OBJECTIVE To analyze the importance of symptoms as a reason for referral to pediatric cardiologists in the diagnosis of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in the newborn (NB). METHODS Prospective study on live NB referred for cardiac evaluation, with performance of electrocardiogram, chest radiography and echocardiography. Cardiology consultation was requested by means of a multiple-choice form ...

BACKGROUND The cardiologist is regularly consulted preoperatively by anaesthesiologists. However, insights into the efficiency and usefulness of these consultations are unclear. METHODS This is a retrospective study of 24,174 preoperatively screened patients ≥18 years scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery, which resulted in 273 (1%) referrals to the cardiologist for further preoperative ...

To examine the changes in birth cohort prevalence rates and severity of congenital heart disease, we studied children with congenital heart disease born to blacks, whites, and Mexican-Americans in Dallas County from 1971 through 1984. Diagnoses were made by pediatric cardiologists' clinical evaluations, echocardiography, catheterization, surgery, or autopsy. During this study period, 2,509 of 3...

The clinical presentation of acute myocarditis in children may range from asymptomatic to sudden cardiac arrest. This study analyzed the clinical spectrum of acute myocarditis in children to identify factors that could aid primary care physicians to predict the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) earlier and consult the pediatric cardiologist promptly. Between October 2011 and S...

Achieving pediatric cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) without allogeneic blood transfusion is challenging. There are many clinical and economic factors that point to the importance of avoiding blood transfusions. In some instances, honoring patients or parents beliefs may be the reason for avoiding blood transfusions. For example, patients or parents of the Jehovah's Witness fa...

Supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) are observed in 0,1-0,4% of the paediatric population and represent an important clinical problem with related significant health and social issues. Most tachycardias are paroxysmal, being associated with sudden onset and termination, and only a relatively small number of them is permanent, namely chronic. Paroxysmal tachycardias, in addition, can be either ...

To examine the changes in birth cohort prevalence rates and severity of congenital heart disease, we studied children with congenital heart disease born to blacks, whites, and Mexican-Americans in Dallas County from 1971 through 1984. Diagnoses were made by pediatric cardiologists' clinical evaluations, echocardiography, catheterization, surgery, or autopsy. During this study period, 2,509 of 3...

On November 15, 2011, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) released the report of its Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. The evidence was reviewed and graded in the full document ( 400 pages), and recommendations were made on a broad range of relevant topics. The most controversial aspect of this report by far seems to be the guidelines for...