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Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) has been well described in Williams-Beuren Syndrome and non-syndromic elastin (ELN) mutations. Non-syndromic ELN mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. ELN haploinsufficiency leads to progressive arteriopathy, typically affecting the aortic sinotubular junction. Multi-level pulmonary stenosis has also been reported and biventricular obstruction may portend a worse prognosis. Fetal presentation of ELN mutation with SVAS has not been previously reported in the literature. We present a case of fetal diagnosis of SVAS and multi-level pulmonary stenosis in a family with a known pathogenic ELN mutation (Exon 6, c.278del [p.Pro93Leufs*29]). On the fetus' initial fetal echo, there was only mild flow acceleration through the aortic outflow tract, however, she went on to develop progressive bilateral obstruction. In the early post-natal period, the child was clinically asymptomatic and showed similar mild SVAS and mild valvar and supravalvular pulmonary stenosis. Our case highlights the need for serial monitoring of fetuses with suspected or confirmed ELN arteriopathy., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Deletion of 22q11.2 (del22q11) is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We sought to investigate its contribution to perioperative outcome in patients with a severe form of TOF characterized by pulmonary atresia (PA) or severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAS). We conducted a retrospective review of patients with TOF/MAPCAS who underwent staged surgical reconstruction between 1995 and 2006. Groups were compared according to 22q11.2 deletion status using t-tests or the Wilcoxon Rank sum test. We included 26 subjects, 24 of whom survived the initial operation. Of those, 21 subjects had known deletion status and constitute the group for this analysis [15 with no deletion present (ND) and 6 del22q11 subjects]. There was no difference with respect to occurrence of palliative procedure prior to initial operation, or to timing of closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD). Other than higher prevalence of prematurity (50%) in the del22q11 group versus no prematurity in the ND, the groups were comparable in terms of pre-operative characteristics. The intra- and post-operative course outcomes (length of cardiopulmonary bypass, use of vasopressors, duration of intensive care and length of hospital stay, tube-feeding) were also comparable. Although the del22q11 had longer mechanical ventilation than the ND, this difference was not significant [68 h (range 4-251) vs. 45 h (range 3-1005), p = 0.81]. In this detailed comparison of a small patient cohort, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome was not associated with adverse perioperative outcomes in patients with TOF, PA, and MAPCAS when compared to those without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. These results are relevant to prenatal and neonatal pre-operative counseling and planning.

We report a three-generation family with nine patients affected by a combination of cardiac abnormalities and left isomerism which, to our knowledge, has not been described before. The cardiac anomalies include non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium, bradycardia, pulmonary valve stenosis, and secundum atrial septal defect. The laterality sequence anomalies include left bronchial isomerism, azygous continuation of the inferior vena cava, polysplenia and intestinal malrotation, all compatible with left isomerism. This new syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. A genome-wide linkage analysis suggested linkage to chromosome 6p24.3-21.2 with a maximum LOD score of 2.7 at marker D6S276. The linkage interval is located between markers D6S470 (telomeric side) and D6S1610 (centromeric side), and overlaps with the linkage interval in another family with heterotaxy reported previously. Taken together, the genomic region could be reduced to 9.4 cM (12 Mb) containing several functional candidate genes for this complex heterotaxy phenotype.

Balloon dilatation of critical pulmonary valve stenosis in neonates with a weight of less than 2.5 kg is associated with specific problems, including temperature loss during the procedure, venous access, and problems related to the small size of the cardiac structures. We report our experience with balloon valvuloplasty in a premature newborn weighing 1.22 kg. Venous access was gained with a 4 French sheath, and balloon dilatation was performed with a 3.5 French 7-mm balloon catheter. Temperature loss of the baby was avoided by puncturing the femoral vein prior to the procedure on a neonatal open care system, wrapping the child in cotton, and covering the extremities with aluminium foil. The good result in our patient demonstrates that balloon valvuloplasty is a therapeutic option for treatment of critical pulmonary stenosis in premature infants.

A mother and three of her four children, one girl and two boys, who had valvar pulmonary stenosis are described. One child had an associated septum secundum atrial septal defect, and another had an associated ventricular septal defect. An autosomal dominant mode of inheritance is likely for the valvar pulmonary stenosis. The association of additional cardiac lesions in two of the three siblings raises the possibility of closely associated genetic loci.

A 13-year-old slightly mentally retarded female is reported with diffuse calcification of the cartilage, brachytelephalangy, mixed hearing loss and peripheral pulmonary stenosis. The present observation confirms the existence of the Keutel syndrome as a distinct syndrome, with probable autosomal recessive inheritance.

We report four new cases of Keutel syndrome. Clinical manifestation included abnormal cartilage ossification, multiple peripheral pulmonary stenosis (PPS), brachytelephalangism, subnormal IQ, repeated respiratory infections, otitis media and hearing loss. All four children have a typical facial appearance and are of consanguineous parents. Father and the fifth offspring exhibit a normal phenotype; the mother has pulmonary stenosis. This observation confirms Keutel syndrome as a distinct autosomal recessive syndrome.