Short-Term Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Children.

BACKGROUND: There are no published data on left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in children. The aim of this study was to assess changes in LV echocardiographic parameters 6 months after TAVR in children. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study included all 22 patients (age < 21 years) who underwent TAVR. The median age was 14.7 years (interquartile range, 13.3-15.9 years), median weight was 57 kg (interquartile range, 46.0-66.3 kg), and 59% of patients were male. Demographics, type and duration of aortic valve dysfunction, symptom and treatment data, and preprocedural and 6-month follow-up echocardiographic data (LV volume, mass, end-diastolic dimension, end-systolic dimension, ejection fraction [EF], sphericity, and longitudinal strain) were collected. Failure to reverse remodel at 6 months was defined as meeting at least two of the following: Z score ≥ 2 that was unchanged or increased from baseline for LV volume, mass, end-diastolic dimension, or end-systolic dimension; abnormally high sphericity index that was unchanged or increased; and abnormally low EF or longitudinal strain. Median, interquartile range, and range are reported for continuous variables, and pre- and post-TAVR data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Eight patients (36%) had isolated aortic stenosis, four (18%) had isolated regurgitation, and 10 had (46%) mixed disease. Twelve (55%) had symptoms and 20 (91%) had prior surgical or catheter valve interventions. The primary complication was left bundle branch block, occurring in four children (18%). At 6 months, LV volume, mass, end-diastolic dimension, end-systolic dimension, and sphericity index improved. EF and strain were normal at baseline and at follow-up. Of three patients who failed to reverse remodel, two had left bundle branch block. Of three patients with persistent symptoms, one had failure of reverse remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric patients had evidence of reverse LV remodeling 6 months after TAVR, suggesting a possible alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in this population. Functional parameters (EF and strain) were normal at baseline and follow-up. Future studies are needed to determine optimal timing of TAVR and to explore the association of postprocedural left bundle branch block on failed reverse remodeling and outcomes in this population.

Child Neurology: Case Report of Lambl Excrescences in a Pediatric Patient With Multifocal Strokes.

Lambl's excrescences are fibrinous connective tissue strands found on predominantly left-sided cardiac valves. These valvular strands are typically benign, but have been implicated as a potential etiology of embolic strokes in adult patients. The significance of Lambl's excrescences in pediatric stroke cases is unclear and not previously reported in the literature. Here, we describe a 10-year-old boy who presented with acute onset right-sided hemiplegia, found to have multifocal embolic strokes of various ages. Extensive stroke workup was unrevealing, aside from the presence of small, filamentous strand-like densities associated with the mitral and aortic valves noted on a transesophageal echocardiogram consistent with Lambl's excrescences. In this case report, we review Lambl's excrescences and their significance in acute stroke, as well as management options for prevention of future ischemia in these patients.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Melody Versus Sapien Valves Following Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the immediate and midterm echocardiographic performance of the Melody (Medtronic Inc) and Sapien (Edwards Lifesciences Inc) valves after transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) in native and conduit right ventricular outflow tracts (RVOTs). BACKGROUND: TPVR is now a common procedure, but limited data exist comparing postimplantation echocardiographic findings between Melody and Sapien valves. METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent successful TPVR from 2011 to 2020. Patient demographics, procedural details, and immediate and midterm echocardiographic findings were collected and compared between valve types using the Wilcoxon rank sum, chi-square, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. Subgroups were analyzed individually and were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni method. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients underwent successful TPVR (Melody: n = 202, Sapien: n = 126). The groups had a similar baseline age, weight, and diagnosis. The most common indications for TPVR were pulmonary stenosis (32.2%) or mixed disease (46%) in the Melody group and pulmonary insufficiency in the Sapien group (52.4%) (P < 0.001). Sapien valves were more often placed in native RVOTs (43.7% vs 18.8%; P < 0.001). The discharge and follow-up mean and peak Doppler gradients were similar between the Melody and Sapien groups. Valves implanted in native RVOTs had significantly lower postimplantation gradients at each follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic performance after TPVR was generally acceptable and similar when comparing Melody and Sapien valves despite differences in the indication and anatomy in each group. The peak and mean gradients were lower in transcatheter valves implanted in native RVOTs compared with those implanted in conduits or bioprosthetic valves.

