The functional roles of ventricular dominance and additional ventricular chamber after Fontan operation are still uncertain. We aim to assess and correlate such anatomical features to late clinical outcomes.

Fontan patients undergoing cardiac MRI and cardiopulmonary exercise test between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, cardiac MRI, and cardiopulmonary exercise test data from the last follow-up were analysed.

Fifty patients were analysed: left dominance was present in 29 patients (58%, median age 20 years, interquartile range:16–26). At a median follow-up after the Fontan operation was 16 years (interquartile range: 4–42), NYHA classes III and IV was present in 3 patients (6%), 4 (8%) underwent Fontan conversion, 2 (4%) were listed for heart transplantation, and 2 (4%) died. Statistical analysis showed that the additional ventricular chamber was larger (>20 mL/m2) in patients with a right dominant ventricle (p = 0.01), and right dominance was associated with a higher incidence of post-operative low-cardiac output syndrome (p = 0.043). Left ventricular dominance was associated with a better ejection fraction (p = 0.04), less extent of late gadolinium enhancement (p = 0.022), higher metabolic equivalents (p = 0.01), and higher peak oxygen consumption (p = 0.033). A larger additional ventricular chamber was associated with a higher need for post-operative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (p = 0.007), but it did not influence functional parameters on cardiac MRI or cardiopulmonary exercise test.

In Fontan patients, left ventricular dominance correlated to better functional outcomes. Conversely, a larger additional ventricular chamber is more frequent in right ventricular dominance and can negatively affect the early post-Fontan course.

In recent years, the importance of telemedicine has increased significantly. Especially in the field of echocardiography, virtual reality glasses offer the possibility of real-time data transmission without restrictions in the examination process. In particular, the care of critically ill newborns with suspected CHD might be improved by allowing a specialized paediatric cardiologist to remotely guide an echocardiographic examination. The current study aims to prove whether novices, under Google Glass guidance by a paediatric cardiologist, can perform an appropriate neonatal echocardiography.

The current study is a prospective monocentric single-blinded pilot study. Participants were supposed to perform two test runs: The first test run was “unguided” and the second test run was instructed via Google Glass. A validated training simulator for neonatal echocardiography “EchocomNeo, Echocom GmbH” was used. The study took place at the Leipzig Heart Center, Department of Pediatric Cardiology from April 2022 to November 2022.

A total of 21 medical students were enrolled. In total 252 views (126 views in each test run) were recorded. The overall performance was significantly higher in the Google Glass guided test run compared to “unguided” (structure score: 77.6% vs. 63.2%. p < 0.001 and quality score: 58.7% vs. 47.2%, p < 0.001). Also, the time was significantly lower in the Google Glass guided test run than in the unguided test run, p = 0.014.

Google Glass guidance by a paediatric cardiologist could optimize the performance of novices in echocardiography using a standardized neonatal echo-simulator with structural normal cardiac anatomy.

Lack of psychological safety within surgical teams and fear of damaging one’s career or reputation may counteract the effect of formal reporting as a tool for preventing bullying. Also, personality traits of cardiothoracic surgeons may promote bullying. In the current study, we evaluate these factors and their association with bullying in cardiothoracic surgical teams.

Forty-four cardiothoracic surgeons filled in the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, Safety Attitude Questionnaire, and Big Five Inventory.

Of the 44 participants, 18 (40.90%) experienced bullying during their careers. Psychological safety was negatively associated with work-related bullying and positively associated with the agreeableness and openness personality factors.

Bullying within the cardiothoracic surgical teams is a prominent problem that is negatively associated with psychological safety. Psychological safety is positively associated with agreeableness and openness, and interventions focusing on promoting an organizational culture based on such factors may improve the effectiveness of such interventions.

Interstage monitoring programs for single ventricle disease have been developed to reduce morbidity and mortality. There is increased use of telemedicine and mobile application monitoring. It is unknown if there are disparities in use based on patient socio-demographic factors.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in the single ventricle monitoring program and KidsHeart application at a single centre from 4/21/2021 to 12/31/2023. We investigated the association of socio-demographic factors with telemedicine usage, mobile application enrollment and usage. We assessed resource utilisation and weight changes by program era.

