scholarly journals Tracking Trends in Emissions of Developmental Toxicants and Potential Associations with Congenital Heart Disease in Alberta, Canada

Challenges ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Deliwe Ngwezi ◽  
Lisa Hornberger ◽  
Jose Cabeza-Gonzalez ◽  
Sujata Chandra ◽  
Deborah Fruitman ◽  
...  

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a serious anomaly for which the etiology remains elusive. We explored temporal trend associations between industrial developmental toxicant (DT) air emissions and CHD in Alberta. Patients born between 2004–2011 with a diagnosis of CHD and 18 DTs from the National Pollutant Release Inventory (2003–2010) were identified. We applied principal component analysis (PCA) to DT amounts and toxicity risk scores (RS) and defined yearly crude CHD and septal defects rates for urban and rural regions. Correlations between DT groups and CHD rates were examined with Spearman test and Bonferroni correction was conducted for multiple comparisons. PCA identified three DT groups: Group 1 (volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases,) Group 2 (other VOCs), and Group 3 (mainly heavy metals). Province-wide, we found associations between Group 1 DTs and CHD and septal defect rates, when using amounts (r = 0.86, CI 0.39, 0.97 and r = 0.89, CI 0.48, 0.98, respectively) and RS (r = 0.88, CI 0.47, 0.98 and r = 0.85, CI 0.36, 0.97, respectively). Rural Group 2 DTs were positively associated with septal defect rates in both amounts released and RS (r = 0.91, CI 0.55, 0.98 and r = 0.91, CI 0.55, 0.98, respectively). In this exploratory study, we found a temporal decrease in emissions and CHD rates in rural regions and a potential positive association between CHD and septal defect rates and mixtures of organic compounds with or without gases.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-373
Author(s):  
Steven M. Schwarz ◽  
Michael H. Gewitz ◽  
Cynthia C. See ◽  
Stuart Berezin ◽  
Mark S. Glassman ◽  
...  

To determine an effective nutritional regimen for management of growth failure in infants with congenital heart disease and congestive heart failure, the authors studied 19 infants with cardiac anomalies who were not candidates for early corrective surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three feeding groups: group 1 (n = 7) received continuous, 24-hour nasogastric alimentation; group 2 (n = 5) received overnight, 12-hour nasogastric infusions plus daytime oral feedings as tolerated; and group 3 (n = 7) received oral feedings alone. For all patients, commercial infant formula (cow's milk or soy protein) was supplemented to a calorie density of approximately 1 kcal/mL. During a 5.25 ± 0.45 month study period, only group 1 infants achieved intakes > 140 kcal/kg per day (mean = 147 kcal). Serial anthropometric measurements demonstrated that only 24-hour infusions (group 1) were associated with significantly improved nutritional status, when assessed by z scores for weight (P < .01) and length (P < .05). Group 1 infants also showed marked increases in midarm muscle circumference and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses (P < .01, compared with groups 2 and 3). These data suggest that infants with congenital cardiac defects complicated by malnutrition manifest increased nutrient requirements for growth and weight gain. Continuous, 24-hour, nasogastric alimentation is a safe and effective method for achieving both increased nutrient intake and improved overall nutritional status in these infants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 895-901

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication of congenital heart disease (CHD) with uncorrected left-to-right shunts. Currently, no consensus guideline exists on the management of PAH-CHD in children, especially those who do not meet operability criteria. Objective: To compare survival between three groups of high-risk PAH-CHD, group 1: total correction including both surgical and percutaneous intervention, group 2: palliative treatment, and group 3: conservative with medical treatment group. Materials and Methods: All pediatric patients with PAH-CHD that underwent cardiac catheterization between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were high risk PAH-CHD patients who had pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) greater than 6 Wood unit·m² and PVR-to-SVR ratio greater than 0.3 evaluated in room air. Exclusion criteria were younger than three months of age, severe left side heart disease with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than 15 mmHg, obstructive total pulmonary venous return, and single ventricle physiology. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed from the date of PAH diagnosis to the date of all-cause mortality or to censored date at last follow-up. Results: Seventy-six patients with a median age at diagnosis of 27.5 months (IQR 14.5 to 69.0 months) were included in this study. The patients were divided into three subgroups and included 38 patients (50.0%) in group 1, six patients (7.9%) in group 2, and 32 patients (42.1%) in group 3. The median follow-up time was 554 days (IQR 103 to 2,133 days). The overall mortality was 21.7%. One-year survival in patients with simple lesion in group 1 and 3 were 79.5% and 87.5% and patients with complex lesions in group 1, 2, and 3 were 93.8%, 83.3%, and 73.1%, respectively. The results showed that most mortalities occurred in the first year. There were no statistically significant differences in survival among difference types of treatment (log rank test, p=0.522). Conclusion: The mortality of high-risk PAH-CHD patients were not different among those who underwent corrective surgery, palliative, or conservative treatment. The mortality was high in the first year after PAH diagnosis and remain stable afterward. Management decision for an individual with high-risk PAH-CHD patients requires comprehensive clinical assessment to balance the risks and benefits before making individualized clinical judgment. Keywords: Pulmonary hypertension; Congenital heart disease; High-risk patients


