Right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit: a comparison of long-term graft-related events between bovine jugular vein conduit, aortic homograft, and porcine-valved conduits.

Background: The optimal conduit for right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) reconstruction does not exist. Reinterventions are common due to conduit stenosis and endocarditis. Tailoring conduit choice according to patients' characteristics could improve the outcomes. The study aimed to compare graft-related events (infective endocarditis, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), transcatheter conduit dilatation, surgical conduit replacement, and transcatheter pulmonary branch intervention for RV-PA reconstruction using bovine jugular vein, aortic homograft, and porcine-valved conduits. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 155 patients with 193 procedures that were done in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center-Jeddah (KFSHRC JED) for implanting RV-PA conduits from 1999 to 2021 were included. The patients were grouped according to the type of conduit into 3 groups; Group 1 (n=153) received bovine jugular vein (BJVs) grafts, Group 2 (n=29) received aortic homografts, Group 3 (n=11) received porcine-valved conduits. Factors associated with graft-related events were evaluated using stepwise Cox regression analysis. Results: Patients with BJVs were significantly younger than those with porcine-valved conduits 3 (P=0.009). The weight of BJVs patients was significantly lower than homografts (P=0.002) and porcine-valved conduits patients 3 (P<0.001). The conduit size was as expected significantly lower in BJVs patients than patients who received porcine-valved conduits (P<0.001) and patients who received aortic homografts (P<0.001). There was no difference between Group 2 and 3 (P=0.084). Operative mortality occurred in 13 patients: 12 (7.84%) with BJV conduit and 1 (9.09%) with porcine valved conduit (P=0.351). Male gender [odds ratio (OR): 10.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-78.86; P=0.028] and smaller conduit size (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.61-0.99; P=0.048) were associated with increased operative mortality. Freedom from graft-related events at 5 and 10 years was 67% and 52% in BJVs patients, 74% and 36% in patients who received aortic homografts, and 53% in patients who received porcine-valved conduits. Factors associated with increased graft-related events were male gender (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.004-2.50, P=0.048) and younger age (HR: 0.995; 95% CI: 0.991-0.999, P=0.041). Conclusions: RV-PA reconstruction was associated with low mortality, unrelated to the conduit type. Reinterventions for graft-related events were common. The durability and graft-related events might be comparable among BJV grafts, aortic homografts, and porcine-valved conduits. Factors associated with increased graft-related events in this study were male gender and younger age.

Bidirectional glenn surgery without palliative pulmonary artery banding in univentricular heart with unrestricted pulmonary flow. Retrospective multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) has been generally acknowledged as an initial palliative treatment for patients having single ventricle (SV) physiology and unrestrictive pulmonary blood flow (UPBF), it may result in unfavorable outcomes. Performing bidirectional Glenn (BDG) surgery without initial PAB in some selected cases may avoid the complications associated with PAB and reduce the number of operative procedures for these patients. This research aimed to assess the outcome of BDG surgery performed directly without doing initial PAB in patients with SV-UPBF. METHODS: This Multicenter retrospective cohort includes all patients with SV-UPBF who had BDG surgery. Patients were separated into two groups. Patients in Group 1 included patients who survived till they received BDG (20 Patients) after initial PAB (28 patients), whereas patients in Group 2 got direct BDG surgery without first performing PAB (16 patients). Cardiac catheterization was done for all patients before BDG surgery. Patients with indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRi) ≥ 5 WU.m2 at baseline or > 3 WU.m2 after vasoreactivity testing were excluded. RESULTS: Compared with patients who had direct BDG surgery, PAB patients had a higher cumulative mortality rate (32% vs. 0%, P = 0.016), with eight deaths after PAB and one mortality after BDG. There were no statistically significant differences between the patient groups who underwent BDG surgery regarding pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, postoperative usage of sildenafil or nitric oxide, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay after BDG surgery. However, the cumulative durations in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital were more prolonged in patients with BDG after PAB (P = 0.003, P = 0.001respectively). CONCLUSION: Direct BDG surgery without the first PAB is related to improved survival and shorter hospital stays in some selected SV-UPBF patients.

