Feasibility, safety and diagnostic impact of endomyocardial biopsies for the diagnosis of myocardial disease in children and adolescents.

AIMS: Endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) are performed infrequently in children owing to significant past complication rates and controversial discussions about the therapeutic value of results. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of EMBs for suspected myocardial disease in relation to their clinical value. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a retrospective multicentre review of the Working Group for Interventional Cardiology of the German Society for Paediatric Cardiology. During three consecutive years, 206 EMBs (84 female/mean age 8.95±6.62 years) were performed and analysed at 15 heart centres. In the majority of cases, biopsies were taken from the right ventricle (RV/89.8%; p<0.001). The overall complication rate was 9.7%, whereas major complications occurred in only 0.97% of cases. Risk factors associated with a higher complication rate were biopsy during the first year of life (20.5%) and from the left ventricle (31.1%) (p<0.05). There was no procedure-related mortality. Treatment was changed in 18.0% of cases based on biopsy results. CONCLUSIONS: Today, endomyocardial biopsies in older children with suspected myocardial disease can be performed safely with a low risk of major complications and mortality, whereas the risk of complications if the biopsy is carried out in the first year of life or taken from the left ventricle remains high.

The Pulmonary Artery in Pediatric Patients with Marfan Syndrome: An Underestimated Aspect of the Disease.

Aortic root dilatation and its complications are known to be the most important and life limiting features in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Since monitoring of patients, preventive medical and surgical treatments are available nowadays, other MFS pathologies are becoming more relevant for the outcome of the disease. Main pulmonary artery (MPA) dilatation is a cardiac finding, which has not been fully investigated in children. Due to the similarities in tissue composition of the aortic and pulmonary root, MPA dilatation may cause complications and require treatment. In addition, it may be a predictor for severe connective tissue involvement. We retrospectively examined 135 pediatric patients with MFS. 8.1% showed MPA dilatation. MPA dilatation was associated with earlier occurrence of aortic dilatation, mitral valve prolapse, and systemic manifestations of MFS compared with patients without MPA dilatation (p < 0.05). The presence of MPA dilatation was also associated with a higher incidence of ectopia lentis (p < 0.05). Medical treatment was started earlier in MPA dilatation patients than in those without (p < 0.05). We conclude that MPA dilatation is a sign of more severe vascular and connective tissue involvement. Regular examination of the pulmonary artery is essential in MFS to avoid complications. As medical treatment of life threatening MFS events has improved, other features of MFS need to be investigated to improve quality of life.

Toward evidence-based diagnosis of myocarditis in children and adolescents: Rationale, design, and first baseline data of MYKKE, a multicenter registry and study platform.

The aim of this registry is to provide data on age-related clinical features of suspected myocarditis and to create a study platform allowing for deriving diagnostic criteria and, at a later stage, testing therapeutic interventions in patients with myocarditis. STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS: After an initial 6-month pilot phase, MYKKE was opened in June 2014 as a prospective multicenter registry for patients from pediatric heart centers, university hospitals, and community hospitals with pediatric cardiology wards in Germany. Inclusion criteria consisted of age<18 years and hospitalization for suspected myocarditis as leading diagnosis at the discretion of the treating physician. By December 31, 2015, fifteen centers across Germany were actively participating and had enrolled 149 patients. Baseline data reveal 2 age peaks (<2 years, >12 years), show higher proportions of males, and document a high prevalence of severe disease courses in pediatric patients with suspected myocarditis. Severe clinical courses and early adverse events were more prevalent in younger patients and were related to severely impaired leftventricular ejection fraction at initial presentation. SUMMARY: MYKKE represents a multicenter registry and research platform for children and adolescents with suspected myocarditis that achieve steady recruitment and generate a wide range of real-world data on clinical course, diagnostic workup, and treatment of this group of patients. The baseline data reveal the presence of 2 age peaks and provide important insights into the severity of disease in children with suspected myocarditis. In the future, MYKKE might facilitate interventional substudies by providing an established collaborating network using common diagnostic approaches.