There were 94 children in the cohort. Patients with Norwood and ductal stent had higher mean telemedicine visits per month (1.8 visits, p = 0.004), without differences based on socio-demographic factors. There were differences in application enrollment with more Black patients enrolled compared to White patients (p = 0.016). There were less Hispanic patients enrolled than Non-Hispanic patients (p = 0.034). There were no Spaish speaking patient’s enrolled (p = 0.0015). There were no patients with maternal education of less than high school enrolled and all those with maternal education of advanced degree were enrolled (p = 0.0016). There was decreased mobile application use in those from neighbourhoods in the lowest income quartile. There were decreased emergency department visits with mobile application monitoring. Mean weight-for-age z-scores had increased from start to completion of the program in all eras.

Differences were seen in mobile application enrollment and usage based on socio-demographic factors. Further work is needed to ensure that all patients have access to mobile application usage.

To determine the short- and medium-term cardiac outcomes in children admitted with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

Children fulfilling the criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome and admitted to the hospital between April 2020 and March 2022 were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal cohort study. From admission to discharge, laboratory and cardiac parameters were recorded for all patients, who were subsequently followed up in clinics at various intervals. Data analysis was conducted using STATA version 15.0.

A total of 51 children were included, with viral myocarditis (41.2%) and toxic shock syndrome (33.3%) being the most common phenotypes. The cardiovascular system was most commonly affected in 27 children (53%) with laboratory evidence of inflammation and myocardial injury with median and interquartile levels of ferritin 1169 (534-1704), C-reactive protein 83 (24-175), lactate dehydrogenase 468 (365-1270), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide 8,656 (2,538-31,166), and troponin 0.16 (0.02-2.0).

On admission, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in 58.8% of patients and impaired global longitudinal strain in 33.3%. At discharge, left ventricular ejection fraction had normalised in 83% of patients. Pericardial effusion resolved in all patients, and valvulitis resolved in 86% by 12 months. Paediatric ICU admission was required in 42 (82%) of patients with an overall mortality of 12% (n = 6).

Our study finds high hospital mortality for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children compared to 1-2% from previous studies. Yet, in Pakistan, surviving children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome show favourable short- to medium-term cardiac outcomes

Despite advances in treatment and outcomes for paediatric heart failure, both physical and psychosocial comorbidities remain notable among this patient population. We aimed to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of adolescent and young adults with heart failure and their caregivers’ perceptions, with specific focus on personal challenges, worries, coping skills, and resilience.

Structured, in-depth interviews were performed with 16 adolescent and young adults with heart failure and 14 of their caregivers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was performed, and themes were generated. Transcripts were coded by independent reviewers.

Ten (63%) adolescent and young adults with heart failure identified as male and six (37.5%) patients self-identified with a racial or ethnic minority group. Adolescent and young adults with heart failure generally perceived their overall illness experience more positively and less burdensome than their caregivers. Some adolescent and young adults noted specific worries related to surgeries, admissions, major complications, death, and prognostic/treatment uncertainty, while caregivers perceived their adolescent and young adult’s greatest worries to be around major complications and death. Adolescent and young adults and their caregivers were able to define and reflect on adolescent and young adult experiences of resilience, with many adolescent and young adults expressing a sense of optimism and gratitude as it relates to their medical journey.

This study is the first of its kind to qualitatively describe the psychosocial experiences of a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of adolescent and young adults with heart failure, as well as their caregivers’ perceptions of patient experiences. Findings underscore the importance of identifying distress and fostering resilient processes and outcomes in young people with advanced heart disease.

Guidelines recommend screening for psychiatric co-morbidities in patients with congenital heart defects alongside cardiac outpatient follow-ups. These recommendations are not implemented in Denmark. This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric co-morbidities in children and adolescents with Fontan circulation in Denmark and to evaluate the feasibility of an online screening measure for psychiatric disorders.