The impact of the American Heart Association guidelines on patients treated for incomplete Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare patients treated for incomplete Kawasaki disease whose practitioners followed versus did not follow American Heart Association criteria and to evaluate the association of cardiology consultation with adherence to these guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Single centre retrospective cohort study of patients <18 years old who received ≥1 dose of intravenous immunoglobulin for Kawasaki disease between 01/2006 and 01/2018. We collected demographics, clinical and laboratory data, coronary artery abnormalities, and cardiology consultation status. Patients treated for incomplete Kawasaki disease were divided into two groups based on adherence versus nonadherence to American Heart Association guidelines and compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of the 357 patients treated for Kawasaki disease, 109 (31%) were classified as incomplete Kawasaki disease. The American Heart Association algorithm for identifying patients with incomplete Kawasaki disease was followed in 81/109 (74%). Coronary artery abnormalities were present in 46/109 (42%) of the patients who were treated for incomplete Kawasaki disease. Cardiology consultation was more frequent in those fulfilling American Heart Association criteria for the diagnosis of incomplete Kawasaki disease versus those who did not fulfill criteria (76% versus 48%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Over 25% of patients treated for incomplete Kawasaki disease did not meet American Heart Association guidelines. Guidelines were more frequently followed when the paediatric cardiology team was consulted. Consulting physicians with experience and expertise in the evaluation and management of incomplete KD should be strongly considered in the care of these patients.

Implications of Changing Z-Score Models for Coronary Artery Dimensions in Kawasaki Disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease (KD) are assessed using echocardiographic z-scores. We hypothesized that changing the coronary artery (CA) z-score model would alter diagnosis and management of children with KD. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study of children treated for KD (9/2007-1/2020), we collected echocardiographic measurements for the left anterior descending (LAD), right (RCA), and left main (LMCA) coronary arteries during 3 illness phases and calculated Boston and Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) z-scores. Agreement between Boston and PHN z-scores was assessed using Kappa (κ) and Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficients (CCC) and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: For 904 echocardiograms from 357 children, the median Boston LAD z-score was lower than the PHN (0.3 [IQR - 0.6, 1.5] vs 1.6 [IQR 0.7, 2.8], CCC 0.94 [95% CI 0.93, 0.95], moderate agreement), aggregated across all illness phases. RCA and LMCA z-scores showed substantial agreement. With conversion from Boston to PHN models, the percentage of individual LAD z-scores ≥ 2.5 increased (14.6% to 32.1%). At least one CA z-score classification changed in 213 children (59.7%) across all phases, and 48 children (13.4%) had a change that altered recommended antithrombotic strategy. Agreement between models differed by age, sex, and race. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion from Boston to PHN z-scores changed at least 1 CA z-score classification in over half of KD patients and changed recommended antithrombotic management in 13%, largely driven by LAD measurements. Since diagnosis and management of KD and KD-like diseases rely upon CA z-scores, the clinical and research implications of these findings merit further exploration.

Pediatric Infective Endocarditis: A Clinical Update.

This article presents updates and an overview of pediatric infective endocarditis. It includes a discussion of presentation of illness, diagnosis of this disorder, differential diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and associated morbidity and mortality.

Development and Utility of Quality Metrics for Ambulatory Pediatric Cardiology in Kawasaki Disease.

The Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology (ACPC) Section of the American College of Cardiology sought to develop quality indicators/metrics for ambulatory pediatric cardiology practice. The objective of this study was to report the creation of metrics for patients with Kawasaki disease. Over a period of 5 months, 12 pediatric cardiologists developed 24 quality metrics based on the most relevant statements, guidelines, and research studies pertaining to Kawasaki disease. Of the 24 metrics, the 8 metrics deemed the most important, feasible, and valid were sent on to the ACPC for consideration. Seven of the 8 metrics were approved using the RAND method by an expert panel. All 7 metrics approved by the ACPC council were accepted by ACPC membership after an "open comments" process. They have been disseminated to the pediatric cardiology community for implementation by the ACPC Quality Network.

Neurobehavioral evaluation of neonates with congenital heart disease: a cohort study.

