Shunt Congenital Heart Disease Research Articles

Association Between Derivatives of Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Hemodynamics in Children with Left-to-Right Shunt Congenital Heart Disease

Existing reports on the association between oxidative stress and pulmonary hemodynamics in congenital heart disease (CHD) are limited, and the relationship remains inadequately understood. To address this, we evaluated the link between oxidative stress and hemodynamics in children with left-to-right shunt CHD. We analyzed the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) in a cohort of 60 children with left-to-right shunt CHD and compared them to 60 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls. In the CHD group, hemodynamics measured by cardiac catheterization were evaluated in relation to d-ROMs. We also assessed the diagnostic performance of the d-ROMs for a pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs) of >1.5. We found that the blood d-ROM levels in the CHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between d-ROMs and Qp/Qs (p < 0.001), d-ROMs and the ratio of the right ventricular end-diastolic volume (p < 0.001), d-ROMs and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.001), and d-ROMs and the ratio of the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p = 0.007). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve for d-ROMs in predicting Qp/Qs > 1.5 was 0.806 (p < 0.001), which, although not statistically significant, was higher than that of the plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (0.716). These findings indicate that d-ROM levels are closely associated with hemodynamics and the disease severity in patients with left-to-right shunt CHD and may serve as a valuable marker for determining the need for surgical intervention.

Comparative observation of changes in natriuretic peptides before and after interventional therapy for congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease (CHD) before and in the early stage after interventional occlusion and to evaluate the clinical significance. METHODS: Among 97 patients with left-to-right shunt CHD undergoing interventional occlusion, 34 cases had a VSD (ventricular septal defect), 35 cases had an ASD (atrial septal defect), and 28 cases had PDA (patent ductus arteriosus). Another 20 normal adults formed the control group. An ELISA was used to determine the plasma ANP and BNP levels before and on the third day after the operation to evaluate their correlations with cardiac functions and the defect size. RESULTS: The plasma ANP and BNP levels of patients with left-to-right shunt CHD were increased compared with those of the normal control group (P< 0.01), and the plasma ANP and BNP levels were decreased on the third day after interventional occlusion compared with the preoperative levels (P< 0.05). The plasma ANP and BNP levels were correlated with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade, left ventricular ejection fraction and defect diameter (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with left-to-right congenital heart disease exhibit activation of ANP and BNP, which can be alleviated in the early stage after intervention occlusion. Left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease is given priority over atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Early traditional methods included repair or correction by open heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation (also known as cardiopulmonary bypass, CPB). However, interventional therapy has become a developing trend for the treatment of congenital heart disease since 1967, when Porstmann et al. [1]. reported the transcatheter closure of ASD for the first time. The application of the AMPLATZER occluder, which is a simple and feasible method, has improved the safety of the treatment and enabled the therapeutic effect to reach ideal levels. The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of the atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), the brain natriuretic peptide, which is also known as the B type natriuretic peptide (BNP), the C type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the renal natriuretic peptide (RNP) and the D type natriuretic peptide (DNP). These family members are similar in structure, have strong natriuretic, diuretic and vasodilative effects and antagonize the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathetic nerve. Together, the natriuretic peptides sensitively and specifically reflect the ventricular function state. Although all types of congenital heart disease differ in anatomical structure, they all contain the common features of heart failure. This study detected changes in the serum ANP and BNP levels in patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease before and on the third day after interventional occlusion to evaluate the early changes in left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease after interventional occlusion through neuroendocrine.

Residual pulmonary hypertension after left to right shunt closure in common pediatric congenital heart diseases: rate and risk factors