Cardiovascular biomarkers in paired maternal and umbilical cord blood samples at term and near term delivery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular biomarkers might help to identify fetuses or pregnancies at risk. AIM: To examine the umbilical cord neonatal and maternal levels of cardiovascular biomarkers at the time of delivery, and to correlate maternal and fetal biomarker levels to each other, to gestational age and to delivery mode. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective, observational, cross-sectional, single-center study biomarkers were measured in paired maternal and umbilical venous cord blood samples. SUBJECTS: The sample cohort included 66 sets of fetal and maternal blood samples (11 after multiple gestation, 53 after cesarean section, 17 after exposure to labor). OUTCOME MEASURES: Midregional pro-adrenomedullin (MRproADM), midregional-pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MRproANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), n-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), copeptin, and high sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) levels were measured. RESULTS: Mean ± SEM for biomarker levels in umbilical venous/maternal blood were: MRproADM [nmol/L] 1.02 ± 0.04/1.24 ± 0.08, MRproANP [pmol/L] 215.53 ± 12.96/54.65 ± 3.41, BNP [pg/mL] 32.02 ± 3.37/19.76 ± 3.29, NTproBNP [pg/mL] 1228.94 ± 91.73/71.48 ± 8.65, copeptin [pmol/L] 103.42 ± 22.89/10.41 ± 1.71, and hsTnI [pg/mL] 13.54 ± 5.17/4.91 ± 2.37. Fetal MRproANP, NTproBNP, and BNP were inversely correlated with gestational age. Maternal and fetal MRproANP (r=0.472, p=0.002) and copeptin (r=0.572, p<0.001) levels were correlated, whereas there was no feto-maternal correlation for the other biomarkers. Fetal copeptin was elevated after exposure to labor. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarker levels appear to be regulated independently in mother and fetus. Fetal biomarkers are influenced by gestational age and delivery mode. In this study on term and near term pregnancies without specific fetal pathology, correlation between paired maternal and fetal biomarker levels was weak or not demonstrable.

Health-related quality of life is unimpaired in children and adolescents with Marfan syndrome despite its distinctive phenotype.

AIM: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a progressive, life-threatening genetic disorder of the connective tissue, which causes impaired quality of life (QoL) in adults. This study investigated the quality of life in children and adolescents, taking into account their gender, age and how MFS affected their organs. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomised single-centre study included 46 patients with verified MFS with a mean age of 10.98 years (±3.72). QoL was measured using the self-reported, multidimensional KINDL-R questionnaire and compared with an age-matched control group of 174 children and adolescents. RESULTS: No significant overall reduction of QoL was found. Total QoL scores for patients diagnosed at four to seven years were the same as the control group (77.65 ± 9.37 versus 77.06 ± 11.72), but they were higher for patients aged eight to 16 years (75.15 ± 9.19 versus 70.46 ± 11.35, p = 0.025). No gender-specific differences or impairments in QoL during adolescence were observed (p > 0.05). Analysis of the effect of organ manifestation on QoL showed better or equal QoL scores (p > 0.05), despite distinctive phenotypes such as ectopia lentis. CONCLUSION: QoL was fairly good in paediatric patients with MFS, and there was no impairment during adolescence. Despite the distinctive phenotype, quality of life was unimpaired in younger patients.

Carcinoid Heart Valve Disease: Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve-In-Valve Implantation in Failing Biological Xenografts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Carcinoid heart valve disease (CHVD) occurs as the cardiac manifestation of carcinoid syndrome (also known as Hedinger's syndrome), which develops secondary to neuroendocrine tumor activity. CHVD almost exclusively affects right-sided heart valves, since circulating serotonin is metabolized by pulmonary endothelial cells, thus sparing left-sided valves. Replacement of the tricuspid and pulmonary valve is a well-established and feasible therapeutic option for these patients. Whether biological valve substitutes are subject to a continuous degenerative process is not entirely clear at present due to the rarity of the disease and inconclusive findings in the current literature. METHODS: Herein are presented the details of two patients suffering from advanced CHVD who had undergone previous combined tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) using biological xenografts, and had subsequently been readmitted with failure of the pulmonary valve substitute. RESULTS: Due to the increased risk for repeat surgical valve replacement, the patients were treated by percutaneous stent implantation into the pulmonary artery, followed by the implantation of a balloon- expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV). The procedures were feasible and safe through the intact TVR. CONCLUSION: This strategy resulted in a favorable acute outcome in both patients, with adequate valve function and no PVL as documented by TTE, although the transvalvular gradients were elevated in both cases. The patients had an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged home in timely fashion. Whether the residual elevated transvalvular gradients following the valve-in-valve procedures, or an early degeneration of the implanted bioprostheses, will have a negative impact on the patients' further course will become clear in the future.

