One-Year Follow-Up Results of MIS-C Patients with Coronary Artery Involvement: A Multi-center Study

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children is a rare complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Knowing the course of the affected or unaffected coronary arteries in the patients under follow-up is important in terms of defining the long-term prognosis of the disease and determining the follow-up plan. This is a multicenter and retrospective study. The data were obtained from nine different centers. Between May 2020 and August 2022, 68 of 790 patients had coronary artery involvement. One-year echocardiographic data of 67 of 789 MIS-C patients with coronary artery involvement were analyzed. Existing pathologies of the coronary arteries were grouped as increased echogenicity, dilatation and aneurysm according to Z scores, and their changes over a 1-year period were determined. The data of all three groups are defined as frequency. SPSS Statistics version 22 was used to evaluate the data. In our study, aneurysm was observed in 16.4%, dilatation in 68.7% and increased echogenicity in 13.4% of the patients. All of the patients with involvement in the form of increased echogenicity recovered without sequelae by the end of the first month. No progression to aneurysm was observed in any of the patients with dilatation. No new-onset involvement was observed in patients with previously healthy coronary arteries during the convalescent period. In addition, from the sixth month follow-up period, there was no worsening in the amount of dilatation in any of the patients. At least 94% of the patients who completed the 12th month control period returned to normal.

Cardiovascular Screening before Sports Participation: Results of 11487 Children

AIM

In this study, it is aimed to analyze the data of children who were referred to our clinic for pre-participation sports screening.

METHODS

Data, between September 2017 and December 2021, had been analyzed. All these subjects had been questioned for their personal and family medical stories and examined for cardiovascular system findings. Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were applied to all of them.

RESULTS

11487 children were consulted to the cardiology clinic for pre-sports participation screening. The mean age was 12.7±4,57 (7-18 years). 34/11487(0,29%) subjects weren't allowed to participate in sports activities at first. In 23 of 34 subjects, cardiac arrhythmias were established. 15 had Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, 3 subjects had ventricular extrasystole, and also ventricular tachycardia in one of them. Four subjects had long QT syndrome and one had ST elevation with the pre-diagnosis of coronary artery disease. ECG screening alone aided in identifying asymptomatic (0.05%) that could have been potentially at risk for sudden cardiac death.

CONCLUSION

Positive ECG and echocardiography findings involve a very little ratio.But ECG involves an important tool for screening lethal cardiac arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients.If ECG or echocardiography couldn't be taken, further evaluation should be necessary with symptoms and/or family history.

A paediatric case of myopericarditis post-COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

Myopericarditis is a condition, which primarily involves the pericardium, with minimal myocardial involvement. In myopericarditis, chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, and electrocardiographic changes occur. Although COVID-19 mRNA vaccines significantly contribute to preventing the COVID-19 disease, rarely myocarditis and/or pericarditis may develop due to these vaccines. We present a previously healthy 14-year-old male patient who developed myopericarditis after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

The Effect of Vitamin D Levels in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Objective Multiple factors being overweight, asthmatic, or being of Asian or black ethnic origins have been reported vis-à-vis the “multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children” (MIS-C). There is an association between these conditions and vitamin D deficiency, which explains why MIS-C is more common in these patients. In the present study, we attempted to retrospective evaluate the 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of patients with MIS-C, its association with acute phase reactants, its treatment, and clinical status.

Methods Patients aged between 1.5 months to 18 years with MIS-C were included in the study. All of the laboratory parameters, treatment, and response to the treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Two groups were formed. Patients had 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol D vitamin < 20 ng/mL in group 1 and ≥ 20 ng/mL in group 2.

Results A total of 52 patients were included in the study. There was no statistical difference between groups in terms of acceptance of the intensive care unit treatment (p = 0.29) and response to the first-line treatment (p = 0.56). A lower median lymphocyte count (p = 0.01) and a higher median C-reactive protein (p = 0.04) and procalcitonin (p = 0.01) with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (p = 0.025) values were found in group 1.

Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased inflammatory response in children with MIS-C. More studies are required to determine the potential impact of vitamin D deficiency on the clinical outcome of MIS-C.

