Background Transcatheter closure of intracardiac defects might be complicated by intravascular hemolysis. We evaluated hemolysis and its outcome after transcatheter closure of these defects. Methods and patients All patients who underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect were included in this prospective study. Clinical data were obtained before and after the catheterization. Results One hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled; and four (3%) patients developed intravascular hemolysis; while two cases had residual shunt and two other cases had not residual flow. Although residual shunt occurred in ten patients, only 2 of these cases developed hemolysis. Patent ductus arteriosus closure was done for one of these cases and the other one, underwent perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure. Moreover, hemolysis occurred after device closure of patent ductus arteriosus in 2 of the other patients with no residual shunt. In this study the hemolysis was eliminated by conservative management within 2 weeks although residual shunt continued in this time. We observed a decline in lactate dehydrogenase value after catheterization in comparison with precatheterization, which was mainly among ventricular septal defect patients that might be due to mild chronic hemolysis in these patients. Conclusion Incidence of hemolysis after device closure was low, and occurred with and without residual flow and was eliminated by conservative management in 2 weeks, without the need for surgery, although the residual shunt was continued.

Background Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital anomaly with a challenging scenario in children. This study reports our experience in transcatheter closure of CAF with Nit-Occlude PDA coil and midterm clinical and imaging follow-up. Methods Twelve children with congenital CAF between 2009 and 2019, mean age 2.05 ± 2.05 years (4 days to 7.2 years), mean weight 8.8 ± 4.83 (2.8–17 kg), who underwent transcatheter closure with PFM coil at the Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran, were reported. Echocardiography and electrocardiogram were done before and after the procedure (early, 3, and 6 months after), and Multi-slice computerized tomography or conventional coronary angiography was performed at least one year after closure. Results In a median follow-up of 5.5 years (range 13 months to 8 years), retrogradely closed fistula had no residual, and the fistula tract was wholly occluded, but in most anterogradely closed fistula, had a small residual, which made the fistula tract open and need additional coil closure. Conclusions Transcatheter closure of CAF with PFM coil is feasible and effective with low mortality and morbidity, although antegrade closure with this device may be accompanied by residual shunt and need for multiple coil insertion.

Background and Aims: We reinvestigated the causes, symptoms, and management of childhood pericardial effusion (PE) and its gradual changes during recent years in a referral pediatric cardiology center in the south of Iran. Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the profile of PE patients who were under 18 years old from 2015 to 2020. The patient's demographic, clinical, and paraclinical information was extracted and analyzed using SPSS software.Result: In general, 150 out of 63,736 admitted patients (0.23% of the total pediatric admissions) were diagnosed with PE (male/female 1:1.17). The median age was 3.25 years (range:\ 2 days to 18 years; interquartile range: 9.5), and 50% of them were under 3 years of age. 32.6% had moderate to severe PE. Most patients presented with acute symptoms (68%) and respiratory problems, as the most common symptoms (30.6%). Tamponade signs were presented in 2% (n = 3) of the patients, and 80.7% (n = 121) were in a stable hemodynamic condition. In total, renal failure (22%) and parapneumonic effusion were the leading etiologies. Viral (7%) and bacterial (5%) pericarditis were the seventh and eighth causes; however, in severe cases, renal failure (22%) and bacterial pericarditis (14%) were dominant. In total, 14.1% (n = 21) of the patients needed pericardiocentesis that increased to 78.3% (n = 18) in severe cases. Only 6% had persistent PE for more than 3 months. Conclusion:Childhood PE is mostly a result of renal failure and noninfectious causes.True pericarditis cases are not common, except in severe cases. It is more common in less than 3-year-old patients, and chronicity is rare. Severe cases had a high chance of pericardiocentesis, but other cases were mainly managed by treatment of the underlying causes.

Introduction The absence of a pulmonary artery is a rare congenital anomaly that occurs isolated or with other congenital cardiac disorders, particularly tetralogy of Fallot (TOF); meanwhile, a hidden pulmonary artery might exist and originate from a closed ductus arteriosus (DA), which can be stented to reach the artery. Material and methods This prospective study describes cardiac catheterization of nine TOF patients diagnosed with the absence of the left pulmonary artery before the operation. The patients were stratified into three groups: group one, whose closed DA was found and connected to the hidden pulmonary artery with a stent; group two, whose hidden pulmonary arteries were found via the pulmonary vein angiography; and group three, for whom we could not find the remnant of the DA, or our attempt to stent the DA to the hidden pulmonary artery was not successful. We also evaluated outcomes of six other surgically-corrected TOF patients who were operated with the absent left pulmonary artery. Results The first group included the patients aged 1, 24, and 30 months, whose CT angiography 6–9 months after stenting showed acceptable left pulmonary artery diameter for surgical correction, and the pulmonary vein angiography of the second group showed a hidden left pulmonary artery with a suitable diameter for surgical correction. However, we were unable to find or stent the DA of group three patients, aged 12, 38, 60, and 63 months. Earlier Angiography might have increased the chance of access to the hidden vessel. Apart from these three groups, follow-ups of six other patients previously corrected with only the right pulmonary artery revealed pulmonary artery hypertension in all patients. Conclusion The concealed pulmonary artery might be found, and stenting of the closed DA to it might be performed to improve the diameter of the diminutive pulmonary artery. This procedure may allow TOF total surgical correction with two pulmonary arteries. Besides, pulmonary vein angiography can reveal the hidden pulmonary artery.