BACKGROUND In spring 2020, a novel hyperinflammatory process associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was described. The long-term impact remains unknown. We report longitudinal outcomes from a New York interdisciplinary follow-up program. METHODS All children <21 years of age, admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian with MIS-C in 2020, were included. Children were followed at 1 to 4 weeks, 1 to 4 months, and 4 to 9 months postdischarge. RESULTS In total, 45 children were admitted with MIS-C. The median time to last follow-up was 5.8 months (interquartile range 1.3–6.7). Of those admitted, 76% required intensive care and 64% required vasopressors and/or inotropes. On admission, patients exhibited significant nonspecific inflammation, generalized lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Soluble interleukin (IL) IL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 9 were elevated. A total of 80% (n = 36) had at least mild and 44% (n = 20) had moderate-severe echocardiographic abnormalities including coronary abnormalities (9% had a z score of 2–2.5; 7% had a z score > 2.5). Whereas most inflammatory markers normalized by 1 to 4 weeks, 32% (n = 11 of 34) exhibited persistent lymphocytosis, with increased double-negative T cells in 96% of assessed patients (n = 23 of 24). By 1 to 4 weeks, only 18% (n = 7 of 39) had mild echocardiographic findings; all had normal coronaries. At 1 to 4 months, the proportion of double-negative T cells remained elevated in 92% (median 9%). At 4 to 9 months, only 1 child had persistent mild dysfunction. One had mild mitral and/or tricuspid regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of children with MIS-C present critically ill, most inflammatory and cardiac manifestations in our cohort resolved rapidly.

Right ventricular function is a crucial determinant of long-term outcomes of children with heart disease. Quantification of right ventricular systolic and diastolic performance by echocardiography is of paramount importance, given the prevalence of children with heart disease, particularly those with involvement of the right heart, such as single or systemic right ventricles, tetralogy of Fallot, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Identification of poor right ventricular performance can provide an opportunity to intervene. In this review, we will go through the different systolic and diastolic indices, as well as their application in practice. Quantification of right ventricular function is possible and should be routinely performed using a combination of different measures, taking into account each disease state. Quantification is extremely useful for individual patient follow-up. Laboratories should continue to strive to optimise reproducibility through quality improvement and quality assurance efforts in addition to investing in technology and training for new, promising techniques, such as three-dimensional echocardiography.

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Background In shunt‐dependent, single‐ventricle patients, mortality remains high in the interstage period between discharge after neonatal surgery and stage 2 operation. We sought to evaluate the impact of our infant single‐ventricle management and monitoring program ( ISVMP ) on interstage mortality and stage 2 outcomes. Methods and Results This retrospective single‐center cohort study compared patients enrolled in ISVMP at hospital discharge with historical controls. The relationship of ISVMP to interstage mortality was determined with a bivariate probit model for the joint modeling of both groups, using an instrumental variables approach. We included 166 ISVMP participants (December 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015) and 168 controls (January 1, 2007, to November 30, 2010). The groups did not differ by anatomy, gender, race, or genetic syndrome. Mortality was lower in the ISVMP group (5.4%) versus controls (13%). An ISVMP infant compared with a historical control had an average 29% lower predicted probability of interstage death (adjusted probability: −0.29; 95% CI , −0.52 to −0.057; P =0.015). On stratified analysis, mortality was lower in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome subgroup undergoing Norwood operation (4/84 [4.8%] versus 12/90 [14%], P =0.03) but not in those with initial palliation of shunt only ( P =0.90). ISVMP participants were younger at the time of the stage 2 operation (138 versus 160 days, P <0.001), with no difference in postoperative mortality or length of stay. Conclusions In this single‐center study, we report significantly lower interstage mortality for participants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome enrolled in ISVMP . Younger age at stage 2 operation was not associated with postoperative mortality or longer length of stay.

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