Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 Using an Institution Based Algorithm.

Cardiovascular involvement is a major cause of inpatient and intensive care unit morbidity related to Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The objective of this study was to identify long-term cardiovascular manifestations of MIS-C. We included 80 consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit with MIS-C who were evaluated for a year in our follow-up clinic using an institution protocol. The outcome measures were cardiac biomarkers (troponin and BNP), electrocardiogram changes, echocardiographic findings cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and graded-exercise stress test (GXT) findings. The cohort included patients aged between 6 months and 17 years (median 9 years; 48.8% females). At the peak of the disease 81.3% had abnormal BNP and 58.8% had troponin leak which reduced to 33.8% and 18.8% respectively at discharge with complete normalization by 6 weeks post-discharge. At admission 33.8% had systolic dysfunction, which improved to 11.3% at discharge with complete resolution by 2 weeks. Coronary artery abnormalities were seen in 17.5% during the illness with complete resolution by 2 weeks post discharge except one (1.9%) with persistent giant aneurysm at 1 year-follow up. CMR was performed at 6 months in 23 patient and demonstrated 4 patients with persistent late gadolinium enhancement (17.4%). Normal exercise capacity with no ectopy was seen in the 31 qualifying patients that underwent a GXT. There is significant heterogeneity in the cardiovascular manifestations of MIS-C. Although majority of the cardiovascular manifestations resolve within 6 weeks, diastolic dysfunction, CAA and myocardial scar may persist in a small subset of patients warranting a structured long-term follow-up strategy.

Heart Transplant, Kawasaki Disease, and Bone Marrow Transplant: Are There Consequences?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews the current landscape of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, focusing on dyslipidemia, which contribute to atherosclerosis in three unique populations: youth less than 18 years-of-age with a history of Kawasaki disease, and those who have undergone orthotopic heart and bone marrow transplants. RECENT FINDINGS: Atherosclerosis, the major cause of CVD, begins in childhood. Acquired and genetic disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, present at an early age, are major contributors to early precursors of atherosclerosis, which accelerate after age 20. Treatment of the underlying medical condition and optimum management of all risk factors is critical in improving outcomes. Nonetheless, limited data is available to assist clinical decision-making, with the aim of improving outcomes. Atherosclerosis, beginning in childhood, is multifactorial in origin with complex interplay of inflammation, infection, endothelial dysfunction, and dyslipidemia. Future studies are needed to help elucidate the specific roles of disease mechanisms, with an emphasis on early intervention and prediction of subclinical disease. In addition to a heart healthy lifestyle, there may be a role for use of lipid-lowering medications beginning at an early age.

Accessing Femoral Arteries Less than 3 mm in Diameter is Associated with Increased Incidence of Loss of Pulse Following Cardiac Catheterization in Infants.

To evaluate whether avoidance of a risk factor associated with loss of pulse (LOP) following femoral artery (FA) catheterization in infants identified from previous study, was associated with decreased incidence of LOP during a prospective evaluation. Since initiation of routine ultrasound guided femoral arterial access (UGFAA) for infants undergoing catheterization in Jan 2003-Dec 2011 (Period-1), our incidence of LOP had stayed steady. Prospective evaluation between Jan 2012-Dec 2014 (Period-2), identified FA-diameter < 3 mm as risk factor for LOP. Between Jan 2015-Dec 2018 (Period-3), an initiative to avoid UGFAA for FA-diameter < 3 mm was implemented to determine whether that led to a decreased incidence of LOP. FA-diameter was measured prior to USGFAA and ratio of outer diameter of arterial sheath to luminal diameter of cannulated artery (OD/AD ratio) was calculated during Periods-2 and 3. The incidence and risk factors for LOP were assessed during the three periods. FA-access rates dropped significantly during Period-3 (56.7% vs. 93.8% and 90.4% during Periods-1 and 2, respectively, p < 0.001). Incidence of LOP in Period-3 decreased to 2.7% compared to 12.5% (Period-1) and 17.4% (Period-2) (p < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, FA size < 3 mm and an OD/AD ratio > 40% were the only significant independent predictors for LOP (OR 6.48, 95% CI 2.3-11.42, p < 0.001 and OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.79-8.65, p < 0.01, respectively). Access of femoral artery < 3 mm and OD/AD ratio > 50% are associated with increased incidence of LOP. Avoidance of these factors may help decrease complications in infants undergoing cardiac catheterizations.

