Leukotriene B4 levels in CHD-associated paediatric pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of leukotriene B4, an inflammatory mediator, in the development of pulmonary hypertension in paediatric patients with CHD with left-right shunt. METHODS: The study included forty patients with CHD with left-right shunts. Based on haemodynamic data obtained from cardiac diagnostic catheterisation, 25 patients who met the criteria for pulmonary arterial hypertension were included in the patient group. The control group comprised 15 patients who did not meet the criteria. The standard cardiac haemodynamic study was conducted. Leukotriene B4 levels were assessed in blood samples taken from both pulmonary arteries and peripheral veins. RESULTS: The median age of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension was 10 months (range: 3-168), while the median age of the control group was 50 months (range: 3-194). In the pulmonary hypertension group, the median pulmonary artery systolic/diastolic/mean pressures were 38/18/24 mmHg, compared to 26/10/18 mmHg in the control group. Leukotriene B4 levels in pulmonary artery blood samples were significantly higher in the pulmonary arterial hypertension group compared to the controls (p < 0.05). Peripheral leukotriene B4 levels were also elevated in the pulmonary arterial hypertension group in comparison to the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The discovery of elevated leukotriene B4 levels in pulmonary artery samples from paediatric patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to CHD with left-to-right shunt suggests that local inflammation may have a pathological role in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation with a novel BeGraft aortic stent in children and young adults: a single-centre experience with short-term follow-up results.

OBJECTIVES: We present our experience and outcomes with the BeGraft in the treatment of aortic coarctation in a predominantly paediatric population. METHODS: This study includes a retrospective analysis of patients who had Begraft aortic stent implantation between 2018 and 2020 from a single centre. RESULTS: The BeGraft aortic stent was used in 11 patients (7 males, 4 females) with a median age of 14 (13-21) years and a median weight of 65 (46-103) kg. Coarctation was native in five patients and recurrent in six patients. Median stent diameter and length were 16 mm and 38 mm, respectively. The median peak-to-peak pressure was 30 (12-55) mmHg before the procedure and 5 (0-17) mmHg after the procedure. The stenting procedure was successful in 10 of the 11 patients. Stent migration to the abdominal aorta occurred on post-procedure day 1 in the 21-year-old patient, who had previously undergone surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect and balloon angioplasty for coarctation. After repositioning failed, the stent was safely fixed in the abdominal aorta. Strut distortion also occurred during balloon retrieval in one patient, but no aneurysm or in-stent restenosis was observed at 1-year follow-up. The patients were followed for a median of 14 (4-25) months and none required redilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial results demonstrated that the BeGraft aortic stent effectively reduced the pressure gradient in selected native and recurrent cases. Despite advantages such as a smaller sheath and low profile, more experience and medium- to long-term results are needed.

Evaluation of Arrhythmia Prevalence, Management, and Risk Factors in Patients with Transcatheter and Surgically Closed Secundum Atrial Septal Defects.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial septal defect (ASD) accounts for 6-10% of all congenital heart disorders. Secundum ASD closure can be performed surgically or percutaneously. We aimed to identify the various arrhythmias that occur before, during, and after the procedure and evaluate their management. METHODS: The study included a total of 427 patients aged 0-18 years who underwent transcatheter or surgical closure of isolated secundum ASD between January 2008 and January 2020. Postoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) traces, intraoperative arrhythmias, and treatments were recorded for both groups. Echocardiography and ECG were evaluated at postoperative 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: After transcatheter closure, follow-up basal ECG showed incomplete right bundle branch block pattern in 21 patients and sinus rhythm in 229 patients. After surgical closure, incomplete right bundle branch block pattern was detected in 23 patients, complete right bundle branch block in 3 patients, and complete AV-block (Atrioventricular Block) pattern in 1 patient. The other 150 patients showed sinus rhythm. At least one postoperative follow-up Holter ECG record could be obtained for 104 patients in the transcatheter group and 96 patients in the surgical group. Of 104 patients who underwent transcatheter closure, 97 (93.3%) had normal Holter ECG findings and 7 (6.7%) had arrhythmia. Of the 96 patients who underwent surgical closure, 85 (88.5%) had normal Holter ECG traces and 11 (11.5%) had arrhythmia. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of arrhythmia (P = 0.164). CONCLUSION: The higher frequency of arrhythmia in adult studies compared to the pediatric age group once again demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of ASD in childhood. The similar incidence of arrhythmia in both groups supports the safety and effectiveness of both closure methods in eligible patients.

Validation of the Turkish Version of the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform a validity analysis of the Turkish version of the Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 419 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. Patient risk factors and outcomes were collected using the revised (r) Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatric score (21 points) and Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatric score-20 point (Nykanen score). The serious adverse events and nonserious adverse event complications that occurred during and after the procedure were recorded. The revised Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics and Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score-20 points were administered by pediatric cardiologists. The content validity index was calculated based on expert opinions. Chi-square, correlation, and regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the pediatric patients was 4.5 ± 4.8 years. Of the patients, 50.1% were male (n=210) and 85% (n=356) had acyanotic heart disease. The patients' Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score-20 point and revised Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score were 5.9 ± 2.5 (range, 3-16) and 4.0 ± 2.5 (range, 0-16), respectively. Serious adverse events developed in 10.7% (n=45) of the patients and were found to be related with patient status/timing of catheterization, age, weight, respiratory status, and American Society of Anesthesiologist scores (P < .05). Significant positive correlations were found between the incidence of serious adverse events and total revised Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score (21 points), total Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score-20 point, and American Society of Anesthesiologist score (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The revised Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score (21 points) and Catheterization Risk Score for Pediatrics score-20 point are valid tools for predicting preprocedural risk in the Turkish population.