Kuo Li^1,2, Yue Tang^1,2, Yonggang Li^1,2,*, Yuhao Wu^1,2,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2026.076517

Abstract Background: There has been an increasing number of studies documenting the application of the right axillary thoracotomy (RAT) approach for the repair of congenital heart diseases. However, no research has reported the RAT approach in repairing the anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA). This study aims to investigate the feasibility and safety of the RAT approach for repairing AAOCA in children. Methods: We performed a retrospective study at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2024 and October 2025 to investigate the clinical outcomes of the RAT approach for repairing AAOCA in… More >

Ryan G. McQueen¹, Paulina M. Gutkin², George M. Hoffman³, Ronald K. Woods^4,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.075838

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to understand intraoperative risk factors for post-Norwood extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-institution review of all patients with HLHS who underwent a Norwood procedure (nadir cardiopulmonary bypass temperature ≤ 22°C) over a 12-year period with quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: Of 102 Norwood patients, 14 (13.7%) required ECMO. ECMO patients had longer median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times (276 vs. 172 min, p < 0.001) and myocardial ischemic times (98.5 vs 83 min, p = 0.021). Longer CPB time was More >

Yuanyuan Li¹, Xingyue Wang¹, Yucan Deng¹, Runfang Tian¹, Jinfeng Zhao¹, Li Liu^2,*, Panpan Sun^3,*, Zhiguang Ping^1,3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2026.075611

Abstract Background: Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound is increasingly being used for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy for fetal CHD. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-DTA guidelines. We systematically searched eight databases for studies published up to July 22, 2025. Data were extracted to calculate diagnostic accuracy metrics, study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2, and a bivariate random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 49 studies were included, comprising 45 retrospective and 4 prospective studies,… More >

Jae Hong Lee¹, Seung Min Baek², Hye Won Kwon³, Sungkyu Cho^3,4, Jae Gun Kwak^3,4, Woong-Han Kim^3,4,5,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.075046

Abstract Background: We evaluated surgical outcomes of biventricular repair for atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) or double-outlet right ventricle (DORV). Methods: This retrospective pilot study included 12 patients who underwent biventricular repair of AVSD with TOF (n = 6) or DORV (n = 6) between 2004 and 2023. Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction was performed using transannular patch (TAP, n = 4) or pulmonary valve preservation (PVP, n = 8). Clinical outcomes, including longitudinal pulmonary valve growth, RVOT obstruction, and pulmonary regurgitation, were reviewed descriptively, with particular focus on the feasibility of PVP.… More >

Bryanna N. Schwartz^*, Victoria L. Pemberton, D’Andrea Freemon, Kristin M. Burns, Gail D. Pearson

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.073995

Abstract Background: In the 1990s, there were few multicenter research collaborations and pediatric cardiovascular clinical trials. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health established the Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) in 2001 to stimulate multi-center collaboration and clinical studies in children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and pediatric acquired heart disease. Methods: The PHN developed a flexible infrastructure for multi-center collaborative clinical research in children and adults with CHD and pediatric acquired heart disease. The objectives of the PHN are to improve health outcomes in individuals of all ages with… More >

Yufei Xie^1,#, Jing Wang^2,#, Qun Wu¹, Haoxuan Li², Xiaomin Duan¹, Fangyun Wang¹, Xin Zhang^1,*, Xiaofeng Li^3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.073905

Abstract Uhl’s anomaly is an exceedingly rare (fewer than 1 in 1,000,000 live births) and often fatal congenital heart disease characterized by the near-complete absence of the right ventricular (RV) myocardium. Although typically considered sporadic, we report a familial case suggesting an inherited etiology. A 12-year-old boy presented with exertional chest pain and a decade-long history of an abnormal cardiac silhouette. Comprehensive imaging revealed apical RV wall thinning, aneurysmal bulging with trabeculations, and severely impaired RV function, with a Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) of 10 mm and a Fractional Area Change (FAC) of 35%.… More >

Kentaro Kogawa^*, Daishi Hirano, Yuka Okawa, Emi Kittaka, Shunsuke Baba, Reiji Ito

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.073864

Abstract Background: An increasing number of patients with Fontan circulation are reaching adulthood; however, long-term outcomes remain limited by Fontan failure, which is characterized by elevated central venous pressure (CVP) and reduced cardiac output. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), a readily available hematological parameter, is a known prognostic marker of heart failure. However, its relationship with invasive hemodynamics in adolescent and adult Fontan patients has not been fully examined. Objectives: To clarify the association between RDW and invasive hemodynamic indices in adolescent and adult Fontan patients and assess the utility of RDW as a noninvasive circulatory… More >

Ling Lin, Yasha Liang, Yunyu Chen, Rong Su, Hu Zhang, Ailing Yang^*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.072819

Abstract Background: We aimed to explore the value of echocardiography plus cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for predicting the functional status and adverse outcomes of adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and to develop a multivariate prediction model. Methods: Subjects (135 in total) in this single-center prospective cohort study were enrolled from adult patients suffering from CHD treated in this hospital during January 2021 and August 2023. Standardized echocardiography and CPET were conducted on all subjects at enrollment, with such indicators as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular function parameters, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO₂), and carbon… More >

Jesse Boyett Anderson^1,*, Suhaib Kazmouz¹, Ryan M. McAdams², Luke Lamers¹

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2025.071937

Abstract Obstructed infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) in premature infants presents significant management challenges due to the high surgical risk in low-birth-weight, preterm neonates. We present strategies for managing this condition in a 10-day old 1.3 kg ex-32-week premature infant including late umbilical venous access, use of wire-snare rail for stable stent deployment, and monitoring for progressive multi-level obstruction. Long-term follow-up demonstrated spontaneous stent fracture and occlusion. This approach successfully bridged to definitive repair with excellent outcomes. More >

Zhengwei Li^1,#, Xin Li^2,#, Dong Luo¹, Meijun Liu¹, Luxi Guan¹, Haibo Hu^1,*

Congenital Heart Disease, DOI:10.32604/chd.2026.069714

Abstract Background: During the surgical repair of complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), a subset of patients is unable to tolerate abrupt postoperative hemodynamic shifts, which can lead to significant complications. To mitigate this risk, certain abnormal venous channels are deliberately left open at the conclusion of surgery to provide a decompressive route, thereby reducing the likelihood of pulmonary hypertensive crises. Nevertheless, the continued patency of these vessels may induce chronic hemodynamic disturbances, often requiring subsequent treatment. This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter intervention for such persistent anomalous systemic veins in CCHD… More >