Custodiol versus blood cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Blood-based cardioplegia is the standard myocardial protection strategy in pediatric cardiac surgery. Custadiol (histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate), an alternative, may have some advantages but is potentially less effective at myocardial protection. This study aimed to test whether custadiol is not inferior to blood-based cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with a blinded outcome assessment. All pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia, including neonates, were eligible. Emergency surgery was excluded. The primary outcome was a composite of death within 30 days, an ICU stay longer than 5 days, or arrhythmia requiring intervention. Secondary endpoints included total hospital stay, inotropic score, cardiac troponin levels, ventricular function, and extended survival postdischarge. The sample size was determined a priori for a noninferiority design with an expected primary outcome of 40% and a clinical significance difference of 20%. RESULTS: Between January 2018 and January 2021, 226 patients, divided into the Custodiol cardioplegia (CC) group (n = 107) and the blood cardioplegia (BC) group (n = 119), completed the study protocol. There was no difference in the composite endpoint between the CC and BC groups, 65 (60.75%) vs. 71 (59.66%), respectively (P = 0.87). The total length of stay in the hospital was 14 (Q2-Q3: 10-19) days in the CC group vs. 13 (10-21) days in the BC group (P = 0.85). The inotropic score was not significantly different between the CC and BC groups, 5 (2.6-7.45) vs. 5 (2.6-7.5), respectively (P = 0.82). The cardiac troponin level and ventricular function did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.34 and P = 0.85, respectively). The median duration of follow-up was 32.75 (Q2-Q3: 18.73-41.53) months, and there was no difference in survival between the two groups (log-rank P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Custodial cardioplegia is not inferior to blood cardioplegia for myocardial protection in pediatric patients. Trial registration The trial was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov, and the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier number is NCT03082716 Date: 17/03/2017.

Percutaneous coronary stent implantation in children and young infants following surgical repair of congenital heart disease.

Background: Coronary artery stent implantation (CSI) in the pediatric population is rare. Only a few reports were published on managing postoperative coronary artery obstruction using coronary stents following surgical repair of congenital heart diseases (CHD). This study aimed to analyze the feasibility, indications, procedural technique, risk factors, and short-term outcomes of CSI after pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed all pediatric patients who underwent surgical repair of CHD requiring postoperative CSI in two cardiac centers (King Abdulaziz University Hospital and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center) between 2012 and 2022. Survival to hospital discharge was the study's primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included procedural success, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay, need for coronary reintervention, and late mortality. A descriptive analysis was performed for the collected data from the patients' medical records. Results: Eleven patients who underwent postoperative CSI were identified. The most common anatomic diagnosis was congenital aortic valve stenosis. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support except one patient, who presented with chest pain after cardiac surgery. Procedural success was achieved in all patients with excellent revascularization documented by post-procedural angiograms. Both patients who had late coronary events after cardiac surgery survived hospital discharge. There was no in-hospital mortality among the two patients who required stenting of only the right coronary artery. The four patients who required more than 120 minutes to complete the procedure had early mortality. After CSI, the median duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay was 12 and 17 days, respectively. Six patients (54.5%) survived hospital discharge post-CSI; they did not require re-intervention during the follow-up period (38-1,695 days). Conclusions: CSI in pediatric patients can be performed with excellent procedural success for treating coronary artery stenosis after cardiac surgery. It could be considered a potential treatment strategy for this population.

Minimally-invasive approach via percutaneous femoral cannulation for the resection of intra-cardiac masses: a single center experience in the Middle-East.

BACKGROUND: Intra-cardiac masses are rare and challenging lesions with an overall incidence ranging of 0.02-0.2%. Minimally invasive approaches have been recently introduced for surgical resection of these lesions. Here, we evaluated our early experience using minimally invasive techniques in addressing intra-cardiac lesions. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted between April 2018 to December 2020. All patients were diagnosed with cardiac tumors and treated via a right mini-thoracotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass through femoral cannulation at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah. RESULTS: Myxoma was the most common pathology representing 46% of cases followed by thrombus (27%), leiomyoma (9%), lipoma (9%) and angiosarcoma (9%). All tumors were resected with negative margins. One patient was converted to open sternotomy. Tumor locations were in the right atrium, left atrium, and left ventricle in 5, 3, and 3 patients, respectively. The median ICU stay was 1.33 days. The median length of hospitalization was 5.7 days. There was no 30-days hospital mortality recorded in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Our early experience shows that minimally invasive resection can be performed safely and effectively for intra-cardiac masses. The minimally invasive approach using a mini-thoracotomy with percutaneous femoral cannulation can be an effective alternative in resecting intra-cardiac masses that achieves clear margin resection, quick post-operative recovery, and low rates of recurrence for benign lesions.

