Parents of children with CHD face several barriers when trying to access the services needed to support their child’s development. In fact, current developmental follow-up practices may not identify developmental challenges in a timely manner and important opportunities for interventions may be lost. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of parents of children and adolescents with CHD with respect to developmental follow-up in Canada.

Interpretive description was used as a methodological approach for this qualitative study. Parents of children aged 5–15 years with complex CHD were eligible. Semi-structured interviews that aimed to explore their perspectives regarding their child’s developmental follow-up were conducted.

Fifteen parents of children with CHD were recruited for this study. They expressed that the lack of systematic and responsive developmental follow-up services and limited access to resources to support their child’s development placed an undue burden on their families, and as a result, they needed to assume new roles as case managers or advocates to address these limitations. This additional burden resulted in a high level of parental stress, which, in turn, affected the parent–child relationship and siblings.

The limitations of the current Canadian developmental follow-up practices put undue pressure on the parents of children with complex CHD. The parents stressed the importance of implementing a universal and systematic approach to developmental follow-up to allow for the timely identification of challenges, enabling the initiation of interventions and supports and promoting more positive parent–child relationships.

The use of peritoneal catheters for prophylactic dialysis or drainage to prevent fluid overload after neonatal cardiac surgery is common in some centres; however, the multi-centre variability and details of peritoneal catheter use are not well described.

Twenty-two-centre NEonatal and Pediatric Heart Renal Outcomes Network (NEPHRON) study to describe multi-centre peritoneal catheter use after STAT category 3–5 neonatal cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Patient characteristics and acute kidney injury/fluid outcomes for six post-operative days are described among three cohorts: peritoneal catheter with dialysis, peritoneal catheter with passive drainage, and no peritoneal catheter.

Of 1490 neonates, 471 (32%) had an intraoperative peritoneal catheter placed; 177 (12%) received prophylactic dialysis and 294 (20%) received passive drainage. Sixteen (73%) centres used peritoneal catheter at some frequency, including six centres in >50% of neonates. Four centres utilised prophylactic peritoneal dialysis. Time to post-operative dialysis initiation was 3 hours [1, 5] with the duration of 56 hours [37, 90]; passive drainage cohort drained for 92 hours [64, 163]. Peritoneal catheter were more common among patients receiving pre-operative mechanical ventilation, single ventricle physiology, and higher complexity surgery. There was no association with adverse events. Serum creatinine and daily fluid balance were not clinically different on any post-operative day. Mortality was similar.

In neonates undergoing complex cardiac surgery, peritoneal catheter use is not rare, with substantial variability among centres. Peritoneal catheters are used more commonly with higher surgical complexity. Adverse event rates, including mortality, are not different with peritoneal catheter use. Fluid overload and creatinine-based acute kidney injury rates are not different in peritoneal catheter cohorts.

Chronic total coronary occlusion is among the most complex coronary artery diseases. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for coronary artery diseases. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion.

1295 individuals from Southwest China were enrolled in the study. Chronic total coronary occlusion was defined as complete occlusion of coronary artery for more than three months. Homocysteine was divided into quartiles according to its level. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, receiver operating characteristic curves, and subgroup analysis were applied to assess the relationship between homocysteine and chronic total coronary occlusion.

Subjects in the higher homocysteine quartile had a higher rate of chronic total coronary occlusion (P < 0.001). After adjustment, the odds ratio for chronic total coronary occlusion in the highest quartile of homocysteine compared with the lowest was 1.918 (95% confidence interval 1.237–2.972). Homocysteine ≥ 15.2 μmol/L was considered an independent indicator of chronic total coronary occlusion (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.05–2.23; P = 0.0265). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.659 (95% confidence interval, 0.618–0.701; P < 0.001). Stronger associations were observed in elderly and in those with hypertension and diabetes.

Elevated homocysteine is significantly associated with chronic total coronary occlusion, particularly in elderly and those with hypertension and diabetes.

To analyse surgical outcomes of pulmonary artery coarctation in univentricular hearts, focusing on surgical indications and optimal timing.

We retrospectively reviewed 49 patients with pulmonary artery coarctation in univentricular hearts treated at our institution between 1993 and 2022. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed before first-stage palliation. Of these, 14 underwent systemic-pulmonary shunt only as first-stage palliation (Group 1), and 14 underwent systemic-pulmonary shunt plus surgical pulmonary artery plasty as first-stage palliation (Group 2). Twenty-one patients diagnosed after first-stage palliation underwent surgical pulmonary artery plasty at the time of bidirectional Glenn procedure (Group 3).

