PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Dursun Alehan

Publications and source records attributed to Dursun Alehan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the evaluation of cardiac haemodynamics after repair of tetralogy of Fallot in children: negative effects of pulmonary regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: The aims were to evaluate right and left ventricular systolic function and pulmonary regurgitation (PR) at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and to assess relationships between PR and cardiac haemodynamics in late postoperative tetralogy of Fallot patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen children (postoperative period 10.9 +/- 2.9 years) had heart rates, PR volumes and velocities, right ventricle (RV) volumes, ejection fraction, cardiac output and index measured at rest and during DSE. Left ventricular ejection fraction did not significantly increase and the RV volumes did not change significantly during DSE (p > 0.05). RV ejection fraction was significantly lower than that of the left ventricle at rest (p < 0.001), and patients failed to increase RV ejection fraction during DSE (p > 0.05). PR measurements increased significantly during DSE (p < 0.05). PR velocity correlated positively with RV end-diastolic volume both at rest and during DSE (p < 0.0 1). PR volume was inversely correlated with ejection fraction, cardiac output and index at rest and during DSE (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Latent dysfunction and impaired functional response to stress of both ventricles are detected by DSE. Although many postoperative patients are asymptomatic; assessment of postoperative haemodynamics by exercise or DSE will probably result in early detection of latent ventricular dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

Right ventricular noncompaction in a neonate with complex congenital heart disease.

Ventricular noncompaction is a rare unclassified cardiomyopathy occurring because of arrest of the normal intrauterine compaction of the loose luminal component of the ventricular myocardium. There is limited data regarding its diagnosis and outcome in children. It is recognised, however, that right ventricular involvement is extremely rare. We report a case in which only the right ventricular myocardium was noncompacted, a situation which led to heart failure soon after birth.

Echocardiography↗

Serum troponin T levels and echocardiographic evaluation in children treated with doxorubicin.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the usefulness of serum cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) to detect doxorubicin related cardiotoxicity as a non-invasive and reliable method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients who received doxorubicin for their solid tumors at cumulative doses of 400 mg/m(2) or higher, between June 1982 and August 2000, were included in this study. None of them had clinical signs or symptoms of cardiotoxicity. The age range was 3-31 years (median 14), and male to female ratio was 14/10. The systolic and diastolic cardiac functions were evaluated by two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography. Serum cTnT levels were measured by a third generation immunoassay method and the lowest detectable level was 0.010 ng/ml. RESULTS: The cumulative doxorubicin doses were at the range of 400 and 840 mg/m(2) (median 480). The time past from the last doxorubicin dose was 1-168 months (median 12). All of the patients had normal chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and nine patients (37.5%) had abnormal systolic or diastolic cardiac function parameters. The median cumulative doxorubicin doses of the patients with normal and abnormal echocardiographic parameters were 480 and 440 mg/m(2), respectively. Serum cTnT values of 21 patients were below the detection limit (< 0.010 ng/ml). There was no statistical difference between serum cTnT levels of the patients with normal and abnormal echocardiographic findings (P = 0.376). CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was found between serum cTnT values, cumulative doxorubicin doses, and systolic or diastolic cardiac functions. We can conclude that echocardiographic follow-up is more reliable than serum cTnT levels for detecting subclinical cardiac toxicity.