Kid-Short Marfan Score (Kid-SMS) Is a Useful Diagnostic Tool for Stratifying the Pre-Test Probability of Marfan Syndrome in Childhood.

Due to age dependent organ manifestation, diagnosis of Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a challenge, especially in childhood. It is important to identify children at risk of MFS as soon as possible to direct those to appropriate treatment but also to avoid stigmatization due to false diagnosis. We published the Kid-Short Marfan Score (Kid-SMS) in 2012 to stratify the pre-test probability of MFS in childhood. Hence we now evaluate the predictive performance of Kid-SMS in a new cohort of children. We prospectively investigated 106 patients who were suspected of having MFS. At baseline, children were examined according to Kid-SMS. At baseline and follow-up visit, diagnosis of MFS was established or rejected using standard current diagnostic criteria according to the revised Ghent Criteria (Ghent-2). At baseline 43 patients were identified with a risk of MFS according to Kid-SMS whereas 21 patients had Ghent-2 diagnosis of MFS. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity 77%, negative predictive value 100% and Likelihood ratio of Kid-SMS 4.3. During follow-up period, three other patients with a stratified risk for MFS were diagnosed according to Ghent-2. We confirm very good predictive performance of Kid-SMS with excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value but restricted specificity. Kid-SMS avoids stigmatization due to diagnosis of MFS and thus restriction to quality of life. Especially outpatient pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists can use it for primary assessment.

Management of Pentalogy of Cantrell with complete ectopia cordis and Double Outlet Right Ventricle.

Pentalogy of Cantrell (PoC) is a rare congenital midline defect. We present a case and its treatment of PoC with complete ectopia cordis and congenital heart disease. Postnatally the congenital heart defect was surgically corrected and the ectopic heart was covered by musculous mobilized flap. Due to cephalic orientation of the heart and limited intrathoracic space, replacement of the heart into the thoracic cavity was initially not performed. After 11 years of follow up our patient now is without relevant limitations solely wearing a thoracic shelter. This case elucidates the complexity of further management. The potential risk of disastrous hemodynamic compromise by intrathoracic shift is to compare with the limited safety of the ectopic heart.

Retrospective analysis of the effect of angiotensin II receptor blocker versus ß-blocker on aortic root growth in paediatric patients with Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular pathology, including aortic root dilation at the level of sinus of Valsalva (SV), is one of the major causes of morbidity in paediatric patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). ß-Blocker (BB) is well established to slow aortic dilation in MFS. Less is known about the effectiveness of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) on aortic dilation in paediatric patients with MFS. METHODS: 215 patients with MFS (9.01 ± 5.7 years) were subject to a standardised diagnostic programme. Aortic root dilation was evaluated and followed up by echocardiography. In 48 cases, BB and ARB effects on aortic root dilation were evaluated. Effect of treatment was measured by comparison of z scores of SV before and after treatment initiation. RESULTS: Treatment by ARB and BB leads to significant reduction of SV dilation (p<0.05). The deviation of SV enlargement from normal as expressed by the rate of change in z scores was significantly reduced by a mean difference of -0.56 ± 0.71 z scores (p<0.001) under ARB therapy and by a mean difference of -0.35 ± 0.68 z scores (p<0.05) under BB therapy. The prophylactic effect of ARB and BB on aortic root dilation is similar in both groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both concepts lead to a significant reduction of SV dilation. The effect of ARB and BB is similar. This is the first study concerning the comparison of ARB and BB in previously untreated paediatric patients with MFS. The results of the study show that both treatment strategies are beneficial in paediatric and adolescent patients.

The Kid-Short Marfan Score (Kid-SMS) - an easy executable risk score for suspected paediatric patients with Marfan syndrome.

