Monday, June 25, 2012

Scoring system to determine need for LA decompression

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2003 Aug;22(8):883-8.


Scoring system to determine need for balloon atrial septostomy for restrictive interatrial communication in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Mulla NF, Osher AP, Beeson WL, Kuhn MA, Larsen RL.

SourceDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, California 92534 , USA. nmulla@ahs.llumc.edu



Abstract

BACKGROUND: Restrictive interatrial communication (IAC) causes morbidity and mortality in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome awaiting cardiac transplantation. We sought to create a scoring system, based on echocardiographic and clinical findings, to serve as a guide for determining the need for balloon atrial septostomy (BAS).



METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed echocardiograms of 44 infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Infants were studied from the time of admission to the final end-point of transplantation, Norwood procedure, or death. Seventeen infants underwent BAS for clinical indications of oxygen saturation <80% in room air. Data collected included age at BAS, maximum velocity (V(max)), and IAC diameter throughout the clinical course. We assigned higher IAC scores to smaller IAC diameter, greater V(max) through the IAC, and lower oxygen saturation value. The minimum score was 3, and the maximum score was 9.



RESULTS: Only 10% of infants with a score <6 at presentation required BAS, whereas 67% of those with scores > or =6 required BAS. Higher IAC scores at presentation were associated with earlier need for BAS (p = 0.04).



CONCLUSIONS: The IAC scoring system can serve as a reliable clinical guide for identifying infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who are likely to require BAS for relief of critically restrictive IAC while awaiting cardiac transplantation.



2 comments:


  1. I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Health Home, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Health Home via their email at ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Health Home, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Health Home via their email at ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!

    ReplyDelete