Carbapenem resistance, an emerging global health problem, compromises the treatment of infections caused by nosocomial pathogens. Preclinical and clinical trials demonstrate that a new generation of carbapenemases inhibitors, together with the recently approved avibactam, relebactam and vaborbactam, would address this resistance. Our review summarizes the latest developments related to carbapenemase inhibitors synthesized to date, as well as their spectrum of activity and their current stage of development. A particular focus will be on β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations that could potentially be used to treat infections caused by carbapenemase-producer pathogens. These new combinations mark a critical step forward the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

BackgroundAlthough primary definitive repair of congenital heart disease has become the preferred management approach, pulmonary artery banding (PAB) remains a valuable palliative procedure used to restrict pulmonary blood flow in certain conditions. However, when the band is to be removed, another surgical intervention is usually required.MethodsTo describe percutaneous removal of pulmonary artery band, the medical records of patients who underwent this procedure were reviewed.ResultsBetween 2000 and 2020, 143 patients underwent PAB. Of these, we attempted balloon debanding of the pulmonary artery in four patients. At the time of the procedure, the average age of patients was 36 ± 6.24 months, and their average weight was 12.37 kg. Band removal via catheter was successful in three cases and was associated with an adequate reduction in pressure gradient across the pulmonary artery band site (average of 71.67 ± 12.58 to 23.67 ± 2.89 mm Hg). None of the patients experienced complications during or after the procedure. Follow-up data after discharge (3–10 years) provides reassuring and satisfactory results.ConclusionBased on our findings, we suggest that percutaneous removal of the pulmonary artery band might be a safe and effective alternative to surgical debanding. However, studies with a larger sample are required for further clinical implementation of the technique.

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