[Treatment of pediatric outpatients with complicated urinary tract infections]. / Tratamento ambulatorial de crianças com infecção urinária complicada.

In an open and prospective study involving outpatient children with complicated urinary tract infections (UTI), we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of ceftriaxone administered intramuscularly, once-daily--50 to 70 mg/kg, during 8 to 10 days. Initially, the selected patients exhibited at least two of the following clinical criteria: age below 6 months, any degree of toxicity, fever, strong suspicion or proved abnormalities of their urinary tracts and lumbar pain in children older than 4 years. Significant bacteriuria was demonstrated by urine culture in 40 patients (21 boys, 19 girls), whose ages ranged from 15 days to 6 years 9 months (median 3 months). The radiological studies revealed vesicoureteral reflux in 6 patients, urethral posterior valve in 1, and neurogenic bladder in 4. The main causative agents were Escherichia coli isolated in 30 patients, Klebsiella (4) and Proteus (4). The treatment was found to be effective in 38 patients (95%). There was failure of treatment in 1 patient and a symptomatic reinfection in another one. It was concluded that children with complicated UTI could be treated alternatively by once daily ceftriaxone.

[Results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in membranous subaortic stenosis]. / Resultados da valvoplastia percutânea por cateter balão na estenose subaórtica em membrana.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) for membranous subaortic stenosis (MSAS). METHODS: Seven patients with MSAS were submitted to PBV using the retrograde approach. Hemodynamic and angiographic studies were performed before and after the procedure. The balloon/annulus ratio varied between 0.9 to 1.05. RESULTS: The systolic gradient (SG) between the left ventricle (LV) and aorta was reduced from 57.8 +/- 11.6 to 22.0 +/- 8.6 mmHg (p < 0.001) and the LV systolic pressure from 154.5 +/- 30.3 to 118.7 +/- 18.4 mmHg (p < 0.001). One patient had arterial occlusion and was submitted to surgical embolectomy and another one showed severe mitral regurgitation combined with aortic insufficiency (AI) and required surgical valvuloplasty. There was no mortality. Four patients had a 11 +/- 10 month follow up: the SG measured by echocardiogram was 34 +/- 7 mmHg and no patient showed worsening of the AI. CONCLUSION: PBV is an effective procedure to reduce the subaortic SG, with an acceptable morbidity and persistence of the results in the short term follow up. PBV is a valid alternative as an initial mode of therapy in the management of patients with MSAS.

[Simultaneous treatment of pulmonary valve stenosis and patent ductus arterious by interventional catheterization]. / Tratamento simultâneo da estenose pulmonar valvar e da persistência do canal arterial através do cateterismo intervencionista.

The association of pulmonary valve stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus is uncommonly found in clinical practice of pediatric cardiology. The authors describe 2 patients with this association that were successfully treated in the same procedure by interventional cardiology: first case, a 14 month old boy was submitted to percutaneous pulmonary valvoplasty with reduction of systolic gradient between pulmonary artery and right ventricle from 71 to 3 mmHg. The 2.0 mm of diameter and conical shape duct was successfully occluded using a 38-5-5 coil; second case, a 20 month old girl was submitted to percutaneous pulmonary valvoplasty with reduction of systolic gradient between pulmonary artery and right ventricle from 60 to 5 mmHg. An attempt to close the 3.5 mm of diameter and concial shape duct using coil was performed, but the device embolized into the pulmonary artery. After immediate retrieval, a 12 mm Rashkind umbrella was implanted. Indication of treatment of both conditions, technical aspects and complications related to the procedures, and patients follow up are also discussed.

Percutaneous closure of ductus arteriosus with the amplatzer prosthesis. The Brazilian experience.

