Childhood familial pheochromocytoma was investigated in four patients by abdominal computed tomographic scan, [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine scan, and vena caval catecholamine sampling. Results conflicted with surgical findings. Computed tomographic scan identified all four adrenal tumors but missed two midline tumors in one patient. [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine scan identified two of three adr...

Purpose To validate caval subtraction two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measurements of total liver blood flow (TLBF) and hepatic arterial fraction in an animal model and evaluate consistency and reproducibility in humans. Materials and Methods Approval from the institutional ethical committee for animal care and research ethics was obtained. Fifteen Sprague-Da...

OBJECTIVES Assess the benefit of temporary caval stenting for remote venous drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS Temporary caval stenting was realized in bovine experiments (65+/-6 kg) by the means of self-expanding (18F for insertion, 36F in situ) venous cannulas (Smartcanula LLC, Lausanne, Switzerland) with various lengths: 43 cm, 53 cm, 63 cm vs. a standard 28F wire armed ...

BACKGROUND The total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) design continues to be refined on the basis of flow analysis at the connection site. These refinements are of importance for myocardial energy conservation in the univentricular supported circulation. In vivo magnetic resonance phase contrast imaging provides semiquantitative flow visualization information. The purpose of this study was to un...

RATIONALE The Slit-Roundabout (Robo) signaling pathway has pleiotropic functions during Drosophila heart development. However, its role in mammalian heart development is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To analyze the role of Slit-Robo signaling in the formation of the pericardium and the systemic venous return in the murine heart. METHODS AND RESULTS Expression of genes encoding Robo1 and Robo2 ...

OBJECTIVE To determine the anatomical variability of the oval fossa in cases of atrial septal defect and to find out which factors might make such defects suitable or unsuitable for closure by umbrella or clamshell devices. DESIGN 100 specimens with defects of the atrial septum within the oval fossa were studied, especially the position of the defects within the fossa; the area of the defect ...

Operative retrieval of two proximally migrated vena caval filters was performed in two patients, ages 42 and 45 years, respectively. In the first patient the filter was encrusted in the right ventricle, and in the second one the filter was found in the pulmonary artery. Both filters were retrieved under cardiopulmonary bypass via an incision in the right atrium and the pulmonary artery, respect...

Superior vena caval obstruction is a rare complication of transvenous endocardial pacing and is usually the result of thrombus formation round the pacing electrode (Kosowsky and Barr, 1972). We report a case of superior vena caval obstruction without thrombus formation secondary to localised stenosis at the site of the proximal cut end of a retracted endocardial electrode. This complication of ...

A 56-year-old male patient was admitted for catheter ablation of highly symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. During the procedure, a rare anatomic variation with an interrupted inferior caval vein (ICV) branching suprarenal into an azygos venous continuation draining into the superior caval vein was detected. Using angiography, a continuation of the ICV leading into the liver, subdividin...

A 7-year-old boy developed increasing cyanosis after a total cavopulmonary connection with a 3 mm fenestration in the baffle. Catheterisation performed 4 years and 7 months after the operation showed reopening of a left superior caval vein draining into the pulmonary venous atrium. Due to the large size of the left superior caval vein, and the absence of intrinsic stenosis, we chose to use an A...