Transseptal coronary artery-a pictorial review.

A transseptal coronary artery course, also known as a transconal course, is an anomalous course of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) or the left anterior descending artery (LAD) through the conal septal myocardium. The conal septal myocardium is the posterior wall of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), acting as a dividing myocardial wall between the subaortic and subpulmonary outflow tracts. The initial segment of a transseptal coronary artery has an extraconal course between the aorta and the RVOT cranial to the true intramyocardial segment. The transseptal coronary artery then emerges out of the conal septal myocardium at the epicardial surface on the lateral aspect of the RVOT. Many consider the transseptal coronary artery to be a benign entity. However, there are few case reports of severe cardiac symptoms such as myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and even sudden cardiac deaths due to potential coronary artery compression in the systolic phase.​ In this article, we seek to describe the imaging findings of transseptal coronary artery course on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), discuss their clinical analysis, and briefly discuss the management of these lesions.

Trends in incidence, treatment and survival of Merkel cell carcinoma in England 2004-2018: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare tumour with neuroendocrine differentiation and high associated mortality. Studies that describe the epidemiology of MCC are often limited by small sample size, short duration of follow-up, absence of nationwide data and paucity of data on different risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, demographics and survival for MCC in England between 2004 and 2018. METHODS: This national retrospective cohort study identified all cases of MCC in England from 2004 to 2018 using national population-based data from the National Disease Registration Service. Crude counts, European age-standardized incidence rates (EASRs) and joinpoint analysis were conducted. Patient demographics and treatments received were described. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to study risk factors for MCC-specific mortality, by including a priori defined demographic factors, tumour characteristics and immunosuppression. Treatment data were not included in the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3775 MCC tumours were registered. The median age at diagnosis was 81 years (interquartile range 74-87). Overall, 96·6% of patients identified as White ethnicity, and 8·3% of patients were immunosuppressed. The most common site was the face (27·4%). Patients most often presented with stage one disease (22·8%); however, stage was unknown in 31·0%. In total, 80·7% of patients underwent surgical excision, 43·5% radiotherapy and 9·2% systemic therapy. The EASR increased from 0·43 per 100 000 person-years (PYs) to 0·65 per 100 000 person-years between 2004 and 2018, representing a significant annual percentage change of 3·9%. The EASR was greater in men than in women for all years, with an overall male-to-female ratio of 1·41 : 1. The highest EASR was in South West England. Five-year disease-specific survival was 65·6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 63·8-67·4], with a median follow-up of 767 days. MCC-specific mortality increased with age [hazard ratio (HR) 1·02, 95% CI 1·02-1·03], deprivation (HR 1·43, 95% CI 1·16-1·76), immunosuppression (HR 2·80, 95% CI 2·34-3·34) and stage at diagnosis (HR 8·24, 95% CI 5·84-11·6). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the largest national MCC dataset in Europe, and the most complete reporting of MCC incidence and survival ever published. With the EASR of MCC increasing and high associated mortality, this study encourages further research into the pathology, diagnosis and therapeutic options for MCC to support management guidelines.

Strategies and techniques for percutaneous Veno-Arterial ECMO cannulation and decannulation in children.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the techniques used for percutaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) cannulation and decannulation in children with the pediatric interventional cardiologist (PIC) as the primary operator, and present outcomes of this initial clinical experience. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous VA-ECMO during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been successfully performed in adults, but currently, not much data exists on children. METHODS: This is a single-center study including VA-ECMO cannulations performed by the PIC between 2019 and 2021. Efficacy was defined as the successful initiation of VA-ECMO without surgical cutdown. Safety was defined as the absence of additional procedures related to cannulation. RESULTS: Twenty-three percutaneous VA-ECMO cannulations were performed by PIC on 20 children with 100% success. Fourteen (61%) were performed during ongoing CPR, and nine for cardiogenic shock. The Median age was 15 (0.15-18) years, and the median weight was 65 (3.3-180) kg. All arterial cannulations were via the femoral artery except in one, 8-week-old infant who was cannulated in the carotid artery. A distal perfusion cannula was placed in the ipsilateral limb in 17 (78%). The median time from initiating cannulation to ECMO flow was 35 (13-112) minutes. Two patients required arterial graft placement at the time of decannulation and one needed below-knee amputation. ECMO support was maintained for a median of 4 (0.3-38) days. Thirty-day survival was 74%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous VA-ECMO cannulations can be effectively performed, even during CPR with the Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist being the primary operator. This is an initial clinical experience. Future outcome studies compared with standard surgical cannulations are necessary to advocate routine percutaneous VA-ECMO in children.