Introduction: Left to right shunt in congenital heart disease is the common causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in children, and the pulmonary pressure sometime isn’t recovered to normal value after the shunts closed. Residual PH after correcting these shunts may cause deaths. The purpose of this study was to describe the rate of residual PH after surgical closure the left to right shunts in pediatric congenital heart disease and determine its risk factors.
 Patients and methods: A retrospective study was performed on the medical recorded documents of 59 children who were diagnosed pulmonary artery hypertension associated with common left to right shunt congenital heart diseases and performed shunt closure surgically at Cho Ray hospital between January 2020 and May 2022. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs) was measured via tricuspid regurgitation jet on transthoracic echocardiography (mode: continuous wave doppler, plane: apical 4-chamber). PH was defined as PAPs ≥ 40mmHg. Postoperative PAPs was measured 1 day before discharge.
 Results: The median age and weight at surgery were 7 months (2 – 215) and 5.9 kg (3.6 – 35), 59.3% was female. Preoperatively, 66.1% were mild PH, 33.9% moderate. Postoperatively, 10 patients (17%) diagnosed residual PH and all was mild. Among 10 patients with residual PH: 7 were combined defects (5 VSD-PDA, 2 VSD-ASD), 3 simple defects (2 VSD, 1 ASD). Preoperative high pulmonary pressure was associated with residual PH (correlation coefficient 0.116, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The proportion of patients with postoperatiovely residual PH is significant and most of these cases are combined shunt. Preoperative high pulmonary pressure is related to residual PH.

Diagnostic value of peripheral TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 testing in left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease with heart failure

BackgroundLeft-to-right shunt congenital heart disease is more likely to induce recurrent respiratory infections in the patients which exacerbate pulmonary hypertension and thereby impairs cardiac function. It is urgent to explore a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic method that can show the cardiac anatomy and associated malformations in clinical research.ObjectiveTo determine the diagnostic value of peripheral mucin domain protein-3 (Tim-3), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP), sestrin2 testing in patients with the left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease and heart failure.MethodsFifty-two neonates with with left to right shunt congenital heart disease and 30 healthy neonates were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 24 h of admission from newborns for determining the content of TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2. Analyzing the ROC curve provided insight into the diagnostic accuracy. Both a Spearman’s rank correlation test and a logistic regression analysis were carried out.ResultsTiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 levels in peripheral blood were statistically different in the three groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in LVEF and LVFS among the three groups (P < 0.05). When used to diagnose heart failure in conjunction with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease, TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 exhibited sensitivity of 58.3, 58.3, and 83.3%, respectively, and specificity of 85.0, 72.5, and 70.0%. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of Tim-3, NT proBNP, and sestrin2 in predicting the outcome of left-to-right shunted congenital heart disease combined with heart failure were 0.744 (95% CI, 0.580 to 0.908), 0.608 (95% CI, 0.359 to 0.857), respectively 0.744 (95% CI 0.592 to 0.896).ConclusionTim-3, NT proBNP, and sestrin2 can accurately differentiate heart failure from non-combined heart failure from left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease.

Factors Related With Pneumonia among Children with Left-ToRight Shunt Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Infection is one of the major morbidities in congenital heart disease (CHD), especially pneumonia. Pneumonia in CHD has been known to increase overall morbidity and mortality. Early detection of pneumonia risk factors would help decrease the need for hospitalization, increase doctors’ awareness, and improve outcomes. Objective: To identify pneumonia’s incidence and risk factors in children with left-to-right shunt CHD. Method: This is a retrospective cohort study based on medical records of children aged 3 – 60 months hospitalized with diagnosis of any left-to-right shunt CHD with or without pneumonia in Cipto Mangunkusumo National Referral Hospital, Jakarta, in 2015-2019. Data of patients with CHD and pneumonia were retrieved from medical records based on ICD-10 codes. Patient’s clinical profiles were tested as possible risk factors for pneumonia: sex, age, birth weight, parental education, socioeconomic status, number of people in the house, nutritional status, type of heart defect, heart defect size, and immunization status. Bivariate analysis of parameters was done using the Chi square test. Parameters with a p-value less than 0.05 are included to multiple logistic regression test. Results: There were 333 subjects with left-to-right shunt CHD and 167 (50.2%) had pneumonia. The most common CHD type in pneumonia was ventricular septal defect (41.9%). The defect size was significantly related to pneumonia incidence (p=0.001). Risk factors identified to affect the occurrence of pneumonia in left-to-right shunt CHD were malnutrition [OR 5.152 (95% CI 2.363 – 11.234)], incomplete immunization [OR 9.689 (95% CI 4.322 – 21.721)], low socioeconomic status [OR 4.724 (95% CI 2.003 – 11.138)], and large defect [OR 5.463 (95% CI 1.949 – 15.307)]. Conclusion: The incidence of pneumonia in left-to-right shunt CHD was 50.2%, mostly in ventricular septal defects. Nutritional status, immunization status, socioeconomic status, and defect size were significant risk factors for pneumonia in children with left-to-right shunt CHD.