Evaluation of Children with Acute Rheumatic Fever: A Single-Center Experience

Objective:

The epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, complications, recurrence status, clinical and laboratory features, and treatment methods of the patients who admitted to our Pediatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic with a pre-diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) were evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

The data of 166 patients who admitted with a pre-diagnosis of ARF and were diagnosed with ARF, and the data of 51 patients who were not diagnosed with ARF, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

The patients with ARF were between the ages of 5 and 18. Most of the patients with ARF attack admitted in December (15.6%), January (13.8%), and February (13.2%). The most common complaints of the patients diagnosed with ARF were isolated joint pain and/or swelling, at 50.6%. While 91.5% of the patients were diagnosed for the first time, 8.5% had ARF recurrence. It was seen that the most common major criterion was carditis (94.6%). The severity of valve regurgitation and the rates of monoarthritis were significantly higher in patients with recurrence (P < .05). Non-compliance with prophylaxis was observed in 10 (71.4%) of 14 patients with recurrence, and in 43 (28.2%) of 152 patients without recurrence. Anti-streptolysin O was lower (P = .021) and alanine transaminase (ALT) was higher (P = .019) in the recurrence group.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that in patients with a pre-diagnosis of ARF, a differential diagnosis should be made with other diseases. Especially in patients with joint complaints as the only major symptom, a differential diagnosis should be made. ARF recurrence is associated with non-compliance with prophylaxis, and both the severity of valve regurgitation and monoarthritis rates are higher in patients who develop recurrence. Alanine aminotransferase is significantly higher in patients with ARF recurrence.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

This case series aims to evaluate the presenting symptoms, laboratory data, systemic findings, and response to early treatment in patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of multisystemic inflammatory syndrome associated with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

The presentation, laboratory findings, and responses to treatment of patients hospitalized and diagnosed with multisystemic inflammatory syndrome were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients were included in the study. The median age was 90 (1.5-204) months and 62.5% of the patients were male; 59.4% of the cases were non-specific disease, 31.2% typical (complete) Kawasaki, and 9.4% had phenotypic characteristics of atypical (incomplete) Kawasaki. Most of the patients were found to have low albumin and elevated C-reactive protein, sedimentation rate, and d-dimer, and all patients had elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and procalcitonin. Lymphopenia was detected in 25 patients (78.1%) and serum ferritin levels were elevated in 25 patients (78.1%). Eleven (34.4%) patients responded well only to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Twenty patients (62.5%) received intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy (second-line therapy). Only one patient (3.1%) received third-line therapy (intravenous immunoglobulin + steroid +anakinra + plasmapheresis). None of the patients died.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients had mild clinical symptoms and responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin and / or steroid therapies as first- and second-line therapies. Only one of our patients was clinically stabilized after third-line treatment because he did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy. We think that all of our patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children recovered because we had recommended quickly medical intervention. Treatment should therefore be started immediately in patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. If there is no response after 24 h to the initial treatment, the next treatment protocol should be started.

Evaluation of the novel coronavirus disease in Turkish children: Preliminary outcomes

BACKGROUND

The novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) can progress with mild to moderate or self-limiting clinical findings in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the disease features of Covid-19 in Turkish children.

METHODS

Children diagnosed by the method of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for Covid-19 at the Dicle University Department of Pediatric, between April and June 2020, were evaluated. Hospital records were investigated retrospectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and five patients children with the mean age of 108.64 ± 65.61 months were enrolled in this study. The most common cause of transmission in pediatric patients was in contact with a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 (n = 91, 86.7%). The most common admission complaints were dry cough (n = 17, 16.2%), fever (n = 16, 15.2%), lassitude and fatigue (n = 14, 13.3%) respectively. More than 95% of all children with Covid-19 were asymptomatic, mild, or moderate cases. CRP was identified only independent factor associated with long duration of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show the effect of Covid-19 on Turkish children. A clear understanding of the local epidemiology of corona virus infections and identification of risk factors are critical for the successful implementation of the prevention and control program.

