Clinical Research Directory

Predicting Pediatric Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Outcomes Using Data Acquired During a Cardiac Catheterization

This is a prospective, single center study which applies a standardized, comprehensive catheterization assessment to patients with a known or suspected diagnosis of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) who are undergoing a cardiac catheterization at Boston Children's Hospital. As part of the assessment, each pulmonary vein will undergo angiography (pictures using moving x-rays and contrast dye), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS; pictures of the vein wall using a catheter inside the vein), pressure assessment and compliance testing. The status of each pulmonary vein will then be assessed 12 months after the catheterization (i.e. no disease, severe disease, etc.). Using statistics, the investigators will determine which patient and vein characteristics (obtained at the of catheterization) can predict whether or not a pulmonary vein will have disease. The investigators hypothesize that this comprehensive, standardized, invasive assessment of pediatric intraluminal PVS can predict vein outcome.

Calculating Wall Shear Stress in Infant Pulmonary Veins

The purpose of this study is to better understand pediatric pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), which is the narrowing of blood vessels that connect the lungs to the heart. PVS is a life-threatening disease without a clear cause. The investigators think patients who develop PVS have an increased Wall Shear Stress (WSS) level in the pulmonary veins, which is the force placed on the walls of the veins. This study will determine if WSS can be calculated in the pulmonary veins of infants using Ferumoxytol enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FcMRI). If possible, the investigators aim to use FcMRI to better screen patients at risk of PVS and to help guide therapy in patients with PVS.