Background: Reinterventions after tetralogy of Fallot repair (TOF) remains a common clinical problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate types of reintervention after TOF repair and identify the risk factors for reinterventions. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2010 to 2022 and included 171 patients with complete TOF repair. Patients were grouped according to the occurrence of reintervention into two groups: patients who did not have reintervention (n = 138) and those who required reintervention (n = 33). Results: Median follow-up was 36 (13–67) months. The first reintervention was required in 33 patients. Freedom from the first reintervention at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years was 91%, 85%, 81%, and 76%, respectively. Surgical reintervention was required in 12 patients and transcatheter intervention in 21 patients. Second reinterventions were required in 11 patients; 4 had surgery, and 7 had a transcatheter intervention. Third reinterventions were performed on two patients; one had surgery, and one had a transcatheter intervention. The most common interventions were performed at the level of pulmonary arteries (n = 17), followed by the pulmonary valve and the right ventricular outflow tract (n = 15). The risk of reintervention was associated with the low weight (HR: 0.65 (95% CI: 0.48–0.88); P = 0.005) and small LPA diameter (HR: 0.36 (95% CI: 0.21–0.60); P < 0.001) at the time of the primary intervention and the nonuse of the transannular patch (HR: 0.27 (95% CI: 0.08–0.85); P = 0.026). Conclusions: The risk of reintervention is high after tetralogy of Fallot repair. In our experience, the smaller the left pulmonary artery and weight at the repair time increased the risk of reintervention. Using a transannular patch in our series was associated with a lower risk of reintervention.
Introduction: The incidence of prosthetic valve implantation is increasing in the paediatric population. Prosthetic valve thrombosis leading to obstruction could potentially be a life-threatening complication. There is a debate regarding optimal management of this complication, and there is limited use of thrombolytic therapy in childhood in the setting of valve thrombosis.Objective: We aim to share our experience of successfully using fibrinolytic therapy in terms of alteplase for paediatric prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis and to propose a management algorithm.Methods: This retrospective analysis of the database was conducted at our hospital including patients who underwent thrombolysis (alteplase) for prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis from June, 2011 to June, 2021. A total of 10 patients with 20 attempts of alteplase infusion were found in our record.Results: Alteplase was successful in 19 attempts to relieve valve thrombosis. The safe and effective dose of alteplase was between 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/hour. There were no associated major bleeding complications and alteplase was administered either by central or peripheral line.Conclusion: Thrombolysis by alteplase infusion was found to be successful in relief of prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in paediatric population without major bleeding complications.
Background/Objectives: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most frequently encountered periodic fever syndrome in pediatric populations. It is characterized by recurrent, stereotyped episodes of fever accompanied by pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, and aphthous stomatitis, sometimes with other additional nonspecific symptoms. Episodes usually last 3–7 days and recur at regular intervals of approximately 2–8 weeks. The etiopathogenesis of PFAPA remains incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence supports a central role of immune dysregulation with multiple genetic variants that contribute to disease susceptibility. Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical evaluation, although targeted genetic testing may be considered in selected cases particularly when overlapping with other monogenic autoinflammatory disorders. Management of PFAPA aims to decrease the frequency and intensity of febrile episodes. Acute flares are managed with antipyretics, corticosteroids, or, in selected cases, anti-interleukin-1 (IL-1) therapy, while preventive strategies include colchicine, cimetidine, or tonsillectomy. Adjunctive approaches such as vitamin D supplementation, probiotics, and other immunomodulatory interventions have also been investigated. This updated review summarizes current insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches of PFAPA. Methods: This narrative review was conducted using PubMed, and Scopus to identify English-language publications from 2010 to 2026 addressing PFAPA. Conclusions: Pediatricians should consider PFAPA in children with recurrent fevers and oropharyngeal symptoms, especially when standard treatments fail, to ensure proper management and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use.