Children, adolescents, and their families answered the Development and Well-Being Assessment questionnaire and a questionnaire about received help online. Development and Well-Being Assessment ratings present psychiatric diagnoses in accordance with ICD-10 and DSM-5. Parent-reported received psychiatric help is also presented. Feasibility data are reported as participation rate (completed Development and Well-Being Assessments) and parental/adolescent acceptability from the feasibility questionnaire.

The participation rate was 27%. Of the participating children and adolescents, 53% (ICD-10)/59% (DSM-5) met full diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Of these, 50% had not received any psychiatric or psychological help. Only 12% of participants had an a priori psychiatric diagnosis.

We found that a large proportion of children and adolescents with Fontan circulation are underdiagnosed and undertreated for psychiatric disorders. The results from our study emphasise the need for psychiatric screening in this patient group. Development and Well-Being Assessment may be too comprehensive for online electronic screening in children and adolescents with CHD.

Our objective was to assess the predictive value of physiologic dead space fraction for mortality in patients undergoing the comprehensive stage 2 operation.

This was a single-centre retrospective observational study conducted at a quaternary free-standing children’s hospital specialising in hybrid palliation of single ventricle cardiac disease. 180 patients underwent the comprehensive stage 2 operation. 76 patients (42%) underwent early extubation, 59 (33%) standard extubation, and 45 (25%) delayed extubation. We measured time to extubation, post-operative outcomes, length of stay and utilised Fine gray models, Youden’s J statistic, cumulative incidence function, and logistic regression to analyse outcomes.

Delayed extubation group suffered significantly higher rates of mortality (31.1% vs. 6.8%), cardiac arrest (40.0% vs. 10.2%), stroke (37.8% vs. 11.9%), and need for catheter (28.9% vs. 5.1%) and surgical intervention (24.4% vs. 8.5%) (P < 0.001). Physiologic dead space fraction was significantly higher in the delayed extubation group and in non-survivors with a value of 0.3, which was found to be the discriminatory point by Youden’s J statistic. For a 0.1 unit increase in physiologic dead space fraction on post-operative day 1, the odds of a patient expiring increase by a factor of 2.26 (95% CI 1.41–3.97, p < 0.001) and by a factor of 3.79 (95% CI 1.65–11.7, p 0.01) on post-operative day 3.

Delayed extubation impacts morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing the comprehensive stage 2 operation. Increased physiologic dead space fraction in the first 60 hours after arrival to the ICU is associated with higher mortality.

Complexity stratification for CHD is an integral part of clinical research due to its heterogenous clinical presentation and outcomes. To support our ongoing research efforts into CHD requiring disease severity stratifications, a simplified CHD severity classification system was developed and verified, with potential utility for clinical researchers without specialist CHD knowledge or access to clinical/medical records.

A two-tiered analysis approach was undertaken. First-tier analysis included the audit of a comprehensive system based on: i) timing of intervention, ii) cardiac morphology, and iii) cardiovascular physiology using real patient data (n = 30), across 10 common CHD lesions. Second-tier analysis allowed for a simplified version of the classification system using morphology as a stand-alone predictor. Twelve clinicians of varying specialities involved in CHD care ranked 10 common lesions from least to most severe based on typical presentation and clinical course.

First-tier analysis identified that cardiac morphology was the principal driver of complexity. Second-tier analysis largely confirmed the ranking and classification of the lesions into the broad CHD severity groups, although some variation was noted, specifically among non-cardiac specialists. This simplified version of the classicisation system, with morphology as a stand-alone predictor of severity, allowed for effective stratification for the purposes of analysis.

The findings presented here support this comprehensive and simple CHD severity classification system with broad utility in CHD research, particularly among clinicians and researchers with limited knowledge of CHD. The model may be applied to produce locally relevant research tools.

Thromboembolism is a complication in paediatric patients with CHD requiring cardiac surgery. Previous research has focused on post-operative thromboembolism. This study aimed to describe thromboembolism frequency before or after cardiac surgery in children with CHD.

