András Bratincsák

Fulminant myocarditis associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus in children.

To the Editor: Acute myocarditis is a well-recognized, albeit rare, manifestation of numerous viral infections ([1][1]) with a broad spectrum of symptoms and clinical features ([2][2]). Fulminant myocarditis may present with fatal arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and/or varying degrees of

Closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with aneurysmal tissue using the Amplazter Duct Occluder I: lessons learned and medium term follow up.

Objectives: The aim of this report is to describe our experience with closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PMVSD) with aneurysm using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder I (ADO I). Background: Atrio‐ventricular block (AVB) remains the most troublesome complication of device closure of PMVSDs. Many PMVSDs are associated with an aneurysm that protrudes into the right ventricle. We believe that devices implanted entirely within the VSD aneurysm avoid the risk of AVB. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with PMVSD and aneurysm who underwent attempted ADO I device closure between 3/2004 and 8/2010 [Rady Childrens Hospital‐San Diego (n = 16), Mattel Childrens Hospital at UCLA (n = 4), and Straub Hospital in Honolulu (n = 1)]. Results: Twenty‐one patients (16 male) with PMVSD and aneurysm underwent cardiac catheterization for the purpose of VSD closure using an ADO I. Nineteen patients had successful ADO I implantation with the following devices: 10/8 (n = 8), 8/6 (n = 7), 6/4 (n = 3) and 12/10 (n = 2). The procedure was aborted in 2 cases due to temporary AVB and ventricular ectopy during catheterization. One patient developed hemolysis due device malposition and had surgical device retrieval and VSD closure. One patient had new trivial tricuspid regurgitation and in 5/19 the tricuspid regurgitation improved post device closure. Transient accelerated junctional rhythm occurred within 24 hr in 4 patients and nonsustained slow ventricular tachycardia occurred in one patient. At latest follow‐up (up to 6 years, median 1.9 years) 11/18 had no residual shunt, 4/18 had trivial and 3/18 small residual shunt. No AVB has been observed. Conclusions: Percutaneous closure of PMVSD with aneurysm using the ADO I appears to have acceptable efficacy and risk. Atrio‐ventricular block in up to mid‐term follow up was not encountered.

Predictors of myocardial recovery in pediatric tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) carries significant risk of morbidity and mortality, although full recovery is possible. Little is known about the myocardial recovery pattern. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the time course and predictors of myocardial recovery in pediatric TIC. METHODS An international multicenter study of pediatric TIC was conducted. Children ≤18 years with incessant tachyarrhythmia, cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <50%), and left ventricular (LV) dilation (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension [LVEDD] z-score ≥2) were included. Children with congenital heart disease or suspected primary cardiomyopathy were excluded. Primary end-points were time to LV systolic functional recovery (LVEF ≥55%) and normal LV size (LVEDD z-score <2). RESULTS Eighty-one children from 17 centers met inclusion criteria: median age 4.0 years (range 0.0-17.5 years) and baseline LVEF 28% (interquartile range 19-39). The most common arrhythmias were ectopic atrial tachycardia (59%), permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia (23%), and ventricular tachycardia (7%). Thirteen required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 11) or ventricular assist device (n = 2) support. Median time to recovery was 51 days for LVEF and 71 days for LVEDD. Two (4%) underwent heart transplantation, and 1 died (1%). Multivariate predictors of LV systolic functional recovery were age (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, P = .040), standardized tachycardia rate (HR 1.16, P = .015), mechanical circulatory support (HR 2.61, P = .044), and LVEF (HR 1.33 per 10% increase, p=0.005). For normalization of LV size, only baseline LVEDD (HR 0.86, P = .008) was predictive. CONCLUSION Pediatric TIC resolves in a predictable fashion. Factors associated with faster recovery include younger age, higher presenting heart rate, use of mechanical circulatory support, and higher LVEF, whereas only smaller baseline LV size predicts reverse remodeling. This knowledge may be useful for clinical evaluation and follow-up of affected children.