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e37-e38
Author(s):  
Deliwe Ngwezi ◽  
Lisa Hornberger ◽  
Jesus Serrano-Lomelin ◽  
Charlene Nielsen ◽  
Deborah Fruitman ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Evidence is emerging suggesting associations between environmental pollutants, socio-economic status (SES) and congenital heart disease (CHD); however, it is still inconclusive. Furthermore, it has been documented in environmental injustice studies that people with low socio-economic status are disproportionately vulnerable to environmental hazards and therefore are victims of a double jeopardy. OBJECTIVES We sought to explore the effect of exposure to groups of developmental toxicants (DTs) and SES on CHD development in urban and rural Alberta. DESIGN/METHODS We identified 2,413 CHD cases and postal codes (PC) from echocardiographic databases (2003–2010). We used previously defined groups of DTs comprised of: 1- organics and gases, 2-organics and 3-heavy metals. Exposure was assigned to each PC as the sum of the product of multiplying amounts of DTs (tonnes) emitted from any industrial facility within 10 km radius during the whole study period, by the inverse distance from the facility to the centroid of the PC. Exposures were categorized into deciles from 1(lowest) to 10 (highest) for group 1 DTs and tertiles (1=lowest to 3 =highest), for groups 2 and 3 DTs and the SES index. Poisson regression models were used to calculate risk ratios and 95% CI, adjusted for SES index or DTs and traffic-related surrogates (NO2, PM2.5). RESULTS Adjusted Effect of DT Exposure: Group 1 DT showed increased risk in urban and rural regions in the 10th decile of exposure, aRR=1.85(1.5, 2.3) and 2.67(1.04, 6.8, respectively). Group 2 DT risk was increased only in urban 3rd tertile, RR=1.45(1.3, 1.6). Group 3 DTs were associated with an increased risk in urban and rural regions in the 3rd tertile of exposure [aRR=1.16(1.04, 1.3), and 2.8(1.14, 7.1, respectively)]. Adjusted Effect of SES: SES was independently associated with an increased risk of CHD in urban lowest tertile, [aRR=1.13(1.0, 1.3)] and rural lowest and middle SES tertile, [aRR=2.9(1.9, 4.8) and 1.6(1.1, 2.6), respectively]. CONCLUSION High exposures to groups of DTs and SES were independently associated with an increased risk of CHD in urban and rural Alberta. This suggests that neighborhood SES in Alberta does not impose a disproportional exposure to DTs. Furthermore, SES had a greater impact in rural compared to urban regions. We would like to explore for interactions between the SES and DT exposures and to determine if there is environmental injustice in Alberta.


Author(s):  
Oliver Graupner ◽  
Jessica Koch ◽  
Christian Enzensberger ◽  
Malena Götte ◽  
Aline Wolter ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are known to have impaired neurodevelopment possibly influenced by altered cerebroplacental hemodynamics antenatally. We compared fetomaternal Doppler patterns in different CHD groups with published normative values during gestation. Materials and Methods Retrospective cohort study consisting of 248 CHD fetuses. Subgroups were generated according to the expected ascending aorta oxygen saturation: low portion of high oxygenated umbilical venous (UV) blood (group 1: n = 108), intermediate portion of UV blood due to intracardiac mixing with oxygen poor systemic blood (group 2: n = 103), high (group 3: n = 13) and low portion of UV blood without mixing of blood (group 4: n = 24). Doppler examination included umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (UA-PI, MCA-PI), cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and mean uterine artery (mUtA) PI. For mean comparisons at different gestational ages (GA), estimated marginal means from regression models are reported for GA 22 weeks (wks), GA 30 wks and GA 38 wks. Results Z-score transformed values of MCA-PI (zMCA-PI) were significantly lower in group 1 compared to all other subgroups at GA 30 wks (p < 0.05). At 38 wks, group 1 had significantly lower values of zMCA-PI and zCPR compared to groups 2 and 4. Group 1 fetuses showed a significant association between zMCA-PI and zCPR (negative) and GA as well as zmUtA-PI (positive) and GA compared to reference values. Conclusion Our data confirm that CHD fetuses have a higher rate of cerebral redistribution in the third trimester. Changes in Doppler patterns were mainly observed in CHD with a low portion of UV blood in the ascending aorta.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leína Zorzanelli ◽  
Nair Y Maeda ◽  
Mariana M Clavé ◽  
Ana M Thomaz ◽  
Marlene Rabinovitch ◽  
...  