AIM: Due to age-dependent manifestations, diagnosis of Marfan syndrome (MFS) in children and adolescents is sophisticated. Although revised Ghent criteria is a major step forward, its utility in children is still restricted due to expensive and technically advanced diagnostics. As early diagnosis submits long-term benefits concerning prognosis, the need of an appropriate diagnostic tool for risk stratification of suspected paediatric patients with Marfan is justified. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty paediatric patients with Marfan were subject to a standardized diagnostic programme. All clinical symptoms of the revised Ghent nosology were analysed concerning age at first clinical manifestation, prevalence and likelihood ratio for MFS. Symptoms with early onset, high prevalence and high positive likelihood ratio were identified and combined for a risk score called Kid-Short Marfan Score (Kid-SMS). Three risk categories for suspicion of Marfan syndrome were developed. Finally, the Kid-SMS was operated in 130 paediatric patients with suspected MFS. Kid-SMS identified significantly more suspected patients with Marfan compared with Ghent nosology, revised Ghent and genetics alone without oversensitivity. CONCLUSION: Whereas diagnosis of MFS in childhood is sophisticated, Kid-SMS is a useful tool for risk stratification of suspected paediatric patients with Marfan by easy executable diagnostics, especially for paediatricians and paediatric cardiologists.

Impact of age and gender on cardiac pathology in children and adolescents with Marfan syndrome.

Cardiac pathologies are the major aspect in the treatment strategies for Marfan syndrome (MFS). In this progressive disease, less is known about manifestations and progression of cardiovascular symptoms in children. To define a certain decision regarding therapeutic options, knowledge concerning the onset of cardiovascular findings is essential. From 1998 to 2011, suspected pediatric Marfan patients were subjected to a standardized diagnostic program. Cardiovascular findings were analyzed in terms of age at first clinical manifestation, prevalence and gender differences, morbidity, mortality, and treatment. Marfan syndrome was diagnosed in 82 patients (46 boys; mean age at diagnosis, 9.0 ± 5.7 years). At first presentation, aortic root dilation was found in 56 % of patients, mitral valve prolapse in 31 %, whereas pulmonary artery dilation was detected in 22 % and tricuspid valve prolapse in only 17 % of patients. Aortic (2.5 %) and mitral valve regurgitations (22 %) are significantly correlated with aortic root dilation (p < 0.01) and mitral valve prolapse (p < 0.05) but without relevant progression during childhood. Prophylactic medication was initiated for 42 % of the patients (mean age, 8.0 ± 4.5 years) because of progressive aortic root dilation. Aortic dissection did not appear. Aortic root surgery was needed for 4 % of the patients. Gender-specific differences in cardiovascular findings, progression of disease, or treatment did not appear. Comparable with adults, aortic root dilation is the most frequent cardiovascular finding in children and associated with relevant morbidity, whereas aortic and mitral valve regurgitation are of minor clinical relevance. Manifestation at an early age and slow progression of cardiovascular findings underscore the necessity of repeated echocardiographic examinations for early diagnosis and start of prophylactic treatment.

Health-related quality of life compared with cardiopulmonary exercise testing at the midterm follow-up visit after tetralogy of Fallot repair: a study of the German competence network for congenital heart defects.

This nationwide study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (QoL) experienced by children after tetralogy of Fallot repair and to compare self-reported physical ability with objective exercise performance. This prospective nonrandomized, government-funded multicenter study enrolled 168 patients (70 girls; ages 8-16 years) after tetralogy of Fallot repair at eight German heart centers. Health-related QoL was analyzed by the self-reported KINDL-R quality-of-life questionnaire. The patients' actual exercise capacity was evaluated by a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Health-related QoL and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity were compared with those of an age-matched German standard population. Correlation of health-related QoL with self-estimated physical rating and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity were analyzed. Health-related QoL in children and adolescents after tetralogy of Fallot repair is without limitation. Compared with the standard population, all the items evaluated by the KINDL-R questionnaire showed better or similar values, whereas objective exercise capacity compared with that of the standard population was impaired. Peak oxygen uptake correlated significantly with the physical well-being (p = 0.002) and the total score (p = 0.01) of the KINDL-R questionnaire. Health-related QoL experienced by children and adolescents after tetralogy of Fallot repair is comparable with that of the healthy standard population. However, closer inspection shows that self-estimated physical functioning is significantly overestimated compared with actual exercise capacity. Quality-of-life instruments and exercise tests, therefore, should be used in a complementary manner with children to avoid eventually fatal misinterpretation of patient-estimated physical ability.