Role of left atrial hypertension in pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Left atrial hypertension (LAH) may contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH) in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Primary causes of LAH in infants with BPD include left ventricular diastolic dysfunction or hemodynamically significant left to right shunt. The incidence of LAH, which is definitively diagnosed by cardiac catheterization, and its contribution to PH is unknown in patients with BPD-PH. We report the prevalence of LAH in an institutional cohort with BPD-PH with careful examination of hemodynamic contributors and impact on patient outcomes. This single-center, retrospective cohort study examined children <2 years of age with BPD-PH who underwent cardiac catheterization at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Patients with unrepaired simple shunt congenital heart disease (CHD) and pulmonary vein stenosis (only 1 or 2 vessel disease) were included. Patients with complex CHD were excluded. From April 2010 to December 2021, 34 patients with BPD-PH underwent cardiac catheterization. We define LAH as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) or left atrial pressure (LAP) of at least 10 mmHg. In this cohort, median PCWP was 8 mmHg, with LAH present in 32% (n = 11) of the total cohort. A majority (88%, n = 30) of the cohort had severe BPD. Most patients had some form of underlying CHD and/or pulmonary vein stenosis: 62% (n = 21) with an atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale, 62% (n = 21) with patent ductus arteriosus, 12% (n = 4) with ventricular septal defect, and 12% (n = 4) with pulmonary vein stenosis. Using an unadjusted logistic regression model, baseline requirement for positive pressure ventilation at time of cardiac catheterization was associated with increased risk for LAH (odds ratio 8.44, 95% CI 1.46–48.85, p = 0.02). Small for gestational age birthweight, sildenafil use, and CHD were not associated with increased risk for LAH. LAH was associated with increased risk for the composite outcome of tracheostomy and/or death, with a hazard ratio of 6.32 (95% CI 1.72, 22.96; p = 0.005). While the etiology of BPD-PH is multifactorial, LAH is associated with PH in some cases and may play a role in clinical management and patient outcomes.

The comparison of three different acute kidney injury classification systems after congenital heart surgery.

We aimed to compare the frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its effects on mortality and morbidity with different classification systems in pediatric patients who had surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease. This study included children younger than 18 years old who were followed up in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit between September 1 and December 1, 2020, after congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Each case was categorized postoperatively in terms of AKI using Pediatric-Modified Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-Stage (pRIFLE), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Hospital mortality (developed within the first 30 days postoperatively) and morbidity (longer than 7 days intensive care unit stay) were compared by three model classes. Results were evaluated statistically. One hundred patients were included in the study. The median age was 3 months (1 day-180 months). Acute kidney injury was diagnosed in 49% of the cases according to the pRIFLE classification. It was diagnosed in 31% of the patients by AKIN classification. It was diagnosed in 41% of the patients with the KDIGO criteria. Morbidity was observed in 25% (n = 25) of all cases. The morbidity predictor was 0.800 for pRIFLE, 0.747 for AKIN and 0.853 for KDIGO by receiver operating characteristics analysis. All three categories predicted morbidity significantly (P < 0.001). Mortality was 10% (n = 10) for all groups. The mortality predictor was 0.783 for pRIFLE, 0.717 for AKIN and 0.794 for KDIGO by receiver operating characteristics analysis, and all three categories predicted mortality significantly (P < 0.001). Regardless of the three methods used, AKI was commonly detected in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. pRIFLE classification diagnosed more patients with AKI than AKIN and KDIGO. The KDIGO and pRIFLE classifications were better in predicting hospital mortality.