Follow-up period after initial palliation was 6±8 years. The Fontan procedure was successful in 35 patients (71%) aged 28±26 months (range 18–139). Freedom from interstage death (Group 1, 53%; Group 2, 85%; Group 3, 93%) and interstage reintervention (Group 1, 50%; Group 2, 75%; Group 3, 73%) rates were significantly lower in Group 1 (p = 0.01). Five and four patients in Group 1 and Group 3, respectively, needed additional shunts before the bidirectional Glenn procedure. In Group 1, one patient with a non-confluent pulmonary artery achieved hemi-lung Fontan circulation. In Group 2, one patient suffering with a non-confluent pulmonary artery could not achieve Fontan circulation, whereas another patient with pulmonary venous obstruction achieved hemi-lung Fontan circulation.

Surgical pulmonary artery plasty performed at first-stage palliation improved outcomes of pulmonary artery coarctation in univentricular hearts, particularly when pulmonary artery coarctation had already progressed during the neonatal period or early infancy.

Childhood obesity tends to persist into adulthood and associated with increase in developing ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on cardiac functions, atrial electromechanical coupling, and heart rate response, which are considered to be predictors of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest.

Study population included 52 obese children and 52 healthy controls. We performed 12-lead electrocardiography, echocardiographic examination, and treadmill exercise testing. Mitral, septal, and tricuspid segments were analysed by tissue Doppler imaging.

Myocardial performance index (p = 0.011, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively) was higher and E'/A' ratio (p = 0.011, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) was lower in obese group than controls. Atrial electromechanical coupling was longer in the obese group at all three segments (p < 0.001, p = 0.009, and p = 0.04, respectively). They had significantly longer interatrial (p < 0.001) and intra-atrial (p = 0.003) electromechanical conduction delay. While chronotropic index was similar between two groups, heart rate reserve was lower in obese children than controls (p = 0.043). The 1st- and 2nd-minute heart rate recovery indices of the obese group were lower compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Body mass index was positively correlated with intra- and inter-atrial conduction times, whereas it was negatively correlated with heart rate recovery indices.

We showed a deterioration in the diastolic function, atrial conduction, and heart rate response properties in children with obesity. Given the prognostic importance of these parameters, obese patients are might be at risk for atrial fibrillation and severe dysrhythmias from a young age.

Understanding parents’ communication preferences and how parental and child characteristics impact satisfaction with communication is vital to mitigate communication challenges in the cardiac ICU.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2019 to March 2020 in a paediatric cardiac ICU with parents of patients admitted for at least two weeks. Family satisfaction with communication with the medical team was measured using the Communication Assessment Tool for Team settings. Clinical characteristics were collected via Epic, Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium local entry and Society for Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Databases. Associations between communication score and parental mood, stress, perceptions of clinical care, and demographic characteristics along with patient demographic and clinical characteristics were examined. Multivariable ordinal models were conducted with characteristics significant in bivariate analysis.

In total, 93 parents of 84 patients (86% of approached) completed surveys. Parents were 63% female and 70% White. Seventy per cent of patients were <6 months old at admission, 25% had an extracardiac abnormality, and 80% had a cardiac surgery this admission. Parents of children with higher pre-surgical risk of mortality scores (OR 2.875; 95%CI 1.076–7.678), presence of surgical complications (72 [63.0, 75.0] vs. 64 [95%CI 54.6, 73] (p = 0.0247)), and greater satisfaction with care in the ICU (r = 0.93922; p < 0.0001) had significantly higher communication scores.

These findings can prepare providers for scenarios with higher risk for communication challenges and demonstrate the need for further investigation into interventions that reduce parental anxiety and improve communication for patients with unexpected clinical trajectories

Early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome is more and more important because of its mortality and morbidity. Hypertension is one of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome, which often leads to stenosis and ischaemia. Ischaemia-modified albumin is sensitive for the occurrence of ischaemia, which attracted us in the significance of ischaemia-modified albumin in patients with chest pain, especially patients complicated with hypertension.