OBJECTIVE - To report the results of percutaneous occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer prosthesis in 2 Brazilian cardiological centers. METHODS - From May 1998 to July 2000, 33 patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of persistent ductus arteriosus underwent attempts at percutaneous implantation of the Amplatzer prosthesis. The median age was 36 months (from 6 months to 38 years), and the median weight was 14kg (from 6 to 92kg). Sixteen patients (48.5%) were under 2 years of age at the time of the procedure. All patients were followed up with periodical clinical and echocardiographic evaluations to assess the presence and degree of residual shunt and possible complications, such as pseudocoarctation of the aorta and left pulmonary artery stenosis. RESULTS - The minimum diameter of the arterial ducts ranged from 2.5 to 7.0mm (mean of 4.0+/-1.0, median of 3.9). The rate of success for implantation of the prosthesis was 100%. Femoral pulse was lost in 1 patient. The echocardiogram revealed total closure prior to hospital discharge in 30 patients, and in the follow-up visit 3 months later in the 3 remaining patients. The mean follow-up duration was 6.4+/-3.4 months. All patients were clinically well, asymptomatic, and did not need medication. No patient had narrowing of the left pulmonary artery or of the aorta. No early or late embolic events occurred, nor did infectious endarteritis. A new hospital admission was not required for any patient. CONCLUSION - The Amplatzer prosthesis for persistent ductus arteriosus is safe and highly effective for occlusion of ductus arteriosus of varied diameters, including large ones in small symptomatic infants.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects. The role of transesophageal echocardiography.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the role of transesophageal echocardiography in percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. METHODS: Patients were selected for percutaneous closure of ASD by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which was also used to monitor the procedure, helping to select the appropriate size of the Amplatzer device, to verify its position, and to access the immediate results of the procedure. During the follow-up, TEE was used to evaluate the presence and magnitude of residual shunt (RS), device position, and right cardiac chamber diameters. RESULTS: Twenty-two (40%) of a total of 55 studied patients were selected. Thirteen underwent Amplatzer device implantation, eight are still waiting for it, and one preferred the conventional surgical treatment. All procedures were successful, which was mainly due to proper patient selection. Six (23%) patients acutely developed RS, which spontaneously disappeared at the three-month follow-up examination in three patients. There was a significant reduction in the right ventricle diastolic diameter, from 27 mm (average) to 24 mm and 20 mm, one and three months after the procedure, respectively (p < 0.0076). CONCLUSION: With the aid of TEE, percutaneous closure of ASD can be successfully, safely, and effectively performed.

[Coronary sinus atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and absence of left superior vena cava]. / Comunicação interatrial do tipo seio coronário, comunicação interventricular e ausência de veia cava superior esquerda.

We report a rare case of a 21 month old child with a coronary sinus atrial septal defect associated with perimembranous ventricular septal defect and no left superior vena cava. The diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiogram and confirmed by angiography. The patient was operated on uneventfully, both defects were closed with bovine pericardial patches and the flow from the coronary veins was directed towards the left atrium. An echocardiogram revealed complete closure of both defects.

New percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

We report new percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, in 3 newborns who had this birth defect. There was mild to moderate hypoplastic right ventricle, a patent infundibulum, and no coronary-cavitary communications. We succeeded in all cases, and no complications related to the procedure occurred. The new coaxial radiofrequency system was easy to handle, which simplified the procedure. Two patients required an additional source of pulmonary flow (Blalock-Taussig shunt) in the first week after catheterization. All patients had a satisfactory short-term clinical evolution and will undergo recatheterization within 1 year to define the next therapeutic strategy. We conclude that this technique may be safely and efficiently performed, especially when the new coaxial radiofrequency system is used, and it may become the initial treatment of choice in select neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

[Initial experience in percutaneous closure of interatrial communication with the amplatzer device]. / Experiência inicial no fechamento percutâneo da comunicação interatrial com a prótese de Amplatzer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate our initial experience with percutaneous closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. METHODS: Seven patients underwent occlusion by anterograde approach, under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. One child had 2 ASD and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ASD size ranged from 8.7 to 20 mm as measured by TEE. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in the morning after the procedure. RESULTS: Eight devices were successfully implanted in 7 patients and the PDA was occluded with a Gianturco coil at the same session. In this patient, there was an episode of supraventricular tachycardia during the occlusion of one ASD which was reverted with adenosin. All patients were discharged the day after, with complete occlusion of all defects. CONCLUSION: The procedure is safe, effective and versatile. It can be applied as an initial alternative to the treatment of selected patients with ASD.

[Overall experience with percutaneous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus]. / Experiência global no fechamento percutâneo do canal arterial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the overall experience of our institution with percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS: Since December/92, 150 patients underwent 178 procedures (85-Rashkind technique; 87-Gianturco coils; 6-Duct Occlud). Median age was 6.5 years (1 to 57). Mean minimum ductal diameter was 3.05 +/- 1.24 mm (1 to 8). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed periodically. RESULTS: Adequate implantation was achieved in 143 (95.3%) patients. Prevalence of immediate residual shunting was 52.1%, falling to 15.9% during follow-up. This figure decreased to 5.2% after new additional procedures. Umbrella and coil embolization occurred in 1 and 12 procedures, respectively. Hemolysis and mild stenosis of left pulmonary artery were observed in one patient each. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: This therapeutic modality is safe and efficacious with good follow-up results.

Paediatric and congenital heart disease in South America: an overview.

Congenital heart diseases are one of the most common structural defects present at birth, with an approximate incidence of 8 per 1000 live births. As most countries in South America have a high birth rate, they are a significant public health concern. This paper provides a brief overview of the burden of congenital heart disease in South America, focusing on its local prevalence, facilities for treatment and outcomes after medical, surgical or catheter intervention for the most common diseases.

Use of covered stents in the management of coarctation of the aorta.