Safety of Percutaneous Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure: An Unselected Multicenter Population Experience

Background The technique and safety of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure have evolved during the past 20 years. We sought to report a multicenter experience of PDA closure with a focus on the rate of adverse events (AE) and a review of institutional practice differences. Methods and Results Outcome data on transcatheter PDA closure were collected at 8 centers prospectively using a multicenter registry (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcome Registry). Between February 2007 and June 2010, 496 PDA closures were recorded using a device in 338 (68%) or coils in 158 (32%). Most patients had an isolated PDA (90%). Fifty percent of patients were between 6 months and 3 years old, with only 40 patients (8%) <6 months old. Median minimum PDA diameter was 2.5 mm (range 1 to 12 mm; IQR 2 to 3 mm) for device closure and 1 mm (range 0.5 to 6 mm; IQR 1 to 2 mm) for coil closure (P<0.001). A device rather than coil was used in patients <3 years, weight <11 kg, and with a PDA minimum diameter >2 mm (all P<0.001). Three of 8 centers exclusively used a device for PDAs with a diameter >1.5 mm. In 9% of cases (n=46), an AE occurred; however, only 11 (2%) were classified as high severity. Younger age was associated with a higher AE rate. Coil‐related AEs were more common than device‐related AEs (10% versus 2%, P<0.001). Conclusions PDA closure in the present era has a very low rate of complications, although these are higher in younger children. Technical intervention‐related events were more common in coil procedures compared with device procedures. For PDAs ≤2.5 mm in diameter, institutional differences in preference for device versus coil exist.

Low dose tissue plasminogen activator treatment for vascular thrombosis following cardiac catheterization in children: A single center experience

To assess the efficacy and safety of low dose tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy in children with vascular thrombosis following cardiac catheterization.

Percutaneous stent implantation into coronary arteries in infants

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility, procedural techniques, safety, and overall potential of percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stent implantation in infants with coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome. Background: Despite extensive experience in adult patients, percutaneous coronary intervention remains uncommon in children and extremely rare in infants. Methods: Retrospective review including all children who underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty in Rady Childrens Hospital—San Diego during a period of 4 years. Results: Seven children including four children less than 15 months of age underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary stent implantation in the proximal portion of the left or right coronary arteries. Successful stent placement with excellent revascularization was achieved in all cases. Mean coronary artery diameter was 0.65 mm prior to stent placement. Balloon angioplasty resulted in suboptimal resolution of coronary stenosis, thus bare metal stents were implanted in all cases, dilated to a mean of 2.5‐mm internal diameter. Average intervention‐free period was 434 days after stent implantation. In‐stent re‐stenosis and stent thrombosis did not occur if the implanted stent diameter was greater than 2.5 mm and the patient received dual anti‐platelet therapy. Conclusions: Our experience suggests that coronary artery stent implantation is a feasible and relatively safe palliative option in infants and toddlers with coronary stenosis. It is a viable strategy for bridging patients with acute ischemia or poor ventricular function to elective surgical revascularization or transplantation.

Unusual Variant of a Rare Constellation: A Left-sided Scimitar Syndrome with Connection to the Azygos Vein

Scimitar syndrome is a rare variant of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. The syndrome consists of a right-sided abnormal lung segment that is directly supplied by arteries from the aorta and has an anomalous venous drainage to the inferior vena cava. Three cases of left-sided scimitar syndrome have been reported in the literature, but it has not yet been associated with venous drainage to the azygos vein. Herein we report a left-sided scimitar syndrome with anomalous venous drainage to the azygos vein.

Epicardial Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Mapping of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in a Child With Ebstein’s Anomaly

Catheter ablation of arrhythmias in small patients has inherent significant risk because of the patient, catheter, and lesion size. Heart block, perforation, and coronary damage may occur. This report shows adaptation of a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system for intraoperative use in a small patient with Ebsteins anomaly who was undergoing a cone procedure and a bidirectional Glenn procedure. Use of this technique gave clear identification of the epicardial insertion points of two accessory pathways causing Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and resistant episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. Successful three-dimensional mapping and cryoablation were performed with a short procedure time and no complications. The patient remains without preexcitation or arrhythmia 6 months postoperatively.

Worsening of Functional Mitral Regurgitation from Septal Dyssynchrony Induced by Ventricular Pacing in Ebstein's Anomaly Undergoing Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

Author(s): Nguyen, Heajung L; Calfon Press, Marcella A; Aboulhosn, Jamil A; Lin, Jeannette P; Benharash, Peyman; Yang, Eric H