Elnur Tahirović

Does the severity of congenital heart defects affect disease-specific health-related quality of life in children in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

The aim of this study was to assess whether the severity of congenital heart defects (CHD) affects disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children after open heart surgery. One hundred and fourteen children with CHD and one of their parents participated in the study. HRQOL was evaluated by the PedsQL™ 3.0 Cardiac Module. The children were assigned to one of three groups according to severity of CHD. Children with cyanotic CHD (Group 3) reported that their HRQOL on several domains was lower than that of children with anomalies with the left–right shunt and children with obstructive anomalies. Also, by parent proxy-report, patients with anomalies with the left–right shunt had statistically significant, better HRQOL scores for the heart problems and treatment scales, perceived physical appearance, treatment anxiety, cognitive problems, and communication scales in comparison to the children with cyanotic CHD. By self-report, children of Group 1 reported that they had statistically significant, better HRQOL in the heart problems and treatment scales compared with Group 2. Conclusions: The results of the assessment by the PedsQL™ 3.0 Cardiac Module, a cardiac disease-specific instrument for children with CHD, indicate that HRQOL is poorest in children with complex CHD. Therefore, it is necessary to take the appropriate preventive measures for these patients, which include early (timely) cardiosurgical intervention and active psychological support to limit the negative impact of serious forms of CHD on the quality of life of these children.

The Influence of Aortic Valve Replacement on Functional Moderate - To-Severe Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Aortic Valve Stenosis

Goal: The aim of this study was to show whether the concomitant functional mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement improves after this surgical procedure and to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters that may influence the lack of improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Material and methods: The study included 45 patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant moderate to severe (+2/+3)mitral regurgitation. Results: The results of our study indicated an improvement in the degree of mitral regurgitation in 24 patients. The most prominent parameters responsible for the lack of improvement of mitral regurgitation in our study were LVIDd, ERO, RVol, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and left atrial diameter. Identification of echocardiographic predictors may assist in selection of patients for whom more aggressive surgical treatment is advised. Conclusion: Concomitant moderate to severe functional MR indicates that MV should be repaired or replaced at the time of aortic valve surgery where at least two of indicated predicted preoperative echocardiographic parameters are present.

The Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by the family drama.

No abstract available.

Successful Implantation of Bipolar Epicardial Leads and Dual Chamber Pacemaker in Infant After Postoperative Atrioventricular Heart Block.

Total atrioventricular (AV) block is inconvenient and serious complication of open heart surgery. Permanent total AV block requires the implantation of permanent pacemaker in order to allow normal hemodynamics and patient’s survival. In infancy additional challenge is the surgical approach, the selection of electrodes and PM, as well as place of implantation. We are publishing case report of successful double-chamber DDD pacemaker implantation at an infant born with Fallot tetralogy and with low birth weight due to complete AV block after primary surgical correction of these congenital defects.