We report our experience with the use of covered stents for the management of coarctation of the aorta. From December 2001 to March 2004, nine patients (seven males; median age, 31 years; mean weight, 65 +/- 15 kg) underwent implantation. Indications included critical or atretic native coarctation (n = 4), patients >50 years of age (n = 2), associated patent ductus arteriosus (n = 1) or adjacent aneurysm (n = 1), and the presence of a circumferential fracture within a previously implanted stent (n = 1). The covered balloon-expandable Cheatham-Platinum stent and the self-expandable stent graft Braile were employed. Adequate implantation was observed in all patients. Gradients were reduced from 54 +/- 14 to 3 +/- 8 mmHg and the coarctation site increased from 2.4 +/- 2.9 to 15.9 +/- 4.3 mm. The patent ductus arteriosus was immediately closed and the aneurysm excluded. Two patients >35 years with aneurysmal ascending aorta and metallic aortic prosthesis had aneurysm formation at follow-up, with one undergoing aneurysm exclusion using a Braile stent. Although covered stents are useful in the management of selected patients with coarctation, aneurysm formation may still occur in patients with markers of aortic wall weakness. Refinements in the deployment technique and/or the stent design are needed to eliminate this risk.

Hemolysis associated with coil occlusion of the arterial duct.

Severe mechanical hemolysis occurred in a 22 month old girl after placement of a 38-5-10 coil in the arterial duct. She had previously undergone percutaneous closure using the Rashkind technique 14 months before insertion of the coil, but remained with a moderate residual shunt. Surgical removal of the devices and division of the duct were required to abolish the hemolysis.

Aneurysm of the membranous septum in critical pulmonary stenosis: spontaneous rupture after balloon dilatation.

We report a case of critical pulmonary valve stenosis in which congenital aneurysm of the membranous septum ruptured spontaneously after balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. It is considered that the chronic mechanical trauma with phasic protrusion and collapse of the aneurysm during the cardiac cycles was responsible for an aneurysm rupture.

Implantation of endovascular stents for hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch.

Hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch is commonly associated with aortic coarctation. Persistent or recurrent obstruction can occur at this level after successful repair of the native coarcted segment. The purpose of this report is to present a new technique to treat such lesions, namely with implantation of a balloon-expandable stent. This approach was used successfully in 4 children with such hypoplasia occurring after repair of coarctation. Implantation led to both anatomical and physiological relief of obstruction in all. The patients tolerated the procedure, and there were no major adverse events.

Antegrade transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistulae using vascular occlusion devices.

Two children (a 9 year old boy and a 2.5 year old girl) with coronary artery fistulae communicating with the right ventricle underwent successful transcatheter occlusion using an antegrade technique. A Rashkind double umbrella device was used in one case and an Amplatzer duct occluder in the other.

Stent implantation to create interatrial communications in patients with complex congenital heart disease.

A restrictive interatrial communication can complicate the management of complex congenital heart disease. The purpose of this report is to present a new technique to achieve a patent and reliable interatrial communication by using an endovascular stent. A stent was successfully implanted across a fenestrated extracardiac conduit in two patients with low cardiac output after Fontan operations and across the interatrial septum in a patient with double inlet left ventricle and severe left atrioventricular stenosis. The procedures were uncomplicated and all patients showed immediate hemodynamic improvement. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:310-313, 1999.

[Current role of therapeutic heart catheterization in pediatric cardiology] / O papel atual do cateterismo terapêutico em cardiologia pediátrica.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac catheterization has begun to be employed for therapeutic purposes since the middle sixties. In this paper the authors review the current indications, technique and results related to each of the interventional procedures. It also includes a brief sample of the Instituto Dante Pazzanese experience for illustrative purpose. METHODS: The main procedures that are addressed include balloon and blade atrial septostomy (Rashkind and Park procedures), pulmonary valvuloplasty, aortic valvuloplasty, mitral valvuloplasty (for rheumatic mitral stenosis), angioplasty for coarctation of aorta with or without stent implantation, angioplasty for pulmonary artery stenosis with or without stent implantation, percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus, percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defects and balloon dilation of stenosed Blalock-Taussig shunts. The authors make a review of the most important papers published in the literature about Interventional Pediatric Cardiology, including their own experience. RESULTS: Good or excelent therapeutic results are achieved for pulmonic stenosis, coarctation of aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defects and pulmonary branch stenosis. Satisfactory palliations are obtained for aortic stenosis, rheumatic mitral stenosis and complex congenital heart diseases that require balloon atrial septostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the recent technological development, pediatric therapeutic heart catheterization makes it possible to treat or palliate about 30% of all congenital or acquired heart diseases with encouraging results, sparing some patients from the need of cardiac surgery.

Left ventricle to coronary sinus fistula complicating the outcome of transposition of the great arteries.

We report a case in which a neonate with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum with unrestricted atrial communication had persistent hypoxemia probably due to a congenital left ventricle to coronary sinus fistula.

Multiple atrial septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus: successful outcome using two Amplatzer septal occluders and Gianturco coils.

We report on a case of successful percutaneous closure of two atrial septal defects and a persistent ductus arteriosus using two Amplatzer septal occluders and a Gianturco coil in a 9-year-old child.