Construction of Femoral Vessel Nomograms for Planning Cardiac Interventional Procedures in Children 0-4 Years Old.

The objectives of this study were to construct femoral artery (FA) and femoral vein (FV) nomograms in children aged 0-4 years and to construct probability curves for the occurrence of arterial access complications based on the size of the FA. The FV and FA are commonly accessed during cardiac catheterizations in children with congenital heart diseases (CHD). However, nomograms for vessel dimensions based on child's age or size are not available. This knowledge may be helpful for interventional planning. A prospective study was performed on 400 children (age 0-4 years) with CHD undergoing cardiac catheterizations over a 3-year period. Ultrasound evaluation of the right and left FA and FV was performed under anesthesia prior to vascular access. Regression modeling was applied to derive nomograms based on quantile polynomial regression, which yielded good fit to the data judged by R-squared. GAMLSS transformation method was used to formulate smoothed percentiles. A separate prospective evaluation of FA to determine the size below which loss of pulse (LOP) are likely to occur was performed. Nomograms for FA and FV diameter and cross-sectional area against age and body surface area and probability curves for FA LOP were constructed. It is now possible to examine ultrasound-based normal sizes of femoral vein and artery in children 0-4 years of age. Femoral vessel nomograms and LOP probability curves may help with interventional planning. Future studies with larger sample size, including children of other ages may be useful.

Single-Center Prospective Evaluation of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET in Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen 11 (PSMA-11) PET for disease detection in patients with prostate cancer who have biochemically recurrent disease after radiation therapy or prostatectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. One hundred fifty patients underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT or PET/MRI, and the images were interpreted by two blinded board-certified radiologists. Each reader evaluated for the presence or absence of PSMA-positive disease within the prostate bed, pelvic lymph nodes, bones, and soft tissues (extrapelvic lymph nodes and visceral structures). The presence or absence of disease was confirmed by histopathologic analysis if available. For patients who did not have pathologic analysis, a composite of imaging and clinical follow-up was used as the reference standard. RESULTS. The median prostate-specific antigen level was 2.1 ng/mL. Forty-three patients had pathologic correlation, and for 29 patients a composite of imaging and follow-up was used to determine the presence or absence of disease. With substantial to almost perfect interreader reliability by region (κ = 0.78-0.87), 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET had high sensitivity per region (up to 100%) and per patient (up to 89.8%). It also had high positive predictive value per region (up to 100%) and per patient (up to 91.5%). Sensitivity was highest for bone metastases and lowest for soft-tissue metastases. Positive predictive value was highest for bone metastases and lowest for prostate bed recurrence. CONCLUSION. Gallium-68-labeled PSMA-11 PET is sensitive for prostate cancer metastases in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. It has high positive predictive value and substantial to almost perfect interrater reliability.