Deep learning-based computer-aided heart sound analysis in children with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore a new algorithm model capable of leverage deep learning to screen and diagnose specific types of left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease (CHD) in children. MethodsUsing deep learning, screening models were constructed to identify 884 heart sound recordings from children with left-to-right shunt CHD. The most suitable model for each type was summarized and compared with expert auscultation. An exploratory analysis was conducted to assess whether there were correlations between heart sounds and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary artery pressure, and malformation size. ResultsThe residual convolution recurrent neural network (RCRnet) classification model had higher accuracy than other models with respect to atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septum defect (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and combined CHD, and the best auscultation sites were determined to be the 4th, 5th, 2nd and 3rd auscultation areas, respectively. The diagnostic results of this model were better than those derived from expert auscultation, with sensitivity values of 0.932–1.000, specificity values of 0.944–0.997, precision values of 0.888–0.997 and accuracy values of 0.940–0.994. Absolute Pearson correlation coefficient values between heart sounds of the four types of CHD and LVEF, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and malformation size were all less than 0.3. ConclusionsThe RCRnet model can preliminarily determine types of left-to-right shunt CHD and improve diagnostic efficiency, which may provide a new choice algorithmic CHD screening in children.

Characteristics of in-hospital mortality of congenital heart disease (CHD) after surgical treatment in children from 2005 to 2017: a single-center experience

BackgroundTo evaluate trends in the in-hospital mortality rate for pediatric cardiac surgery procedures between 2005 and 2017 in our center, and to discuss the mortality characteristics of children’s CHD after thoracotomy.MethodsThis retrospective data were collected from medical records of children underwent CHD surgery between 2005 and 2017.ResultsA total of 19,114 children with CHD underwent surgery and 444 children died, with the in-hospital mortality was 2.3%. Complex mixed defect CHD had the highest fatality rate (8.63%), left obstructive lesion CHD had the second highest fatality rate (4.49%), right to left shunt CHD had the third highest mortality rate (3.51%), left to right shunt CHD had the lowest mortality rate (χ2 = 520.3,P < 0.05). The neonatal period has the highest mortality rate (12.17%), followed by infant mortality (2.58%), toddler age mortality (1.16%), and preschool age mortality (0.94%), the school age and adolescent mortality rate was the lowest (χ2 = 529.3,P < 0.05). In addition, the fatality rate in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (2.77% versus 1.62%, χ2 = 26.4, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe mortality rate of CHD surgery in children decreased year by year. The younger the age and the more complicated the cyanotic heart disease, the higher the mortality rate may be.

Predictor factors of pulmonary hypertension in children with left-to-right shunting in acyanotic congenital heart disease

Background Left-to-right shunting in acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of defect in childhood heart disease. Limited access to specialist health services causes delays in CHD management. In limited resource settings, identification of factors that influence the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension is important in order to decide which patients should be prioritized for defect closure to prevent further complications.&#x0D; Objective To determine predictive factors of pulmonary hypertension after a left-to-right shunt CHD diagnosis.&#x0D; Methods This retrospective cohort study included children aged 1 month to 17 years with isolated atrial septal defect, or ventricular septal defect, or patent ductus arteriosus. Potential predictors studied were iron deficiency anemia, mitral regurgitation, pneumonia, and heart failure. Bivariate analysis was done with Chi-square test and multivariate analysis was done with Cox regression to determine the hazard ratio.&#x0D; Results Pulmonary hypertension occurred in 68 of 176 subjects. Iron deficiency anemia, mitral regurgitation, and pneumonia were not predictives of pulmonary hypertension. However, heart failure was a significant predictive factor for pulmonary hypertension, with a hazard ratio of 4.1 (95%CI 2.2 to 7.5; P=0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions Heart failure is a predictive factor of pulmonary hypertension in children with left-to-right shunting in acyanotic CHD.

Survival of Left-to-Right Shunt Repair in Children with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension at a Tertiary Hospital in a Low-to-Middle-Income Country.