Left and right ventricular functions may be impaired in children diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) may influence both ventricular functions. The aim of this study was to evaluation the findings of Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) and other echocardiography modalities in children with SH. We compared left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and TDI parameters of patients with SH and children with euthyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed when thyroid stimulating hormone level was higher than the reference value of the laboratory (> 4.2 mIU/L) and free thyroxine level was in normal range. The study included a group of 35 patients with SH and a control group of 38 children with euthyroidism (mean age was 7.6 ± 3.5 years and 9.0 ± 2.4 years, respectively). LVMI was significantly higher in the patient group (p = 0.005). TDI parameters including mitral septal ejection time was lower (p = 0.003) and mitral septal myocardial performance index was higher (p = 0.009) in the patient group. Right ventricular TDI revealed that tricuspid lateral E/Ea and tricuspid septal E/Ea were higher (p = 0.015 and p = 0.024, respectively) and tricuspid septal Ea/Aa and ejection time were lower (p = 0.018 and p = 0.017, respectively) in the patient group. SH may lead to increase LVMI. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic TDI parameters (lower mitral septal ejection time, higher mitral septal myocardial performance index) as well as right ventricular systolic (lower tricuspid septal ejection time) and diastolic (higher tricuspid septal and lateral E/Ea, lower tricuspid septal Ea/Ea) functions may be also impaired in children with subclinical hypothyroidism. TDI is a useful method used for the assessment of the effect of SH on cardiac functions.

Sexual and reproductive health of Syrian refugee women in Turkey: a scoping review within the framework of the MISP objectives

Background

Turkey hosts the world’s largest community of Syrians displaced by the conflict. The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) is a coordinated set of priority reproductive health services. There is not any scoping review assessing the RH situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey within the framework of the MISP objectives. The objectives of this review is to identify the situation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among Syrian refugee women in Turkey, and document the health services provided for them in terms of the components of MISP. We hoped to show evidence of gaps and help guide future research to focus on priority areas to improve the range, quality, and access to SRH services and to recommend public health interventions.

Method

The literature search was conducted in Turkish and English. Multiple electronic databases (Turkish Medline, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBSCOHost, CINAHL, and Embase) were searched from January 2011 to May 2018. References published in the peer-reviewed literature, the grey-literature, and on websites were eligible for inclusion if they had conducted research on one or more of the following SRH topics specifically for Syrian women in Turkey: maternal and neonatal health/antenatal care, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, use of contraceptives, sexual violence, and services delivery and accessibility. References were excluded if any of the following criteria were relevant: not specific to Syrian women refugees in Turkey. Firstly, the titles and abstracts of the articles that were found were examined to determine if they met the eligibility criteria. Secondly, if the abstracts and titles met one or more of the eligibility criteria, the full text of the articles have been examined. Finally, standard forms were prepared and used to summarize the articles narratively. The results of the screening were recorded in Excel spreadsheets for comparison, and any disagreements among the researchers were resolved by consensus. The studies were grouped according to the MISP objectives.

Results

A total of 24 publications were eligible for inclusion in the review. Consanguineous marriage rate was 56%. The rate of marriage under age 18 were very high. Mean age at first marriage was found to be between 18 and 20. The rate of antenatal care was inadequate. The rate of using a modern contraceptive method was 24% among married and all age groups of Syrian women. The rates of unmet family planning needs were about 35%. Among patients admitted to gynecology outpatient clinics, about half of the applicants were reported to have abnormal vaginal discharge. The reported rates of sexual violence were about 8%. Only 20% of Syrian women had regular gynecological visits.

Conclusion

Overall, we conclude that early marriage, low modern contraceptive use, unmet need for contraception, sexual and gender-based violence are the major SRH issues reported. There is a need for further studies to identify the barriers limiting service uptake as well as to document successful practices. Long term strategies to improve the SRH status of Syrian refugee women should be developed with participation of all stakeholders. This review is significant in terms of that it is the first scoping review assessing the RH situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey within the framework of the MISP objectives. Based on the data of this review, relevant policy makers should consider to improve the SRH status of Syrian women refugees in Turkey.