AIM: To describe neurobehavioral patterns in neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHOD: A cohort study describing neurobehavioral performance of neonates with CHD requiring cardiac surgery. The neonates were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) and scores were compared with published normative values. Clinical factors were obtained by chart review to assess their association with behavior. The CHD NNNS score pattern was compared with previously reported profiles in other high-risk populations. RESULTS: NNNS evaluations were completed on 67 neonates with CHD, resulting in 97 evaluations (50 preoperative, 47 postoperative). Compared with normative values, the cohort with CHD demonstrated decreased attention, regulation, asymmetry, stress, arousal, and excitability, along with increased non-optimal reflexes, lethargy, and need for handling (p<0.05 for all). Additional clinical factors had a minimal effect on the neurobehavioral pattern. Compared with previously published patterns in high-risk neonates without CHD, the cohort with CHD demonstrated a unique pattern of behavior. INTERPRETATION: Neonates with CHD demonstrate different neurobehavioral performance compared with typically developing neonates born at term as well as other high-risk neonates. Our experience suggests there is a unique neonatal neurobehavioral pattern in the hospitalized population with CHD. Targeted neonatal neurobehavioral evaluations may be useful in developing specific therapies to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with CHD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Neonates with congenital heart disease demonstrate different neurobehavioral performance than typically developing neonates. Evaluation of neonatal neurobehavioral performance provides an opportunity to identify neurodevelopmental variability early. Identification of neurobehavioral performance variability allows targeted interactions and therapy.

Admission to dedicated pediatric cardiac intensive care units is associated with decreased resource use in neonatal cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates undergoing congenital heart surgery require highly specialized, resource-intensive care. Location of care and degree of specialization can vary between and within institutions. Using a multi-institutional cohort, we sought to determine whether location of admission is associated with an increase in health care costs, resource use and mortality. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed admission for neonates (<30 days) undergoing congenital heart surgery between 2004 and 2013 by using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database (44 children's hospitals). Multivariate generalized estimating equations adjusted for center- and patient-specific risk factors and stratified by age at admission were performed to examine the association of admission intensive care unit (ICU) with total hospital costs, mortality, and length of stay. RESULTS: Of 19,984 neonates (60% male) identified, 39% were initially admitted to a cardiac ICU (CICU), 48% to a neonatal ICU (NICU), and 13% to a pediatric ICU. In adjusted models, admission to a CICU versus NICU was associated with a $20,440 reduction in total hospital cost for infants aged 2 to 7 days at admission (P = .007) and a $23,700 reduction in total cost for infants aged 8 to 14 days at admission (P = .01). Initial admission to a CICU or pediatric ICU versus NICU at <15 days of age was associated with shorter hospital and ICU length of stay and fewer days of mechanical ventilation. There was no difference in adjusted mortality by admission location. CONCLUSIONS: Admission to an ICU specializing in cardiac care is associated with significantly decreased hospital costs and more efficient resource use for neonates requiring cardiac surgery.

Disease progression and variation in clinical practice for isolated bicuspid aortic valve in children.

BACKGROUND: Disease progression of an isolated bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) in children is poorly understood and adult management guidelines may not be applicable. Thus, we sought to evaluate disease progression of pediatric isolated BAV and its relationship to current management practices. METHODS: Children with a BAV and ≤mild aortic stenosis (AS) and/or aortic regurgitation (AR) at the time of initial evaluation were included in this retrospective cohort study (1/2005-12/2014). Outcomes included change in z-scores for aortic root and ascending aorta diameters, cardiac interventions, adverse outcomes, recommended follow-up interval, and frequency of cardiac imaging studies at each follow up evaluation, as well as AS/AR severity at final evaluation. Outcomes were analyzed using generalized mixed-effect models with subject and provider clustering. RESULTS: BAV disease progression was evaluated in 294 subjects over 4.1 ± 2.4 (range 0.2-9.5) years. Ascending aorta z-scores increased by 0.1/year (P < .001) but aortic root diameter z-scores were unchanged. AS and/or AR progressed to >mild in 9 (3%), 1 subject underwent cardiac intervention, and none had a major complication. Management was evaluated in 454 subjects (1343 encounters) with 27 different cardiologists. The average recommended follow-up interval was 1.5 ± 0.9 years. Younger age at diagnosis, greater aortic root or ascending aorta z-score at diagnosis, ≥mild AS/AR at follow-up, and earlier diagnosis era were associated with shorter recommended follow-up interval (P < .001 for all). Imaging was obtained at 87% of follow-up encounters and was associated with age at encounter with children ≥12 years most frequently imaged (P < .001). Provider accounted for 14% of variability in recommended follow-up interval and 24% of imaging variability (P < .001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: We found little to no evidence of disease progression in children with an isolated BAV. Given the low risk, close follow-up and frequent cardiac imaging for BAV surveillance may not be warranted for children.

