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This document has been developed to provide a guide for basic and advanced reporting in paediatric echocardiography. Furthermore, it aims to help clinicians in the interpretation of echocardiographic measurements and functional data for estimating the severity of disease in different paediatric age groups. The following topics will be reviewed and discussed in the present document: (i) the general principle in constructing a paediatric echocardiographic report, (ii) the basic elements to be included, and (iii) the potential and limitation of currently employed tools used for disease severity quantification during paediatric reporting. A guide for the interpretation of Z-scores will be provided. Use and interpretation of parameters employed for quantification of ventricular systolic function will be discussed. Difficulties in the adoption of adult parameters for the study of diastolic function and valve defects at different ages and pressure and loading conditions will be outlined, with pitfalls for the assessment listed. A guide for careful use of prediction scores for complex congenital heart disease will be provided. Examples of basic and advanced (disease-specific) formats for reporting in paediatric echocardiography will be provided. This document should serve as a comprehensive guide to (i) structure a comprehensive paediatric echocardiographic report; (ii) identify the basic morphological details, measures, and functional parameters to be included during echocardiographic reporting; and (iii) correctly interpret measurements and functional data for estimating disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the European Paediatric Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis Registry, which aims to improve understanding and management of childhood-onset cardiomyopathies (CMPs). The registry provides valuable information about the complex nature of CMP and highlights the need for early diagnosis, genetic assessment, and tailored therapeutic approaches. The study also identifies the prevalence of hereditary and genetic disorders in children with CMP and emphasizes the importance of identifying rare disease phenocopies for targeted therapies. However, the study acknowledges limitations in registry studies and the need for further research to overcome obstacles to early diagnosis. Overall, the registry's insights have the potential to improve outcomes and well-being for affected children and their families. [Extracted from the article]

The European Heart Journal—Cardiovascular Imaging with its over 10 years existence is an established leading multi-modality cardiovascular imaging journal. Pertinent publications including original research, how-to papers, reviews, consensus documents, and in our journal from 2022 have been highlighted in two reports. Part I focuses on cardiomyopathies, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart disease and related emerging techniques and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Infective endocarditis with septic emboli is a well-recognized sequala. However, emboli almost invariably are found 'downstream' to the vegetation. In the absence of congenital heart disease, the embolization from the left heart to the pulmonary circulation has never been described. Case summary A 4-year-old boy presents with a background history of pharyngitis treated with antibiotics. Upon ambulatory review, he is noted to have a new murmur. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated mitral valve vegetation with severe mitral regurgitation; in addition, there was a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and there were no congenital heart defects. The patient was treated for infective endocarditis on high clinical suspicion. He subsequently developed septic pulmonary emboli in the absence of right-sided vegetation. Subsequent mitral valve vegetectomy, resection of infected native anterior mitral valve leaflet, mitral valve repair, and valvuloplasty. The patient made an excellent recovery following the completion of antibiotic therapy. Discussion Although not possible to confirm with certainty, this case demonstrates the most plausible explanation for this child's presentation being septic pulmonary emboli originating from left-sided heart vegetation migrating through a PFO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES A conclusive interpretation of the role of ventricular dominance in outcomes after Fontan palliation has not been formulated yet. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of scientific literature to give an insight into the impact of ventricular morphology in single-ventricle palliation, focusing on its influence on survival, morbidities, ventricular performance and functional capacity. METHODS A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases was performed. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted, and survival data were reconstructed using the published Kaplan–Meier survival curves. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies were selected, for a total of 4529 left-dominant versus 4844 right-dominant patients. Estimated survival at 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years of follow-up was 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.98–0.99], 0.95 [95% CI = 0.94–0.96], 0.92 [95% CI = 0.91–0.93], 0.86 [95% CI = 0.84–0.88] and 0.68 [95% CI = 0.65–0.83] for left-dominant patients and 0.94 [95% CI = 0.93–0.95], 0.89 [95% CI = 0.88–0.9], 0.85 [95% CI = 0.83–0.87], 0.69 [95% CI = 0.63–0.75] and 0.59 [95% CI = 0.5–0.69] for right-dominant patients, respectively. Survival was statistically lower for right-dominant patients (P  < 0.001), with an hazard ratio for the mortality of 2.38 (2.03–2.80); also, they displayed significantly longer hospital stay, worse ventricular function, larger ventricular volumes and a higher incidence of moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation when compared to left-dominant patients. CONCLUSIONS According to our meta-analysis, the morphology of the dominant ventricle has a significant impact on outcomes after Fontan palliation. Right-dominant patients experience an inferior long-term survival when the anatomical right ventricle is included in the systemic circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Many centres have recently adopted pulmonary valve (PV) preservation (PVP) during tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) repair. We sought to identify the midterm functional outcomes and risk factors for pulmonary regurgitation after this procedure. METHODS All patients undergoing PVP during transatrial–transpulmonary repair for ToF with PV stenosis at our institution between January 2007 and December 2020 were reviewed. RESULTS Overall, 73 patients were included. At the index surgery, the body surface area was 0.31 ± 0.04 m2, the age was 4.9 ± 2.9 months and the preoperative PV z -score was -3.02 ± 1.11. At a mean follow-up of 5.3 ± 2.7 years, the fractional area change of the right ventricle (RV) was 47.1 ± 5.2%, and the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion z -score was -3.31 ± 1.89%. The 5-year freedom from moderate/severe PV regurgitation was 61.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 48, 73%]. There was a significant correlation between RV function and moderate/severe PR at follow-up (R2: 0.08; P = 0.03). A comparison with a group of patients undergoing a transannular patch procedure (N = 33) showed superior outcomes for patients with PVP. The preoperative PV z -score and the degree of PR at discharge were risk factors for the early development of moderate/severe PR at follow-up [hazard ratio (HR): 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.86, P = 0.01 and HR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.00, 5.36, P = 0.04, respectively]. A preoperative PV annulus z -score ≤ -2.85 was found to be predictive for moderate/severe PR at 5 years after PVP (HR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.31, 5.01, P  = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS A pulmonary valve preservation strategy during tetralogy of Fallot repair should always be attempted. However, a preoperative PV annulus z -score < -2.85 and moderate/severe regurgitation upon discharge are risk factors for midterm pulmonary regurgitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with congenital and acquired heart disease may be exposed to relatively high lifetime cumulative doses of ionizing radiation from necessary medical invasive and non-invasive imaging procedures. Although these imaging procedures are all essential to the care of these complex paediatric population and have contributed to meaningfully improved outcomes in these patients, exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with potential risks, including an increased lifetime attributable risk of cancer. The goal of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of radiation dose management and cardiac computed tomography performance in the paediatric population with congenital and acquired heart disease, to encourage informed imaging to achieve indication-appropriate study quality at the lowest achievable dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Compared with adult patients, clinical manifestations of children's coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are generally perceived as less severe. The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac involvement in previously healthy children with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods and results We analysed a cohort of 53 paediatric patients (29 males, 55%), mean age 7.5 ± 4.7 years, who had a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic for COVID-19. Patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiogram and speckle tracking echocardiographic study at least 3 months after diagnosis. Thirty-two age, sex, and body surface area comparable healthy subjects were used as control group. Left ventricular ejection fraction was within normal limits but significantly lower in the cases group compared to controls (62.4 ± 4.1% vs. 65.2 ± 5.5%; P  = 0.012). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (20.1 ± 3 mm vs. 19.8 ± 3.4 mm; P  = 0.822) and left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (−21.9 ± 2.4% vs. −22.6 ± 2.5%; P  = 0.208) were comparable between the two groups. Regional LV strain analysis showed a significant reduction of the LV mid-wall segments strain among cases compared to controls. Furthermore, in the cases group, there were 14 subjects (26%) with a regional peak systolic strain below −16% (−2.5 Z score in our healthy cohort) in at least two segments. These subjects did not show any difference regarding symptoms or serological findings. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect left ventricular deformation in 26% of children despite an asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic acute illness. A follow-up is needed to verify the reversibility of these alterations and their impact on long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Fontan patients are known to suffer from clinical attrition over the years, which has been characterized as Fontan failure. We sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of such Fontan patients undergoing surgical management in a 25-year, single-centre experience. METHODS A retrospective single-centre analysis of patients undergoing surgical treatment for failing Fontan between 1995 and 2020, including any reoperations when ventricular function was preserved, or a heart transplant (HTx), when ventricular contractility was impaired. We analysed survival, indications for surgery and early and late complication rates. RESULTS We collected 30 patients (mean age 24.7 years) who required surgery after a mean time of 19.3 years from the original Fontan procedure: Fontan conversion in 21 (70%, extracardiac conduit in 19, lateral tunnel in 2), a HTx in 4 (13.3%) and other reoperations in 5 (16.7%). The most common indications for surgery were tachyarrhythmias (63.3%) and severe right atrial dilatation (63.3%). Overall survival at the 1-, 5-, 10- and 20-year follow-up examinations were 75.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 91.4–60.4%], 75.9% (95% CI: 91.4–60.4%), 70% (95% CI: 78–52%) and 70% (95% CI: 78–52%), respectively. The most frequent complications were postoperative tachyarrhythmias (50%) and late Fontan-associated liver disease (56.5%). HTx and Fontan conversion provided comparably good outcomes compared to other reoperations (P  = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS Surgery for failing Fontan can be performed effectively with overall good long-term survival. However, early and late morbidities are still a significant burden. Because other reoperations performed when patients presented with contraindications for a HTx have carried high mortality, close clinical follow-up is mandatory, and an earlier indication for Fontan conversion or a HTx is advisable to optimize outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The role of an additional ventricle in patients with a functional single ventricle undergoing the Fontan operation has been debated due to conflicting data. Our goal was to report our experience with Fontan circulation for complex congenital heart disease, with a focus on the influence that an additional ventricular chamber may have on early and long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS We performed a retrospective clinical study including all patients undergoing the Fontan procedure between 1978 and 2019. Clinical data were retrieved from our institutional database. A 'biventricular' Fontan (BVF) was defined as that performed in a patient with single ventricle anomaly where an additional diminutive ventricular cavity was present at echocardiographic evaluation. RESULTS A total of 210 consecutive patients with functional single ventricle were included. Among these, 46 had BVF (21.9%). Early complications occurred in 42 patients (20.0%; 11 in BVF vs 31 in univentricular Fontan; P  = 0.53) There were 18 early deaths (8.6%) with no difference between the groups. At a median follow-up of 12.7 years (interquartile range 5.4–20.7), there were no significant differences in late mortality, whereas cardiac rhythm disturbances resulted more frequently in univentricular Fontan (P  = 0.018). Statistical analysis showed an equal distribution of BVF across time (P  = 0.620), and there were no significant differences in terms of early and late survival (P  = 0.53 and P  = 0.72, respectively) or morbidity (P  = 0.45 and P  = 0.80, respectively). CONCLUSIONS A secondary ventricle in Fontan circulation is not significantly related to any clinical disadvantage in terms of survival or onset of complications. However, the immediate postoperative course may be influenced negatively by the presence of an additional secondary ventricle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of Level 1 training in echocardiography is to enable the trainee to select echocardiography appropriately for the evaluation of a specific clinical question, and then to interpret the report. It is not the goal of Level 1 training to teach how to perform the examination itself—that is the goal of higher levels of training. However, understanding the principles, indications, and findings of this crucial technique is valuable to many medical professionals including outside cardiology. This should be seen as part of a general understanding of cardiac imaging modalities. The purpose of this position statement is to define the scope and outline the general requirements for Level 1 training and competence in echocardiography. Moreover, the document aims to make a clear distinction between Level 1 competence in echocardiography and focus cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, the position paper 'Imaging the adult with congenital heart disease: a multimodality imaging approach' was published. The paper highlights, in the first part, the different imaging modalities applied in adult congenital heart disease patients. In the second part, these modalities are discussed more detailed for moderate to complex anatomical defects. Because of the length of the paper, simple lesions were not touched on. However, imaging modalities to use for simple shunt lesions are still poorly known. One is looking for structured recommendations on which they can rely when dealing with an (undiscovered) shunt lesion. This information is lacking for the initial diagnostic process, during repair and at follow-up. Therefore, this paper will focus on atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and persistent