Outcomes of dostarlimab versus chemotherapy in post-platinum patients with recurrent/advanced endometrial cancer: data from the GARNET trial and the National Cancer Registration Service in England.

OBJECTIVES: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as novel treatment options in patients with endometrial cancer. In this study we aimed to compare the survival outcomes of patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer. These patients had received dostarlimab after platinum-based chemotherapy in the single-arm, Phase I GARNET trial. We compared them with a matched indirect real-world cohort. METHODS: The real-world cohort was established using National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service data, with five treatment-specific real-world sub-cohorts identified. To compare clinical outcomes between the GARNET trial and real-world cohorts, we performed matching-adjusted indirect comparisons. We used prognostic variables to create matching scenarios, including scenario 1 that incorporated grade, histology, and platinum-based chemotherapy number; scenario 2 that considered histology and platinum-based chemotherapy number; and scenario 3 that included race/ethnicity, stage at diagnosis, histology, and prior surgery. Overall survival was defined as the time between the first dostarlimab dose or second-line real-world treatment and death. Adjusted hazard ratios for matching-adjusted indirect comparisons were estimated via weighted Cox proportional-hazards models. Progression-free survival, using time-to-next treatment as a proxy for real-world cohorts, was summarized descriptively. RESULTS: Distribution of baseline characteristics that were matched was similar between the GARNET cohort (n=153) and the real-world cohort (n=999). The most common International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage in both cohorts was stage III/IV (n=88; 57.5% and n=778; 77.9%, respectively), with endometroid histology predominating in the GARNET cohort (n=121; 79.1%) and non-endometrioid the predominant form in the real-world cohort (n=575; 57.6%). The median overall survival for dostarlimab was longer (range 27.1-40.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.4-non-estimable and 19.4-non-estimable]) both before and after matching for all scenarios compared with the real-world cohort (10.3 months). Across all matching scenarios, patients in the GARNET cohort had a decreased risk of death, with a HR for overall survival of 0.32 (p<0.0001) before matching, as compared with the overall real-world cohort and most treatment-specific real-world cohorts. For all three scenarios, progression-free survival rates at 12 and 18 months were higher for patients on dostarlimab compared with the real-world cohort (0.48 and 0.43 respectively before matching in the GARNET cohort vs 0.28 and 0.16 respectively in the real-world cohort; using time to next treatment as proxy). The effective sample size for scenario 1 was low when compared with the other scenarios (scenario 1: n=18; scenario 2: n=62; scenario 3: n=67). CONCLUSION: In this adjusted indirect dataset, patients with recurrent/advanced mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high endometrial cancer post-platinum-based chemotherapy who received dostarlimab in the GARNET trial had significantly improved overall survival compared with patients receiving current second-line treatment in England.

Previously treated recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer in England: A real-world observational analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with recurrent/advanced endometrial cancer who have progressed after first-line treatment, there are a lack of real-world data on treatment patterns, characteristics, and survival outcomes. A novel study was conducted to determine real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in England. METHODS: This non-interventional study used routine, administrative health data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service in England to identify patients diagnosed with recurrent/advanced endometrial cancer between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018, inclusive. A cohort of patients who progressed to second-line treatment were identified as the 'immune checkpoint inhibitor-eligible second-line' cohort. The co-primary objectives were to summarise baseline demographics, disease characteristics, treatments received, and depict overall survival and time-to-next-treatment (a proxy for progression-free survival) from the start of second-line therapy using Kaplan-Meier methodology. RESULTS: Overall, 12,058 patients were diagnosed with recurrent/advanced endometrial cancer; 999 patients were included in the immune checkpoint inhibitor-eligible second-line cohort and 77.9% (778 of 999) had advanced disease (Stage III/IV). The most common treatments received at second-line were carboplatin plus paclitaxel (27.9%), carboplatin plus liposomal doxorubicin (14.1%), liposomal doxorubicin monotherapy (13.0%), and paclitaxel monotherapy (11.6%). From initiation of second-line therapy, median (95% confidence interval) overall survival was 10.3 months (9.2-11.1), and median time-to-next-treatment was 7.7 months (7.1-8.2). CONCLUSIONS: Treatments received in the relapsed setting were variable and survival outcomes poor at second-line, highlighting the need for standard of care guidance and innovative therapies to improve patient outcomes in England and in countries with similar treatment patterns. FUNDING: GSK.

