New Jersey is the first state to mandate pulse oximetry testing to be included on the many newborn tests already done prior to leaving the hospital. This test takes mere seconds and is painless for the newborn. This will improve outcomes and potentially save lives. Pulse oximetry does not detect all types of Congenital Heart Defects but will pick up the most severe ones. We hope to see other states to follow. Well done New Jersey. http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110612/NJNEWS/306120032/New-rule-heart-defect-tests-now-mandatory
First state to mandate pulse oximetry testing to be done on all newborns to screen for Congenital Heart Defects
June 17th, 2011Skin cells to heart cells in mice
February 14th, 2011This is a really interesting interview from NPR. Researchers have been able to turn skin cells from mice into heart cells.
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/04/133498132/recipe-for-turning-skin-cells-into-heart-cells
Successful Pregnancies in Two Women with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
January 23rd, 2011The first reported cases of women with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome having successful pregnancies, labor, and delivery. Amazing….hope for many families and adult women with HLHS.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-0803.2009.00365.x/abstract
Obesity and Congenital Heart Defects
December 14th, 2010The trend of increasing obesity in children throughout the United States has not spared children with congenital heart defects. There is a correlation among increased body mass index and heavier left ventricle. Data has shown and heavier left ventricle to be associated with increase in heart attack and stroke.
Obesity puts a person at increased risk for multiple chronic health problems not taking into account a congenital heart defects. It is essential for these children to lose weight.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/about/news/release/2010/heart-disease-11-15-2010.htm
Importance of folic acid for women
December 14th, 2010Over and over again, we see studies proving importance of folic acid for women especially during ther early stages of pregnancy when the fetuses anatomy is forming. Here is two more studies with encouraging outcomes on folic acid supplementation and decreased in Congenital Heart Defects:
A gene found that could cause Congenital Heart Defects
December 14th, 2010We dream for a day, hopefully in our lives, that we can prevent Congenital Heart Defects. This study at Princeton University offers some clues towards a genetic cause.
http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S29/12/38A02/index.xml?section=topstories
Delayed umbilical cord clamping umbilical cord may improve surgical outcomes in babies with Congenital Heart Defects
December 14th, 2010Doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio just received a 2 year, $125,000 grant from the American Heart Association to look into impact of waiting two minutes after delivery to clamp the umbilical cord in newborn babies with Congenital Heart Defect. Waiting these two minutes, allows for more time for blood to flow from the placenta to the baby that has shown to increase the baby’s hematocrit levels. This increase in hematocrit leads to an increased number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells throughout the body.
According to Dr. Carl Backes, “Data suggests that surgical outcomes are improved when fewer blood transfusions are performed.” Among newborns with Congenital Heart Defects, this delayed umbilical cord clamping may be an extra boost they need prior to undergoing surgery.
Importance of prenatal diagnosis of evolving Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
November 12th, 2010An article in the journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology highlights the importance of prenatal diagnosis of the serious Congenital Heart Defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Not only does this early diagnosis provide families with important information on how to proceed with the care of their child but it allows practioners time for a comprehensive fetal evaluation to counsel their patients. This study also highlights early positive outcomes for babies classified as standard risk undergoing the initial staged open heart surgery to treat HLHS.
In this study, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report on 5 years of experience (2004-2009) at a single institution where they examined a total of 240 fetuses diagnosed with HLHS. The fetuses were classified as standard risk vs. high risk (having genetic and chromosomal defects, prematurity, or other heart abnormalities).
In the fetuses undergoing the first of 3 staged surgeries and classified as standard risk (162/240 infants) carried a 93% survival rate in comparison to 57% survival in the high risk fetuses (78/240).
According to the medical director of the Fetal Heart Program at Children’s Hospital, Dr. Jack Rychick, “Surgical outcomes for HLHS are in-part related to patient volume, institutional experience, and the availability of dedicated resources.”
In addition, a prenatal diagnosis allows for evaluation for a fetal procedure, fetal aortic valve ballooning, to alter the typical progression of HLHS in fetuses. In some cases this Fetal Cardiac Intervention has prevented this Congenital Heart Defect.
Lastly, this research shows there has been significant improvement in the outcomes of the initial staged surgery (norwood) of standard risk fetuses, the importance of prenatal diagnosis, and to deliver the baby at in institution that sees a high volume of babies with serious Congenital Heart Defects.
Success with catheter implanted aortic valves among adult patients
September 29th, 2010This is research study looks into the success of transcatheter aortic valve placements for adults who have too high of risks to undergo typical open-heart surgery for valve replacement. The study follows 358 adult patients, at 21 different institutions, over 1 year following their aortic valve replacement. Overall, this study showed positive outcomes of implanting aortic valves in the cath lab.
Maybe this will be not too far off in the future for our children and babies with Congenital Aortic Valve problems. I imagine avoiding open heart surgery could spare more of the heart tissue, reduce risk of infection, and other problems associated with open-heart surgery and bypass.
A common variant on Chromosome 5 links up to increased incident of a CHD
September 11th, 2010For the first time, a common variant on Chromosome-5 is found that directlylinks to risk of being born with a CHD. This finding does not directling impact the treatment plan for children today. It is a step in the right direction in understanding the molecular development of how the heart forms and how to intervene in the future.
According to Dr. Peter J. Gruber, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and developmental biologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We may be better able to understand how a child will respond to surgery, and when or even perhaps how to best perform perioperative, intraoperative or postoperative care. A greater understanding of molecular events in early development brings us that much closer to personalized medicine.”