The relationship between electrocardiographic data and mortality in children diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy

The mortality causes of patients followed up due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) include complications related to heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, and transplantation. This study aims to evaluate the electrocardiographic findings of patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and determine its relationship with mortality. The electrocardiographic, clinical, and laboratory findings of patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy between January 1, 2012, and September 1, 2018, in our university's pediatric cardiology department were retrospectively evaluated. The electrocardiographic findings of surviving and exitus dilated cardiomyopathy patients were compared and their effect on mortality was investigated. Twelve of the total 85 patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy were deceased. According to the electrocardiographic findings of surviving and exitus patients, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of P maximum (Pmax), P dispersion (Pdis), QT dispersion (QTdis), QTc maximum (QTcmax), QTc dispersion (QTcdis), Tp-e maximum (Tp-emax), Tp-e dispersion (Tp-edis), and QRS time. Hypertrophy and ischemia findings of electrocardiography were also statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups according to the echocardiographic findings of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd) measurements. It is well known that children diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy are at greater risk of arrhythmia compared with normal children. Although previous studies have determined the relationship between mortality and a limited number of electrocardiographic findings, especially in adults, the relationship between electrocardiography findings of children diagnosed with DCM and mortality has not been investigated before in such detail, as in our study.Conclusion: In this study, the significant difference between the electrocardiographic data of deceased and surviving dilated cardiomyopathy patients suggests that electrocardiographic data should be evaluated in detail in order to determine the low and high risk of mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.What is Known:• Previous studies on the relationship between limited electrocardiography data of adult patients diagnosed with DCM and mortality have been determinedWhat is New:• ECG data has not been investigated in such detail in child DCM patients, as in our study.

Prolonged QT dispersion is associated with pediatric syncope

Bilici M, Fidancı-Dedeoğlu Z, Demir F, Akın A, Türe M, Balık H, Tan İ, Ertuğrul S. Prolonged QT dispersion is associated with pediatric syncope. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 85-91. We aimed to find out whether QT dispersion can be used as a diagnostic marker in terms of syncope type, and recurrence risk. Fifty-two patients (28 male, 53.8%) admitted to the pediatric cardiology clinic with syncope were compared with 50 healthy controls (28 male, 56%; mean age: 13.8±2.3 years, range: 11-17 years) for QT dispersion (QTd) and other electrocardiographic findings. Gender, age, echocardiography, blood pressure while standing and sitting, electrolyte levels, liver and kidney function tests, and QTd and QTcd (calculated with corrected QT: QTc) in electrocardiography (ECG) of patients were all evaluated. Patients` ages varied between 7-17 years and the mean age at first syncope was 13.9±2.4 years. Mean follow-up duration of the patients was 10±5 months (range: 5-18 months). Mean number of syncope attacks was 2.8±2.2. QTd (72±46 ms vs. 34±14 ms) and QTcd (77±45 ms vs. 33±14 ms) values of the patients were significantly longer, compared to control group (p < 0.001). The age, gender, QTd, and QTcd values did not differ between the subtypes of syncope based on pathogenetic mechanism. Additionally, these parameters did not differ in terms of the number of syncope recurrence and tilt test. Patients` complaints reduced after cardiologic evaluation and advice regarding prevention of syncope. We think that in follow-up period, education and preventive precautions that can be taken in the daily life must be emphasized, and drug treatment can be started in unresponsive cases.

Complete atrioventricular block associated with clozapine intoxication: case report

Türe M, Bilici M, Akın A, Demir F, Balık H, Darakçı SM. Complete atrioventricular block associated with clozapine intoxication: case report. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 618-621. Clozapine is one of the atypical anti-psychotic drugs used in the treatment of resistant schizophrenia. Although cardiac side-effects are rare, it has been reported that there may be development of myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, postural orthostatic hypotension and prolonged QT duration. Complete atrioventricular (AV) block is characterized by the inability to transmit all of the atrial signal to the ventricles. Causes may be congenital, idiopathic or acquired which are associated with surgery, infection, or muscle disease. AV block is extremely serious and permanent pacemaker insertion is usually necessary for all patients. Complete AV block may develop due to clozapine intoxication through increase in vagal tonus, sinoatrial node (SN) and the inhibition of atrioventricular node signalling. The case presented here is of a 15-year old female patient who developed AV total cardiac block associated with the taking of clozapine in a suicide attempt.