Adolescent↗

Clinical features of isolated left ventricular noncompaction in children.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular noncompaction is a rare unclassified cardiomyopathy due to intrauterin arrest of compaction of the loose interwoven meshwork with limited data regarding diagnosis and outcome in children. METHODS: In this study we describe clinical features of isolated left ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) in children and compare our findings with those previously reported. A diagnosis of ventricular noncompaction was made according to the characteristic echocardiographic appearance of two-layered myocardial wall consisting of a thin compacted epicardial and a thick noncompacted endocardial layer with numerous, prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses communicating with left ventricular cavity. RESULTS: Nine children, eight male and one female, with ages ranging from 10 days to 12 years and follow-up as long as 5 years were included into the study. The primary diagnosis of IVNC had been missed in four of the patients. Clinical manifestations were heart failure in five patients, cardiac murmur in two, dizziness in one, and palpitation in one patient. All patients, except two asymptomatic ones, had electrocardiographic abnormalities. Four patients required hospital admission for decompansated heart failure. Two patients died during follow-up while waiting for heart transplantation. Familial occurrence, ventricular tachycardia and thromboembolic events were not observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although IVNC is present at birth, it may become clinically overt at any time from infancy through adolescence. Physicians and echocardiographers should be familiar with the diagnostic pattern of ventricular noncompaction in order to prevent any delay in diagnosis. Since associated morbidity and mortality rates are high, these patients require regular follow-up.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Pediatric surgical image. A rare case: celiac artery compression syndrome in an asymptomatic child.

Celiac artery compression syndrome is a rare disorder and characterized by postprandial intestinal angina caused by insufficient blood supply to the gastrointestinal organs in symptomatic patients. This pathology is also known as median arcuate syndrome. The authors report a case of 12-year-old boy with severe celiac artery compression by the median arcuate ligament that was diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) and color dupplex ultrasonography (US). There was only a bruit in the upper midepigastrium, and there were no gastrointestinal symptoms despite severe compression of celiac trunk. This clinicopathologic entity is very rare but represents severe complaints and clinical results caused by a decreased rate of the intestinal blood flow. In this report the authors suggest that the diagnosis of celiac artery compression should be considered in asymptomatic pediatric patients representing abdominal bruit or with palpated thrill in the upper epigastrium. In comparison with case reports present in the English-language literature, the patient reported on here is the youngest diagnosed.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

Successful surgical management of a double-chambered left ventricle in a 13-year-old girl: a report of a rare case.

BACKGROUND: Double-chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare congenital anomaly, and only a few cases in which a 2-chambered LV is separated by the interventricular septum or an abnormal muscle bundle have been reported in the literature. Frequently, such cases are diagnosed when a patient is admitted to hospital for the evaluation of a cardiac murmur, and most of these patients have isolated DCLV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl with DCLV who had twice undergone operation, including mitral valve replacement, in our institution. RESULT: No gradient was found after surgical resection of the hypertrophic floating mass, and the patient's symptoms disappeared. DISCUSSION: Surgical resection can be carried out in patients with DCLV when done sufficiently early, and careful echocardiographic examination is important in a continuing follow-up. Surgeons should keep in mind the possibility of a recurrence of DCLV.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in children with merosin-positive congenital muscular dystrophy.

Cardiopathy is an expected finding in X-linked Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. This holds true for some other forms such as autosomal recessive limb-girdle dystrophies. However, data on early-onset and usually severe congenital muscular dystrophies are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of cardiac involvement in children with merosin-positive congenital muscular dystrophy. A total of 42 patients and 22 healthy subjects were evaluated by M-mode, 2D, and Doppler echocardiography. Cardiac anatomy, left ventricular dimensions, wall thickness and systolic and diastolic functions were investigated in patients and compared with those of healthy control subjects. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening fraction were significantly lower in the patient group (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) and in three patients ejection fraction was below 55%. Although some impairments in left ventricular inflow indexes which were suggestive of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were detected in patients with merosin-positive congenital muscular dystrophy they were not statistically significant. Our results suggest that left ventricular systolic abnormalities may occur in children with merosin-positive congenital muscular dystrophy.