In total, 200 patients with acute chest pain were included in the study. According to the diagnostic criteria, patients were divided into acute coronary syndrome group and non-ischaemic chest pain group. Cardiac biomarkers were measured with 30 minutes in emergency department, including cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase MB, and ischaemia-modified albumin. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used for the sensitivity and specificity of ischaemia-modified albumin in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Comparisons between ischaemia-modified albumin and cardiac Troponin T were done between groups.

The demographics in two groups were not significantly different in most aspects. Compared with non-ischaemic chest pain group, serum levels of ischaemia-modified albumin and cardiac Troponin T were significantly higher in acute coronary syndrome group. ROC analysis showed that ischaemia-modified albumin had a good sensitivity and specificity in early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. The level of ischaemia-modified albumin in acute coronary syndrome patients with hypertension was higher than that in non-ischaemic chest pain patients.

In patients complained with acute chest pain, the serum measurement of ischaemia-modified albumin is potential valuable for the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, especially combined with ECG. The serum level of ischaemia-modified albumin in acute coronary syndrome patients is significantly associated with hypertension.

Family-centred rounds benefit families and clinicians and improve outcomes in general paediatrics, but are understudied in subspecialty settings. We sought to improve family presence and participation in rounds in a paediatric acute care cardiology unit.

We created operational definitions for family presence, our process measure, and participation, our outcome measure, and gathered baseline data over 4 months of 2021. Our SMART aim was to increase mean family presence from 43 to 75% and mean family participation from 81 to 90% by 30 May, 2022. We tested interventions with iterative plan-do-study-act cycles between 6 January, 2022 and 20 May, 2022, including provider education, calling families not at bedside, and adjustment to rounding presentations. We visualised change over time relative to interventions with statistical control charts. We conducted a high census days subanalysis. Length of stay and time of transfer from the ICU served as balancing measures.

Mean presence increased from 43 to 83%, demonstrating special cause variation twice. Mean participation increased from 81 to 96%, demonstrating special cause variation once. Mean presence and participation were lower during high census (61 and 93% at project end) but improved with special cause variation. Length of stay and time of transfer remained stable.

Through our interventions, family presence and participation in rounds improved without apparent unintended consequences. Family presence and participation may improve family and staff experience and outcomes; future research is warranted to evaluate this. Development of high level of reliability interventions may further improve family presence and participation, particularly on high census days.

Patients with complete atrioventricular canal have a variable clinical course prior to repair. Many patients balance their circulations well prior to elective repair. Others manifest clinically significant pulmonary over circulation early in life and require either palliative pulmonary artery banding or complete repair. The objective of this study was to assess anatomic features that impact the clinical course of patients.

In total, 222 patients underwent complete atrioventricular canal repair between 2012 and 2022 at a single institution. Twenty-seven (12%) patients underwent either pulmonary artery banding (n = 15) or complete repair (n = 12) at less than 3 months of age (Group 1). The remaining 195 (88%) underwent repair after 3 months of age (Group 2). Patient records and imaging were reviewed.

The median post-operative length of stay following complete repair was 25 [7,46] days for those patients in Group 1 and 7 [5,12] days for those in Group 2 (p < 0.0001). There was relative hypoplasia of left-sided structures in Group 1 versus Group 2. Mean z-score for the ascending aorta was −1.2 (±0.8) versus −0.3 (±0.9) (p < 0.0001), the aortic isthmus was −2.1 (±0.8) versus −1.4 (±0.8) (p = 0.005). The pulmonary valve to aortic valve diameter ratio was median 1.47 [1.38,1.71] versus 1.38 [1.17,1.53] (p 0.008).

Echocardiographic evaluation of the systemic and pulmonary outflow of patients with complete atrioventricular canal may assist in predicting the clinical course and need for early repair vs pulmonary artery banding.

Paediatric cardiologists and nurse practitioners lack structured education tools focused on basic cardiac surgery principles. However, non-surgical specialties caring for surgical patients require this knowledge for comprehensive clinical care. We created a cardiac surgical educational curriculum focused on improving knowledge and attitudes towards communication for non-surgical trainees and advanced practice providers.

Over one academic year, six paediatric cardiology fellows and seven paediatric cardiac surgery nurse practitioners at Seattle Children’s Hospital participated in this study. With surgical supervision, six lectures were prepared by each fellow and delivered monthly. Sessions were hybrid and recorded for later viewing. Pre- and post-intervention survey of attitudes regarding surgical topics and pre- and post- test-based knowledge assessments were administered.