Factors affecting mortality in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

Sabaz MN, Akın A, Bilici M, Demir F, Türe M, Balık H. Factors affecting mortality in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 485-492. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) is a heart disease with high mortality rates that is often seen in children. Genetic and infectious reasons are primary in the etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology of DCMP and the parameters predicting mortality. A retrospective examination was made of 37 patients diagnosed with DCMP between January 2012 and October 2016. Data were recorded from the patient files of age, gender, complaints on presentation, findings of the physical examination, laboratory test results, echocardiography and electrocardiography findings at the time of diagnosis. These parameters were then compared between the surviving and nonsurviving patients. The patients comprised 21 males with a mean age of 27.50±50 months. Diagnosis was made at the age of < 12 months in 67.6% patients. Within mean 8 months of diagnosis, 16.2% of the patients were lost to mortality and 83.8% of the patients survived. In 83.3% of the non-surviving patients and in 29% of the surviving patients, sinus tachycardia was present at the time of diagnosis (p=0.023). Corrected QT (QTc) at the time of diagnosis was longer in the non-surviving patients (p=0.007). On ECG, the rate of ST-T wave change was higher in the non-surviving patients (80% vs. 17.8%, p=0.012). In conclusion, a significant proportion of the patients were diagnosed below the age of one year. In the non-surviving patients, as sinus tachycardia and ischaemic changes on ECG were seen more often and the QTc was longer, these findings could be considered to be predictors of mortality.

Percutaneous retrieval of umbilical vein catheter fragment in an infant two months after embolization

Akın A, Bilici M, Demir F, Yılmazer MM, İpek MŞ, Kara H. Percutaneous retrieval of umbilical vein catheter fragment in an infant two months after embolization. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 191-193. Umbilical vein catheterization is frequently preferred and a safe route of venous access especially in newborns. However, some cases with breaking and embolization of those catheters have been rarely reported. Herein we present a two-and-a-half-month-old infant being catheterized within first postnatal week and diagnosed to have embolization of the catheter fragment to conjunction of hepatic vein and right atrium. Percutaneous withdrawal of broken catheter was achieved despite several months after the embolization took place. We suggest that transcatheter removal of catheter fragment embolizations may be safe even in late diagnosis cases.

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Children with the Occlutech Duct Occluder

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the Occlutech duct occluder (ODO) in children. We reviewed the clinical records of 71 patients who underwent percutaneous closure of PDA with an ODO between September 2014 and August 2016. The Occlutech duct occluder was applied to 71 patients during the study period (September 2014-August 2016), and the results were analyzed in this study. Forty-two of the patients were female and 29 male. The median age was 20.5 months (range, 6-194 months) and median weight was 16 kg (range, 6-68 kg). The PDA was classified as type A in 54 patients (76.1%), type E in 14 (19.7%), type C in 2 (2.8%) and type B in 1 (1.4%) based on the Krichenko classification. A standard ODO device was used for the transcatheter closure procedure in 66 patients and the long-shank ODO device in 5. In the echocardiographic measurement of PDA, the median smallest diameter was 2.7 mm (range, 1.5-7.0 mm), and in the angiographic measurement, the median smallest diameter was 2.5 mm (range, 1.5-6.5 mm). All 71 patients underwent successful PDA closure with the ODO. Angiography following the procedure showed complete closure in 47 patients (66.2%), mild residual shunt in 13 patients (18.3%) and a trivial shunt in 11 patients (15.5%). Color flow Doppler echocardiogpaphy at 24 h post-implantation showed that complete closure was achieved in 65 patients (91.5%), and 6 patients (8.5%) had mild residual shunt. All patients (100%) had complete closure at 30 days of follow-up. The results of this study showed that the Occlutech PDA occluder device is safe and effective in the closure of PDA. As the pulmonary artery side of the device is wider than the aortic side, protrusion toward the aortic side and embolization are prevented, but there is residual shunt in the early period, although this residual shunt disappeared after a few months.

Association of Subclinical Hypothyroidism with Dyslipidemia and Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children

OBJECTIVE

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level with free thyroxine (fT4) level in the normal range. There are very few studies in the literature reporting on the effect of SH on lipid metabolism and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in children.

METHODS

The study included 38 children diagnosed with SH and a control group comprising 38 healthy, euthyroid children. SH was diagnosed based on an elevated TSH level (4.2-20 mIU/L) and normal fT4 level measured in two morning fasting blood samples obtained at an interval of 2 to 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture in the morning after an overnight fast.

