Search

Objective: To assess the impact of fetal echocardiography in altering the course of action for neonatal cardiac expertise and services available in Pakistan following an antenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defect (CHD). Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology & National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2020 to Sep 2021. Methodology: Fetuses aged 18 to 38 weeks of gestational age referred to the Pediatric Cardiac Unit due to risk of or suspicion of congenital heart disease underwent fetal cardiac echo. Data were collected and reviewed retrospectively to seek any impact of the antenatal diagnosis on post-natal planning.Results: The mean age of the mothers was 29.79±5.24 years (range, 17-47 years), and the mean gestational age at which the fetal echocardiography examination was performed was 27.29±4.47weeks (range: 12–38 years). Of the 609 pregnancies, fetal echocardiogram evaluation was performed, and sixty-three (10.3%) fetal echocardiograms were abnormal. Of the 63, only 06(9.5%) returned to the neonatal cardiac unit for follow-up and treatment in the first ten days of life. Conclusion: The real impact of fetal echocardiography is possible only with the availability of well-developed, readily accessible fetal and neonatal cardiac services. Poverty and a struggling healthcare infrastructure confound the benefits.

Objective: To assess the immediate and short-term efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of cardiac defects with Lifetech™ Konar-MFO in a Tertiary Cardiac Care Center. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar 2019 to Dec 2021 Methodology: Patients of all ages and both gender undergone transcatheter closure of a cardiac defect with Konar-MFO from Jan 2021 to Dec 2021 were included in the study through non-probability consecutive sampling and approval by the institutional ethical review committee was taken prior to data collection. Data of patients undergone transcatheter closure with Konar-MFO from Mar 2019 to Dec 2020 was extracted retrospectively to assess the immediate and short-term efficacy and safety of the occluder. SPSS version-23 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: A total of 138 patients had transcatheter closure of a cardiac defect with Lifetech™ Konar-MFO during the study period. Case of VSD were 124(89.9%), PDA 9(6.5%), post-operative cases were 4(2.9%) along with 1(0.7%) case of coronary artery fistula (CAF) to the right ventricle. Out of 138 patients, 73(52.9%) were females while 65(47.1%) were males. The mean age was 9.3 ±8.1 years with a range of 6 months to 36 years. Mean fluoroscopy time was 13.68±9.74 min. The procedure was successful in 137(99.27%) cases. The device embolized in 2(1.45%) cases. Conclusion: In selected cases of VSD, PDA and in some post-operative cases the occlusion with Lifetech™ Konar-MFO is safe and efficacious with the added benefits of softness and versatility of the approach.

Recent increase in deployment of trans-catheter devices such as septal or ductal occluding coils and devices has been a possible risk factor for infective endocarditis, predominantly in the initial post deployment period before endothelialization has ensued. Though a long-term study of trans-catheter Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) closure revealed no cases of Infective Endocarditis, some case reports of endocarditis in trans-catheter device closure of ASD, VSD and Patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) advocate that residual defect after device occlusion may be a factor in the risk for Infective Endocarditis. We herein describe the case of a 9-month-old female patient who underwent device closure for peri-membranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) and developed fungal infective endocarditis in early post occlusion period which was confirmed on blood culture. Despite treatment with appropriate antifungal as per sensitivity, clinical condition of the patient deteriorated and it was decided to manage her with surgical explanation of device and closure of defect.

In congenital cardiac surgery, intracardiac repair procedures like ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrioventricular septal defect and tetralogy of fallot (TOF) are associated with conduction system injury. Fewer cases are reported describing life threatening complication of late post-operative complete heart block. We are reporting 2 patients who presented with late complete heart block after ventricular septal defect repair and managed by permanent pacemaker placement in AFIC Cath lab.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common cardiac anomaly making 5%-10 % of all congenital heart diseases. The incidence increases in premature, very low birth weight neonates. Transcatheter closure is a standard procedure for treating PDA.However, in pre-term and very low birth weight neonates it presents special problems thus becoming a limitation in performing the procedure. This case report describes a PDA closure in a 1.3 Kg infant in Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology,Rawalpindi.

