Lymphatic failure and lymphatic interventions: Knowledge gaps and future directions for a new frontier in congenital heart disease

In brief

This article explores the emerging understanding of lymphatic system dysfunction in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, particularly following surgical repair. The authors identify critical knowledge gaps in diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic complications and propose future research directions for this developing field.

• Lymphatic dysfunction is an emerging complication in congenital heart disease patients that requires specialized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
• Advanced lymphatic imaging techniques enable identification of abnormal lymphatic flow patterns in post-operative CHD patients.
• Interventional lymphatic procedures offer novel treatment options for plastic bronchitis and protein-losing enteropathy in CHD.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiology, surgery, and interventional radiology is essential for managing lymphatic complications.
• Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding optimal timing and patient selection for lymphatic interventions in pediatric cardiac patients.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.