Adolescent↗

Cardiac troponin T and myocardial injury during routine cardiac catheterisation in children.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate whether intracardiac catheterization produces myocardial damage on pediatric heart. METHODS: Five blood samples were collected (basal, immediate post procedure, at 4, 12 and 24 h after the procedure) for troponin T and creatine kinase MB (CKMB) from 48 consecutive patients (age: 5.34+/-6.03 years). The effect of age, duration of procedure, pulmonary hypertension, cyanosis, and medication taken for congestive heart failure on the levels of troponin T and CKMB were sought. RESULTS: The increase in CKMB (basal CKMB: 3.93+/-3.70 ng/ml; peak CKMB: 8.68+/-10.89 ng/ml; P<0.0001) and troponin levels (basal troponin: 0.002+/-0.003 ng/ml; peak troponin: 0.11+/-0.23 ng/ml; P<0.0001) over time was significant in the study group. Additionally younger patients (</=1 year), patients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg), longer procedure time (>30 min), and patients taking anti-congestive heart failure therapy had significantly higher levels of CKMB and troponin (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: All patients undergoing cardiac catheterization are under risk of myocardial injury, and younger patients with pulmonary hypertension and especially with compensated cardiac failure have increased risk of myocardial damage, and need to be handled carefully.

Adolescent↗

Reproducibility of the head-up tilt test results in children with vasovagal syncope.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study aims to investigate the reproducibility of HUTT results in children with typical history of vasovagal syncope. METHODS: Between October 1996 and October 1999, 58 children with a history of typical vasovagal syncope attacks were evaluated with head up tilt test (HUTT). The table was tilted to 60 degrees and the patients were monitored for heart rate and blood pressure changes during 45 min. No provocative agents were used. The test was repeated a week later at a similar setting. RESULTS: Of 58 patients, 39 had positive and 19 had negative response during the initial test. During the second test, the positive response was reproduced in 29 cases (50%), and the negative response was reproduced in 16 cases (28%). Ten patients (17%) with an initial positive test had a negative second test. A negative test became positive only in three patients (5%). There were 12 vasodepressor, four cardioinhibitor and 23 mixed responses among the initial tests. Only in four patients did the type of the response change from vasodepressor to a mixed type during the second test. The reproducibility of a positive tilt test was 74.4% (29/39), the negative tilt test was 84.2% (16/19), and the overall reproducibility of the HUTT was 77.6% (45/58). CONCLUSIONS: Unprovoked HUTT in children is reproducible when repeated on different days and similar settings and the results are comparable to the ones with adult patients.

Adolescent↗

Plasma leptin levels in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease and correlations with growth parameters.

BACKGROUND: Leptin has been shown to be an integral component of energy homeostasis and regulation of body weight. Leptin regulates adipose tissue mass and correlates with the fat mass, however the circulating levels are altered by energy intake. Research on the physiological function of leptin has primarily focused on its role in the pathogenesis of obesity. However, its role in the negative energy imbalance is unclear. Increased energy expenditure is a primary factor in the reduced growth in infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The objective of this study was to examine the possible role of leptin on growth and nutrition in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, plasma leptin levels, nutritional and growth status were evaluated in 28 cyanotic and 20 acyanotic patients with congenital heart disease. Although standard deviation (S.D.) of height (P<0.01), mid arm circumference (MAC) (P<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (P<0.05) were significantly low in cyanotic group, plasma leptin levels were similar. Energy intake was high in cyanotic group. In both cyanotic and acyanotic group, plasma leptin levels were correlated with BMI (R: 0.388, P<0.05 and R: 0.789, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, leptin levels were significantly correlated with the height (R: 0.415, P<0.05), MAC (R: 0.482, P<0.05) and BMI (R: 0.377, P<0.05) S.D. in cyanotic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the leptin regulating axis is intact in cyanotic patients and leptin does not contribute to the cachexia of cyanotic heart disease.

Adolescent↗

Two-dimensional echocardiographic diagnosis of double outlet left ventricle with subaortic ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and a hypoplastic left ventricle.