Virtual endoluminal aortic root views determined at coronary CT angiography - an important tool for improving anomalous coronary artery visualization and surgical planning.

Anomalous origin of the coronary arteries, though uncommon, is of great clinical concern. It can be the cause of sudden cardiac death and abnormal cardiac hemodynamics. Advances in electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated multi-detector CT have increased diagnostic accuracy in detecting anomalous origin of coronary arteries and their interarterial and intramural courses. Recent advances in multi-detector CT image processing software have allowed the creation of virtual endoluminal views of the aortic root and improved assessment of the intramural course (the length and relationship to the intercoronary commissure) of the coronary artery, which is of considerable surgical importance. We review our experience with virtual endoluminal imaging in our first 19 cases of interarterial coronary artery anomalies (17 cases of interarterial with intramural segment and 2 cases of purely interarterial course) diagnosed preoperatively and proven surgically.

Role of Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in extremely low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is common in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The objectives of this study were to describe our early clinical experience of transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in ELBW infants, compare outcomes with surgical ligation of PDA (SLP), and identify risk factors for prolonged respiratory support. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed comparing infants born <27 weeks, weighing <1 kg at birth and < 2 kg during TCPC with 2:1 propensity-score matched group of infants that underwent SLP. Change in respiratory severity scores (RSS) immediately post-procedure and the time taken for return to pre-procedure RSS for TCPC versus SLP was compared. Factors contributing to prolonged elevation of RSS were identified. RESULTS: Eighty ELBW infants (median procedure weight: 1060 [range 640-2000] grams) that underwent successful TCPC were compared with 40 infants that underwent SLP (procedure weight 650-1760 g). There was greater increase in RSS following SLP compared to TCPC (76% vs. 18%; P < 0.01). It took longer for RSS to return to pre-procedural scores post-SLP compared to post-TCPC (28 vs. 8.4 hr; P < 0.01). Elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and TCPC at >8 weeks of age were associated with prolonged (>30-days) elevation of RSS ≥ 1 (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2.2-9.4, P < 0.01 and OR = 2.86, 95%CI: 1.5-4.2, P = 0.05 respectively). Overall complication rate for TCPC was 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS: TCPC is feasible in infants as small as 640-2000 g and can be performed safely in the majority. TCPC may offer faster weaning of respiratory support compared to SLP when performed earlier in life, and before the onset of elevated PAP.

Utility of the Medtronic microvascular plug™ as a transcatheter implantable and explantable pulmonary artery flow restrictor in a swine model.

BACKGROUND: A surgical pulmonary artery band (PAB) is used to control excessive pulmonary blood flow for certain congenital heart diseases. Previous attempts have been made to develop a transcatheter, implantable pulmonary flow restrictor (PFR) without great success. We modified a microvascular plug (MVP) to be used as a PFR. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate feasibility of transcatheter implantation and retrieval of the modified MVP as a PFR, and compare PA growth while using the PFR versus PAB. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PFR was implanted in eight newborn piglets in bilateral branch pulmonary arteries (PAs). Immediately post-PFR implantation, the right ventricular systolic pressure increased from a median of 20-51 mmHg. Transcatheter retrieval of PFR was 100% successful at 3, 6, and 9 weeks and 50% at 12-weeks post-implant. A left PAB was placed via thoracotomy in four other newborn piglets. Debanding was performed 6-weeks later via balloon angioplasty. On follow-up, the proximal left PA diameters in the PFR and the PAB groups were similar (median 8 vs. 7.1 mm; p = 0.11); albeit the surgical band sites required repeat balloon angioplasty secondary to recurrent stenosis. By histopathology, there was grade II vessel injury in two pigs immediately post-retrieval of PFR that healed by 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter implantation and retrieval of the MVP as a PFR is feasible. PA growth is comparable to surgical PAB, which is likely to require reinterventions. The use of the MVP as a PFR in humans has to be trialed before recommending its routine use.

High acetylsalicylic acid dosing in infants after modified Blalock-Taussig shunt.

