Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons^™

Parent- Versus Child-Reported Functional Health Status After The Fontan Procedure., Linda M. Lambert, L Luann Minich, Jane W. Newburger, Minmin Lu, Victoria L. Pemberton, Ellen A. Mcgrath, Andrew M. Atz, Mingfen Xu, Elizabeth Radojewski, Darlene Servedio, Brian W. Mccrindle, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare perceptions of functional health status between children who had undergone a Fontan procedure and their parents.

METHODS: Fontan procedure survivors 10 to 18 years of age were included in the study if the child completed the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and the parent completed the parent form to assess the child's functional health status. Comparisons were made between raw domain scores for the parent- and child-completed CHQs.

RESULTS: Between March 2003 and April 2004, 1078 Fontan survivors were screened. Of the 546 eligible and consented patients, 354 were 10-18 years of age and 328 parent/child …

Functional State Following The Fontan Procedure., Ismee A. Williams, Lynn A. Sleeper, Steven D. Colan, Minmin Lu, Elizabeth A. Stephenson, Jane W. Newburger, Welton M. Gersony, Meryl S. Cohen, James F. Cnota, Andrew M. Atz, Richard V. Williams, Renee Margossian, Andrew J. Powell, Mario P. Stylianou, Daphne T. Hsu, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in outcomes after completion of the Fontan circulation, long-term functional state varies. We sought to identify pre- and postoperative characteristics associated with overall function.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from 476 survivors with the Fontan circulation enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network Fontan Cross-sectional Study. Mean age at creation of the Fontan circulation was 3.4 plus or minus 2.1 years, with a range from 0.7 to 17.5 years, and time since completion was 8.7 plus or minus 3.4 years, the range being from 1.1 to 17.3 years. We calculated a functional score for the survivors by …

Laparoscopic Treatment Of Pancreatic Pseudocysts In Children., Suzanne M. Yoder, Steven Rothenberg, Kuojen Tsao, Mark L. Wulkan, Todd A. Ponsky, Shawn D. St Peter, Daniel J. Ostlie, Timothy D. Kane

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic pseudocysts are problematic sequelae of pancreatitis or pancreatic trauma causing persistent abdominal pain, nausea, and gastric outlet obstruction. Due to the low volume of disease in children, there is scant information in the literature on the operative management of pseudocysts with minimally invasive techniques. We conducted a multi-institutional review to illustrate several technical variations utilized in achieving laparoscopic cystgastrostomy in the pediatric population.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cystgastrostomy in five institutions. Patient data, operative techniques, and postoperative course were analyzed.

RESULTS: There were 13 patients with a mean age of …

Thoracoscopy In Children: Is A Chest Tube Necessary?, Todd A. Ponsky, Steven S. Rothenberg, Kuojen Tsao, Daniel J. Ostlie, Shawn D. St Peter, G W. Holcomb Iii

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: Historically, a chest tube or drain has been left following a thoracic operation to allow drainage of air or fluid in the postoperative period. However, in patients undergoing thoracoscopy, the tube is often the greatest source of postoperative pain. We began excluding chest tubes several years ago and therefore are reviewing our experience to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this approach.

METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical record was performed on patients undergoing thoracoscopy at two centers from 1993 to 2007. Patients who left the operating room without a chest tube were included in this series. Patient …

Laparoscopic Duodenojejunostomy For Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome., Jason D. Fraser, Shawn D. St Peter, Jenevieve H. Hughes, James M. Swain

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, also called Wilkie's syndrome, is a rare clinical phenomenon believed to be caused by compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the overlying superior mesenteric artery. We present the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain, weight loss, and vomiting.

METHODS: Her workup included a normal upper endoscopy as well as an abdominal CT scan and upper GI contrast study that confirmed the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome. The patient was taken to the operating room and underwent successful treatment with laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy.

RESULTS: The patient achieved complete …

Thoracoscopic Decortication Vs Tube Thoracostomy With Fibrinolysis For Empyema In Children: A Prospective, Randomized Trial., Shawn D. St Peter, Kuojen Tsao, Troy L. Spilde, Scott J. Keckler, Christopher J. Harrison, Mary Anne Jackson, Susan W. Sharp, Walter S. Andrews, Douglas C. Rivard, Frank P. Morello, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: Management of empyema has been debated in the literature for decades. Although both primary video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and tube thoracostomy with pleural instillation of fibrinolytics have been shown to result in early resolution when compared to tube thoracostomy alone, there is a lack of comparative data between these modes of management. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing VATS to fibrinolytic therapy in children with empyema.

METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, children defined as having empyema by either loculation on imaging or more than 10,000 white blood cells/microL were treated with VATS or fibrinolysis. Based on …

Predictors Of Emesis And Time To Goal Intake After Pyloromyotomy: Analysis From A Prospective Trial., Shawn D. St Peter, Kuojen Tsao, Susan W. Sharp, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Emesis after pyloromyotomy for pyloric stenosis is a common clinical phenomenon and the limiting factor in time to goal feeds. The amount of emesis that can be expected after myotomy is unknown. No data have been published that equip caregivers with the ability to understand which patients are more likely to have emesis and take longer to advance to goal feeds after pyloromyotomy. Therefore, we performed analysis of prospective data obtained from a randomized trial to determine if outcome can be predicted from preoperative or intraoperative variables.

Methods: The dataset was prospectively collected from a randomized trial comparing open …

Design And Rationale Of A Randomized Trial Comparing The Blalock-Taussig And Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Artery Shunts In The Norwood Procedure., Richard G. Ohye, J William Gaynor, Nancy S. Ghanayem, Caren S. Goldberg, Peter C. Laussen, Peter C. Frommelt, Jane W. Newburger, Gail D. Pearson, Sarah Tabbutt, Gil Wernovsky, Lisa M. Wruck, Andrew M. Atz, Steve D. Colan, James Jaggers, Brian W. Mccrindle, Ashwin Prakash, Michael D. Puchalski, Lynn A. Sleeper, Mario P. Stylianou, Lynn Mahony, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: The initial palliative procedure for patients born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and related single right ventricle anomalies, the Norwood procedure, remains among the highest risk procedures in congenital heart surgery. The classic Norwood procedure provides pulmonary blood flow with a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Improved outcomes have been reported in a few small, nonrandomized studies of a modification of the Norwood procedure that uses a right ventricle-pulmonary artery shunt to provide pulmonary blood flow. Other nonrandomized studies have shown no differences between the two techniques.

METHODS: The Pediatric Heart Network designed a randomized clinical trial to compare outcomes for …

Blood Utilization In Children Managed Non-Operatively For Blunt Solid Organ Injury., Scott J. Keckler, Kuojen Tsao, Susan W. Sharp, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Blood product utilization is an important issue in health care, given the frequent shortages in hospitals and the societal burden required to maintain the supply. Therefore, we retrospectively audited our blunt spleen/liver trauma experience to determine the percentage of cross-matched blood that was transfused to see whether more stringent typing criteria should be applied.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a recent 7-year experience with nonoperative management in patients with blunt spleen or liver injury was performed. Demographics, packed red blood cells prepared by cross-match, and transfusions were measured. Unmatched, O-type blood given in the trauma bay was excluded. Patients …

Management Of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis In The Computed Tomographic Era., Kuojen Tsao, Shawn D. St Peter, Patricia A. Valusek, Troy L. Spilde, Scott J. Keckler, Abhilash Nair, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The treatment options for complicated appendicitis in children continue to evolve. Optimal management of complicated appendicitis relies on an accurate preoperative diagnosis. We examined the accuracy of our preoperative diagnosis including computed tomography (CT) and the influence on the management of children with perforated and nonperforated appendicitis.

METHODS: Following IRB approval, a 6-year review of all patients that underwent an appendectomy for suspected appendicitis was performed. Treatments included immediate operations and initial nonoperative management (antibiotic therapy +/- percutaneous drainage of abscess). Appendicitis was confirmed by histological examination.

RESULTS: One thousand seventy-eight patients underwent appendectomy for suspected appendicitis. Preoperative CT …

Resource Utilization And Outcomes From Percutaneous Drainage And Interval Appendectomy For Perforated Appendicitis With Abscess., Scott J. Keckler, Kuojen Tsao, Susan W. Sharp, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Given the perceived technical demands of laparoscopic appendectomy and the expected postoperative morbidity in patients with a well-defined abscess, initial percutaneous drainage has become an attractive option in this patient population. This strategy allows for a laparoscopic appendectomy to be performed in an elective manner at the convenience of the surgeon. However, the medical burden on the patient and on the quality of patient outcomes has not been described in the literature. Therefore, we audited our experience with initial percutaneous drainage followed by laparoscopic interval appendectomy to evaluate the need for a prospective trial.