Factors affecting the outcomes after bidirectional Glenn shunt: two decades of experience from a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: Despite the improved management of patients with a single ventricle, the long-term outcomes are not optimal. We reported the outcomes of the bidirectional Glenn procedure (BDG) and factors affecting the length of hospital stay, operative mortality, and Nakata index before Fontan completion. RESULTS: This retrospective study included 259 patients who underwent BDG shunt from 2002 to 2020. The primary study outcomes were operative mortality, duration of hospital stay, and Nakata index before Fontan. Mortality occurred in 10 patients after BDG shunt (3.86%). By univariable logistic regression analysis, postoperative mortality after BDG shunt was associated with high preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure (OR: 1.06 (95% CI 1.01-1.23); P = 0.02). The median duration of hospital stay after BDG shunt was 12 (9-19) days. Multivariable analysis indicated that Norwood palliation before BDG shunt was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay (ß: 0.53 (95% CI 0.12-0.95), P = 0.01). Fontan completion was performed in 144 patients (50.03%), and the pre-Fontan Nataka index was 173 (130.92-225.34) mm2/m2. Norwood palliation (ß: - 0.61 (95% CI 62.63-20.18), P = 0.003) and preoperative saturation (ß: - 2.38 (95% CI - 4.49-0.26), P = 0.03) were inversely associated with pre-Fontan Nakata index in patients who had Fontan completion. CONCLUSIONS: BDG had a low mortality rate. Pulmonary artery pressure, Norwood palliation, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and pre-BDG shunt saturation were key factors associated with post-BDG outcomes in our series.

A robotic-assisted hybrid coronary revascularization program: Establishment and early experience in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) is a technique that merges coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) approaches for the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. The surgical component of the procedure is minimally invasive and can be done using robotic technology that avoids the need for sternotomy. Our objective is to study all patients who underwent robotic-assisted HCR (RHCR) to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the procedure during the establishment phase. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah (KFSRC-J). The study focuses on patients who underwent RHCR between July 2018 to December 2020. The study was approved by the institutional review board #2020-103. RESULTS: Robotic-assisted HCR was performed on 78 patients (mean age, 56 years (range, 43-72 years); 89.75% males) during the study phase. Left internal mammary artery grafting was used in all patients. There was no hospital mortality, and the mean hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were 5.8 and 1.4 days, respectively. We found that 93.6% of the patients had no blood transfusion. There were no major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and perioperative MI recorded. There was a 3.8% rate of postoperative complications. The percentage of surgeries converted to conventional and re-exploration for bleeding were 1.2% and 2.6%, respectively. The average operation time was 164 min. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes on the safety and effectiveness of RHCR in treating patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Moreover, robotic-assisted hybrid coronary revascularization offers an alternative, functionally complete revascularization option to a selected group of patients with minimal surgical trauma, short hospital and ICU length of stay, quick recovery, and little to no blood transfusion requirement.

Intraoperative spontaneous tension pneumothorax during robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting.

Patients undergoing robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting are increasing. Several complications have emerged with the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures. We reported a case of spontaneous tension pneumothorax that developed in the ventilated lung during robotic assisted left internal mammary artery harvesting causing severe hemodynamic instability. A sudden rise of airway pressure occurred, and the patient became hypotensive. Immediately, the surgeon was notified to look at the right pleura. Pneumothorax was identified, the right pleura was opened using robotic arms, and the right lung was decompressed. A small emphysematous bulla was identified and stabled. Proper identification of the procedure-associated complications is essential for timely management. Tension pneumothorax is a potentially fatal complication, especially in patients under positive pressure ventilation.