Introduction: Inflammation and immunity are central in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but have not been fully explored in young patients with congenital heart disease and elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAH-CHD) undergoing surgical repair. Hypothesis: Cytokines and related proteins may be differentially expressed in PAH-CHD patients with distinct hemodynamic patterns. Methods: Sixteen patients with PAH-CHD were enrolled (Group 1, age 1.13 (0.76-2.48) years, median and interquartile range). Pulmonary artery pressure was 52 (43-66) mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance was 5.2 (4.2-8.9) Wood units•m 2 . Patients with pulmonary overcirculation, with no need for cardiac catheterization were included for comparison (Group 2, N=31, age 0.71 (0.43-1.02) years). Pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio (echocardiography) in Group 1 and Group 2 was 1.9 (1.3-2.6) and 2.8 (2.3-3.3) respectively (p=0.008). Thirty-six cytokines were analyzed in serum using a chemiluminescence array. Results: In the whole patient group (N=47), MIF chemokine (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) was significantly increased compared to pediatric controls (respective densities 7510±2755 pixels and 5697±2051 pixels, mean±SD, p=0.027). In patients, GROα chemokine (growth-regulated oncogene alpha) was elevated early in life, but decreased exponentially with the age (R 2 =0.21, p=0.001), while interleukin 17E (also called IL-25) increased progressively (R 2 =0.24, p<0.001). MIF was specifically increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and controls (respectively, 8494±619 pixels, 6618±477 pixels and 6548±726 pixels, age-adjusted mean±SEM, p=0.037). In contrast, RANTES chemokine (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) was specifically elevated in Group 2 compared to Group 1 and controls (respectively, 74183±3865 pixels, 60130±6455 pixels and 59332±3970 pixels, mean±SEM, p=0.039). Conclusion: The data indicate a relationship between cytokine levels and severity of the disease (age, groups), with potential pathophysiological implications. Furthermore, involvement of interleukin 17E and MIF emphasize the role of Th2 immune response already described in PAH.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Alves Mourato ◽  
Lúcia Roberta R. Villachan ◽  
Sandra da Silva Mattos

OBJECTIVE:To determine the frequence and profile of congenital heart defects in Down syndrome patients referred to a pediatric cardiologic center, considering the age of referral, gender, type of heart disease diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and its association with pulmonary hypertension at the initial diagnosis.METHODS:Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection of 138 patients with Down syndrome from a total of 17,873 records. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed, using Epi-Info version 7.RESULTS: Among the 138 patients with Down syndrome, females prevailed (56.1%) and 112 (81.2%) were diagnosed with congenital heart disease. The most common lesion was ostium secundum atrial septal defect, present in 51.8%, followed by atrioventricular septal defect, in 46.4%. Ventricular septal defects were present in 27.7%, while tetralogy of Fallot represented 6.3% of the cases. Other cardiac malformations corresponded to 12.5%. Pulmonary hypertension was associated with 37.5% of the heart diseases. Only 35.5% of the patients were referred before six months of age.CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of referral until six months of age highlights the need for a better tracking of patients with Down syndrome in the context of congenital heart disease, due to the high frequency and progression of pulmonary hypertension.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-322
Author(s):  
Stella B. Kontras ◽  
JoAnn G. Bodenbender

Capillary morphology has been studied in 111 normal children. In 98% of these cases, straight hairpin forms make up over 80% of the capillaries examined. Thirty children with congenital heart disease showed 80% abnormal capillary patterns consisting of dilated, tortuous, and branched loops. These were most marked in cyanotic tetralogy of Fallot and ventricular septal defect with pulmonary hypertension. These cases also were associated with microscopic hemorrhages, increased capillary fragility and actual postoperative hemorrhagic complications. Definitive surgery in two cases, though improving the patient, did not result in changes in the abnormal capillary patterns. It is suggested that the role of the capillary structure in rheology of blood in the microvasculature has largely been ignored and that abnormalities in this vascular compartment may affect perfusion of tissues. The association of abnormalities in coagulation studies, hemorrhage, and thrombosis with congenital heart disease may in part be related to the morphologic vascular abnormalities. The abnormal capillary findings may be due to maturational arrest or dysmaturity of this portion of the cardiovascular system or may be the result of chronic hypoxia.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Teddy Ontoseno

