Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 24 h after heart transplantation in pediatric patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 16 pediatric heart transplant recipients at the Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were collected, including demographics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, cytokine levels, and clinical outcomes. Based on the timing of EN initiation, the patients were divided into EN-initiated within 24 h and EN-initiated after 24 h 2 groups. Demographic data, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters, and cytokine levels were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher′s exact probability test. Results:The cohort comprised 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) with an age of (12.5±1.9) years. The EN-initiated within 24 h group comprised 6 cases, and the EN-initiated after 24 h group comprised 10 cases. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in age, preoperative body mass index Z-score, preoperative ECMO support, physical examination indicators, laboratory parameters (total protein, albumin, hemoglobin), or cytokine levels (all P>0.05). Compared to the EN-initiated after 24 h group, the EN-initiated within 24 h group exhibited a shorter intensive care unit stay ( t=2.65, P<0.05) and shorter mechanical ventilation duration ( t=2.23, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Total hospitalization length had no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 72 h post-transplant, the EN-initiated within 24 h group had a lower interleukin-12 P70 ( t=2.46, P<0.05) and interferon-γ levels ( t=2.55, P<0.05) than EN-initiated after 24 h group. Prior to discharge, the EN-initiated within 24 h group has a lower mean skinfold thickness ( t=2.49, P<0.05) and lower mid-upper arm circumference ( t=2.36, P<0.05) compared with the EN-initiated after 24 h group. Conclusions:Initiating EN within 24 h postoperatively is safe and feasible in pediatric heart transplant recipients. Early EN may shorten the length of intensive care unit stay and mechanical ventilation while attenuating postoperative release of inflammatory cytokine.

Objective:To analyze the morphologic changes and the extent of severity in end-stage heart disease; and to explore the correlation with their clinical features.Methods:Twelve cases of recipients who underwent pediatric cardiac allograft transplantation were collected from May 2022 to November 2023 at the Seventh Medical Center of People′s Liberation Army of China General Hospital. Gross pathologic examinations were performed and morphological changes were observed under a light microscope after HE, Masson′s trichrome, and reticulin staining. Semi-quantitative analysis of morphologic changes was performed. One case received DMD genetic testing, one received mtDNA variation testing for mitochondriopathy, and 1 received metagenomics next-generation sequencing. Clinical data and related literature were reviewed for comprehensive analysis.Results:There were 12 recipient hearts including 11 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 1 fulminant myocarditis (FM). The median age of DCM was 12 years (range, 3 to 15 years). DCM showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte disarray, nuclear morphological changes, interstitial fibrosis and fatty infiltration. One DCM was confirmed as Becker muscular dystrophy by DMD genetic testing. No pathogenic mutations were found in 1 patient that received mtDNA variation testing. H. influenzae was detected in the case of FM. FM showed diffuse and full-thickness inflammatory cell infiltration by large numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells, scattered eosinophils, and few neutrophils.Conclusions:Cardiac transplantation is an excellent treatment for end-stage heart disease. The morphological features of DCM include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, nuclear morphological changes, interstitial fibrosis and fatty infiltration. The severity of the lesion is influenced by multiple factors. FM predominantly presents diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells.

Objective:To analyze the morphologic changes and the extent of severity in end-stage heart disease; and to explore the correlation with their clinical features.Methods:Twelve cases of recipients who underwent pediatric cardiac allograft transplantation were collected from May 2022 to November 2023 at the Seventh Medical Center of People′s Liberation Army of China General Hospital. Gross pathologic examinations were performed and morphological changes were observed under a light microscope after HE, Masson′s trichrome, and reticulin staining. Semi-quantitative analysis of morphologic changes was performed. One case received DMD genetic testing, one received mtDNA variation testing for mitochondriopathy, and 1 received metagenomics next-generation sequencing. Clinical data and related literature were reviewed for comprehensive analysis.Results:There were 12 recipient hearts including 11 dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 1 fulminant myocarditis (FM). The median age of DCM was 12 years (range, 3 to 15 years). DCM showed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte disarray, nuclear morphological changes, interstitial fibrosis and fatty infiltration. One DCM was confirmed as Becker muscular dystrophy by DMD genetic testing. No pathogenic mutations were found in 1 patient that received mtDNA variation testing. H. influenzae was detected in the case of FM. FM showed diffuse and full-thickness inflammatory cell infiltration by large numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells, scattered eosinophils, and few neutrophils.Conclusions:Cardiac transplantation is an excellent treatment for end-stage heart disease. The morphological features of DCM include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, nuclear morphological changes, interstitial fibrosis and fatty infiltration. The severity of the lesion is influenced by multiple factors. FM predominantly presents diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells.