Background:In low-to-middle-income countries, repair of the left-to-right shunts congenital heart disease (CHD) are often done with existing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Long-term outcomes data of this condition in either low-to-middle or high-income countries are limited. We conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes of children with PAH related to left-to-right shunt CHD who underwent surgical or transcatheter repair.Methods:All cases of PAH related to left-to-right shunt CHD repairs from 2015–2018 were retrospectively reviewed with additional new patients who underwent repair within our study period (2019–2020). Cases with complex congenital heart disease and incomplete hemodynamic echocardiography or catheterization measurements were excluded. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, Cox regression with Firth’s correction and restricted mean survival time were used for survival analysis.Results:Of the 118 patients, 103 patients were enrolled and 15 patients were excluded due to complex congenital heart disease and missing hemodynamic measurements prior to repair. Overall, median age at intervention was 44 months, mPAP mean was 43.17 ± 16.05 mmHg and Pulmonary Vascular Resistance index (PVRi) mean was 2.84 ± 2.09 (WU.m2). Nine patients died after repair. The survival rate for patients with PAH-CHD at 1 day, 30 days and 1400 days (4 years) was 96.1%, 92.1%, and 91.0% respectively. Patients with persisting PAH after correction had –476.1 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: –714.4, –237,8) shorter survival over 4 years of follow up compared to patients with reversed PAH. PVRi was found to be the influencing covariate of the difference of restricted mean survival time between these groups.Conclusion:In low-to-middle income settings, with accurate PAH reversibility assessment prior to intervention, repair of left-to-right shunt CHD with existing PAH in children has a favourable outcome. Inferior survival is found in patients with persistence of PAH. PVRi at baseline predicts between-group survival difference.

Beraprost as initial pharmacologic treatment for pulmonary hypertension related to left to right shunt congenital heart disease.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common complication of uncorrected left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease. Beraprost have been used widely to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in adult. However, the efficacy of the drug in Indonesian children has not been investigated. This study aim is to evaluate the efficacy of Beraprost in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension related to left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease. A randomized control trial was used in this study between April to September 2017 in Cardiology outpatient clinic of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. Subjects aged 2-12 years with pulmonary arterial hypertension randomly received Beraprost 0.35 mcg/kg eight hourly for 12 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by echocardiography and adverse effect was monitored. Data were analysed by statistical software using t-test and Mann Whitney test with significance level set to 0.05. All procedures were approved by hospital ethics committee and registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov. Twenty two children were recruited into the study. Resolution of Beraprost in decreasing pulmonary arterial pressure was -21.32 ± 11.06 mmHg (p=0.034). Adverse effects reported were headache. As conclusion, Beraprost is effective and safe as initial pharmacologic treatment in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension related to left to right shunt congenital heart disease.

Increased Risk of Recurrent Acute Respiratory Infections in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of local data about recurrent acute respiratory infections in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study aims to investigate the incidence and recurrence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in left-to-right shunt CHD.METHODS: This prospective cohort study investigated children with left-to-right shunt CHD, aged three months to five years, at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between September 2012 and April 2013. Age and sex-matched participants without CHD were recruited as reference. The occurrence of ARI was observed for six months. Acyanotic CHD patients from 2015 to 2019 were also evaluated to determine the proportion of ARI among this population.RESULTS: A total of 100 subjects were enrolled in the study, 50 in the CHD group and 50 in the non-CHD group, six of whom were later excluded. The monthly incidence of ARI in the CHD group ranged between 40-60% (p=0.027). Subjects with CHD had a cumulative increased risk of 10% for acquiring ARI (RR=1.1; 95% CI=1.02-1.2, p=0.027). The proportion of subjects with a high recurrence of ARI was also higher in the CHD compared to the non-CHD group (67% vs. 30 %, p&lt;0.001). The mean frequency of and median duration of ARI episodes was also higher in CHD compared to the non-CHD group, 3 vs. 1.5 episodes (p&lt;0.001), and 7 vs. 5 days, respectively.CONCLUSION: Children with CHD are at an increased risk of ARI, with more episodes and longer duration compared to children without CHD.KEYWORDS: non-cyanotic CHD, left-to-right shunt, acute respiratory infections