Outcomes After Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Interventions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate outcomes after pediatric out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary interventions (CPIs) by emergency medical services (EMS). METHODS: Children (age, ≤18 years) who received CPI by EMS from 2001 to 2008 were identified from the Utah Department of Health. Cardiopulmonary intervention was defined as oxygenation, ventilation or CPR, and transport to a hospital by EMS. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses evaluated associations between potential predictors and outcomes (death and new neurologic dysfunction). RESULTS: A total of 464 patients (58% male) received EMS attention. For the 71% patients (327) who were alive on EMS arrival, 63% (205) received CPI without CPR. Of note, 6% (12) of these patients died after arrival to the hospital and new neurologic dysfunction was diagnosed in 6% (13). Among the 12 patients who died, 50% (6) were younger than 1 year.On multivariable regression analysis, factors associated with increased risk of death before and in-hospital are the following: age younger than 1 year (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.39), shorter EMS transport time (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99), and longer EMS dispatch time (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.40). Factors associated with increased risk of new neurologic dysfunction are the following: lack of pulse (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.53), requiring CPR (OR, 6.15; 95% CI, 1.48-25.6), and CPR duration (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.37). CONCLUSIONS: Age younger than 1 year, shorter transport time, and longer dispatch time were associated with increased risk of death. Being pulseless upon discovery and receiving CPR were associated with new neurologic dysfunction. Maximizing EMS transport interventions for patients younger than 1 year requiring CPI may improve patient outcomes.

Factors Associated With Resource Utilization and Coronary Artery Dilation in Refractory Kawasaki Disease (from the Pediatric Health Information System Database).

Management guidelines for refractory Kawasaki disease (KD) are vague. We sought to assess practice variation and identify factors associated with large/complex coronary artery aneurysms (LCAA) and resource utilization in refractory KD. This retrospective cohort study identified patients aged ≤18 years with KD (2004 to 2014) using the Pediatric Health Information System. Refractory KD was defined as receiving >1 dose of intravenous immunoglobulin. Demographics, medications, concomitant infections, length of stay (LOS), and charges were collected. Antithrombotic therapy was a surrogate for LCAA. LOS and hospital charges assessed resource utilization. Multivariate regression identified factors associated with LOS, charges, and LCAA. Of 14,194 patients with KD, 2,974 (21%) had refractory KD and 203 of those 2,974 (7%) had LCAA. Additional intravenous immunoglobulin was the sole medication in 77%. Other medications added were steroids (18%), infliximab (2%), and both (3%). Warfarin, low-molecular-weight heparin, tissue plasminogen activator, and clopidogrel were prescribed with equal frequency (2%). Male gender (adjusted relative risk 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 2.16, p <0.01), admission to an intensive care unit (4.79, 95% CI 3.40 to 6.74, p <0.001), arrhythmia (3.00, 95% CI 1.94 to 4.65, p <0.001), and concomitant viral infection (2.29, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.52, p <0.001) were associated with LCAA. Severe illness, race, region, and payer were independently associated with increased charges (p <0.05 for all). In conclusion, treatment for refractory KD varies widely. Concomitant viral infection was associated with a greater risk of LCAA in refractory KD. Better understanding of optimal management may improve outcomes and decrease both variability in management and resource utilization for refractory KD.

Revision of the Jones Criteria for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in the era of Doppler echocardiography: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever remains a serious healthcare concern for the majority of the world's population despite its decline in incidence in Europe and North America. The goal of this statement was to review the historic Jones criteria used to diagnose acute rheumatic fever in the context of the current epidemiology of the disease and to update those criteria to also take into account recent evidence supporting the use of Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis of carditis as a major manifestation of acute rheumatic fever. METHODS AND RESULTS: To achieve this goal, the American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young and its Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease Committee organized a writing group to comprehensively review and evaluate the impact of population-specific differences in acute rheumatic fever presentation and changes in presentation that can result from the now worldwide availability of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, a methodological assessment of the numerous published studies that support the use of Doppler echocardiography as a means to diagnose cardiac involvement in acute rheumatic fever, even when overt clinical findings are not apparent, was undertaken to determine the evidence basis for defining subclinical carditis and including it as a major criterion of the Jones criteria. This effort has resulted in the first substantial revision to the Jones criteria by the American Heart Association since 1992 and the first application of the Classification of Recommendations and Levels of Evidence categories developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association to the Jones criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This revision of the Jones criteria now brings them into closer alignment with other international guidelines for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever by defining high-risk populations, recognizing variability in clinical presentation in these high-risk populations, and including Doppler echocardiography as a tool to diagnose cardiac involvement.