Objective:To summarize the experience of transthoracic epicardial insertion pacemaker for isolated congenital third-degree atrioventricular block (CAVB), and explore the necessity and feasibility of permanent pacemaker in the treatment of CAVB in neonates and infants.Methods:The clinical data and follow-up of four children with CAVB admitted to the Senior Department of Pediatrics, the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from September 2010 to February 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Two patients were implanted with permanent cardiac pacemakers during an early stage (less than one year old), and two patients were implanted during the non-early stage (one year old and above). All patients were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram and echocardiographic examination.After treatment, the pacing threshold, atrial sensing function, clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram and echocardiography examination of four patients were followed up.Results:All patients were successfully implanted with permanent cardiac pacemakers.One patient of non-early implantation was died of severe pneumonia and sepsis.During the follow-up period, pacing threshold, amplitude, impedance, minute ventilation and sensor function indicated pacemakers worked well in other three patients.Heart rates in these patients were significantly recovered, and showed growth trends in line with percentile curves for Chinese children and good movement skills.Conclusion:A pacemaker implantation performed by an experienced operator is a safe and feasible treatment for children with CAVB diagnosed in neonates and infants period with good prognosis.

Objective To explore the clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)in the treatment of critically ill children with cardiac arrest.Methods The clinical data of critically ill children due to cardiac arrest who were treated with ECMO assisted CPR from June 2012 to December 2015 in Affiliated Bayi Children's Hospital,Clinical Medical College in Army General Hospital,Southern Medical University were retrospectively reviewed,and the datas were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software.Results A total of 17 patients received ECMO assisted CPR treatment,13 cases were male,4 cases were female,aged from 5 hours to 5 years old,the weight ranged from 3 to 16 kg;5 cases survived,and the survival rate 29.41％;12 cases died,the mortality rate 70.59％,of which 5 cases died of hear failure in withdrawal of ECMO,and 7 cases died of complications after withdrawal of ECMO.The age,sex ratio,body weight and other demographic data between 2 groups were not statistically significant (all P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the primary diseases between 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in CPR time and ECMO support time between 2 groups (t =1.541,0.375,all P ＞ 0.05).Among 11 cases of children with ECMO-related complications,the incidence rate was 64.71％,the incidence of complication in the survival group was significantly less than that in the death group (x2 =8.709,P =0.003).The common complications of ECMO were bleeding,acral necrosis,infection,multiple organ failure,nervous system injury and acute kidney injury.There was no significant difference in the level of lactic acid between the survival group and the death group (P ＞ 0.05) before ECMO support started,but after 24 h of ECMO support,the lactic acid level in the survival group was significantly lower than that in the death group (t =2.896,P =0.014).Conclusions ECMO assisted CPR can improve the survival rate of critically ill children who have cardiac arrest and have no response to the conventional CPR.The serum lactic acid level after 24 h ECMO support has a guiding significance for the prognosis assessment,and ECMO patients' complications are still the most important factor affecting the prognosis of ECMO assisted CPR patients.

Objective To analyze the prognosis of patients with pulmonary artery sling (PAS) combined with tracheal stenosis(TS) without tracheal intervention,and to discuss the method for improving the effect of treatment.Methods The clinical data of 17 children with PAS/TS (moderate or severe) who received treatment at Beijing Bayi Children's Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of Bejing Military Command from October 2011 to July 2015 were retrospectively analyzed,and the relationship between the effect and prognosis of re-implantation of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) without tracheal intervention was analyzed.Results Seventeen patients received re-implantation of the left pulmonary artery without tracheal intervention.Extubation was successfully performed in 12 of the 17 patients and they healed.The remaining 5 patients received tracheal intervention after the first operation but they all died.Of those 5 patients,3 received tracheal stent implantation (1 died from necrotizing enterocolitis,2 died from infection and multiple organ failure),and 2 received traheoplasty (both of them died from infection and tracheal fistula).Respiratory symptoms were reduced or resolved in all survivors.Diameter/length (％) in survivors without tracheal intervention was significantly higher than those who received tracheal intervention [(10.14 ± 1.58) ％ vs.(5.72 ± 1.17) ％,t =3.600,P ＜ 0.001].Patients with PAS undergoing LPA re-implantation achieved a good outcome if the diameter/length(％) of the trachea was up to (10.14 ± 1.58) ％.Patients with PAS undergoing LPA re-implantation achieved a bad outcome if the diameter/length(％) of the trachea was below to (5.72 ± 1.17) ％.Conclusions Most of patients with PAS/TS undergoing LPA re-implantation without tracheal intervention have a good outcome.It is feasible for them to avoid tracheal intervention.Diameter/length (％) may be a reliable indicator for determining tracheal intervention in surgical management of PAS.

