure catheters, baseline geometry and fluid dynamics were measured. The pulmonary valve was replaced with a handsewn glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial valved pulmonary conduit corresponding to a 21-mm prosthetic valve, after which geometric measurements and fluid dynamics were reassessed. RESULTS: In vitro, 15 pulmonary trunks at 4 l/min and 13 trunks at 7 l/min, and in vivo, 11 animals were investigated. The valved pulmonary conduit was straightforward to produce at the operating table and easy to suture in place. All valves were clinically sufficient in vitro and in vivo. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient in the native valve and the conduit was 8 mmHg [standard deviation (SD): 2] and 7 mmHg (SD: 2) at 4 l/min in vitro, 19 mmHg (SD: 3) and 17 mmHg (SD: 4) at 7 l/min in vitro and 3 mmHg (SD: 2) and 6 mmHg (SD: 3) in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our proof-of-concept demonstrates no early evidence of structural damage to the conduit, and the fluid dynamic data were acceptable. The handsewn conduit can be produced at the operating table.

Fetal Heart Defects and Measures of Cerebral Size.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the association between fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) and measures of brain size throughout pregnancy, from the end of the first trimester to birth. STUDY DESIGN: The cohort consisted of all fetuses scanned in Western Denmark in 2012 and 2013. Anthropometric measures in fetuses with isolated CHDs diagnosed within 12 months after birth were compared with those in the fetuses without CHDs. Z-scores standardized to gestational age were calculated for first trimester biparietal diameter, second trimester head circumference, fetal weight, birthweight, head circumference, and placental weight. RESULTS: We obtained data from 63 349 pregnancies and identified 295 fetuses with isolated CHDs (major n = 145; minor n = 150). The first trimester mean biparietal diameter Z-scores were not different between those with and those without CHDs. The head circumference mean Z-score difference was -0.13 (95% CI, -0.24 to -0.01; P = .03) in the second trimester and -0.22 (95% CI, -0.35 to -0.09; P < .001) at birth. Fetuses with univentricular physiology or tetralogy of Fallot showed the most pronounced compromise in cerebral size. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the brain alterations inducing an increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment in children with CHDs begin during pregnancy. Although fetuses with univentricular physiology or tetralogy of Fallot exhibited the most pronounced compromise in cerebral size, we recommend neurodevelopmental follow-up for all children with CHDs.

[Diabetes in infants may be treated with sulfonylurea as a replacement for insulin]. / Spaedbørnsdiabetes kan ofte behandles med sulfonylurinstof i stedet for insulin.

A two-month-old Danish girl was admitted to the hospital in diabetic ketoacidosis and diagnosed with permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). She received continuous insulin treatment until she was genetically tested at the Steno Diabetes Centre. She carried a KCNJ11 Arg201His mutation, an activating mutation in the KCNJ11-gene which encodes the ATP-sensitive potassium subunit Kir6.2 in the beta cell which is responsible for insulin secretion. As recommended in the literature, she was successfully shifted from insulin therapy to sulfonylurea tablets at the age of three years and nine months. PNDM-patients should be screened for gene mutations regardless of current age.

[Adder bites]. / Hugormebid.

INTRODUCTION: The adder is the only poisonous snake in Denmark. Approximately five children and adults are each year hospitalized in Ringkoebing due to adder bites. The aim of this study was to illuminate who they are, under which circumstances they are bitten, their symptoms and treatment. What are the recommendations of treatment in the literature? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Historical review including patients who were discharged with the diagnosis DT 630 adder bite from Ringkoebing Hospital from January 1st 1995 through June 17th 2000. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients between two and 78 years of age were admitted to the hospital. 55% were 13 years old or less. Thirty of the patients were tourists in the area. The patients stayed in hospital for 20 hours on average. Common symptoms were edema, pain, nausea and signs of shock. 35% were moderately poisoned, the remaining were less affected. Symptomatic treatment was sufficient. DISCUSSION: The average time in hospital was shorter than in other reviews. Like in other reviews a frequent use of antibiotics and antihistamines, which do not correlate with recommendations in the literature, was found. All patients need observation for a minimum of six hours. Patients without symptoms can then be discharged with relevant anti-tetanus. Patients with symptoms should be observed for at least 24 hours. Treatment is symptomatic. Sheep-fab-fragment antivenom, ViperaTAb, which is less allergenic than other antivenoms on the market, should be employed in case of severe symptoms.