Critical congenital pulmonary stenosis with intact interventricular septum is a cyanotic and potentially lethal neonatal cardiac anomaly. Percutaneous transcatheter balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for critical pulmonary stenosis often presents technical difficulties due to supra-systemic pressure in right ventricle. Using transjugular approach instead of the femoral vein helps in dealing with this issue. We describe the successful use of right internal jugular vein approach in a case of critical pulmonary stenosis.

Atrial flutter (AFL) is a rare arrhythmia in neonatal and infantile period. Potentially, AFL might lead to severe morbidity and even a fatal outcome. However it can have a good prognosis with early diagnosis and prompt appropriate treatment. Synchronized electrical cardioversion or transoesophageal atrial overdrive pacing is recommended in both stable and unstable cases. Antiarrhythmic drugs can be tried in stable newborns though the sinus rhythm takes some time to return to normal.Excellent prognosis has been noted in newborns and infants having AFL after sinus rhythm has been restored. The risk of recurrence is low and prolonged antiarrhythmic therapy is less likely to be required. However follow-up after discharge is essential to look for any possibility of recurrent arrhythmia and possible untoward effects of treatment.

We report a technically difficult retrieval of embolized Atrial Septal Defect device from left atrium. Device was captured after multiple attempts using different types of snares and was brought to inferior vena cava without delivery sheath. As we were unable to slenderize the device into short sheath, it was finally retrieved using an unconventional and innovative technique.We emphasize the importance of safe improvised methods during challenging catheterization procedures resulting in successful outcomes.

Objective: To assess if adherence to international guidelines for pregnant cardiac patients’ mode of delivery is achievable with available local resources. Study Design: Prospective quasi experimental descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: All Pregnant patients with cardiac disease reporting to Armed Forces Institute of Cardiac Disease/National Institute of Heart Disease (AFIC/NIHD) who were admitted for and were delivered from Oct 2009 to Sep 2011 were included in the study. Methodology: International guidelines and recommendations for mode of delivery for cardiac patients with pregnancy were followed for patients. Caesarean sections were reserved only for obstetrical reasons and absolute cardiac indications. The patients with first trimester miscarriage were not included. Data was collected on a personal computer Microsoft excel sheet. Frequency was calculated from the data entered. The reduction in caesarean section rate and increase in vaginal delivery rate as per guidelines without an increase in maternal mortality, was the main outcome. Results: Total of 221 patients were delivered in the 2 year period between October 2009 to September 2011 at AFIC/NIHD. The caesarean section rate the year before 2008-2009 had been 48.6%. After the change in practice by concurring to international guidelines, the caesarean section rate for the 2 year period dropped to 26.7%. The hospital maternal deaths were 5. This was slightly better to the year 2008-2009 which had 3 maternal deaths. Conclusion: It’s possible to adhere to international recommendations and protocols for pregnant cardiac patients and achieve internationally comparable outcome in terms of mode of delivery without increasing current institutional maternal mortality rate with local hospital resources.

After total correction for tetrolgy of fallot (TOF), right ventricle behaves in an unpredictable manner depending on type of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction and surgical expertise of infundibular muscle resection. We are reporting a 23 years old girl who underwent total correction at two years of age. RVOT was reconstructed with native pericardial patch. Gradually she developed breathlessness and occasional chest pain. Echocardiograghy revealed hugely dilated right ventricle (RV) with gross pulmonary regurgitation and RV dysfunction. Cardiac MRI also calculated right ventricular end systolic volume (RVESV) 57 ml/m2 and right ventricular end diatolic volume (RVEDV) 157ml/m2.We decided to implant transcatheter venus p-valve at pulmonary position. The procedure went successful having competent pulmonary valve and improved RV function. Total fluoro time was 36.4 minutes and total procedural time was two hours. This procedure was done first time in Pakistan with optimal results.