Objective Total 21 pulmonary artery sling( PA sling)combined with tracheal stenosis children who received treatment in our hospital were reviewed. The feasibility of treatment strategy including left pulmonary artery( LPA)re-implantation without tracheoplasty was discussed in this study. Methods From April 2009 to November 2015,a total of 21 pediatric patients received surgical treatment due to PA sling with tracheal stenosis. Six patients received LPA re-implantation and trachea intervention simultaneously. The other 15 patients received LPA re-implantation alone to relieve the trachea compression without tracheoplasty. The postoperative strategy including early extubation and CPAP ventilation was employed in PICU. Results A total of 21 PA sling with tracheal stenosis children who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital were recruited. There were 9 females and 12 males. Ages of these children were from 1 months to 10 years old,and body weights were from 2. 9 kg to 25. 0 kg. Five patients needed mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory symptoms preoperatively. Six patients received LPA re-implantation and tracheal interven-tion simultaneously. Among them,3 patients received slide tracheoplasty,and one was discharged after recov-ery. The remaining 3 patients received tracheal stent implantation,but finally died. The survival rate was 16. 7% in these patients. Fifteen patients received LPA re-implantation alone,and slide tracheoplasty was per-formed in 2 patients for extubation failure who finally died of air leakage. The survival rate of 15 patients who received LPA re-implantation alone was 86. 7%. Conclusion The strategy in LPA re-implantation alone to relieve the trachea compression without tracheoplasty and early extubation and CPAP ventilation postoperative may be an ideal treatment for the pediatric patients with PLA sling combined with tracheal stenosis.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of urgent surgical correction for infra-cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TAPVC)in neonates.Methods From October 2009 to Janu-ary 2015,13 patients with infra-cardiac TAPVC received surgical correction.The age of patients ranged from 6 to 28 days[(15.08 ±7.42)days],the body weight ranged from 2.5 to 4.8 kg [(3.34 ±0.67)kg].A median sternotomy was performed.Continuous cardiopulmonary bypass using bicaval cannulation with aortic cross-clamping and mild systemic hypothermia were used in all patients.Bi-atrial incision technique making anastomosis between the posterior left atrial wall and the vertical vein were employed in 3 cases.In the other 10 cases,the heart was elevated upward and to the right to expose the anomalous descending vertical vein to facilitate the anastomosis between the posterolateral left atrial wall and vertical vein.Results Emergent or subemergent operations were performed in all patients without surgical death.In the early stage after opera-tion,delayed sternal closure was employed in 1 1 patients,pulmonary hypertension crisis occurred in 3 pa-tients,small atrial septal defect was kept open for hemodynamic stabilization in 6 patients,temporary cardiac pacemaker for proper heart rate in 3 patients.All patients were uneventfully discharged except 2 patients died of severe low cardiac output syndrome.During the period of follow up,2 patients presented with recurrent pulmonary infection and signs of pulmonary venous obstruction including the increased flow speed at the site of anastomosis.One of 2 patients was lost of follow up and the other patient was uneventfully discharged after the second operation.The rest 9 patients received postoperative follow up for 1 month to 5 years,echocardio-graphy,X ray chest radiography,and electrocardiogram were performed during this period.As a result,all children had good cardiac function and with sinus rhythm on electrocardiogram and apparently reduced pul-monary congestion on radiography.No obstructive pulmonary venous return was observed on echocardio-graphy.Conclusion Corrective operation for infra-cardiac TAPVC in neonate on urgent basis may provide favorite outcomes.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) is a kind of extra life support technique that can support cardiac and pulmonary function in a relatively long time.With the application of nitric oxide,pulmonary surfactant and high frequency ventilation,the use of ECMO in neonatal respiratory failure decreased.Although received these treatment,there are some newborn with respiratory failure still required ECMO at last.On this paper,the application of ECMO in neonatal respiratory failure from foreign medical institute was introduced,and compared with the domestic situation,in order to improve the application of ECMO in neonatal respiratory failure.