OBJECTIVE: Shunt-related adverse events are frequent in infants after modified Blalock-Taussig despite use of acetylsalicylic acid prophylaxis. A higher incidence of acetylsalicylic acid-resistance and sub-therapeutic acetylsalicylic acid levels has been reported in infants. We evaluated whether using high-dose acetylsalicylic acid can decrease shunt-related adverse events in infants after modified Blalock-Taussig. METHODS: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, we included infants ⩽1-year-old who underwent modified Blalock-Taussig placement and received acetylsalicylic acid in the ICU. We defined acetylsalicylic acid treatment groups as standard dose (⩽7 mg/kg/day) and high dose (⩾8 mg/kg/day) based on the initiating dose. RESULTS: There were 34 infants in each group. Both groups were similar in age, gender, cardiac defect type, ICU length of stay, and time interval to second stage or definitive repair. Shunt interventions (18 versus 32%, p=0.16), shunt thrombosis (14 versus 17%, p=0.74), and mortality (9 versus 12%, p=0.65) were not significantly different between groups. On multiple logistic regression analysis, single-ventricle morphology (odds ratio 5.2, 95% confidence interval of 1.2-23, p=0.03) and post-operative red blood cells transfusion ⩾24 hours [odds ratio 15, confidence interval of (3-71), p<0.01] were associated with shunt-related adverse events. High-dose acetylsalicylic acid treatment [odds ratio 2.6, confidence interval of (0.7-10), p=0.16] was not associated with decrease in these events. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose acetylsalicylic acid may not be sufficient in reducing shunt-related adverse events in infants after modified Blalock-Taussig. Post-operative red blood cells transfusion may be a modifiable risk factor for these events. A randomised trial is needed to determine appropriate acetylsalicylic acid dosing in infants with modified Blalock-Taussig.

Changes in the mode of travel to work and the severity of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal analysis of UK Biobank.

Although commuting provides an opportunity for incorporating physical activity into daily routines, little is known about the effect of active commuting upon depressive symptoms. This study aimed to determine whether changes in commute mode are associated with differences in the severity of depressive symptoms in working adults. Commuters were selected from the UK Biobank cohort if they completed ≥2 assessment centre visits between 2006 and 2016. Modes of travel to work were self-reported at each visit. Participants were categorised as 'inactive' (car only) or 'active' commuters (any other mode(s), including walking, cycling and public transport). Transitions between categories were defined between pairs of visits. The severity of depressive symptoms was defined using the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Scores were derived between zero and six. Higher values indicate more severe symptoms. Separate analyses were conducted in commuters who were asymptomatic (zero score) and symptomatic (non-zero score) at baseline. The analytical sample comprised 5474 participants aged 40-75 at baseline with a mean follow-up of 4.65 years. Asymptomatic commuters who transitioned from inactive to active commuting reported less severe symptoms at follow-up than those who remained inactive (ß -0.10, 95% CI [-0.20, 0.00]; N = 3145). A similar but non-significant relationship is evident among commuters with pre-existing symptoms (ß -0.60, 95% CI [-1.27, 0.08]; N = 1078). After adjusting for transition category, longer commutes at baseline were associated with worse depressive symptoms at follow-up among symptomatic participants. Shifting from exclusive car use towards more active commuting may help prevent and attenuate depressive symptoms in working adults.

Femoral vein homograft as Sano shunt results in improved pulmonary artery growth after Norwood operation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in interstage growth of pulmonary arteries between use of polytetrafluoroethylene and femoral vein homograft as Sano shunt during stage-I Norwood palliation. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who survived to the second stage following Norwood-Sano operation at two institutions was performed. Either polytetrafluoroethylene or the valved segment of femoral vein homograft was used for construction of the Sano shunt. The size of pulmonary arteries was compared at pre-Glenn catheterisation. RESULTS: A total of 48 neonates with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome or its variants comprised the study population. Femoral vein homograft of 5-6 mm diameter was used in 14 and polytetrafluoroethylene graft of 5 mm was used in 34 patients. The two groups were comparable in terms of preoperative demographics and age at time of pre-Glenn catheterisation (3.9±0.7 versus 3.4±0.8 months, p=0.06). Patients who received femoral vein homograft demonstrated a significantly higher pre-Glenn Nakata index [264 (130-460) versus 165 (108-234) mm2/m2, p=0.004]. The individual branch pulmonary arteries were significantly larger in the femoral vein group (right, 7.8±3.6 versus 5.0±1.2, p=0.014; left, 7.2±2.1 versus 5.6±1.9, p=0.02). There were no differences in cardiac index, Qp:Qs, ventricular end-diastolic pressure or systemic oxygen saturations. CONCLUSIONS: Utilisation of a valved segment of femoral vein homograft as right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit during Norwood-Sano operation confers better interstage growth of the pulmonary arteries. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of femoral vein homograft on single ventricle function.

Effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac function following orthotopic heart transplantation in piglets.

Studies in adult HT have demonstrated improved cardiac function in the recipient following administration of T3 to the donor. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effects of T3 on the function of the immature donor heart following HT in a piglet model. A total of 32 piglets were divided into 16 donors and 16 recipients. Following creation of brain death, half of the donor piglets were randomized to receive three doses of T3 (0.2 µg/kg) along with hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg). The donor hearts were then transplanted into the recipient piglets on CPB. Duration of survival off CPB, inotrope score, and EF of heart following CPB were evaluated. There were no differences between the two groups in age, weight, pre-brain death EF, T3 levels, and CPB times. Post-CPB survival times were inversely related to the ischemic times in both groups (Pearson r=-0.80, P<.001), and this relationship was not influenced by T3. There was no difference in inotrope score, EF, or biochemical assessment between the two groups. Administration of T3 in combination with hydrocortisone to the brain-dead donor confers no beneficial effect on myocardial function or survival following HT in a piglet model.

Left thoracic sympathectomy in a premature infant with long QT syndrome and heart failure.

Left thoracic sympathectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for adults with long QT syndrome who are refractory to medical therapy. We report the successful use of left thoracic sympathectomy for the management of a 10-week-old premature baby with long QT syndrome and heart failure from a large ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus.

Right ventricular function after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a comparison between bovine pericardium and porcine small intestinal extracellular matrix.

BACKGROUND: The porcine small intestinal extracellular matrix reportedly has the potential to differentiate into viable myocardial cells. When used in tetralogy of Fallot repair, it may improve right ventricular function. We evaluated right ventricular function after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with extracellular matrix versus bovine pericardium. METHOD: Subjects with non-transannular repair of tetralogy of Fallot with at least 1 year of follow-up were selected. The extracellular matrix and bovine pericardium groups were compared. We used three-dimensional right ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricle global longitudinal strain, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to assess right ventricular function. RESULTS: The extracellular matrix group had 11 patients, whereas the bovine pericardium group had 10 patients. No differences between the groups were found regarding sex ratio, age at surgery, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. The follow-up period was 28±12.6 months in the extracellular matrix group and 50.05±17.6 months in the bovine pericardium group (p=0.001). The mean three-dimensional right ventricular ejection fraction (55.7±5.0% versus 55.3±5.2%, p=0.73), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (-18.5±3.0% versus -18.0±2.2%, p=0.44), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursions (1.59±0.16 versus 1.59±0.2, p=0.93) were similar in the extracellular matrix group and in the bovine pericardium group, respectively. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain in healthy children is reported at -29±3% in literature. CONCLUSION: In a small cohort of the patients undergoing non-transannular repair of tetralogy of Fallot, there was no significant difference in right ventricular function between groups having extracellular matrix versus bovine pericardium patches followed-up for more than 1 year. Lower right ventricular longitudinal strain noted in both the groups compared to healthy children.

Influence of weight at the time of first palliation on survival in patients with a single ventricle.

BACKGROUND: Numerous advances in surgical techniques and understanding of single-ventricle physiology have resulted in improved survival. We sought to determine the influence of various demographic, perioperative, and patient-specific factors on the survival of single-ventricle patients following stage 1 palliation at our institution. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all single-ventricle patients who had undergone staged palliation at our institution over an 8-year period. Data were collected from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery database and from patient charts. Information on age, weight at stage 1 palliation, prematurity, genetic abnormalities, non-cardiac anomalies, ventricular dominance, and type of palliation was collected. Information on mortality and unplanned reinterventions was also collected. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients underwent stage 1 palliation over an 8-year period. There were 12 deaths before and one death after stage 2 palliation. There was no hospital mortality following Glenn or Fontan procedures. On univariate analysis, low weight at the time of stage 1 palliation and prematurity were found to be risk factors for mortality following stage 1 palliation. However, multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed weight at stage 1 palliation to be a strong predictor of mortality. The type of stage 1 palliation did not have any influence on the outcome. No difference in survival was noted following the Glenn procedure. CONCLUSION: Low weight has a deleterious impact on survival following stage 1 palliation. This is mitigated by stage 2 palliation. The type of stage 1 palliation itself has no bearing on the outcome.