RESULTS

The patient group included 38 children (16 male, 22 female) with SH and the control group -38 healthy, euthyroid children (20 male, 18 female). Mean age was 8.1±3.6 (range, 3.5-15) years in the patient group and 8.9±2.4 (range, 4.5-15) years in the control group. In the patient group, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C/HDL-C were higher compared to the control group (p=0.049, p=0.014, p=0.002, and 0.003, respectively). In the patient group, CIMT was also significantly higher compared to the control group (p=0.001). The patient group was further divided into two subgroups based on their serum TSH level: (I) patients with mildly elevated TSH (TSH=4.2±10 mIU/L) (n=33) and (II) patients with high TSH (TSH≥10 mIU/L) (n=5). However, no significant difference was found between the patients with mild and severe SH with regard to TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride level and CIMT levels (p=0.635, p=0.424, p=0.310, p=0.342, and 0.610, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Subclinical hypothyroidism leads to increased dyslipidemia (increased TC and LDL) and increased CIMT, which leads to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to substantiate these findings in children with SH.

Evaluation of Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Imaging findings in children with pulmonary hypertension

Akın A, Alehan D, Aykan HH, Özkutlu S, Özer S, Karagöz T. Evaluation of Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Imaging findings in children with pulmonary hypertension. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 244-253. Tissue Doppler Imaging has become an important prognostic marker that can be used in follow-up and determination of the prognosis in pulmonary hypertension patients. We compared the Tissue Doppler imaging parameters of 34 patients with pulmonary hypertension and 43 healthy controls. In addition, Brain-Natriuretic Peptide levels, pulmonary artery systolic pressures measured with echocardiography, 6-minute walking tests and New York Heart Association functional classification were compared. Among patients with Eisenmenger syndrome and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, Tissue Doppler imaging parameters were mostly similar. In patients with New York Heart Association functional class 3, mitral septal annulus E/Ea (p=0.050) and mitral lateral annulus myocardial performance index (p=0.009) were higher than class 2 patients. In patients with higher Brain Natriuretic Peptide level, mitral lateral annulus and tricuspid septal annulus Ea/Aa values were lower (p=0.046 and < 0.001 respectively); tricuspid septal annulus E/Ea and interventricular septum myocardial performance index values were higher than in patients with normal Brain-Natriuretic Peptide level (p=0.006). In conclusion tissue Doppler imaging findings were significantly impaired in children with pulmonary hypertension compared to the control group. Findings were similar in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger syndrome. Mitral lateral annulus myocardial performance index value may have a prognostic importance due its significant association with poor functional class. Due to the significant associations between mitral lateral annulus, tricuspid septal annulus Ea/Aa, tricuspid septal annulus Ea and E/Aa, interventricular septum-myocardial performance index values and brain natriuretic peptide levels, these parameters may be used in evaluating response to therapy.

Microwave assisted synthesis and characterization of sodium alginate-graft-poly(N,N'-dimethylacrylamide)

Modification of sodium alginate (NaAlg) was carried out using N,N'-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) as a monomer and azobisizobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator under microwave irradiation. The effect of reaction conditions such as concentrations of DMAAm, AIBN, NaAlg as well as microwave power and temperature on grafting and grafting efficiency has been explored. Maximum grafting and grafting efficiency has been observed at 1h of grafting time, 0.291 M of DMAAm concentration, 500 W microwave irradiation power, 0.134 M of AIBN concentration, 75°C of reaction temperature and 0.5 g/dL of NaAlg concentration. The grafted copolymer has been characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, (13)C NMR, XRD, SEM, and GPC analysis. Cytotoxicity as standard MTT assay, apoptotic and necrotic effects of graft copolymer were investigated on L929 fibroblast cell. It has been found that the grafted copolymer is biocompatible and thermally more stable than the ungrafted alginate.

Is transesophageal electrophysiologic study valuable in children with successful radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular tachycardia on follow-up for recurrence?

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transesophageal electrophysiologic study (TEEPS) for the determination of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) recurrences in symptomatic and asymptomatic children after successful radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for SVT.

Methods:

A total of 66 patients who underwent TEEPS after successful RFA were included. The demographic features, symptoms of the patients, and the characteristics of the recurrences induced by TEEPS were evaluated. The arrhythmia types induced during RFA were compared with those induced by TEEPS in terms of the compatibility of the diagnosis.