We performed a single-centre retrospective study from October 2020 to June 2023 (inclusive). Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were <21 years of age and underwent cardiac surgery. Outcomes of interest included the occurrence and characteristics of thromboembolism in the 12 months before and after surgery, antithrombotic therapies, recurrent thromboembolism, and clinically significant bleeding.

Among 260 patients included, 35 (13.5%) developed an index thromboembolism. Twelve (34.3%) patients had an index thromboembolism <12 months before surgery and 23 (65.7%) had an index thromboembolism <12 months after surgery, including 8 (22.9%) patients who had thromboembolism during both exposure periods. The median interquartile range (IQR) time of thromboembolism relative to cardiac surgery was –26 (–4 to –140) days and 15 (4 to 41) days, respectively. Seven (20%) patients had arterial, 18 (51.4%) venous, and 3 (8.6%) had both arterial and venous thromboembolism. Median (IQR) antithrombotic therapy duration was 49 (24–84) days. Nine (25.7%) patients developed recurrent thromboembolism and five (14.3%) patients experienced clinically significant bleeding.

The risk of thromboembolism and recurrence is high both before and after cardiac surgery among paediatric patients with CHD. Prospective multi-centre studies should seek to identify risk factors for preoperative and postoperative thromboembolism to inform the design of future risk-stratified thromboembolism prevention trials in children with CHD.

New drugs to target different pathways in pulmonary hypertension has resulted in increased combination therapy, but details of this use in infants are not well described. In this large multicenter database study, we describe the pharmacoepidemiology of combination pulmonary vasodilator therapy in critically ill infants.

We identified inborn infants discharged home from a Pediatrix neonatal ICU from 1997 to 2020 exposed to inhaled nitric oxide, sildenafil, epoprostenol, or bosentan for greater than two consecutive days. We compared clinical variables and drug utilisation between infants receiving simultaneous combination and monotherapy. We reported each combination’s frequency, timing, and duration and graphically represented drug use over time.

Of the 7681 infants that met inclusion criteria, 664 (9%) received combination therapy. These infants had a lower median gestational age and birth weight, were more likely to have cardiac and pulmonary anomalies, receive cardiorespiratory support, and had higher in-hospital mortality than those receiving monotherapy. Inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil were most frequently used, and utilisation of combination and monotherapy for all drugs increased over time. Inhaled nitric oxide and epoprostenol were used in infants with a higher gestational age, earlier postnatal age, and shorter duration than sildenafil and bosentan. Dual therapy with inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil was the most common combination therapy.

Our study revealed an increased use of combination pulmonary vasodilator therapy, favouring inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil, yet with considerable practice variation. Further research is needed to determine the optimal combination, sequence, dosing, and disease-specific indications for combination therapy.

Emerging evidence suggests that routine physical activity may improve exercise capacity, long-term outcomes, and quality of life in individuals with Fontan circulation. Despite this, it is unclear how active these individuals are and what guidance they receive from medical providers regarding physical activity. The aim of this study was to survey Fontan patients on personal physical activity behaviours and their cardiologist-directed physical activity recommendations to set a baseline for future targeted efforts to improve this.

An electronic survey assessing physical activity habits and cardiologist-directed guidance was developed in concert with content experts and patients/parents and shared via a social media campaign with Fontan patients and their families.

A total of 168 individuals completed the survey. The median age of respondents was 10 years, 51% identifying as male. Overall, 21% of respondents spend > 5 hours per week engaged in low-exertion activity and only 7% spend > 5 hours per week engaged in high-exertion activity. In all domains questioned, pre-adolescents reported higher participation rates than adolescents. Nearly half (43%) of respondents reported that they do not discuss activity recommendations with their cardiologist.

Despite increasing evidence over the last two decades demonstrating the benefit of exercise for individuals living with Fontan circulation, only a minority of patients report engaging in significant amounts of physical activity or discussing activity goals with their cardiologist. Specific, individualized, and actionable education needs to be provided to patients, families, and providers to promote and support regular physical activity in this patient population.