Abstract 12971: Oxidative Stress in Children With Left to Right Shunt Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Oxidative stress has recently been noted as a factor involved in myocardial remodeling and has been reported to be a predictor of heart failure severity and cardiac death in adults. However, its relevance in the pediatric field is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reference range of oxidative stress dynamics and evaluate the role of oxidative stress in children with left to right shunt congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: The subjects consisted of 40 patients (CHD group) with left to right shunt CHD who underwent cardiac catheterization at Hamamatsu University Hospital and 105 healthy children. The oxidative stress markers were measured in blood derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM; adult reference value 250-300 U. CARR). We examined the dynamics of ROM in healthy children and then compared the various parameters, including ROM, in 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (control group). Results: The median age of the CHD group (21 boys and 19 girls) was 9.5 months (interquartile range: 2.8-32.0 months). CHD consisted of 27 cases of ventricular septal defect, 8 cases of atrial septal defect, 4 cases of patent ductus arteriosus, and 1 case of atrioventricular septal defect. In the healthy children, ROM showed a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.482, p &lt;0.001). The blood ROM of the CHD group (292 ± 84 U.CARR) was significantly higher (p &lt;0.001) than that in the control group (199 ± 82 U.CARR), and the ROM showed a significant positive correlation with the pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio (r = 0.333, p = 0.022), the percentage of left ventricular end diastolic volume (r = 0.503, p &lt;0.001), and the percentage of right ventricular end diastolic volume (r = 0.771, p &lt;0.001). The area under ROC curve of ROM for pulmonary-to-systemic-blood-flow ratio &gt; 1.5 was 0.741 (95% CI: 0.576-0.906, p=0.026), with a cut-off value of 293 U.CARR. Conclusions: ROM, an indicator of oxidative stress, showed a gradual upward trend with age in childhood, and this transition was confirmed to differ from that of NT-proBNP, which decreases to a steady state after marked elevation in the early neonatal period. These findings suggest that ROM is a biological marker reflecting at least the volume load in left to right shunt CHD.

Prevention of post-cardiac surgery vitamin D deficiency in children with congenital heart disease: a pilot feasibility dose evaluation randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe vast majority of children undergoing cardiac surgery have low vitamin D levels post-operative, which may contribute to greater illness severity and worse clinical outcomes. Prior to the initiation of a large phase III clinical trial focused on clinical outcomes, studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of the study protocol, including whether the proposed dosing regimen can safely prevent post-operative vitamin D deficiency in this high-risk population.MethodsWe conducted a two-arm, double-blind dose evaluation randomized controlled trial in children requiring cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease. Pre-operatively, participants were randomized to receive cholecalciferol representing usual care (< 1 year = 400 IU/day, > 1 year = 600 IU/day) or a higher dose approximating the Institute of Medicine tolerable upper intake level (< 1 year = 1600 IU/day, > 1 year = 2400 IU/day). The feasibility outcomes were post-operative vitamin D status (primary), vitamin D-related adverse events, accrual rate, study withdrawal rate, blinding, and protocol non-adherence.ResultsForty-six children were randomized, and five withdrew prior to surgery, leaving 41 children (21 high dose, 20 usual care) in the final analysis. The high dose group had higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations both intraoperatively (mean difference + 25.9 nmol/L; 95% CI 8.3–43.5) and post-operatively (mean difference + 17.2 nmol/L; 95% CI 5.5–29.0). Fewer participants receiving high-dose supplementation had post-operative serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations under 50 nmol/L, compared with usual care (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.87). Post-operative vitamin D status was associated with the treatment arm and the number of doses received. There were no cases of hypercalcemia, and no significant adverse events related to vitamin D. While only 75% of the target sample size was recruited (limited funding), the consent rate (83%), accrual rate (1.5 per site month), number of withdrawals (11%), and ability to maintain blinding support feasibility of a larger trial.ConclusionsPre-operative daily high-dose supplementation improved vitamin D status pre-operatively and at time of pediatric ICU admission. The protocol for a more definitive trial should limit enrollment of children with at least 30 days between randomization and surgery to allow adequate duration of supplementation or consider a loading dose.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01838447. Registered on April 24, 2013

Left to right shunt congenital heart disease as a risk factor of recurrent pneumonia in under five-year-old children: a single centre experience in Bandung Indonesia.