Results:

Forty-two (63.6%) girls and 24 (36.4%) boys with a mean age of 11.8±3.4 years were followed-up for 44.1±15.7 months. The average time between RFA and TEEPS was 5.2±5.9 months. The diagnoses during RFA were atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in 47 of 66 patients, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) in 18 of 66 patients, and ectopic atrial tachycardia in 1 of 66 patients. SVT was induced by TEEPS in 2 of 25 symptomatic and 5 of 41 asymptomatic patients. The SVT inducibility rate was 5.5% (1/18) and 12.7% (6/47) in patients with AVRT and AVNRT, respectively. In addition, 85.7% (6/7) of all recurrences occurred within 3.5 months. The recurrences as AVNRT in 2 of 25 symptomatic patients occurred in the first month after RFA. AVNRT in 4 of 41 and AVRT in 1 of 41 asymptomatic patients were induced within 3.5 months and 15 months, respectively.

Conclusion:

TEEPS seems to be a valuable screening and diagnostic method for the determination of recurrence in symptomatic and asymptomatic children who underwent successful RFA.

Comparison of Transesophageal and Intracardiac Electrophysiologic Studies for the Diagnosis of Childhood Supraventricular Tachycardias

In this study, we aimed to compare the results of transesophageal electrophysiologic studies (TEEPS) and intracardiac electrophysiologic studies (IEPS) in a cohort of pediatric patients with SVTs. The medical records of children aged between 0 and 18 years who underwent TEEPS between January 2007 and June 2012 were systematically reviewed, and those without pre-excitation and who underwent subsequent IEPS were identified. Post-procedural diagnoses were compared for compatibility. A total of 162 patients were included in the study with a mean age at diagnosis 11.6 ± 3.6 years. Tachycardia was induced in 152 patients by TEEPS and in 154 patients by IEPS. Overall, in 147 patients, tachycardia was induced by both TEEPS and IEPS. Diagnoses were compatible in 135 out of 147 patients (91.8 %). Nine out of the 12 patients with discrepant results were diagnosed with atrioventricular-reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and three with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) after TEEPS. Following IEPS, TEEPS diagnosis of AVRT was revised to typical AVNRT in 5 patients and atypical AVNRT in 4 patients. Two of the 3 patients who were diagnosed as having AVNRT following TEEPS were confirmed to have atrial tachycardia after IEPS, while the other patient was diagnosed with AVRT. Tachycardia terminated spontaneously in 3 patients, while overdrive pacing was attempted to terminate the tachycardia in 149 patients, with a success rate of 93.2 % (139/149). The diagnostic compatibility between TEEPS and IEPS is quite high. A diagnostic discrepancy mostly occurs in patients diagnosed with AVRT by TEEPS, and the possibility of atypical AVNRT should be considered in patients with a VA ≥70 ms to avoid such discrepancies.

Delayed right-ventricular perforation by pacemaker lead; a rare complication in a 12-year-old girl

Developments in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases have led to an increase in the need for intracardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Various complications related to these interventions can be seen in the short term (pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, cardiac perforation, etc…) and in the long term (infection, subclavian vein thrombosis, sensing and pacing problems, battery erosion and cardiac perforation). In this report, we present a rare case of cardiac perforation occurring 2 years after pacemaker implantation.

Cardiac thrombus developing after an accidental high-voltage electric shock in a child

Electric shock is a condition that may affect various organ systems and potentially cause death. Cardiac findings vary from asymptomatic mild injury to fatal myocardial involvement. Herein we present a five-year-old boy with a cardiac thrombus developing after an accidental electrical shock. Cardiac arrhythmias and evidence of ischemia have been reported after electric shock; we were, however, unable to identify an earlier case report of intracardiac thrombosis related to electric shock. Findings such as elevated cardiac enzymes and systolic dysfunction, which indicate myocardial damage following electric shock, were present in our patient. We think that the cardiac thrombus might have resulted from the myocardial damage and the slowed intracardiac blood flow related to systolic dysfunction. As the thrombus was thought to have been formed through known mechanisms, it was treated traditionally. However, further data regarding the etiology and management of such thrombi is needed.

ST-segment elevation following lightning strike: case report and review of the literature

Lightning strikes may cause injury to the heart, ranging from slight electrocardiographic changes to fatal damage. As heart injury is the most important cause of mortality in these patients, cardiac monitoring is crucial. Even though various ECG changes have been reported, published data on pathologic ST-segment changes is scarce. Herein, we present a seven-year old patient with ST-segment elevation following a lightning strike. There is not sufficient data regarding lightning-related myocardial ischemia. However, because of the similar effects of lightning strikes and high-voltage electric shocks, we believe myocardial injury related to lightning may be managed in the same manner as is cardiac involvement associated with electric shock.