The reproducibility and absolute values of echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular size and function in children are algorithm dependent.

BACKGROUND: Several quantification algorithms for measuring left ventricular (LV) size and function are used in clinical and research settings. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of measurement algorithm and beat averaging on the reproducibility of measurements of the left ventricle and to assess the magnitude of agreement among the algorithms in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained in 169 children from eight clinical centers. Inter- and intrareader reproducibility was assessed on measurements of LV volumes using the biplane Simpson, modified Simpson, and 5/6 × area × length (5/6AL) algorithms. Percentage error was calculated as inter- or intrareader difference/mean × 100. Single-beat measurements and the three-beat average (3BA) were compared. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess agreement. RESULTS: Single-beat interreader reproducibility was lowest (percentage error was highest) using biplane Simpson; 5/6AL and modified Simpson were similar but significantly better than biplane Simpson (P < .05). Single-beat intrareader reproducibility was highest using 5/6AL (P < .05). The 3BA improved reproducibility for almost all measures (P < .05). Reproducibility in both single-beat and 3BA values fell with greater LV dilation and systolic dysfunction (P < .05). Intraclass correlation coefficients were >0.95 across measures, although absolute volume and mass values were systematically lower for biplane Simpson compared with modified Simpson and 5/6AL. CONCLUSIONS: The reproducibility of LV size and functional measurements in children with dilated cardiomyopathy is highest using the 5/6AL algorithm and can be further improved by using the 3BA. However, values derived from different algorithms are not interchangeable.

Indications for intervention in asymptomatic children with chronic mitral regurgitation.

Based on outcome data, surgery is recommended for asymptomatic adults with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) and systolic dysfunction, marked left ventricular (LV) dilation, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, or high likelihood of successful repair; but indications for children are poorly defined. We sought to determine predictors of postoperative LV dysfunction in asymptomatic children with chronic MR. The surgical database was searched for all children who underwent mitral valve surgery for chronic MR (2000-2012). Exclusion criteria were preoperative symptoms, acute MR, cardiomyopathy, or other defects affecting LV size. Preoperative and latest follow-up clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained. LV dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction (EF) ≤55% or shortening fraction (SF) ≤28%. Associations between preoperative factors and late LV dysfunction were determined using univariate Poisson regression. For the 25 children who met criteria, preoperative median LV end systolic Z score (LVESZ) was 5.3, EF was 65%, and SF was 34%. At follow-up (median 3.9 years), nine patients (36%) had LV dysfunction. Lower preoperative SF (OR 0.6, p < 0.001) and higher LVESZ (OR 1.7, p < 0.01) were associated with late LV dysfunction. LVESZ ≥ 5 combined with SF ≤ 33% had a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 88%, and negative predictive value of 93% for late LV dysfunction. Only 1/14 patients with preoperative SF > 33% had late LV dysfunction. For asymptomatic children with chronic MR, surgery should be considered before LVESZ exceeds five and SF falls below 33%. Patients with SF > 33% may be followed with serial echocardiographic measurements.

Resource utilization and outcomes of infective endocarditis in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate resource use and outcomes of infective endocarditis in children with and without preexisting heart disease via a national cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Children <19 years of age hospitalized from 2004 to 2010 with infective endocarditis at 37 centers in the Pediatric Health Information Systems database were included. We excluded children primarily hospitalized for chronic medical conditions. We used regression analysis to evaluate factors associated with poor outcomes (defined as mortality, mechanical cardiac support, or stroke). RESULTS: There were 1033 cases of infective endocarditis, of which 663 had heart disease and 370 did not. Compared with the group without heart disease, infective endocarditis in the cohort with heart disease occurred at younger age, was more commonly attributable to streptococcus, was more likely to require cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis, and was associated with a lower risk of stroke. Mortality was 6.7% (n = 45) and 3.5% (n = 13) in groups with and without heart disease, respectively. Factors associated with poor outcome in the cohort with heart disease included greater risk of mortality score (OR 7.9), mechanical ventilation (OR 3.1), use of antiarrhythmics (OR 2.7), and use of vasoactive medications (OR 3.8). In the cohort without heart disease, factors associated with poor outcome included renal failure (OR 19.3), greater risk of mortality score (OR 4.2), use of antiarrhythmics (OR 3.8), and mechanical ventilation (OR 2.2). Median charge of hospitalization was $131,893 in the group without heart disease and $140,655 in the group with heart disease. CONCLUSION: Infective endocarditis remains a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and resource use particularly in children with heart disease.

