The oncogene of the human EJ bladder carcinoma cell lines arose via alteration of a cellular proto-oncogene. Experiments are presented that localize the genetic lesion that led to activation of the oncogene. The lesion has no affect on levels of expression of the oncogene. Instead, it affects the structure of the oncogene-encoded protein.

After a Norwood procedure, swallowing dysfunction occurs in 48% of patients, with aspiration in 24%, and results in increased length of hospital stay. Left recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, seen in 9% of patients, is an uncommon cause of swallowing dysfunction. Postoperative aspiration generally resolves over time, whereas vocal fold paralysis does not. Systematic evaluation of swallowing function allows appropriate tailoring of feeding regimens and might contribute to decreased hospital and interstage mortality.

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Objectives We sought to identify factors associated with death and cardiac transplantation in infants undergoing the Norwood procedure and to determine differences in associations that might favor either the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) or a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt (RVPAS). Methods We used competing risks methodology to analyze death without transplantation, cardiac transplantation, and survival without transplantation. Parametric time-to-event modeling and bootstrapping were used to identify independent predictors. Results Data from 549 subjects (follow-up, 2.7±0.9 years) were analyzed. Mortality risk was characterized by early and constant phases; transplant was characterized by only a constant phase. Early phase factors associated with death included lower socioeconomic status (SES; P=.01), obstructed pulmonary venous return (P<.001), smaller ascending aorta (P=.02), and anatomic subtype. Constant phase factors associated with death included genetic syndrome (P<.001) and lower gestational age (GA, P<.001). The RVPAS had better survival in the 51% who were full term with aortic atresia (P<.001). The MBTS was better among the 4% who were preterm with a patent aortic valve (P =.003). Lower pre-Norwood right ventricular fractional area change, pre-Norwood surgery, and anatomy other than hypoplastic left heart syndrome were independently associated with transplantation (all P<.03); but shunt type was not (P=.43). Conclusions Independent risk factors for intermediate-term mortality include lower SES, anatomy, genetic syndrome, and lower GA. Term infants with aortic atresia benefited from a RVPAS and preterm infants with a patent aortic valve benefited from a MBTS. Right ventricular function and anatomy, but not shunt type, were associated with transplantation.

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After 2 decades of observation with close follow-up, the St Jude Medical mechanical valve continues to be a reliable prosthesis.

Although survival after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis is high, preoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation is an important risk factor for death or transplantation.

Operative survival after the Norwood procedure has significantly improved during the past 10 years. However, there remains attrition among Norwood survivors before reaching planned second-stage palliation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors for interstage mortality among Norwood survivors. All patients undergoing the Norwood procedure at the Medical University of South Carolina from January 1996 through January 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient and procedural variables were examined as potential risk factors for interstage mortality. Among 50 Norwood survivors, 8 (16%) died prior to second-stage palliation. The mean age at death was 102 +/- 72 days (median, 61; range, 35-208). By multivariate analysis, the presence of an arrhythmia in the postoperative period (p = 0.02) and decreased ventricular function at hospital discharge (p = 0.05) were identified as risk factors for interstage mortality. There remains a significant risk for interstage mortality among Norwood survivors. Patients with postoperative arrhythmias and/or decreased ventricular function at discharge are at increased risk for interstage death after Norwood procedure. More frequent follow-up and aggressive medical management of arrhythmia or decreased function may be warranted for these high-risk patients.