Intraluminal PA band - Surgically placed, Balloon dilatable.

Feasibility and related outcome of intraluminal pulmonary artery banding

Stany Sandrio et al. EJCTS 2015;48:470-480.

Pericardial patch with a fenestration is placed inside MPA. Needs cardiopulmonary bypass to perform this surgery.

Two types: One patch with a fenestration, or Two patches sewn together at the fenestration and then, sutured inside MPA to create an hour-glass appearance.

Balloon dilatation of this patch is possible.

Significant number of patients needed ECMO support after the procedure.

Total patients 32 in the study.

Trusler rule: JTCVS 1984;88(5 Pt 1): 645-53.

Click here to blog post describing Trusler Rule

Evrolimus therapy for Rhabdomyoma

From Wagner R. et al. Echocardiography 2015. Online accessed September 2015. DOI:10.1111/echo.1 3015.

Newborn. Treated with Evrolimus (1 mg/m2 once daily). Resolution after 3 weeks of treatment. Trough level of Evrolimus was monitored. Lymphopenia and hypertriglyceridemia was noted when higher dose was used for the first 2 days.

Congenital heart defects and receipt of special education services

Tiffany Riehle-Colarusso et al.
Pediatrics 2015;136:496-503.

Compared with children without birth defects, children with CHD were 50% more likely to receive special education services (Adjusted Prevalence Rate Ratio 1.5)

Special education categories:
Intellectual disability (aPRR 3.8)
Sensory impairment (aPRR 3.0)
Other health impairment (aPRR 2.8)
Significant developmental delay (aPRR 1.9)
Specific learning disability (1.4)

Sildenafil - liquid preparation

Click on the image to enlarge

(10 mg/ml)

New therapy for high LDL - PCSK9 inhibitor

From an advertisement by AmGen in Cardiology News August 2015:

New therapy for high LDL level.

PCSK9 inhibitor

PCSK9 (Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) degrades LDL receptors in hepatocytes.

Injection Praluent (Alirocumab) 75 mg or 150 mg. self-administer, q2weeks, recently approved by FDA.

Hyperkalemia therapy - Patriomer

From Cardiology News Aug 2015

Patiromer - a pottasium binding polymer. Binds with K in GI tract and enables excretion in stool.

JAMA 2015:314:129-30.

New Heart Failure Medication - Sacubitril (Neprilysin inhibitor)

From Cardiology News Aug 2015:

RE: FDA approval for a combination medication (Sacubitril + Valsartan)

Sacubitril - a neprilysin inhibitor

Valsartaion - an angiotensin receptor blocker

Prenatal Detection Rate of CHD in US

From Pediatrics 2015;136(2):e378-e385.

ARVD criteria

Importance of CMR within the task force criteria for the diagnosis of ARVC in children and adolescents.
Etoom Y, et al. JACC 2015;65:987-995.

Pulmonary arterial capacitance

Pulmonary arterial capacitance is an important predictor of mortality in heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction.

Al-Naamani et al. JACC: Heart Failure 2015;3(6):467-74.

Several definitions are explained in the introduction of this article.

Pulmonary hypertension secondary left heart disease is defined as mean PAP > 25 mmHg and mean PAWP > 15 mmHg.

Transpulmonary gradient > 12 mmHg is considered "disproportionate" increase in mean PAP relative to mean PAWP.

These two groups (disproportionate vs. proportionate increase in mPAP) may be better discriminated by diastolic pressure gradient > or = 7 mmHg vs. < 7 mmHg (ref:  Vachiery JL et al. Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease. JACC 2013 Dec;62(25 Suppl):D100-8).

Physical Examination of Arteriovenous Fistula

Sodium abnormalities

Review article: NEJM 2015;372:55-65.

Disorders of Plasma Sodium - Causes, Consequences, and Correction.

Sterns RH.

Abstract

This review considers the causes and consequences of an abnormal plasma sodium concentration and offers a framework for correcting it.

PMID:

 

25551526

 

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Acute Kidney Injury detection after heart surgery in children

JACC 2014;64:2753-62

Combining functional and tubular damage biomarkers improves diagnostic precision of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Rajit K. Basu, et al. JACC 2014;64:2753-62.

Objective: Combining two biomarkers will improve precision of acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis after heart surgery in children.

Methods: n=345 children after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Two biomarkers: Plasma Cystatin C & uNGAL were measured 2 hr after initiation of CPB.

Conclusion: Composites of plasma Cystatin C and uNGAL are superior to serum creatinine for predicting discrete characteristics of AKI.

(Click on the image to enlarge)