To determine normal values for Doppler parameters of left ventricular function, ascending aortic blood flow velocity was measured by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography in 63 healthy children with body surface area (BSA) <1 m(2) (age <10 yr). Peak velocity was independent of sex, but increased with body size. Mean acceleration was related to peak velocity (r=0.75, p<0.0001). Both stroke distance and ejection time had strong negative correlations with heart rate and positive correlations with BSA, suggesting that these parameters should be evaluated in relation to heart rate and body size. Mean intra- and interobserver variability for peak velocity, ejection time, stroke and minute distance ranged from 3 to 7%, whereas variability for acceleration time was 9 to 13%. These data may be used as reference values for the assessment of hemodynamic states in young children with cardiac disease.
Age Factors ; Aorta/*physiology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Body Constitution ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Doppler/*standards/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Human ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Observer Variation ; Reference Values ; Stroke Volume

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) may be used to differentiate acute Kawasaki disease(KD) from other clinically similar diseases. METHODS: Using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in the acute phase within 10 days after the onset of KD(n=58) and in the convalescent phase, 60 to 81 days after the onset(n=51), and also in patients with acute febrile disease as a control(n=34). Echocardiography was performed to detect pericardial effusion(PE) and coronary artery lesions(CAL), and to measure the left ventricular dimension at diastole(LVIDd) and ejection fraction(LVEF). The cutoff value of NT-proBNP for separating KD from other diseases was determined. RESULTS: NT-proBNP concentration in the acute phases of KD was significantly higher than that in the control group(1,501.6+/-2,132.6 vs. 139.0+/-88.8 pg/mL, P<0.0001). In KD patients, NT-proBNP was elevated in the acute phase and was lowered in the convalescent phase(1,466.0+/-2,173.2 vs. 117.5+/-95.5 pg/mL, P<0.0001). The cutoff value of 260 pg/mL discriminated KD patients from other patients, with a sensitivity of 93 percent and a specificity of 88 percent. The NT-proBNP was higher in patients with PE(n=17) compared with those without PE(n=41)(1,784.2+/-1,903.1 vs. 1,384.4+/-2,232.6 pg/mL, P=0.52). Comparison of NT-proBNP could not be done between patients with CAL and those without, owing to a small number of patients with CAL(n=3). There was no correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF index(r=0.104, P=0.46) or LVIDd index(r=0.171, P=0.22). CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP increases in the acute phase of KD and decreases to within normal range in the convalescent phase. NT-proBNP >260 pg/mL may be highly suggestive of acute KD. NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool for KD.
Coronary Vessels ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Mass Screening* ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Truncus Arteriosus*

PURPOSE: Percutaneous closure with occluding coils has been recently described as a method of nonsurgical treatment of the small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The snare-assisted technique or detachable coil has been newly developed, improving coil delivery and eliminating the incidence of coil embolization. This method is also applicable to residual PDA following surgical ligation or device implantation. The study purpose is to discuss our experience with percutaneous closure of the small patent ductus arteriosus by occluding coils. METHODS: Between February 1995 and September 1996, 41 patients underwent coil occlusion. Thirty-one patients had native PDAs and 10 residual PDAs. Mean age was 5.0 +/- 3.2 years (1.5 to 14.0 years), and mean body weight 18.0 +/- 7.2kg (8.7 to 45kg). Mean ductal diameter was 1.9 +/- 0.6mm (1.0 to 3.5mm). Occlusion was performed by using the snare technique in 34 patients and by using a detachable coil in 6 patients. Follow-up was done at week 1, 3, 6, and a 12-month postprocedure was dont by echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with successful coil implantation, 32 patients (78%) had no residual shunting, 8 trace residual shunting, and 1 small residual shunting shown by angiogram immediately after coil embolization. All the patients except for one were followed up for 6.5 +/- 4.5 months (1 day to 12 months). Complete closure was confirmed in 38 patients (95%) at 6 months after implantation (34/40 at 1 month, 37/40 at 3 months, 38/40 at 6 months). There were no significant complications. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous occlusion of PDA can be safely and effectively performed in patients with small PDA, irrespective of native or residual nature, by using the snare technique or a detachable coil.
Body Weight ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Echocardiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ligation ; SNARE Proteins