Double outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is a rare congenital cardiac malformation in which both the pulmonary artery and the aorta arise exclusively or predominantly from the morphologic left ventricle. We describe a case of DOLV with situs solitus, d-loop ventricles, d-malposition of the great arteries (S, D, D), severe pulmonary stenosis, and a subaortic ventricular septal defect in which the left ventricle was also severely hypoplastic. The anatomic features were shown with 2-dimensional echocardiography, and the diagnosis was later confirmed at cardiac catheterization. Many morphologic variations of this malformation have been described but to the our knowledge DOLV with a hypoplastic left ventricle has not been reported before.

Aortic Diseases↗

Heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system changes in children with vasovagal syncope.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the HRV at rest and during tilt test (HUTT) in children with a history of vasovagal syncope and to link the HRV indices with the clinical results of the test. HRV indices were assessed in the supine position and during the initial 5 minutes of the 60-degree HUTT in 49 patients (33 females, 16 males, mean age of 13 +/- 2.8 years) who were evaluated for recurrent syncope. The positive to negative results of the test were 21 to 28. The normalized power of high frequency component (npHF) decreased, normalized power of low frequency component (npLF) and the LF:HF ratio increased during HUTT of tilt-positive patients (P < 0.05 for each parameter). Parallel changes, but to a lesser degree, were observed for similar HRV parameters of tilt-negative patients. In addition, the HF and all the time-domain indices decreased significantly (P < or = 0.05) during HUTT in the latter group. When the tilt-positive and -negative patients were compared, the npHF was lower (P = 0.002), npLF and LF:HF ratio were higher (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001, respectively) during the test in tilt-positive patients, reflecting increased sympathetic tone in this group. A cut-off point for LF:HF was assigned as 2.7 for differentiating tilt-negative and tilt-positive results. The specificity, sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values of this cut-off point were calculated as 93%, 52%, 85%, and 41%, respectively. Patients with vasovagal syncope show variations in vagal autonomic tone and appear to be more prone to syncope when their sympathetic tone is elevated at the beginning of the test. LF:HF > 2.7 is a specific marker (specificity 93%) and can correctly predict a positive tilt test in 85% of patients.

Adolescent↗

Isolated splenic infarction owing to group B Salmonella: case report.

The clinical spectrum of extra-intestinal salmonellosis, comprising enteric fever and invasive infections owing to non-typhoidal Salmonellae, is well known. We report an otherwise healthy patient with isolated splenic infarction caused by group B Salmonella. She was seropositive for the O antigen of Salmonella group B and stool cultures were positive for group B Salmonellae. After appropriate antimicrobial therapy, her complaints disappeared and microbiological tests for Salmonellae became negative.

Adolescent↗

Complications and outcome in left-sided endocarditis in children.

We retrospectively assessed the clinical course and outcome of left-sided endocarditis in pediatric patients to find out the prognostic significance of the presence and size of echocardiographically detected vegetations. Among the children admitted to our institution with endocarditis between January 1987 and October 1999, 16 patients (mean age 9.03 +/- 4.95 years) who met the Duke criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) were included in this study. Rheumatic valvular disease was the most frequent underlying heart disease (10 patients: 62.5%). Five patients were operated at a mean of 13.9 months before endocarditis, and all had residual defects. Vegetation was detected in 11 cases (69%). Ten patients had major complications (within 2 weeks in 6 patients). Three patients developed congestive heart failure (CHF), six had intracranial and one had lower extremity emboli. Among them four were operated because of complications (CHF: 3 cases, intracranial emboli: 1 case). All the operated cases are doing well. The association between intracranial embolic events and echocardiographically detected vegetations was determined by calculating specificity (40%), sensitivity (100%), positive predictive value (50%), and negative predictive value (100%). No intracranial embolism occurred in patients without vegetations. All vegetations were < or = 6 mm in patients with systemic embolism. There were four deaths, three of which were because of intracranial embolism. This study suggests that intracranial emboli have a major risk of mortality in left-sided endocarditis. The larger size of the vegetation is not a predictor of complications; furthermore, the absence of vegetations predicts that the patient is safe from embolic events. Therefore all patients with left-sided IE should be considered for earlier surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