Ultrasound-guided femoral arterial access in pediatric cardiac catheterizations: A prospective evaluation of the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanism for acute loss of arterial pulse.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence, mechanisms, and identify risk factors for acute loss of arterial pulse (LOP) in children who had ultrasound-guided femoral arterial access (UGFAA) during cardiac catheterization. BACKGROUND: LOP is a known complication in children following femoral arterial (FA) access for cardiac catheterization. The prevalence of LOP requiring treatment ranges between 4% and 8%. METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 486 cardiac catheterizations using UGFAA in children ≤18 years over a 3 years period. Ultrasound and Doppler evaluations were performed prior to and at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: LOP was identified in 33 cases (6.8%) with 23 (4.7%) requiring treatment. For children ≤6 months, the prevalence of LOP requiring treatment was 13.6%. FA diameter <3 mm was the only significant independent predictor for LOP (OR: 8.44, 95% CI: 2.07-34.5, P < 0.001). Smaller patient size, number of access attempts, time required for access, operator experience, sheath size, and length of procedure were not found to be significant predictors. Children with LOP had a greater percentage decrease in vessel diameter (median 62% vs 18%, P < 0.001) compared to those without LOP. FA thrombus was diagnosed only in 9 patients (27% of those with LOP). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LOP requiring treatment is 4.7% when UGFAA is used during pediatric cardiac catheterizations. Arterial spasm was more common than thrombus as a cause of LOP. FA diameter <3 mm was the only independent predictor for LOP in this carefully designed prospective study. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Transcatheter embolotherapy for gastrointestinal bleeding: a single center review of safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes following transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients (male:female ratio = 53:42, mean age 62 years) that underwent 95 TAEs for GI hemorrhage between 2002 and 2010 were retrospectively studied. Seventy-six of 95 (80 %) patients had upper GI bleeds and 19/95 (20 %) patients had lower GI bleeds. A mean of 7 (range 0-27) packed red blood cell units were transfused pre-procedure, and 90/95 (95 %) procedures were urgent or emergent. Twenty-seven of 95 (28 %) patients were hemodynamically unstable. Measured outcomes included procedure technical success, adverse events, and 30-day rebleeding and mortality rates. RESULTS: Bleeding etiology included peptic ulcer disease (45/95, 47 %), cancer (14/95, 15 %), diverticulosis (13/95, 14 %), and other (23/95, 24 %). Vessels embolized (n = 109) included gastroduodenal (42/109, 39 %), pancreaticoduodenal (22/109, 20 %), gastric (21/109, 19 %), superior mesenteric (12/109, 11 %), inferior mesenteric (8/109, 7 %), and splenic (4/109, 4 %) artery branches. Technical success with immediate hemostasis was achieved in 93/95 (98 %) cases. Most common embolic agents included coils (66/109, 61 %) and/or gelatin sponge (19/109, 17 %). Targeted versus empiric embolization were performed in 57/95 (60 %) and 38/95 (40 %) cases, respectively. Complications included bowel ischemia (4/95, 4 %) and coil migration in 3/95 (3 %). 30-day rebleeding rate was 23 % (22/95). Overall 30-day mortality rate was 18 % (16/89). Empiric embolization resulted in similar rebleeding (23 vs 24 %) but higher mortality (31 vs 9 %) rates compared to embolization for active extravasation. CONCLUSIONS: TAE controlled GI bleeding with high technical success, safety, and efficacy, and should be considered when endoscopic therapy is not feasible or unsuccessful.

Examination of factors associated with lymph node metastases in lung carcinoids: Results from a single institution retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Well-differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also known as typical and atypical carcinoids, have a decreased incidence of lymph node (LN) and distant metastases compared to poorly differentiated lung NETs. We aimed to (i) examine the clinicopathologic features associated with LN involvement in lung carcinoids and (ii) describe the postoperative management of patients with LN metastases. METHODS: We identified 98 patients who underwent surgical resection and lymph node sampling at Stanford University. We assessed the following and used AJCC staging version 7: clinical features (age, sex, race, prior malignancy, smoking history), tumor features (functional syndrome, histology, size, location, laterality), pre-operative workup performed (imaging and suspicion of LN metastases), surgery (nodes and stations sampled, margin status, surgical approach, and type of surgery), and recurrence outcome. These features were examined between patients with and without LN metastases using the Wilcoxon test (continuous variables) and Fisher's exact test (categorical variables). RESULTS: 87 patients (89%) had typical carcinoid and 11 patients (11%) had atypical carcinoid. 17 patients were found to have at least one positive lymph node, with 11 having N1 disease and 6 having N2 disease. In the univariable analysis, patients with lymph node disease were more likely to have recurrence of lung carcinoid (29% vs. 6%, p=0.01). In the multivariable logistic regression, there was a trend towards performance of preoperative SSTR imaging and lymph node involvement (OR = 3.06, p=0.07). No patients received adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: We found a trend for the performance of SSTR imaging and association of lymph node metastases in both univariable and multivariable analysis. A large proportion (41%) of patients with lymph node positive disease had < 2 cm tumors. This suggests the potential importance of incorporating SSTR imaging into routine practice and not restricting the use of this staging modality in patients with small tumors.

