The atrial flow regulator is a new self-expandable double-disc fenestrated device providing a calibrated inter-atrial communication. Paediatric reports are scarce. We herein describe a case of complete atrioventricular block complicating the exemption use of an atrial flow regulator in a 5-kg infant with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

The flow patterns in the heart, in health and disease, have been of great interest for several years. Modern fluid dynamics analyses elucidate how underlying inefficient energetic or mixing characteristics of these flow patterns correlate with adverse effects. Unfortunately, translation of such modern analyses to the clinical stage remains a challenge. In this experimental work, we propose and demonstrate that braids of random and sparse particle trajectories provide an intuitive, global and practical description of cardiovascular flows. Moreover, we expose the flow pattern in an experimental healthy left ventricle model as a highly effective blood mixer at the topological level. Flow topologies that deviate from this pattern are accompanied by a reduction in energetic efficiency, as shown through comparisons with diseased flow models. These results suggest an ideal clinical approach to patient follow-up and the evaluation of the performance of medical devices.