Multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary care: A successfully managed aortic dissection in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Multi-disciplinary collaborative care for pregnant women with complex and emergent conditions is essential. Logistical planning, clear communication and human factor awareness are all non-clinical skills which need to be utilised in order to maximise outcomes. We describe the case of a proximal aortic dissection in the late third trimester of pregnancy diagnosed in a peripheral hospital that was transferred to a cardiothoracic centre for successful operative management 160 km away. This required the time-sensitive mobilisation and liaison of a receiving cardiothoracic, anaesthesiology and perfusionist team in conjunction with obstetric and midwifery support from an affiliated maternity hospital, as well as the national neonatal transport team. We emphasise the importance of multidisciplinary team management in complex cases and how imperative good inter-disciplinary communication is to ensure safe inter-hospital transfer.

The impact of compliance on Stage 2 uni-ventricular heart circulation: An experimental assessment of the Bidirectional Glenn.

The Bidirectional Glenn (BDG) or cavopulmonary connection is typically undertaken to volume unload the single ventricle in an effort to preserve ventricular and atrioventricular valve function. The geometry of this surgical palliation has been shown to influence the fluid energy loss as well as the distribution of flow that enters through the superior vena cava. In-vitro and in-silico studies to date have been performed on rigid wall models, while this investigation looks at the impact of flexible thin walled models versus rigid walls. Rigid and compliant models of two patient-specific Glenn geometries were fabricated and tested under various flow conditions, within a biosimulator capable of replicating patient specific flow conditions. It was found that the compliant models exhibit greater levels of energy loss compared to the rigid models. Along with these findings greater levels of turbulence was found in both compliant models compared to their rigid counterparts under ultrasound examinations. This shows that vessel compliance has a significant impact on the hemodynamics within hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Congenital Atrial Haemangioma

Introduction Primary cardiac tumours are rare. We report the first known case of congenital cardiac haemangioma in Ireland. Case A neonate presented with symptoms arising from a congenital atrial haemangioma on day three of life. The mass was successfully excised via median sternotomy and bicaval cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was discharged day ten postoperatively and remained well at one year follow-up. Discussion The degree of debulking surgery required varies depending on tumour type. This report serves to aid clinicians in accurately suspecting, investigating and diagnosing patients with cardiac tumours.

The role of 3D printing in preoperative planning for heart transplantation in complex congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a structural cardiac defect in the setting of dextrocardia is extremely rare. Graspable models allow enhanced appreciation of aberrant structures and vascular relations, particularly in rare and complex cases. This is the first case report of the use of a replica of a patients' anatomy to plan the surgical strategy in the setting of dextrocardia. AIMS: We intend to demonstrate the benefit of three-dimensional printing to enhance preoperative planning in complex congenital heart disease undergoing heart transplantation. The anomalous structures encountered include situs inversus dextrocardia, transposition of the great vessels, a single atrium and a dilated double-outlet single right ventricle. METHODS: Computed Tomography acquisition was performed with the use of ECG multiphase gating technology and contrast enhancement. The structures of interest were segmented and the generated 3D mesh was exported as a stereolithographic (STL) file. The model was printed on a Z-Corp 250 binder jetting printer. Post processing techniques were used to enhance model strength. RESULTS: Pre-operative 3D visualisation of the patients' anatomy allowed for a more comprehensive surgical strategy to be planned, thus reducing the intra-operative duration and cross-clamp time which are recognised to correlate with reduced patient morbidity. CONCLUSION: The ongoing advances in medical image procurement and 3D processing software and printing technology will continue to enhance preoperative planning and thereby improve patient care. We demonstrate the pivotal role played by such technologies in advancing spatial comprehension of complex aberrant anatomy.

First bilateral lobar lung transplant in Ireland: advanced operative strategies in lung transplantation.

Lobar lung transplantation is an option that provides the possibility of transplantation of small size recipients with size-mismatch donor lungs by surgically reducing the size of donor lungs. We report our first experience of bilateral lobar lung transplantation of big donor lungs, in a small size urgently listed recipient, after size reduction. A 24 years old girl with end stage cystic fibrosis received the bilateral lobar lung transplant. She made very good recovery postoperatively and was discharged home two weeks following surgery.

Economics and ethics of paediatric respiratory extra corporeal life support.

Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support, which facilitates gas exchange outside the body via an oxygenator and a centrifugal pumping system. A paediatric cardiac ECMO programme was established in 2005 at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) and to date 75 patients have received ECMO, the majority being post operative cardiac patients. The outcome data compares favourably with international figures. ECMO has been most successful in the treatment of newborn infants with life threatening respiratory failure from conditions such as meconium aspiration, respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory infections. There is no formal paediatric respiratory ECMO programme at OLCHC, or anywhere else in Ireland. Currently, neonates requiring respiratory ECMO are transferred to centres in Sweden or the UK at an average cost of 133,000 Euros/infant, funded by the Health Service Executive E112 treatment abroad scheme. There is considerable morbidity associated with the transfer of critically ill infants, as well as significant psycho-social impact on families. OLCHC is not funded to provide respiratory ECMO, although the equipment and expertise required are similar to cardiac ECMO and are currently in place. The average cost of an ECMO run at OLCHC is 65,000 Euros. There is now a strong argument for a fully funded single national cardiac and respiratory paediatric ECMO centre, similar to that for adult patients.

Berry syndrome in association with familial limb malformation.

We describe a newborn boy diagnosed with Berry syndrome consisting of a distal aortopulmonary septal defect, aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery, and interruption of the aorta. The child was noted to have reduplication of the right thumb. The child's mother had a claw malformation of her left hand but a normal cardiovascular status. Genetic analysis for TBX5 and SALL4 mutations were negative in both the patient and his mother. This case describes the first ever report of Berry syndrome in an infant with reduplication of the right thumb and familial limb malformation.

Lung tissue storage: optimizing conditions for future use in molecular research.

The quality of tissue studied impacts greatly on oligonucleotide microarray results, emphasizing the importance of harvesting techniques. The analyzed RNA extracted from human lung samples preserved via 4 different storage conditions (RNAlater, phosphate-buffered saline, TRIzol, liquid nitrogen). RNA was assessed by denaturing gel electrophoresis, Agilent bioanalysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Test3 Affymetrix chip hybridization. Results revealed better quality RNA from RNAlater samples on gel electrophoresis and bioanalysis. RNAlater samples also showed greater yield (r18s via PCR P < .05) and resulted in better Test3 chips hybridization (p < .05), suggesting RNAlater was superior at preserving lung tissue nucleic acid.

A step towards being EWTD compliant: a single institution study of the cardiothoracic surgery experience.

The introduction of the European Working Time Directive has led to intensive debate regarding the working conditions, training and service delivery of Non Consultant Hospital Doctors. Surgical specialties are especially affected by the directive as they have always been associated with long working hours. These have been defended on the basis that these were required to achieve surgical competence. This study aims to survey the working hours and examine the activity of cardiothoracic surgery trainees, who traditionally worked long hours, in a single institution. Arising from the survey results, a novel working model is proposed.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of myocardial ischaemia or sudden death, predominantly affecting young women with no known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The case described emphasises the benefit of early diagnosis and the need to individualise management based on patient response to treatment.

A new specifically designed forceps for chest drain insertion.

Insertion of a chest drain can be associated with serious complications. It is recommended that the drain is inserted with blunt dissection through the chest wall but there is no specific instrument to aid this task. We describe a new reusable forceps that has been designed specifically to facilitate the insertion of chest drains.A feasibility study of its use in patients who required a chest drain as part of elective cardiothoracic operations was undertaken. The primary end-point was successful and accurate placement of the drain. The operators also completed a questionnaire rating defined aspects of the procedure. The new instrument was used to insert the chest drain in 30 patients (19 male, 11 female; median age 61.5 years (range 16-81 years)). The drain was inserted successfully without the trocar in all cases and there were no complications. Use of the instrument rated as significantly easier relative to experience of previous techniques in all specified aspects. The new device can be used to insert intercostal chest drains safely and efficiently without using the trocar or any other instrument.

Retrosternal dislocation of the clavicle associated with a traumatic pneumothorax.

Retrosternal dislocation of the clavicle is a rare injury that is easily overlooked. Significant complications can occur both immediately following the initial injury and in the long term. We report a case of a young male in which the medial aspect of the clavicle was dislocated deep into the pleura abutting the aortic arch. Knowledge of these injuries allows for early detection and intervention, avoiding long-term sequelae.

Isolated chylopericardium.

A 25-year-old male was discovered to have an asymptomatic pericardial effusion during routine pre-employment medical evaluation. During pericardiocentesis 1200 ml of milky-white fluid was obtained; subsequent biochemical evaluation confirmed the chylous nature of this fluid. Following thorough evaluation a diagnosis of isolated chylopericardium was made. Following several recurrences he underwent thoracotomy with ligation of the thoracic duct and creation of a pericardial window. There are relatively few published reports of true isolated chylopericardium and the aetiology and pathogenesis remain unknown. A primary abnormality of the thoracic lymphatic valve system is postulated. The most effective treatment is surgical with ligation of the thoracic duct above the diaphragm and creation of a pericardial window