Synchronous PCG-ECG monitoring may supplement echocardiography for pediatric VSD subtype diagnosis
Photo by Jair Lázaro / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider synchronous PCG-ECG as a potential supplementary screening tool for VSD subtype differentiation in children.
In a prospective cohort study, researchers evaluated synchronous phonocardiogram-electrocardiogram (PCG-ECG) monitoring as a diagnostic tool in 59 children with suspected ventricular septal defect (VSD) at a single hospital's Pediatric Cardiovascular Department. The intervention was compared against the diagnostic standard of transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography. The primary outcome was the diagnostic efficacy of synchronous monitoring for distinguishing VSD subtypes (membranous vs. muscular).
The main results indicated that synchronous PCG-ECG monitoring serves as an important supplement to echocardiography for diagnosis. The analysis also suggested the method provides key clues for the differential diagnosis of pediatric VSD subtypes, particularly membranous and muscular forms. Secondary outcomes included differences in electromechanical activation time (EMAT) between the two VSD groups, though specific numerical data, effect sizes, and statistical measures for all outcomes were not reported.
Safety and tolerability data were not reported. A key limitation is the single-center design of the study. The authors propose the technique could be valuable in primary care or preliminary screening settings where access to echocardiography or operator expertise is limited. However, the evidence remains preliminary, and the method's role is framed strictly as a supplementary, not replacement, tool for the current diagnostic standard.
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundVentricular septal defect (VSD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases in children, accounting for 20%–25% of all congenital heart defects (CHDs). Current clinical diagnostic methods for VSD mainly include electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and chest x-ray, among which echocardiography is the “gold standard” for evaluating the clinical significance of defects and determining the need for intervention. This study aims to explore the application value of synchronous monitoring technology in the differential diagnosis of pediatric VSD (especially subtype distinction) by comparing the phonocardiogram-electrocardiogram characteristics between membranous and muscular VSD in children.ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of synchronous phonocardiogram-electrocardiogram (PCG-ECG) monitoring in pediatric ventricular septal defect (membranous vs. muscular subtypes) and provide evidence for its clinical application.MethodsA total of 59 children with suspected VSD who visited the Pediatric Cardiovascular Department of our hospital from January 2023 to June 2025 were enrolled (a single-center prospective cohort with consecutive sampling). All children underwent synchronous PCG-ECG monitoring (simultaneous recording of ECG and phonocardiogram) and transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography (hereinafter referred to as “echocardiography”). Using echocardiography as the “gold standard", the differences in electromechanical activation time (EMAT) between the two groups were compared, and the diagnostic efficacy of synchronous monitoring for VSD subtypes (membranous/muscular) was analyzed. VSD subtypes were classified based on anatomical location: membranous defects (perimembranous type, subcristal type) and muscular defects (single, multiple).ResultsSynchronous analysis of heart sounds and ECG using wearable devices is a simple and non-invasive method. Wavelet analysis technology is employed to automatically detect heart sound and ECG signals, thereby determining EMAT, which provides key clues for the differential diagnosis of pediatric VSD (especially membranous and muscular subtypes). It serves as an important supplement to echocardiography—especially valuable in primary medical care or preliminary screening, where echocardiography may be limited by equipment and operator experience.
Standardized formal resuscitation training likely reduces neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries compared to no training or basic training.
A Simple Training Program Is Saving Newborn Lives in Poor Countries
Related in Pediatrics
Therapeutic Touch Reduces Crying and Improves Sleep in Infants With Colic
Therapeutic touch reduces crying in babies with colic
This randomized controlled trial in 96 infants with colic found that therapeutic touch based on Watson's Human Care Theory significantly red…
A new trial shows gentle therapeutic touch helps babies cry less and sleep better when they have infantile colic.
Mycophenolate mofetil non-inferior to prednisone for first-episode nephrotic syndrome in children
Mycophenolate Mofetil Offers Alternative to Steroids for Nephrotic Syndrome
This phase 3 non-inferiority trial randomized 272 children aged 1-10 years with first-episode steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome to mycoph…
A new trial shows mycophenolate mofetil works as well as prednisone for children with nephrotic syndrome, with fewer steroid side effects.
AquOTic water competency intervention improves outcomes in children with autism
Water therapy improves skills for children with autism spectrum disorder
This pre-post cohort study of 37 children with autism ages 5 to 9 found that a 10-week occupational therapy-based water competency intervent…
A water-based occupational therapy program significantly improved performance and satisfaction scores in children with autism spectrum disor…
Play-based cognitive flexibility training boosts creativity in third graders
Playful workshops boost story skills and flexible thinking for third graders
This RCT in 249 third graders found that a 14-session play-based workshop significantly improved narrative creativity and cognitive flexibil…
A fun 14-session workshop helped third graders write better stories and think more flexibly than peers in regular classes.
From Other Specialties
SBRT plus atezolizumab shows activity in metastatic cervical cancer
Radiation plus immune therapy helps some patients with advanced cervical cancer survive longer
This prospective phase II trial evaluated SBRT followed by atezolizumab in 21 patients with metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical ca…
A small trial found that adding immune therapy to radiation helped some patients with advanced cervical cancer keep their disease stable for…
In-person group sessions boost fruit/vegetable intake in Latina breast cancer survivors
In-Person Sessions Boost Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Latina Breast Cancer Survivors
This randomized factorial trial in 167 Latina breast cancer survivors found that in-person group sessions increased daily fruit/vegetable in…
In-person group sessions helped Latina breast cancer survivors eat more fruits and vegetables, while the control group's intake dropped shar…
Capivasertib-paclitaxel fails to improve overall survival in metastatic TNBC
New drug combo did not extend life for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients in this trial
This phase III RCT in 812 patients with previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer found that adding capivasertib to pacl…
A large global trial found that adding capivasertib to paclitaxel did not improve overall survival for patients with metastatic triple-negat…
Contrast-enhanced mammography reduces costs per QALY in breast cancer screening recalls compared to conventional imaging
Contrast-enhanced mammography may cut costs for breast cancer screening
This RCT evaluated women recalled from breast cancer screening in a hospital setting. Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) as the primary too…
Using contrast-enhanced mammography as the first test for women recalled from screening could lower imaging costs without harming quality of…