PURPOSE: The adverse reactions of prostaglandin E1(PGE1) are troublesome in the preoperative management of critical patients with ductus dependent congenital heart disease, and a preparation with less adverse reactions is preferable. The effects of Lipo PGE1, a new preparation of PGE1 contained in lipid microspheres, were compared with those of conventional PGE1(PGE1-CD). METHODS: Lipo PGE1 was infused at a rate of 5 ng/kg/min in 19 patients, PGE1-CD at a rate between 10 and 50 ng/kg/min in 15 patients. The effects of drugs were assessed in terms of clinical response rate and overall safety. RESULTS: Clinically, both treatment were effective in relieving cyanosis and hypoxemia except in patients already having either a closed ductus or severe hypoxemia and acidosis. The increments of PaO2 1 hour after infusion were 10.9 and 6.2 mmHg (p>0.1), respectively and those 4 hours postinfusion were 16.0 and 7.8 mmHg(p<0.05), respectively. Even though there was no significant difference in clinical response rate(78.9 vs 60.0%, p>0.1), the mean dose of Lipo PGE1 at appearance of response was about 1/5 of that of PGE1-CD in overall patients and also in patients with ductus dependent pulmonary circulation(6.7 vs 31.7 ng/kg/min, p<0.005). The adverse reactions occurred in 52.6% of the patients given Lipo PGE1, while it was 86.7% in those administered PGE1-CD(p<0.05). The adverse reactions in Lipo PGE1 group was much less severe than that in PGE1-CD group. There was a significant difference in overall safety between the two drugs(84.2 vs 40%, p<0.01). As the incidence of the adverse reactions increased at dose over 5 ng/kg/min, the initial dose of 5 ng/kg/min seemed to be appropriate for Lipo PGE1. CONCLUSIONS: Lipo PGE1 was effective at a lower dose than was PGE1-CD, and was associated with fewer or less severe adverse reactions, and is therefore judged to be more suitable for clinical use than conventional PGE1-CD.
Acidosis ; Alprostadil ; Anoxia ; Cyanosis ; Heart Defects, Congenital* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Microspheres

No abstract available.
Angioplasty* ; Child* ; Humans ; Takayasu Arteritis*

PURPOSE: Kawasaki disease(KD) is rare in infants <3 months of age. In this younger group, the diagnosis may be delayed due to lack of most of the clinical criteria, resulting in a high risk of cardiac complications. We examined clinical characteristics in these patients for early recognition and treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on the infants with KD aged three months or younger treated at our hospital from January 1998 to July 2002. RESULTS: Of a total of 291 patients treated during the study period, 11(3.8%) were three months old or younger. Of the 11 patients, 10 had atypical presentations. Infants had fewer of the accepted criteria, and the most common findings were fever(100%) and oral mucosal changes(72.7%). Erythema at the site of BCG inoculation was observed in six of the 11 patients(unknown in the remaining five). This feature proved a definite diagnostic clue in two patients in whom cardiac omplications developed in the subacute phase. Cardiac complications were found in six patients(54.5%) : three had coronary dilatation, two had coronary wall irregularity, and one had mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation. Defervescence occurred within 1.1+/-0.3 day in 10 of the 11 patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin(IVIG) and one was given a second course of IVIG. Echocardiographic abnormality persisted in only one patient with mitral regurgitation at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Most patients with KD younger than three months of age have atypical presentations and a high complication rate. For early diagnosis, erythema at the BCG inoculation site, if present, could be used as a valid diagnostic clue to atypical KD in this age group.
Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Erythema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Infant* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Prolapse ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Kawasaki disease (KD) rarely occurs in school-aged children. We clarified the characteristics of KD in this age group to provide tips for a high index of suspicion. METHODS: Features of 38 patients with KD who were 7 years of age or older were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of the KD patients > or =7 years was 4.9 percent. The ratio of male to female was 2.5:1. Of the 38 patients, nine patients (24.0 percent) were diagnosed with typical KD and 29 patients (76.0 percent) with incomplete KD. In incomplete KD patients, cervical lymphadenopathy (69.0 percent) occurred most frequently, followed by conjunctival injection (62.0 percent) and polymorphous rash (45.0 percent). These patients occasionally presented with other additional symptoms including abdominal pain, headache, vomiting and arthralgia. Incomplete KD was initially diagnosed as cervical lymphadenitis (34.0 percent), viral infection (14.0 percent), scarlet fever (7.0 percent), meningitis (7.0 percent), and Kikuchi disease (7.0 percent). Coronary complications were noted in 15 patients (39.0 percent). Of the 37 patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, five (14.0 percent) were resistant to the therapy and all had coronary abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Most patients with KD > or =7 years of age have incomplete presentations. They tend to have a higher incidence of initial presentations of unilateral neck mass and coronary artery involvement. In school-aged children, fever and cervical lymphadenitis or suspected neck infection unresponsive to intravenous antibiotics should signal the possibility of KD. A high index of suspicion and prompt treatment is essential in this age group of patients.
Abdominal Pain ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Arthralgia ; Child* ; Coronary Vessels ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Headache ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Lymphadenitis ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Meningitis ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Scarlet Fever ; Vomiting

A 3-year-old girl with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and a 6-year-old girl with acute lymphoid leukemia were referred to us because of problems with their implantable central venous ports (Port-A-Cath(R)). On physical examination, the ports were upside-down, so a needle could notbe inserted through the membrane of the port. Right lateral side view of the chest radiogram confirmed port inversion in both cases. At operation, the ports were inverted and the transfixing sutures were totally absorbed. The ports were rotated 180 degrees and anchoring sutures placed.
Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Membranes ; Needles ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Physical Examination ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Sutures ; Thorax

A 3-year-old girl with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and a 6-year-old girl with acute lymphoid leukemia were referred to us because of problems with their implantable central venous ports (Port-A-Cath(R)). On physical examination, the ports were upside-down, so a needle could notbe inserted through the membrane of the port. Right lateral side view of the chest radiogram confirmed port inversion in both cases. At operation, the ports were inverted and the transfixing sutures were totally absorbed. The ports were rotated 180 degrees and anchoring sutures placed.
Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Membranes ; Needles ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Physical Examination ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Sutures ; Thorax