Haemodynamic instability is common after surgical repair of CHDs in infants and children. Monitoring cardiac output in addition to traditional circulation parameters could improve the postoperative care of these patients. Echocardiography and transpulmonary thermodilution are the two most common methods for measuring cardiac output in infants.

To compare the results of cardiac output measurements using echocardiography and a transpulmonary thermodilution setup after paediatric cardiac surgery.

Forty children, scheduled for elective repair of a ventricular septal defect or of an atrio-ventricular septal defect using cardiopulmonary bypass, were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Cardiac output was simultaneously measured using echocardiography and a commercially available transpulmonary thermodilution method (PiCCO™) at 18 h after the end of surgery.

At 18 h after surgery, PiCCO™ gave a mean of 3.0% higher cardiac output than echocardiography. This difference was not statistically significant. 95% of the observations fell within –50.0 to 82.6%.

The methods were found to have a good agreement on average, with no statistically significant difference between them. However, the spread of the results was large. It is questionable whether the methods can be used interchangeably in clinical practice.

Tetralogy of Fallot patients face an elevated risk of developing chylothorax and pleural effusions post-surgery. This patient group exhibits risk factors known to compromise the lymphatic system, such as elevated central venous pressure, pulmonary flow changes, and hypoxia. This study investigates the morphology and function of the lymphatic system in tetralogy of Fallot patients through lymphatic magnetic resonance imaging and near-infrared fluorescence imaging, respectively.

Post-repair tetralogy of Fallot patients aged 6–18 years were recruited, along with age and gender-matched controls. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the morphology of the thoracic lymphatic vessels and the thoracic, while near-infrared fluorescence imaging was used to assess lymphatic activity utilising lymph rate, velocity, and pressure.

Nine patients and 10 controls were included. Echocardiography revealed that 2/3 of the patients had moderate-severe pulmonary regurgitation, while none displayed signs of elevated central venous pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging identified three patients with type 3 (out of 4 types) lymphatic abnormalities, while controls had none. The thoracic ducts showed severe (one patient) and moderate (one patient) tortuosity. Mean thoracic duct diameters were 3.3 mm ±1.1 in patients and 3.0 mm ± 0.8 in controls (p-value = 0.53). Near-infrared fluorescence imaging revealed no anomalous patterns.

Despite no presence of clinical lymphatic disease, 3/9 of the repaired tetralogy of Fallot patients exhibited lymphatic morphological abnormalities. The significance of these anomalies remains uncertain currently. Further research is needed to determine whether these lymphatic alterations in this patient cohort are a result of congenital malformations, haemodynamic shifts, or prenatal and early-life saturation levels.

An aberrant right subclavian artery represents the most common aortic arch vascular anomaly. Conventional wisdom states that these anomalies do not result in dysphagia, but rather serve as “red herrings”. Clearly, in the vast majority of cases, this holds true. Nonetheless, one should never say never.

Herein, we present a cohort of four children with debilitating dysphagia resulting from an aberrant right subclavian artery. Subclavian reimplantation via a right posterolateral thoracotomy was performed successfully in all cases.

Dysphagia resolved postoperatively, and all patients were able to advance to a normal diet. They were able to gain appropriate weight postoperatively and continue to do well at most recent clinical follow-up.

This case series suggests that aberrant right subclavian artery anatomy should be considered a potential aetiology of dysphagia, albeit rarely. Surgical intervention for select patients can provide dramatic resolution of symptoms.

Accurate measurement of transcutaneous oxygen saturation is important for the assessment of cyanosis in CHD. Aim of this study was the evaluation of a supplementary transcutaneous oxygen saturation measurement with an Apple watch® in children with cyanotic heart disease.

During a six-minute walk test, measurement of transcutaneous oxygen saturation was performed simultaneously with an Oximeter (Nellcor, Medtronic, USA) and an Apple watch® Series 7 (Apple inc, USA) in 36 children with cyanotic heart disease.