Predicting Response to Immunotherapy by Evaluating Tumors, Lymphoid Cell-Rich Organs, and Immune-Related Adverse Events Using FDG-PET/CT.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the evaluation of tumors, lymphoid cell-rich organs, and immune-related adverse events (IRAE) with F-FDG PET/CT can predict the efficacy and outcome of immunotherapy. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent F-FDG-PET/CT scans before and after therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors from December 2013 to December 2016 were retrospectively enrolled (malignant melanoma, n = 21; malignant lymphoma, n = 11; renal cell carcinoma, n = 8). SUVmax of the baseline and first restaging scans were evaluated in tumors, spleen, bone marrow, thyroid and pituitary glands, and were correlated to best overall response in the first year after therapy; IRAE-affected areas were also evaluated. RESULTS: Interval change between the baseline and first restaging scans showed that patients with a clinical benefit had a significant decrease in tumor parameters (P < 0.001). All patients with an increase of SUVmax in the thyroid of more than 1.5 (n = 5) on the first restaging scan had a complete response (CR) in 1 year. Patients with CR within 1 year (n = 22) were significantly associated with a favorable long-term outcome (P = 0.002). Nine patients with IRAE findings had CR at final evaluation. Among IRAE, thyroiditis was seen significantly earlier than arthritis (P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease of tumor parameters at early time-point PET scans was seen in patients with immunotherapy who had clinical benefit within 1 year. PET-detectable IRAE was useful for prediction of a favorable outcome. Early development of thyroiditis may particularly represent an early response indicator to immunotherapy.

Effect of patent ductus arteriosus on the heart in preterm infants.

There continues to be controversy on the long-term effects of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its management. However, the hemodynamic effects of a large PDA in a preterm infant are well known. This article aims to provide insight into the adaptive changes and remodeling effects of a PDA on the myocardium in preterm infants.

18F-florbetaben whole-body PET/MRI for evaluation of systemic amyloid deposition.

BACKGROUND: Florbetaben, a 18F-labeled stilbene derivative (Neuraceq®, formerly known as BAY-949172), is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical developed to visualize ß-amyloid plaques in the brain. Here, we report a pilot study evaluating patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis for systemic extent of disease. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled nine patients, 61-86 year old (mean ± SD 69.4 ± 8.6), referred from the cardiac amyloid clinic. First, dynamic imaging of the heart was acquired immediately after injection of 222-318.2 MBq (mean ± SD 270.1 ± 33.3) of 18F-florbetaben using the GE SIGNA PET/MRI. This was followed by a whole-body PET/MRI scan 60-146.4 min (mean ± SD 98 ± 33.4) after injection. Cardiac MRI sequences included ECG-triggered cine SSFP, T2-weighted, and late gadolinium-enhanced imaging. Whole-body MRI sequences included MRAC and axial T1-weighted imaging. RESULTS: High early uptake and delayed high uptake in the left ventricle correlated with amyloid deposition in five patients, while low uptake on early and delayed cardiac imaging was noted in four patients. Cardiac function measurements were successfully obtained in all participants. Areas of increased abnormal 18F-florbetaben accumulation were noted on delayed whole-body imaging in the bone marrow (seven patients), stomach (diffuse in five patients and focal in one patient), brain (five patients), salivary glands (three patients), tongue (three patients), spleen (three patients), skeletal muscles (three patients), ocular muscles (two patients), thyroid (two patients), pleura (two patients), kidneys (two patients), and lungs (two patients). CONCLUSIONS: Whole-body 18F-florbetaben PET/MRI is promising for localization of systemic amyloid deposition. This technique may provide important structural and functional information regarding the organs involved by disease, with potential to guide biopsy and evaluate response to treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03119558 .

Cardiac myxolipoma in a child: diagnosis and surgical management.

We present a case of a rare tumor, a myxolipoma, appearing in a 5-year-old child, along with the imaging evaluation and surgical management. The natural history is expected to be that of a benign lesion, but the rarity precludes large studies.