ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the annual detection rate (DR) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and tetrology of Fallot (ToF), after the introduction of the three‐vessel... Show moreObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the annual detection rate (DR) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and tetrology of Fallot (ToF), after the introduction of the three‐vessel view as a mandatory plane in 2012.MethodsAll registered TGA and ToF cases were retrospectively extracted from our registry between 2007 and 2016. We compared the DR in a 10‐year period, before 2011, with the DR of TGA and ToF after 2012.ResultsIn the period before 2012, 23 of the 52 TGA cases were prenatally detected (44.2%), compared with 42 of the 51 cases (82.4%) after 2012. For ToF, the DRs increased from 28 of 64 cases (43.8%) to 42 of 62 cases (67.7%) in the aforementioned periods. The increase in DRs for both defects was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsIn this nationally organized prenatal screening program with a quality monitoring system and a uniform protocol, DRs of 82.4% for TGA and 67.7% for ToF were reached after the introduction of the three‐vessel view as a mandatory item. The three‐vessel view significantly contributes to the detection of these conotruncal anomalies. Show less
Background. Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Most patients live into adulthood as a result of improved surgical techniques; however, late... Show moreBackground. Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Most patients live into adulthood as a result of improved surgical techniques; however, late complications, including hypertension, recoarctation, and arrhythmias, are common. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) might play a role in the pathology. This study evaluated cardiac ANS activity and cardiac function in children after CoA repair and investigated the relationship between the two.Methods. The study participants were 31 children after CoA repair and 62 healthy controls aged between 8 and 18 years. Ambulatory impedance cardiography was used to measure cardiac ANS activity and cardiac output for 24 hours. Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were used to measure cardiac function.Results. No group differences were found in ambulatory cardiac ANS activity. However, ambulatory cardiac output and left ventricular function were significantly decreased in patients compared with controls.Conclusions. Left ventricular function and ambulatory cardiac output are impaired in patients after CoA repair, despite unchanged cardiac ANS activity in this group. These results underscore the importance of clinical follow-up, even in patients without residual stenosis. (C) 2018 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Show less