Participants positively rated the usefulness of the lecture series (4.2/5) and would recommend it to a colleague (4.5/5). Self-reported confidence discussing surgical concepts with patients increased from 2.3 to 3.4 among paediatric cardiology fellows (p < 0.001) and from 2.8 to 3.9 among nurse practitioners (p < 0.001), out of 5. In both groups, knowledge assessment scores improved from 54 to 79% post-intervention (p < 0.001).

After a six-part educational series taught by paediatric cardiology fellows, both paediatric cardiology fellows and paediatric cardiac surgery nurse practitioners demonstrated improved knowledge and reported increased comfort counselling families on basic cardiac surgery topics. Structured, active-learning lessons taught by fellows for non-surgical audiences can improve attitudes and build clinically relevant knowledge. Creating an effective level-appropriate multidisciplinary curriculum accessible to various types of medical providers could enhance comprehensive care of complex congenital cardiac surgery patients.

Prenatal diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve is challenging. Bicuspid aortic valve is often associated with aortic dilation.

Fetuses with postnatally confirmed bicuspid aortic valve were gestational age-matched with normal controls. Complex lesions were excluded. Aortic valve and arch measurements by two blinded investigators were compared.

We identified 27 cases and 27 controls. Estimated fetal weight percentile was lower in cases than controls. Seven cases had one or more significant lesions including perimembranous ventricular septal defects (n = 2), isolated annular hypoplasia (n = 2), and/or arch hypoplasia/coarctation (n = 4). Fetuses with bicuspid aortic valves had significantly smaller median z-scores of the aortic annulus (–1.60 versus –0.53, p < 0.001) and root (–1.10 versus –0.53, p = 0.040), and larger ratios of root to annulus (1.32 versus 1.21, p < 0.001), sinotubular junction to annulus (1.07 versus 0.99, p < 0.001), ascending aorta to annulus (1.29 versus 1.18, p < 0.001), and transverse aorta to annulus (1.04 versus 0.96, p = 0.023). Leaflets were “doming” in 11 cases (41%) and 0 controls (p = 0.010), “thickened” in 10 cases (37%) and 0 controls (p = 0.002). We noted similar findings in the subgroup without significant additional cardiac defects.

The appearance of doming or thickened aortic valve leaflets on fetal echocardiogram is associated with bicuspid aortic valve. Compared to controls, fetuses with bicuspid aortic valve had smaller aortic annulus sizes (possibly related to smaller fetal size) without proportionally smaller aortic measurements, resulting in larger aortic dimension to annulus ratios. Despite inherent challenges of diagnosing bicuspid aortic valve prenatally, these findings may increase suspicion and prompt appropriate postnatal follow-up.

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations and surveillance of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and to determine the correlation of echocardiographic findings with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Forty-four children diagnosed as MIS-C with cardiac involvement were enrolled in this observational descriptive study. The diagnosis of MIS-C was made according to the criteria of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical findings, laboratory parameters, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up were evaluated. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed on 28 (64%) cases. The 1-year follow-up imaging was performed in all cases with abnormal initial cardiac magnetic resonance findings.

Forty-four patients (56.8% male) with a mean age of 8.5 ± 4.8 years were enrolled in this study. There was a significant positive correlation between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (mean: 162 ± 444.4 pg/ml) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (mean: 10,054 ± 11,604 pg/ml) (p < 0.01). Number of cases with an electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormality was 34 (77%) and 31 (70%), respectively. Twelve cases (45%) had left ventricular systolic dysfunction and 14 (32%) cases had pericardial effusion on admission. Three cases (11%) had cardiac magnetic resonance findings that may be attributed to the presence of myocardial inflammation, and pericardial effusion was present in seven (25%) cases. Follow-up cardiac magnetic resonances of all cases were normal. Cardiac abnormalities were completely resolved in all except two cases.

Myocardial involvement can be seen during acute disease, but MIS-C generally does not lead to prominent damage during a year of surveillance. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a valuable tool to evaluate the degree of myocardial involvement in cases with MIS-C.