Median age was 9.2 (IQR 5.7–13.8) years. Transcutaneous oxygen saturation measurement with the Apple watch® was possible in 35/36 and 34/36 subjects before and after six-minute walk test. Children, in whom Apple watch® measurement was not possible, had a transcutaneous oxygen saturation < 85% on oximeter. Before six-minute walk test, median transcutaneous oxygen saturation was 93 (IQR 91–97) % measured by oximeter and 95 (IQR 93–96) % by the Apple watch®. After a median walking distance of 437 (IQR 360–487) m, transcutaneous oxygen saturation dropped to 92 (IQR 88–95, p < 0.001) % by oximeter and to 94 (IQR 90–96, p = 0.013) % measured with the Apple watch®.

In children with mild cyanosis measurement of transcutaneous oxygen saturation with an Apple watch® showed only valid results if transcutaneous oxygen saturation was > 85%, with higher values being measured with the smart watch. In children with moderate or severe cyanosis transcutaneous oxygen saturation, measurement with the Apple watch® was not reliable and cannot be recommended to monitor oxygen saturation at home.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common CHD and commonly associated with activity restrictions that may lead to a sedentary lifestyle known to increase obesity risk. It is unknown whether obesity is associated with changes in aortic dimensions or aortic valve function in young people with bicuspid aortic valve. This study investigates whether overweight and obese children with bicuspid aortic valve have worse aortic valve function or increased aortic dimensions compared to healthy weight children with bicuspid aortic valve.

This was a single centre retrospective cohort study comprised of patients 5 to 25 years old with a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve between 1 January, 2019 and 31 December, 2020. Patients were classified as healthy weight or overweight/obese. Values for aortic dimensions as well as peak and mean aortic valve gradients were obtained from echocardiogram reports.

About 251 patients were analysed. Demographics were similar between groups. When indexed to height, the aortic valve annulus (1.28 ± 0.14 vs. 1.34 ± 0.15, p = 0.001) and sinotubular junctions (1.44 ± 0.21 vs. 1.49 ± 0.24, p = 0.038) were larger in the overweight/obese group, with no differences in aortic root or ascending aorta sizes. The obese/overweight group had a higher peak aortic valve gradient (23.03 ± 1.64 mmHg vs. 16.17 ± 1.55 mmHg, p = 0.003) compared to the healthy weight group.

Healthy weight patients did not have larger aortic dimensions compared to the overweight/obese patients. There was evidence of worsening aortic valve stenosis in overweight/obese patients compared to those at a healthy weight.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database is the largest congenital heart surgery database worldwide but does not provide information beyond primary episode of care. Linkage to hospital electronic health records would capture complications and comorbidities along with long-term outcomes for patients with CHD surgeries. The current study explores linkage success between Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database and electronic health record data in North Carolina and Georgia.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database was linked to hospital electronic health records from four North Carolina congenital heart surgery using indirect identifiers like date of birth, sex, admission, and discharge dates, from 2008 to 2013. Indirect linkage was performed at the admissions level and compared to two other linkages using a “direct identifier,” medical record number: (1) linkage between Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database and electronic health records from a subset of patients from one North Carolina institution and (2) linkage between Society of Thoracic Surgeons data from two Georgia facilities and Georgia’s CHD repository, which also uses direct identifiers for linkage.

Indirect identifiers successfully linked 79% (3692/4685) of Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database admissions across four North Carolina hospitals. Direct linkage techniques successfully matched Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database to 90.2% of electronic health records from the North Carolina subsample. Linkage between Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Georgia’s CHD repository was 99.5% (7,544/7,585).

Linkage methodology was successfully demonstrated between surgical data and hospital-based electronic health records in North Carolina and Georgia, uniting granular procedural details with clinical, developmental, and economic data. Indirect identifiers linked most patients, consistent with similar linkages in adult populations. Future directions include applying these linkage techniques with other data sources and exploring long-term outcomes in linked populations.