Ventricular septal morphology and cardiac development Anderson et al. convened international experts to propose a unified morphofunctional classification of ventricular septal defects, with emphasis on embryological features and ventriculoarterial connections. The authors critically examine the nomenclature currently in use and suggest that defect descriptions should encompass both their anatomical location and the borders involved. This approach integrates principles of cardiac development and allows, for example, differentiation between perimembranous defects in hearts with double outlet right ventricle and those with concordant […]

Introduction The interruption of the aortic arch is a rare congenital cardiopathy, whose surgical correction generally requires reconstruction of the aortic arch. This intervention can cause distortion of the aortopulmonary space and results in bronchial compression with a consequent pulmonary atelectasis and dependence on ventilatory assistance. The most commonly used therapeutic options for bronchial decompression are not always enough to make pulmonary expansion possible. Our study presents a case of the implant of an endoluminal stent in an infant who, […]

Introduction Mitral regurgitation (MR) can be a result of abnormalities in different locations of the valve apparatus (cusps, annulus, tendinous cords and papillary muscles), being of acquired or congenital etiology. MR can be classified as primary, when resulting from a deformity in the valve structure, or secondary, when related to another heart or systemic disease. In our field, the main cause of MR in students and adolescents is the acquired one. Rheumatic fever (RF) is among the causes, as well […]

What is the importance of cardiovascular assessments in pediatric patients with cancer? Pediatric oncology has greatly progressed in recent decades due to the development of more effective treatment protocols; in fact, 5-year disease-free survival rates now exceed 80%. However, despite improved survival rates, the cardiovascular risks arising from these therapies are 5- to 6-fold greater in long-term surviving oncology patients than the general pediatric population., Thus, cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke, are the major cause […]

Abstract Cardiac tumors (CTs) in children are very rare, but their diagnosis is crucial for patient management. Echocardiography is the most commonly used cardiovascular imaging modality in clinical practice for the initial diagnosis of CTs in pediatric patients. Knowing the echocardiographic characteristics of CTs can enable an increasingly early diagnosis and the identification of its most likely etiology. Primary and benign CTs are the most frequent types in the pediatric population. Among benign CTs, the most frequent in fetuses and […]

Abstract Background Non-compacted cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is characterized by hypertrabeculations and deep recesses in the left ventricle, with a heterogeneous clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic patients to those with heart failure (HF), thromboembolic events and arrhythmias with risk of sudden death. As it is rare and does not have well-defined diagnostic criteria, its natural history in pediatrics is poorly understood. This study describes the clinical presentation and clinical course of patients with NCCM. Methodology Observational, longitudinal, prospective study of pediatric patients […]

Abstract Hypertensive Pulmonary Disease (HPD) can be defined as a set of pathophysiological pulmonary disorders that result in severe, progressive disease with high morbidity and mortality. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is an easily accessible and essential imaging method for the evaluation of this disease, especially in children, where there are limitations to frequent and routine right-heart catheterization. In this review, we address the main echocardiographic techniques for the diagnosis and hemodynamic evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in the pediatric population. Early diagnosis […]

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Summary Background Echocardiography is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate cardiac anomalies and clarify doubts about the benign nature of certain findings of cardiovascular clinical examination. Objectives To identify the main reasons for the request of echocardiography by pediatrician and evaluate the degree of anxiety of the family generated by this conduct. Methods We included patients younger than 18 years without previous diagnosis of heart disease and referred for the first echocardiogram. Family members responsible for the patients answered a […]