Hypertension acquired in paediatric critical patients is a recognised challenge, with variable reported frequency. Pain, agitation, and/or medications such as beta stimulants and corticosteroids are well-known risk factors. Sympathomimetics in septic patients can cause high blood pressure, especially with unobserved haemodynamic monitors. Beyond haemodynamic factors, several endocrinal-metabolic factors – including catecholamines, insulin, renin, angiotensin, the aldosterone system, and sodium consumption – may contribute to the left ventricular growth. It is well known that the sympathetic tone has a trophic effect on the heart muscle.

A prospective cohort study was conducted during the year 2021. The children were divided into two groups: those who were critically ill with paediatric intensive care unit-acquired hypertension (n = 59) and those without paediatric intensive care unit-acquired hypertension (n = 62). We used the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2017 definition of hypertension to diagnose paediatric intensive care unit-acquired hypertension. Measurement of cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance was performed by cardiometry. Left ventricular myocardial performance and left ventricular mass index were measured by bedside echocardiography at the onset of hypertension diagnosis.

Critically ill children with acquired hypertension had a higher cardiac index (p = 0.0001), systemic vascular resistance index (<0.0001), myocardial performance (0.037), and left ventricular mass index (0.009). The longer duration of stay observed in the hypertension group had no observable effect on mortality (<0.0001).

Both myocardial performance and left ventricle mass index increased in critically ill children with paediatric intensive care unit-acquired hypertension.

In neonatal vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation, vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation echocardiography remains the mainstay for early detection and explains various haemodynamic changes occurring due to a large systemic arterio-venous shunt. However, there is limited evidence of echocardiography in risk stratifying neonatal vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation. The objective of this study was to identify echocardiographic parameters that could be associated with major outcomes and guide timing of neuro-intervention.

In this retrospective chart review, infants < 28 days of age with the diagnosis of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation were included. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic parameters were compared in neonates who survived or died with neonatal presentation. A risk algorithm model based on key echocardiographic parameters was developed to determine those who are at risk of early death.

Of the 19 neonates included, with median birth weight 3.1 kg (IQR 2.58–3.36), nine (47%) neonates died at median age of 5 days (IQR 4–17). All neonates showed retrograde diastolic flow at the level of descending aorta by colour Doppler on the first post-natal echocardiogram at median age of 2 days (IQR 1–5.5). An aortic antegrade-to-retrograde velocity time integral ratio of < 1.5 and supra-systemic pulmonary artery pressure had 100% positive predictive value of death (p = 0.029), whereas aortic antegrade-to-retrograde velocity time integral ratio of > 1.5 and sub-systemic pulmonary artery pressure had 100% positive predictive value of survival (p = 0.029).

Combination of aorta antegrade-to-retrograde velocity time integral ratio and degree of pulmonary hypertension on the first post-natal echocardiogram may help stratify the severity of disease and guide optimal timing for neuro-intervention for neonatal vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation.

Brady-arrhythmia requiring pacemaker implantation remains one of the Fontan-specific complications before and after total cavopulmonary connection.

A retrospective analysis of 620 patients who underwent total cavopulmonary connection between 1994 and 2021 was performed to evaluate the incidence of brady-arrhythmia and the outcomes after pacemaker implantation. Factors associated with the onset of brady-arrhythmia were identified.

A total of 52 patients presented with brady-arrhythmia and required pacemaker implantation. Diagnosis included 16 sinus node dysfunctions, 29 atrioventricular blocks, and 7 junctional escape rhythms. Pacemaker implantation was performed before total cavopulmonary connection (n = 16), concomitant with total cavopulmonary connection (n = 8), or after total cavopulmonary connection (n = 28, median 1.8 years post-operatively). Freedom from pacemaker implantation following total cavopulmonary connection at 10 years was 92%. Twelve patients needed revision of electrodes due to lead dysfunction (n = 9), infections (n = 2), or dislocation (n = 1). Lead energy thresholds were stable, and freedom from pacemaker lead revision at 10 years after total cavopulmonary connection was 78%. Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (odds ratio: 6.6, confidence interval: 2.0–21.5, p = 0.002) was identified as a factor associated with pacemaker implantation before total cavopulmonary connection. Pacemaker rhythms for Fontan circulation were not a risk factor for survival (p = 0.226), protein-losing enteropathy/plastic bronchitis (p = 0.973), or thromboembolic complications (p = 0.424).