METHODS: After institutional review board …

Single Daily Dosing Ceftriaxone And Metronidazole Vs Standard Triple Antibiotic Regimen For Perforated Appendicitis In Children: A Prospective Randomized Trial., Shawn D. St Peter, Kuojen Tsao, Troy L. Spilde, G W. Holcomb Iii, Susan W. Sharp, J Patrick Murphy, Charles L. Snyder, Ronald J. Sharp, Walter S. Andrews, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the most common emergency condition in children. Historically, a 3-drug regimen consisting of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin (AGC) has been used postoperatively for perforated appendicitis. A retrospective review at our institution has found single day dosing of ceftriaxone and metronidazole (CM) to be a more simple and cost-effective antibiotic strategy. Therefore, we performed a prospective, randomized trial to compare efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these 2 regimens.

METHODS: After internal review board approval (IRB no. 04 12-149), children found to have perforated appendicitis at appendectomy were randomized to either once daily dosing of CM (2 total doses per …

Current Significance Of Meconium Plug Syndrome., Scott J. Keckler, Shawn D. St Peter, Troy L. Spilde, Kuojen Tsao, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii, Charles L. Snyder

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The significance of meconium plug syndrome is dependent on the underlying diagnosis. The incidence of pathologic finding, particularly Hirschsprung's disease, contributing to the presence of these plugs, has been debated. However, there are little recent data in the literature. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with meconium plugs as a cause of abdominal distension to evaluate the associated conditions and incidence of Hirschsprung's disease.

METHODS: We reviewed the records of newborns with meconium plugs found in the distal colon on contrast enema from 1994 to 2007. Demographics, radiologic findings, histologic findings, operative findings, and clinical courses were reviewed.

RESULTS: During …

Current Application Of Thoracoscopy In Children., Kuojen Tsao, Shawn D. St Peter, Susan W. Sharp, Abhilash Nair, Walter S. Andrews, Ronald J. Sharp, Charles L. Snyder, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of thoracoscopy for thoracic lesions and conditions in children is evolving. Our experience with thoracoscopy has expanded in recent years. Therefore, we reviewed our most recent 7-year experience to examine the current applications for thoracoscopy in children.

METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing a thoracoscopic operation at Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, MO) between January 1, 2000, and June 18, 2007, was performed. Data points reviewed included patient demographics, type of operation, final diagnosis, complications, and recovery.

RESULTS: During the study period, 230 children underwent 231 thoracoscopic procedures. The mean age was 9.6 …

Survival After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Anastomosis: Analysis Of Preoperative Risk Factors., Mark A. Scheurer, Elizabeth G Hill, Nagavardhan Vasuki, Scott Maurer, Eric M. Graham, Varsha Bandisode, Girish S. Shirali, Andrew M. Atz, Scott M. Bradley

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic factors for survival after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis for functionally single ventricle are not well defined. We analyzed preoperative hemodynamic and echocardiographic data to determine risk factors for death or transplantation at least 1 year after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.

METHODS: Data for all patients who underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis before 5 years of age at our institution from September 1995 through June 2005 were analyzed. Available preoperative echocardiograms and catheterizations were reviewed. Survivors were compared with those who died or underwent transplantation. Bivariable associations between demographic and clinical risk factors and survival status (alive without transplantation vs dead or …

Impact Of Suture Choice On Stricture Formation Following Repair Of Esophageal Atresia, Shawn D. St Peter, Patricia A. Valusek, Charles L. Snyder, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background/ Purpose: The most common complication following repair of esophageal atresia is anastomotic stricture. Despite strong opinions of pediatric surgeons regarding the type of suture used for the anastomosis, these opinions remain unsubstantiated by any data present in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the rate and severity of stricture formation relative to the suture size and material.
Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of our most recent 20-year experience with repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) was performed. Stricture was defined as the need for dilation. Outcomes were analyzed based on absorbability, texture, and type of …