Aim Children with congenital heart diseases are at the greater risk of respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia. Recurrent pneumonia is one of the most major challenge for paediatric physicians. The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors of congenital heart diseases to recurrent pneumonia children. Methods This was a retrospective study of under five-year-old children hospitalized in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung Indonesia from 2015 to 2018. Congenital heart diseases and pneumonia, as well as recurrent pneumonia, were identified. Congenital heart diseases diagnosis with and without pneumonia were reviewed. Results Of 6997 hospitalized children, in 1258 (18.0%) congenital heart diseases were found, of which 232 (18.4%) had recurrent pneumonia. Most of those had left to right (L to R) shunt, 213 (91.8%). Congenital heart diseases in children aged under 1 year, 144 (62%) were more preponderant than in those aged 1-5 years. More than a half, 119 (51.3%) were males. Left to right shunt was documented as having recurrent pneumonia, of which patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect were the most common type in congenital heart diseases. Ventricular septal defect had a possibility for recurrent pneumonia by 1.551 times, and malnutrition 2.591 times. Conclusion Ventricular septal defect and malnutrition were identified as risk factors for recurrent pneumonia. Those patients require multidisciplinary approach to prevent respiratory complications.

A Preliminary Study: Troponin T and Reg3β in Children with Left-to-Right Shunt Congenital Heart Disease with Heart Failure

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) cause heart failure and myocardial injury. Troponin in the heart is a biomarker of myocardial injury in adults and children. Studies that examine troponin T and Reg3β in children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure are still limited. Objective: This study aims to analyse the troponin T and Reg3β in children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure compared to children without heart failure. Method: This study was a case control study of children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure and children with left-to-right shunt CHD without heart failure performed with non-random sampling consecutive techniques at the Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya in April–June 2019. The diagnosis of left-to-right shunt CHD was determined based on echocardiographic examination. All subjects with left-to-right shunt CHD were evaluated using the Paediatric Heart Failure Score. Troponin T examination was carried out using a one-dimensional electrophoresis technique, which is 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Reg3β examination was carried out by the ELISA method. Data analysis was performed with an independent sample t test using the SPSS. Results: This study involved 11 children, consisting of 7 children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure and 4 children with left-to-right shunt CHD without heart failure. Most children (72.7%) were female, 3 children (27.3%) were > 5 years old, 5 children (45.4%) were 5–10 years old and 3 children (27.3%) were > 10 years old. There was a significant increase in the Troponin T and Reg3β in children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure as compared to children without heart failure. Conclusion: Troponin T and Reg3β can be used as biomarkers in children with left-to-right shunt CHD with heart failure.

Comparison of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) for Heart Failure Treatment in Congenital Heart Diseases with Left-to-Right Shunt

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have become the forefront of heart failure treatment for more than a decade. Currently, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are thought to have similar effectiveness. This study aimed to compare the impact of captopril, one of ACEI, and valsartan, one of ARB, on clinical presentation and echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and chest x-ray improvement in patients with left-to-right shunt congenitalheart diseases.METHODS: This study used a double-blind randomized controlled trial of captopril and valsatran to children with left-to-right shunt congenital heart diseases who suffer from heart failure in the Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Pediatric heart failure scores, echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and chest photographs were examined at the beginning of the study and after 30 days of treatment.RESULTS: A decrease in pediatric heart failure scores were showed after the administration of ACEI (7.06±2.04 vs. 4.75±2.43; p&lt;0.0001; 95% CI: −2.98 - 1.65); ARB (6.81±2.25 vs. 3.94±1.98; p&lt;0.0001; 95% CI: −3.76 to 1.98). The echocardiography examination, an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), % fractional shortening (FS), and left ventricular (LV) dimension occurred after the administration of ACEI and ARB. The values also didn’t significantly differrent between the two groups. The ECG evaluation showed a decrease in heart rate frequency after the administration of ACEI (117.75±14.67 vs. 109.63±17.59; p=0.039; 95% CI: −15.78 to −0.46) and ARB (117.10±21.86 vs.108.6±20.66; p=0.006; 95% CI: −14.17 to −2.83).CONCLUSION: ARB showed better outcome in clinical condition, echocardiography, ECG, and chest radiographs.KEYWORDS: captopril, valsartan, heart failure, congenital heart disease, left to right shunt

Intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication in children with recent upper respiratory tract infection undergoing interventional cardiac catheterisation: A randomised controlled trial.