In our cohort of patients following total cavopulmonary connection, freedom from pacemaker implantation at 10 years was 92% and stable atrial and ventricular lead energy thresholds were observed. Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries was at increased risk for pacemaker implantation before total cavopulmonary connection. Having a pacemaker in the Fontan circulation had no adverse effect on survival, protein-losing enteropathy/plastic bronchitis, or thromboembolic complications.

Metabolic syndrome leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases is a chronic multifactorial syndrome, associated with low-grade inflammation status. In our study, we aimed at assessing the serum levels of follistatin (FST), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in adolescent patients with metabolic syndrome.

This study was performed in 43 (19 males, 24 females) metabolic syndrome adolescents and 37 lean controls matched for age and sex. The serum levels of FST, PECAM-1, and PAPP-A were measured by using ELISA method.

Serum FST and PAPP-A levels in metabolic syndrome were significantly higher than those of controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in serum PECAM-1 levels between metabolic syndrome and control groups (p = 0.927). There was a significant positive correlation between serum FST and triglyceride (r = 0.252; p < 0.05), and PAPP-A and weight, (r = 0.252; p < 0.05) in metabolic syndrome groups. Follistatin was determined statistically significant in both univariate (p = 0,008) and multivariate (p = 0,011) logistic regression analysis.

Our findings indicated a significant relationship between FST and PAPP-A levels and metabolic syndrome. These findings offer the possibility of using these markers in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in adolescents as the prevention of the future complications.

Pericardial tamponade, which increases postoperative mortality and morbidity, is still not uncommon after paediatric cardiac surgery. We considered that posterior pericardiotomy may be a useful and safe technique in order to reduce the incidence of early and late pericardial tamponade. Herein, we present our experience with creation of posterior pericardial window following congenital cardiac surgical procedures.

This retrospective study evaluated 229 patients who underwent paediatric cardiac surgical procedures between June 2021 and January 2023. A posterior pericardial window was created in all of the patients. In neonates and infants, pericardial window was performed at a size of 2x2 cm, whereas a 3x3 cm connection was established in elder children and young adults. A curved chest tube was placed and positioned at the posterolateral pericardiophrenic sinus. An additional straight anterior mediastinal chest tube was also inserted in every patient. Transthoracic echocardiographic evaluations were performed daily to assess postoperative pericardial effusion.

A total of 229 (135 male, 94 female) patients were operated. Mean age and body weight were 24.2 ± 26.7 months and 10.2 ± 6.7 kg, respectively. Eight (3.5%) of the patients were neonates where 109 (47.6%) were infants and 112 (48.9%) were in childhood. Fifty-two (22.7%) re-do operations were performed. Six (2.6%) patients underwent postoperative surgical re-exploration due to surgical site bleeding. Any early or late pericardial tamponade was not encountered in the study group.

Posterior pericardial window is an effective and safe technique in order to prevent both the early and late pericardial tamponade after congenital cardiac surgery.

There is little known about the spectrum of cardiac injury in acute COVID-19 infection in children.

A single-centre, retrospective chart analysis was performed. The protocol was deemed IRB exempt. All patients under the age of 21 years admitted from 20 March, 2020 to 22 June, 2021 for acute symptomatic COVID-19 infection or clinical suspicion of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19 were included. Past medical history, lab findings, echocardiogram and electrocardiogram/telemetry findings, and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Sixty-six patients with MIS-C and 178 with acute COVID-19 were reviewed. Patients with MIS-C had more cardiac testing than those with acute COVID-19. Inflammatory markers were more likely elevated, and function was more likely abnormal on echocardiogram in those with MIS-C with testing performed. Among patients with MIS-C, 17% had evidence of coronary dilation versus 0% in the acute COVID-19 group. One (0.6%) patient with acute COVID-19 had clinically significant electrocardiogram or telemetry findings, and this was in the setting of prior arrhythmias and CHD. Four (6%) patients with MIS-C had clinically significant findings on electrocardiogram or telemetry. Among patients with acute COVID-19, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was required in 0.6% of patients with acute COVID-19, and there was a 2.8% mortality. There were no deaths in the setting of MIS-C.

Patients with acute COVID-19 and clinical suspicion of cardiac injury had a lower incidence of abnormal laboratory findings, ventricular dysfunction, or significant arrhythmia than those with MIS-C.