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease And Fundoplication In Infants And Children, Shawn D. St Peter, G W. Holcomb Iii

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be one of the most distressing conditions developing at different ages in infants and children. The disease itself is a complex process along with ongoing dynamic anatomic and physiologic changes occurring during normal development. Therefore among referring physicians, considerations regarding the role of surgery for GERD in children varies widely depending on individual experiences in managing these patients. These varied opinions result in discrepancies in the operative experience with fundoplication among pediatric surgeons. It is unclear how much of the current opinions stem from published evidence, particularly with regard to the safety and efficacy of …

Pancreatic Operations In Children, An Institutional Experience And Review Of Literature, Varun Puri, Lisa Martin, Shawn D. St Peter, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Pancreatic operations are not commonly performed in the pediatric age group. Tumors, chronic pancreatitis, trauma and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia are the main diseases leading to pancreatic resections in children. Excluding patients with acute pancreatitis and pseudocysts, over the last 5 years we have performed operations in 11 children for pancreaticoduodenal pathology. The diagnoses encountered were tumors or tumor like conditions (four), angiodysplasia (one), chronic pancreatitis (one), traumatic pancreatic transection (three), traumatic pseudocyst, and neonatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (one). Operations performed were: pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in three patients, subtotal or distal pancreatectomy in six patients, distal pancreaticojejunostomy with oversewing of the proximal pancreatic duct …

Open Versus Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy For Pyloric Stenosis: A Prospective, Randomized Trial., Shawn D. St Peter, G W. Holcomb Iii, Casey M. Calkins, J Patrick Murphy, Walter S. Andrews, Ronald J. Sharp, Charles L. Snyder, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Pyloric stenosis, the most common surgical condition of infants, is treated by longitudinal myotomy of the pylorus. Comparative studies to date between open and laparoscopic pyloromyotomy have been retrospective and report conflicting results. To scientifically compare the 2 techniques, we conducted the first large prospective, randomized trial between the 2 approaches.

METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, subjects with ultrasound-proven pyloric stenosis were randomized to either open or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Postoperative pain management, feeding schedule, and discharge criteria were identical for both groups. Operating time, postoperative emesis, analgesia requirements, time to full feeding, length of hospitalization after operation, and complications …

Incidence And Outcome Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation In Patients With Shunted Single Ventricle: Advantage Of Right Ventricle To Pulmonary Artery Shunt., Eric M. Graham, Geoffrey A. Forbus, Scott M. Bradley, Girish S. Shirali, Andrew M. Atz

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Indentation Fracture Of Bovine Cortical Bone: Acoustic Emission Technique, Ashkan Safari, Ger Reilly, Brendan Mccormack

Conference Papers

Indentation cutting may result in microcracking and main crack growth which was previously reported. In this study, we recorded the AE signals produced by cracking processes during cutting on cortical bone, measuring the cutting force and correlating between load-displacement curves and AE activities.

Analysis Of Indentation Loading Of Cortical Bone Using Acoustic Emission Techniques, Ashkan Safari, Ger Reilly, Brendan Mccormack

Conference Papers

In this study, we recorded the number of Acoustic emission (AE) hits and related AE energy during indentation fracture of cortical bone using a PAC PCI-2 card and pico sensor. A threshold value of 43dB was used to filter premature trigger due to background noise. Registered AE hits had more than one count (threshold crossing). Amplifier gain was set at 40dB with a (0.1-1) MHz band pass filter. 8mm cubes of cortical bones were indented in the longitudinal direction at constant crosshead speed of 1 mm min-1 using a large 2D, 50˚ wedge indenter. We hypothesised that signals occurring as …

Detection Of Microcracks During Bone Cutting Using Acoustic Emission Techniques, Ashkan Safari, Ger Reilly, Brendan Mccormack

Conference Papers

Surgeons may use a number of cutting instruments such as osteotomes and chisels to cut bone during operative procedures. The initial loading of cortical bone during the cutting process results in the formation of microcracks in the vicinity of the cutting zone with main crack propagation to failure occurring with continued loading; microcracking acts as a stimulus for main crack formation and has also been shown to occur during the propagation of the main crack. It has also been reported that Acoustic Emission (AE) is generated due to microcrack formation and crack growth, prior to, and during final fracture in …

Surgical Images: Soft Tissue. Incarcerated Gallbladder In A Parastomal Hernia., Shawn D. St Peter, Jacques Heppell

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Surgical Pathology: The Importance Of Second Opinion In A Developing Country, Z. Ahmed, N. Yaqoob, S. Muzaffar, N. Kayani, Shahid Pervez, S. H. Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To review the cases sent to the section of histopathology, Aga Khan Universty (AKU) for second opinion and see whether there are significant differences in the original outside diagnosis and the subsequent diagnosis submitted by us.