Patent ductus arteriosus stenting versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt for palliation of duct-dependent pulmonary blood flow lesions.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting is an alternative to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) as first-stage palliation of duct-dependent lesions. The superiority of one approach over the other is still controversial. Our objective was to compare PDA  stent versusMBTS for palliation in regard to safety, efficacy, and efficiency. METHODS: From 2010 to 2021, 134 patients had first-stage palliation with either PDA stent (n = 83) or MBTS (n = 51). Twenty-seven patients failed the primary treatment and were converted to the other group. The study endpoints were hospital outcomes, interstage reintervention, and concomitant procedures at the second-stage palliation. RESULTS: Patients with PDA stent were significantly younger. The prevalence of antegrade pulmonary blood flow (PBF) was higher in patients who had MBTS and graft thrombosis was higher in the PDA stent. Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients who had MBTS. Predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation were low-weight, MBTS, and conversion. Intensive care unit stay significantly increased with conversion, low-weight, and antegrade PBF. The interstage intervention was required more frequently in PDA-stent group. Predictors of reintervention were conversion and pulmonary atresia with the intact interventricular septum. Pulmonary artery plasty was required more frequently during the second-stage palliation in PDA-stent group. CONCLUSION: PDA stent is an alternative to MBTS for first-stage palliation. It is associated with shorter hospital stays and avoidance of surgery at the expense of a high rate of stent thrombosis and interstage reintervention. Conversion increased the risk of the procedure. More studies are needed to determine factors that affect PDA-stent outcomes and patient selection criteria.

Combined Norwood and cavopulmonary shunt as the first palliation in late presenters with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single-ventricle lesions.

OBJECTIVE: A primary cavopulmonary shunt as a component of the initial Norwood palliation could be an option in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single-ventricle lesions. We present our initial experience with this approach in carefully selected patients with unrestricted pulmonary blood flow and low pulmonary vascular resistance. METHODS: The study included 16 patients; the mean age was 137.9 ± 84.2 days. All patients underwent a Norwood palliation consisting of atrial septectomy, Damus-Kaye-Stansel connection, and arch augmentation in addition to the cavopulmonary shunt as the initial palliation. RESULTS: The mean preoperative pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) ratio on room air (n = 9) and with 100% oxygen (n = 8) was 5.3 ± 3.2 and 8.6 ± 4.3, respectively. The mean pulmonary vascular resistance on room air (n = 10) and 100% oxygen (n = 9) was 4.8 ± 3.1 and 1.7 ± 0.97 WU/m2, respectively. Delayed chest closure was needed in 12 patients, and 6 patients required postoperative inhaled nitric oxide. One patient underwent takedown of the cavopulmonary shunt and construction of the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit after 1 month. The mean intensive care unit stay was 18.9 ± 15.4 days. There were 2 in-hospital deaths (48 hours and 8 days after surgery) and 2 postdischarge deaths (6 months and 2 years after hospital discharge). Seven patients have undergone the Fontan completion successfully, and 5 patients await further surgery. CONCLUSIONS: First-stage Norwood palliation with cavopulmonary shunt for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or single-ventricle lesions is feasible in late presenters with low pulmonary vascular resistance.

Mitral valve replacement in infants and younger children.

Data on mitral valve replacement (MVR) in young children is still limited. Our objective was to evaluate MVR in children below 5 years and identify factors affecting the outcomes. This retrospective study included 29 patients who had MVR from 2002 to 2020. We grouped the patients into two groups according to their age: age ≤ 24 months (n = 18) and > 24 months (n = 11). Primary cardiac diagnoses were Shone complex (n = 7; 24%), isolated congenital mitral valve abnormality (n = 11; 38%), and complete atrioventricular septal defect (n = 3; 10%). The median age was 19 month (25th-75th percentile: 11-32) and 59% were females (n = 17). The hemodynamic lesions were mitral regurgitation in 66%, mitral stenosis in 10%, and combined mitral stenosis and regurgitation in 24% of the patients. St. Jude mitral valve was the most common valve implanted (n = 19, 66%), followed by CarboMedics in 21% of the patients (n = 6). The mitral valve was implanted in the supra-annular position in 6 cases (21%). Preoperative and operative data were comparable between both groups. There was no association between valve size and position with postoperative heart block (P > 0.99, for both). The median follow-up duration was 19.4 months (8.6-102.5). Nine patients had mitral valve reoperation, six had MVR, and three had clot removal from the mitral valve. There was no effect for age group on reoperation (SHR 0.89 (95% CI 0.27-2.87), P = 0.84). Valve size significantly affected reoperation (SHR 0.39 (95% CI 0.18-0.87), P = 0.02). The supra-annular position was associated with an increased risk of reoperation (SHR 3.1 (95% CI 1.003-9.4), P = 0.049). There was no difference in survival according to the age (Log-rank P = 0.57) or valve size (Log-rank P = 0.66). Mitral valve replacement in children is associated with low morbidity and mortality. The risk of reoperation could be affected by the valve size and position rather than the age.

