ABSTRACT
Background: Early rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is characterized by valve regurgitation, leading to ventricular distention and possible elaboration of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Methods: Thirty-one children with RHD were entered in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients to assess the severity of the valve disease and cardiac function, thus will be classified into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR), with and without left ventricular (LV) dilatation. At the time of echo, venous blood samples were drawn; thus, NT-proBNP levels were measured using sandwich immunoassay. Results: The median NT-proBNP levels in mild, moderate, and severe MR were 32.34, 120.75, and 7094 pg/ml, respectively. The median NT-proBNP levels in patients with and without LV dilatation were 3045 and 30.82 pg/ml. There was a significant correlation between the severity of MR and NT-proBNP levels (P < 0.001), thus a significant correlation between LV dilatation and NT-proBNP levels (P = 0.013). A cutoff value of 2598.50 pg/ml was obtained with a sensitivity value of 90% and a specificity of 90.5% for NT-proBNP levels against severe MR. A cutoff value of 199.35 pg/ml was obtained with a sensitivity value of 73.3% and a specificity of 75% for NT-proBNP levels on LV dilatation. A cutoff value of 2598.50 pg/ml was obtained with a sensitivity value of 85.7% and a specificity of 79.2% for NT-proBNP levels against severe MR with LV dilatation. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between NT-proBNP levels and the severity of MR and LV dilatation in children with RHD.
ABSTRACT
Background: The alternative device to close perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) has been searched for better result, less complications and applicable for infants. However, the ideal device is still unavailable. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and outcome of transcatheter pmVSD closure using the KONAR-multi functional occluder (MFO). Methods: Clinical, procedural, follow-up data of pmVSD patients with symptom of heart failure or evidence of significant left to right shunt, growth failure, recurrent respiratory tract infection, and history of endocarditis who underwent transcatheter closure using the MFO were prospectively evaluated. Results: Between January 2016 and December 2017, there were complete records of 132 pmVSD children closed using MFO from eleven centers in Indonesia. The median of age was 4.5 (0.3-17.4) years; weight 14.8 (3.5-57) kg, defect size at the smallest part 3.4 (1.0-8.1) mm, flow ratio 1.6 (1.3-4.9), mean pulmonary artery pressure 18 (7-79) mmHg, fluoroscopy time 18 (3.8-91) and procedural time 75 (26-290) minutes. A retrograde approach was done in 41 (31%) patients. Procedures succeeded in first attempt in 126 (95.4%), failed in three and migration in three patients. Six of eight infants with congestive heart failure were closed successfully. Of 126 patients with successful VSD closure, 12 months follow-up were completed in all patients. The rate of complete occlusion at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after intervention were 95.2%, 97.6%, 99.2%, and 99.2%, respectively. New-onset aortic regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation developed only in five and three patients. Neither complete atrioventricular block, nor other complications occurred. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of pmVSD using the MFO is safe, effective, and feasible in infants and children.