Admission to a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit is associated with decreased resource use for infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital heart disease.

Many factors in the delivery and perinatal care of infants with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) have an impact on outcome and costs. This study sought to determine the modifiable factors in perinatal management that have an impact on postnatal resource use for infants with CHD. The medical records of infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD (August 2006-December 2011) who underwent cardiac surgery before discharge were reviewed. The exclusion criteria ruled out prematurity and intervention or transplantation evaluation before surgery. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and cost data were collected. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the impact of perinatal decisions on hospitalization cost and surrogates of resource use after adjustment for demographic and other risk factors. For the 126 patients who met the study criteria, the median hospital stay was 22 days (range 4-122 days), and the median inflation-adjusted total hospital cost was $107,357 (range $9,746-602,320). The initial admission to the neonatal versus the cardiac intensive care unit (NICU vs. CICU) was independently associated with a 19 % longer hospital stay, a 26 % longer ICU stay, and 47 % more mechanical ventilation days after adjustment for Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery, version 1 score, gestation age, genetic abnormality, birth weight, mode of delivery, and postsurgical complications. Weekend versus weekday delivery was not associated with hospital cost or length of hospital stay. For term infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD undergoing surgery before discharge, preoperative admission to the NICU (vs. the CICU) resulted in a longer hospital stay and greater intensive care use. Prenatal planning for infants with CHD should consider the initial place of admission as a modifiable factor for potential lowering of resource use.

Variability of M-mode versus two-dimensional echocardiography measurements in children with dilated cardiomyopathy.

M-mode and 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic imaging are routinely used to quantify left-ventricular (LV) size and function in pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The reproducibility of and correlation between these techniques are unknown. This analysis sought to compare interreader, intrareader, and interacquisition reproducibility of M-mode versus 2D measurements in pediatric DCM patients. The Ventricular Volume Variability study of the Pediatric Heart Network is a multicenter, prospective, observational study assessing the course of chronic DCM in children. Two sonographers performed baseline image acquisitions locally, and two readers performed measurements at the echocardiographic core laboratory. One reader repeated measurements 1 month later. These data were used to assess reproducibility and agreement between M-mode and 2D measurements. One hundred sixty-nine subjects were enrolled. M-mode had similar or greater reproducibility in both intrareader and interreader settings for LV dimensions, shortening fraction (SF), and most wall thicknesses. In contrast, 2D reproducibility was similar or better for nearly all variables in the interacquisition setting but not for SF. Interacquisition variability was approximately twice the intrareader variability. LV dimensions by either modality consistently had high reproducibility and had the highest agreement between modalities. In pediatric DCM patients, variability of linear echocardiographic assessment could be minimized by relying on a single reader and using a consistent method (M-mode or 2D) for serial measurements, preferably M-mode when SF is the primary variable of interest. Except for LV dimensions, M-mode and 2D values should not be used interchangeably due to poor agreement.

Factors associated with recoarctation after surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta by way of thoracotomy in young infants.

Echocardiography is the mainstay of preoperative arch imaging in infants with coarctation of the aorta. In simple coarctation, repair by way of sternotomy or thoracotomy is often determined by echocardiographic transverse arch measurements. The degree of arch hypoplasia that is prohibitive to repair by way of thoracotomy is unknown. Clinical predictors of recoarctation are also unknown. Demographic, echocardiographic (transverse arch and aortic measurements), operative, and postoperative data of infants <90 days old with simple coarctation repaired by way of thoracotomy between February 2005 and November 2011 were evaluated. Recoarctation was defined as surgical or catheter reintervention after hospital discharge. Eighty-four infants underwent coarctation repair at median age of 12 (range 1-85) days with median follow-up of 12.3 (range 0.5-71.9) months. The seven (8 %) infants with recoarctation underwent balloon angioplasty. In multivariable analysis, only greater postoperative Doppler peak velocity [1.13, confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.23] and greater sinotubular junction z-score (hazard ratio 4.19, CI 1.47-11.95) independently predicted coarctation. Doppler peak velocity >2.12 m/s had sensitivity of 63 % and specificity of 83 % of predicting recoarctation, and ST junction z-score >-0.93 had sensitivity of 100 % and specificity of 58 %. No transverse arch dimensions were independently associated with recoarctation. Infants with transverse arch z-score as low as -2.8 underwent successful repair by way of thoracotomy. No clinical predictors were significant.