arterial duct. Pre-, intra-, and post-procedural imaging techniques will be systematically discussed. This position paper will offer algorithms that might help at a glance. The document is prepared for general cardiologists, trainees, medical students, imagers/technicians to select the most appropriate imaging modality and to detect the requested information for each specific lesion. It might serve as reference to which researchers could refer when setting up a (imaging) study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary mission of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) is 'to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular imaging'. Echocardiography is a key component in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected cardiovascular disease and is essential for the high quality and effective practice of clinical cardiology. The EACVI aims to update the previously published recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography since these activities are increasingly recognized by patients, physicians, and payers. The purpose of this document is to provide the general requirements for training and competence in echocardiography, to outline the principles of quality evaluation, and to recommend a set of measures for improvement, with the ultimate goal of raising the standards of echocardiographic practice. Moreover, the document aims to provide specific guidance for advanced echo techniques, which have dramatically evolved since the previous publication in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To describe the cardiac abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 and identify the characteristics of patients who would benefit most from echocardiography. Methods and results In a prospective international survey, we captured echocardiography findings in patients with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 between 3 and 20 April 2020. Patient characteristics, indications, findings, and impact of echocardiography on management were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of echocardiographic abnormalities. A total of 1216 patients [62 (52–71) years, 70% male] from 69 countries across six continents were included. Overall, 667 (55%) patients had an abnormal echocardiogram. Left and right ventricular abnormalities were reported in 479 (39%) and 397 (33%) patients, respectively, with evidence of new myocardial infarction in 36 (3%), myocarditis in 35 (3%), and takotsubo cardiomyopathy in 19 (2%). Severe cardiac disease (severe ventricular dysfunction or tamponade) was observed in 182 (15%) patients. In those without pre-existing cardiac disease (n = 901), the echocardiogram was abnormal in 46%, and 13% had severe disease. Independent predictors of left and right ventricular abnormalities were distinct, including elevated natriuretic peptides [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–5.05) and cardiac troponin (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.13–2.53) for the former, and severity of COVID-19 symptoms (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.73–6.10) for the latter. Echocardiography changed management in 33% of patients. Conclusion In this global survey, cardiac abnormalities were observed in half of all COVID-19 patients undergoing echocardiography. Abnormalities were often unheralded or severe, and imaging changed management in one-third of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease have led to a marked improvement in the survival of adult with congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients. However, ACHD patients are a heterogeneous population, with a large spectrum of anatomic substrates even within specific lesions. In addition, the nature of previous surgery and other intervention is highly variable rendering each patient unique and residual anatomic and haemodynamic abnormalities are very common. As the ACHD population continues to age, acquired heart disease will also require cardiac imaging assessment. It is increasingly recognized in ACHD community that the diagnostic utility of a multimodality cardiovascular approach is greater than the sum of individual tests. In ACHD patients, diagnostic information can be obtained using a variety of diagnostic tools. The aims of this document are to describe the role of each diagnostic modality in the care of ACHD patients and to provide guidelines for a multimodality approach. The goal should be to provide the most appropriate and cost-effective diagnostic pathway for each individual ACHD patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case study of 4-year-old previously healthy child is presented with complaints for persisting fever, conjunctivitis, and skin rush. Nasopharyngeal swab for SARSCoV-2 was negative but anti-SARSCoV-2 IgG was positive.

Aims: Previous reports have demonstrated that myocardial velocities are not sufficiently sensitive in foetal heart studies. Strain (S) imaging is a new non-invasive ultrasonic technique able to quantify regional myocardial deformation properties. Strain imaging has a superior sensitivity than myocardial velocity for non-invasive assessment of ventricular function. However, Doppler-derived strain imaging has been used to quantify myocardial deformation properties in the foetal heart with rather limited results, because of angle dependency, sensitivity to extracardial movement, the need for good-quality images, long and time-consuming post-processing and the low reproducibility of Doppler-derived strain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]