Transvenous Versus Epicardial Pacing in Fontan Patients.

Up to 10% of Fontan patients require pacemakers; an epicardial approach has historically been used. A transvenous approach can be used but carries risk of Fontan obstruction, thromboembolism, and can be technically challenging. The safety and efficacy of these approaches is not well described. The aim of this study was to compare epicardial and transvenous pacemaker outcomes in Fontan patients, specifically, device performance and adverse event rate. A retrospective review was performed on Fontan pacemaker patients followed at a single institution. Thirty-one Fontan pacemaker patients were identified between 1985 and 2017. Twenty-six had an epicardial system, five transvenous, and three converted from epicardial to transvenous. Average atrial lead sensing at placement was 3.23 versus 2.35 mV (p = 0.52) for epicardial and transvenous leads, respectively. Median atrial and ventricular lead longevity was 86.4 versus 98.8 months (p = 0.56) and 73.2 versus 140 months (p = 0.3) with generator longevity of 65.5 versus 73.9 (p = 0.16) months for epicardial versus transvenous systems, respectively. One major complication occurred in a transvenous patient, and two minor complications occurred in epicardial patients. All transvenous patients received warfarin except one, who converted to dabigatran. Epicardial patients received aspirin (n = 20), warfarin (n = 3) or a warfarin/aspirin combination (n = 3). No thromboembolic events occurred. System revision was required in 13 epicardial and 5 transvenous patients. There were two deaths, none related to the pacemaker system. Transvenous pacemakers can be utilized with equal efficacy compared to epicardial pacemakers with trends toward longer lead longevity in transvenous pacemaker systems.

Diagnoses of children and adolescents on initial presentation to a Nigerian outpatient psychiatry clinic.

Child and adolescent psychiatry is an underdeveloped specialty in Nigeria, relegated by more entrenched cultural systems, such as traditional healers and syncretic churches, to merely an auxiliary role in child mental health care. Little is therefore known about the epidemiology of childhood disorders as encountered in psychiatric settings. We reviewed the outpatient psychiatric clinic's patient register at the Psychiatric Hospital of Uselu in Benin City, Nigeria, over a twenty-four week period. Fifty-three patients who presented in the twenty-four week index period had definite diagnoses indicated in the register. Of these, 68% had diagnoses denoting significant behavioral disturbances that would motivate their visit to allopathic hospitals after other, more culturally sanctioned healers were of little help. Our findings are compared with similar studies in other cultures.

Liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease: selection and outcome.

There is clear consensus that patients with alcoholic cirrhosis should be considerated for liver transplantation, barring complicating medical or psychosocial problems. Short-term and long-term survival rates are comparable to patients receiving transplants for other conditions, and the relapse rate to alcohol use averages 15%, with troublesome drinking seen uncommonly. To date, no nationally accepted selection criteria have been established and proved effective in predicting long-term sobriety and compliance. To maximize the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic liver disease, an approach to the selection of candidates is outlined herewith. 1. Minimum pretransplant sobriety period of 6 months. 2. Assessment of overall psychosocial support and stress. 3. Assessment of comorbid psychiatric conditions that may impair ability to comply with the transplant protocol during and after transplantation. 4. Assessment of past and present compliance with medical treatment. 5. Acceptance of problem with alcohol and willingness to sign an alcohol contract. 6. Willingness to participate in alcohol rehabilitation treatment program. 7. Willingness to participate in liver support groups to improve understanding of the condition and obtain social support. 8. Willingness to undergo random toxicology screening to assess compliance with sobriety.