Interventional cardiac catheterization in infants weighing less than 2500 g

The aim of our study was to share our clinical experience regarding cases of interventional cardiac catheterization in low-weight infants. We retrospectively reviewed all interventional catheterizations performed in infants weighing 2500 g or less between March 2001 and October 2012. Twenty patients were included in the study. The procedures included balloon atrial septostomy in 8 patients, balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in 7 patients, balloon aortic valvuloplasty in 3 patients and balloon angioplasty for coarctation in 2 patients. The mean age at catheterization was 11.9 ± 9.6 days (range, 1 to 31 days) and the mean weight, 2038 ± 480 g (range, 1100 to 2500 g). The mean procedure time was 80.3 ± 32 minutes, and the mean fluoroscopy time was 17.5 ± 12 minutes. Only two patients had no benefit from the intervention. One patient died at day 4 after catheterization, due to sepsis. Complications occurred in 3 patients: one patient developed atrial flutter and respiratory arrest, one patient developed apnea episodes, and one patient developed anemia that required transfusion. In conclusion, although studies investigating complications related to invasive cardiac catheterization in infants weighing less than 2500 g have reported increased complication rates, such complications were less likely to result in permanent sequelae. We did not observe significant complications related to the procedure; therefore, we would like to suggest that invasive cardiac catheterization can appropriately be performed in low-weight infants.

NRG™ RF powered transseptal needle: a useful technique for transcatheter atrial septostomy and Fontan fenestration: report of three cases

Transseptal puncture (TSP) is a frequently performed procedure for gaining access to the left atrium for catheter ablation, hemodynamic assessment of the left heart, left ventricular assist device implantation, percutaneous left atrial appendage closure or mitral valvuloplasty during childhood and adulthood. The standard technique for transseptal puncture applies mechanical pressure on the fossa ovalis with a Brockenbrough needle. However, this method is not feasible when the fossa ovalis is thick and aneurysmatic. In such patients, the radiofrequency ablation energy systems can be offered as a better alternative for TSP. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the outcome of transseptal puncture performed with an NRG™ RF powered transseptal needle in three patients.

Antegrade balloon valvuloplasty for critical aortic stenosis in a premature neonate weighing 1100 g

Experiences with invasive cardiac catheterization in low birth weight infants are few. In our clinic, we performed balloon aortic valvuloplasty by antegrade approach in a neonate weighing 1100 g with critical aortic stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect. The right femoral vein was accessed with a 4 Fr sheath, and a catheter was placed into the left ventricle from the atrial septal defect along the guidewire for coronary catheter. The aortic valve was passed with guidewire, and the guidewire was placed into the right arteria carotis. After proper placement, the balloon was inflated at 6 atm using an indeflator device until indentation disappeared. After the procedure, the mean pressure gradient over the stenotic aortic valve was measured as 18 mmHg, mild-moderate aortic insufficiency was noticed, and left ventricle contraction was better. To the best of our knowledge, this is the lowest weight infant in the literature to undergo successful antegrade balloon aortic valvuloplasty.

Preferences of different tick species for human hosts in Turkey

The ticks removed from the patients who applied to the hospitals in Istanbul and neighboring cities, Turkey, with the complaint of tick bite were examined in this study, on account of their species, biological stages, attachment sites on the body, and the age of the affected patients. A total of 16,969 ticks were identified. Encountered species were as follows: 33.6 % Ixodes spp. immature, 25.3 % Hyalomma spp. immature, 24.3 % I. ricinus, 9.5 % Rhipicephalus sanguineus gr., 3.2 % R. bursa, 2.2 % Hyalomma marginatum, 1.96 % Haemaphysalis adults, 1.66 % Hyalomma aegyptium, 0.52 % Dermacentor marginatus, 0.39 % Rhipicephalus spp. nymphs, 0.12 % Dermacentor spp. nymphs, 0.11 % Haemaphysalis spp. nymphs, 0.09 % Hyalomma scupense, and 0.03 % Hyalomma excavatum. The distribution of attachment sites of the species and instars showed significant differences. Furthermore, age data of the patients also revealed that certain tick species were more common within certain age groups.