Methods: A retrospective study of all consecutive cases for second opinion in the form of paraffin blocks from 1st Novemver 2001 to 31st July 2002. The primary submitted diagnosis in each case was compared with the subsequent AKU diagnosis.

Results: The study included a total of 381 cases. However, in 45 cases (11.81%), initial histopathological diagnosis was not provided. Out of the remaining …

Update - May 2002, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- The Compleat Physician
-- Informed Consent Documentation for Total Artificial Hearth Technology
-- Ralph J. and Carolyn Thompson Endowment established in 2001

Beta-Galactosidase As A Marker Of Ischemic Injury And A Mechanism For Viability Assessment In Porcine Liver Transplantation., Shawn D. St Peter, Charles J. Imber, Inigo Lopez De Cenarruzabeitia, James Mcguire, Tim James, Richard Taylor, Peter J. Friend

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Glycohydrolases are a group of enzymes contained predominantly within lysosomes, which are released during Kupffer cell activation or death. One of these, beta-galactosidase, has been proposed as a marker of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver because Kupffer cell activation represents a primary event in the injurious reperfusion cascade. In this study, we compared B-galactosidase with more traditional indicators of liver injury and function in a porcine model of liver preservation. Porcine livers were allocated into two groups: group C (n = 5), preserved in University of Wisconsin solution by standard cold storage for 24 hours, and group W (n = …

Association Of Viral Genome With Graft Loss In Children After Cardiac Transplantation., Girish S. Shirali, J Ni, R E. Chinnock, J K. Johnston, G L. Rosenthal, N E. Bowles, J A. Towbin

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The survival of recipients of cardiac allografts is limited by rejection, lymphoproliferative disease, and coronary vasculopathy. The purpose of this study in children who had received heart transplants was to evaluate the cardiac allografts for myocardial viral infections and to determine whether the presence of viral genome in the myocardium correlates with rejection, coronary vasculopathy, or graft loss.

METHODS: We enrolled heart-transplant recipients 1 day to 18 years old who were undergoing evaluation for possible rejection and coronary vasculopathy. Endomyocardial-biopsy specimens were evaluated for evidence of rejection with the use of standard criteria and were analyzed for the presence …

Posttransplant Recoarctation Of The Aorta: A Twelve Year Experience., Girish S. Shirali, C E. Cephus, M A. Kuhn, K K. Ogata, L K. Vander Dussen, R E. Chinnock, N F. Mulla, J K. Johnston, L L. Bailey, S R. Gundry, A J. Razzouk, R L. Larsen

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of posttransplant recoarctation of the aorta, delineate the mode of presentation, identify risk factors that predict recoarctation and examine the results of intervention for posttransplant recoarctation.

BACKGROUND: Patients with aortic arch hypoplasia require extended arch reconstruction at transplant, with an inherent possibility of subsequent recoarctation of the aorta.

METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all children (ageyears) who underwent cardiac transplantation over a 10-year period. Collected data included pretransplant diagnosis, details of the transplant procedure and posttransplant data including development of recoarctation of the aorta, interventions for recoarctation and the …

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography For Assessing Coronary Artery Disease After Transplantation In Children., R L. Larsen, P M. Applegate, D A. Dyar, P A. Ribeiro, S D. Fritzsche, N F. Mulla, Girish S. Shirali, M A. Kuhn, R E. Chinnock, P M. Shah

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for evaluating posttransplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) in children, and to determine the frequency of selected cardiac events after normal or abnormal DSE.

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant coronary artery disease is the most common cause of graft loss (late death or retransplantation) after cardiac transplantation (CTx) in children. Coronary angiography, routinely performed to screen for TxCAD, is an invasive procedure with limited sensitivity. The efficacy of DSE for detecting atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is established, but is unknown in children after CTx. …