Common pulmonary vein atresia: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Common pulmonary vein atresia is a rare and usually fatal congenital anomaly, in which the pulmonary veins come together to form a confluence that does not connect to the left atrium. We report our experience with three cases of common pulmonary vein atresia and review the literature on this anomaly. The diagnosis of common pulmonary vein atresia must be entertained in any newborn that presents with cyanosis, refractory acidosis, and decreased systemic perfusion within the first 48 hours of life. Echocardiography is a useful screening tool, but cardiac catheterisation is the preferred diagnostic tool. Common pulmonary vein atresia can be fatal without surgical intervention, but survival after surgery continues to be poor.

Management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact atrial septum: a two-centre experience.

UNLABELLED: Introduction Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with an intact atrial septum is a poor predictor of outcomes. Prenatal assessment of pulmonary venous Doppler and emergent postnatal cardiac intervention may be associated with better outcomes. Materials and methods A retrospective review of all hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients in two centres over a 5-year period was performed. Group 1 included patients with adequate inter-atrial communication. Group 2 included patients with prenatal diagnosis with an intact atrial septum who had immediate transcatheter intervention. Group 3 included patients with intact atrial septum who were not prenatally diagnosed and underwent either delayed intervention or no intervention before stage 1 palliation. Primary outcome was survival up to stage 2 palliation. RESULTS: The incidence of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a restrictive atrial communication was 11.2% (n=19 of 170). Overall survival to stage 2 or heart transplantation was 85% and 67% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively (n=129/151, n=8/12; p=0.03), and 0% (n=0/7) for Group 3. Survival benefits were observed between Groups 2 and 3 (p<0.001). Foetal pulmonary vein Doppler reverse/forward velocity time integral ratio of ⩾18% (sensitivity, 0.99, 95% CI, 0.58-1; specificity, 0.99, 95% CI, 0.96-1) was predictive of the need for emergent left atrial decompression. CONCLUSION: Using a multidisciplinary approach and foetal pulmonary vein Doppler, time-saving measures can be instituted by delivering prenatally diagnosed neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact atrial septum close to the cardiac catheterisation suite where left atrial decompression can be performed quickly and safely that may improve survival.

Hypertension management in England: a serial cross-sectional study from 1994 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease. We aimed to assess the change in blood pressure management between 1994 and 2011 in England with a series of annual surveys. METHODS: We did a serial cross-sectional study of five Health Survey for England surveys based on nationally representative samples of non-institutionalised adults (aged ≥16 years). Mean blood pressure levels and rates of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were assessed. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or higher, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or higher, or receiving treatment for high blood pressure. FINDINGS: The mean blood pressure levels of men and women in the general population and among patients with treated hypertension progressively improved between 1994 and 2011. In patients with treated hypertension, blood pressure improved from 150·0 (SE 0·59)/80·2 (0·27) mm Hg to 135·4 (0·58)/73·5 (0·41) mm Hg. Awareness, treatment, and control rates among men and women combined also improved significantly across each stage of this 17-year period, with the prevalence of control among treated patients almost doubling from 33% (SE 1·4) in 1994 to 63% (1·7) in 2011. Nevertheless, of all adults with survey-defined hypertension in 2011, hypertension was controlled in only 37%. INTERPRETATION: If the same systematic improvement in all aspects of hypertension management continues until 2022, 80% of patients with treated hypertension will have controlled blood pressure levels with a potential annual saving of about 50,000 major cardiovascular events. FUNDING: None.

Lessons learned with the use of CentriMag as short-term ventricular assist device in a child.

The CentriMag ventricular assist device is an extracorporeal, third-generation, continuous flow device. The rapidity and simplicity of operation along with low priming volume make it attractive for use in children with refractory heart failure. We report the successful use of CentriMag as a bridge to recovery in a child and discuss issues that are unique to its use in children.