Recent upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a risk factor for the occurrence of peri-operative respiratory adverse events (PRAE). This risk may be higher in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), particularly in those undergoing interventional cardiac catheterisation. It is therefore essential to adapt the anaesthetic strategy in these children to prevent from the occurrence of PRAE. To determine whether intranasal dexmedetomidine (DEX) premedication can reduce the incidence of PRAE in children with recent URI undergoing interventional cardiac catheterisation. Randomised controlled trial. Single-centre study based at a tertiary care centre in Shanghai, China. A total of 134 children with CHD aged 0 to 16 years with recent URI undergoing interventional cardiac catheterisation. Children were randomised to receive either intranasal DEX 1.5 μg kg (DEX group) or intranasal saline (Placebo group) 30 to 45 min before anaesthesia induction. The incidence of PRAE. Intranasal DEX significantly reduced the incidence of PRAE (P = 0.001), particularly oxygen desaturation (P = 0.012). Most PRAE were observed during the emergence phase. The incidence of PRAE was comparable among the three types of left-right shunt CHD children in both groups. In children aged less than 3 years, the incidence of PRAE was significantly lower in the DEX group (P = 0.003). In contrast, the incidence of PRAE was comparable between the two groups in children aged at least 3 years. No differences in the incidence of emergence agitation, fever and vomiting between the two groups were noted. Administration of intranasal DEX 1.5 μg kg 30 to 45 min before induction led to a reduction in the incidence of PRAE in children aged less than 3 years with recent URI undergoing interventional cardiac catheterisation. chictr.org.cn identifier: ChiCTR-RRC-17012519.

Value of serum level of microRNA-494 in predicting prognosis of acute renal injury after cardiac surgery in children

To explore the value of serum microRNA-494 (miR-494) expression in predicting the prognosis of acute renal injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery in children. 116 children with AKI after cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease admitted to Sanya People's Hospital from January 2016 to March 2019 were enrolled. The expression of miR-494 in serum was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the levels of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of all the children. The children were divided into survival group and death group according to 28-day survival. Serum levels of miR-494, NGAL and KIM-1 were measured in two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of death in children with AKI after cardiac surgery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of serum levels of miR-494, NGAL and KIM-1 in predicting prognosis of children with AKI after cardiac surgery was performed. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum levels of miR-494 and NGAL, KIM-1. After cardiopulmonary bypass in 116 children with AKI, 27 cases died and 89 cases survived during the 28-day observation. Compared with the survival group, the proportion of cyanosis in the death group was significantly increased, the proportion of blood perfusion was significantly decreased, the time of cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative mechanical ventilation were significantly prolonged, and the blood glucose level was significantly increased after operation. There was no significant difference in other general data. The serum levels of miR-494, NGAL and KIM-1 in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group [miR-494 (2-ΔΔCt): 3.75±1.28 vs. 1.48±0.71, NGAL (mg/L): 583.60±52.72 vs. 320.52±31.84, KIM-1 (g/L): 30.53±6.38 vs. 17.40±3.72, all P < 0.01]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed cyanosis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.716, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.184-2.982, P = 0.039], postoperative blood glucose (OR = 1.925, 95%CI was 1.262-3.387, P = 0.005), serum miR-494 (OR = 2.527, 95%CI was 1.706-5.148, P < 0.001), NGAL (OR = 2.473, 95%CI was 1.620-4.935, P < 0.001) and KIM-1 (OR = 1.805, 95%CI was 1.213-3.106, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for death in children with AKI after cardiac surgery. ROC curve analysis showed the area under the curve (AUC) to predict the death of children with postoperative AKI was 0.868, 0.857 and 0.819 respectively, AUC of serum miR-494, NGAL and KIM-1 levels combination to predict the death of children with postoperative AKI was the largest (0.964, 95%CI was 0.908-0.997), with a high sensitivity and specificity of 97.0% and 91.8%. The correlation analysis showed the expression level of serum miR-494 was positively correlated with NGAL and KIM-1 in the death group (r1 = 0.902, r2 = 0.873, both P < 0.01). Serum levels of miR-494 increased significantly in children with AKI after cardiac surgery, which is an independent risk factor for death in children with AKI after cardiac surgery, and the combination of NGAL and KIM-1 levels had a high value in predicting the prognosis of children with AKI after cardiac surgery.