There were 40 adult congenital heart disease (CHD) patients seen in the Cardiology Division during 1 year (February 1993 - February 1994). The most frequently seen defect was atrial septal defect; however there were also cases with patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and tetralogy of Fallot. Hemodynamic disorder, serious hindrance to education achievement, and occupational threat due to limited physical capabilities as well as malnutrition are some of prominent issues to be closely anticipated. In general the older the patients the more serious hemodynamic disorder they suffer due CHD. It is worth thinking how to improve the quality of life of CHD patients who succeed to live their adult lives and minimize any possible fatal complication risks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Julia Illner ◽  
Holger Reinecke ◽  
Helmut Baumgartner ◽  
Gerrit Kaleschke

Abstract Background Adults with complex congenital heart disease palliated with systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts have become rare and represent a particularly challenging patient group for the cardiologist. One of the complications and causes of severe clinical deterioration during long-term follow-up are progressive obstruction or total occlusion of the shunt. The risk for surgical intervention is frequently high and catheter intervention may be complicated by complex anatomy and shunt calcification. Case summary We report the case of a 47-year-old man with uncorrected (palliated) pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect who presented with progressive cyanosis (oxygen saturation 69%) and decreasing exercise capacity. Computed tomography revealed a totally occluded modified left Blalock–Taussig (BT) shunt and a severely stenosed central shunt (Waterston–Cooley) in a patient with confluent but hypoplastic pulmonary arteries and multiple major aortic pulmonary collaterals. Due to a high operative risk, an interventional, percutaneous approach was preferred to re-do surgery. From a radial access the calcified BT shunt could be crossed with a hydrophilic guidewire. Then, a rotational thrombectomy, balloon dilatation, and bare-metal stenting at the proximal and distal anastomoses were performed. Post-interventionally, peripheral oxygen saturation increased from 69% to 82%. Clopidogrel was administered for 1 month after bare-metal stenting. At 1-year follow-up, the BT shunt was still patent on echocardiography and exercise tolerance markedly improved. Discussion This case highlights the benefit of percutaneous rotational thrombectomy followed by stenting of chronically occluded systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts for further palliation in adult patients with complex congenital heart disease not suitable for surgical repair.


1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
NN Fatema ◽  
RB Chowdhury ◽  
L Chowdhury

Background: Incidence of congenital heart disease is 8-10/1000 live birth which is established by many studies carried out in many centers worldwide. In Bangladesh no incidence study was carried out so far. Newborn children presenting with various forms of congenital heart disease is a common problem now a days. Neonatologists and paediatricians are now more conscious about early detection and treatment of newborn with congenital heart diseases. Diagnostic facilities are also available in many places. So an individual incidence record from an ideal center of our country is a demand of the time which led carrying out this study. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dhaka over a period of three years (2004 – 2006). All five thousand six hundred and sixty eight live births weighing more than 500 gm and more than 28 weeks gestational period were subjected to a thorough clinical examination within 72 hours of birth. Those suspected to have any form of congenital heart disease (CHD) were followed up every 4-6 wks for a period of 12 months. Echocardiography with color Doppler was performed in all these newborn including those who reported late but were delivered in obstetrics department of Combined Military Hospital Dhaka. Result: One hundred forty two babies out of 5668 live birth had CHD, ie, 25/1000 live births. Incidence of CHD was higher in pre terms as compared to full term live birth. Some of the patients (18.30%) has other associated somatic anomalies among which Down’s syndrome was commonest (9.15%). Most common congenital heart lesions were Atrial Septal Defect (ASD-26%), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD-16.9%), Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA-18%), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF-14%), Pulmonary Stenosis (PS-7.75%) etc. Those who were found to have congenital heart disease were managed accordingly. Some patients had spontaneous closure of defects in first year follow up period. Conclusion: The incidence of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) depends upon various factors like nature of the samples (all live birth or all birth) or on the spot examination by a Paediatric cardiologist. A hospital which has Obstetric, Neonatal and Paediatric cardiology unit can carried out this kind of study successfully. In this study screening of asymptomatic high risk neonates also contributes in early detection of many trivial lesions. Severe lesions were also detected by the paediatric cardiologist who usually expire before being referred from other hospitals and before being diagnosis is established. So a higher incidence rate is recorded in this study. Key words: Congenital heart disease; Echocardiography DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v1i1.8199 Cardiovasc. j. 2008; 1(1) : 14-20  


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