Outcomes of biventricular repair for shone's complex.

BACKGROUND: Shone's complex is a rare lesion affecting the mitral valve (MV) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The objective of this study is to report the outcomes after Shone's complex repair, the growth of mitral and aortic valve and LVOT, and long-term survival. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients diagnosed with Shone's complex, who underwent biventricular repair. Data including patients' characteristics, type of the MV lesion and the associated lesions were collected. Patients were followed up regularly with echocardiography, and the changes in mitral and aortic valve z-score and LVOT z-score were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study, the median age was 3.4 months, and 11 patients (30.6%) had pulmonary hypertension. The main procedure performed during the first surgical intervention was coarctation repair in 26 patients (70%). Twelve patients had MV repair, and five had MV replacement. Operative mortality occurred in 1 patient (2.7%), median follow up was 52 (25-75th percentile: 22-84) months. Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 94.4%, 90%, and 76.9%, respectively. Reoperation was required in 13 patients, mainly for LVOT repair (n = 8). Reoperation was significantly associated with associated aortic valve lesion (p = .044). The growth of the MV z-score was 0.35 per year; p < .001, aortic valve z-score 0.086 per year; p = 0.422, and the LVOT z-score was 0.53 per year; p = .01. CONCLUSION: Biventricular repair of Shone's complex has good outcomes. Reoperation is frequently encountered, especially with low aortic valve z-score. The MV and LVOT have significant growth following Shone's complex repair.

The outcomes of bidirectional Glenn before and after 4 months of age: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to present our experience with the bidirectional Glenn (BDG) in patients less than 4 months of age and to compare their outcomes with the patients who underwent BDG after the age of 4 months. METHODS: A retrospective review of data was performed for patients who underwent the BDG procedure from 2002 to 2018 at our institutions. We reviewed the patients' demographics, echocardiographic findings, cardiac catheterization data, operative details, postoperative data, and outcome variables. RESULTS: The study was conducted on 213 patients. At the time of the BDG operation, 32 patients were younger than 4 months (younger group) and 181 patients were older than 4 months (older group). The preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly higher in the younger group (p = .035) but there were no significant differences between both groups in Qp/Qs, ventricular end-diastolic pressure, indexed pulmonary vascular resistance, and preoperative oxygen saturation. However, the initial postoperative oxygen saturation of the younger group was lower than the older group (p = .007). The duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of pleural drainage, ICU stay, and hospital stay after BDG were significantly longer in the younger group compared to the older group. The early mortality was higher in the younger group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = .283). CONCLUSION: Performing BDG procedure in infants less than 4 months of age is safe, with favorable outcomes. Early BDG is associated with a less-smooth postoperative course without a significant increase in early or late mortality.

Surgical repair for persistent truncus arteriosus in neonates and older children.

OBJECTIVES: Persistent truncus arteriosus represents less than 3% of all congenital heart defects. We aim to analyze mid-term outcomes after primary Truncus arteriosus repair at different ages and to identify the risk factors contributing to mortality and the need for intervention after surgical repair. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 36 children, underwent repair of Truncus arteriosus in the period from January 2011 to December 2018 in two institutions. We recorded the clinical and echocardiographic data for the patients preoperatively, early postoperative, 6 months postoperative, then every year until their last documented follow-up appointment. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients had truncus arteriosus repair during the study period. Thirty-one patients had open sternum post-repair, and two patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Bleeding occurred in 15 patients (41.67%), and operative mortality occurred in 5 patients (14.7%). Patients with truncus arteriosus type 2 (p = 0.008) and 3 (p = 0.001) and who were ventilated preoperatively (p < 0.001) had a longer hospital stay. Surgical re-intervention was required in 8 patients (22.86%), and 11 patients (30.56%) had catheter-based reintervention. Freedom from reintervention was 86% at 1 year, 75% at 2 years and 65% at 3 years. Survival at 1 year was 81% and at 3 years was 76%. High postoperative inotropic score predicted mortality (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Repair of the truncus arteriosus can be performed safely with low morbidity and mortality, both in neonates, infants, and older children. Re-intervention is common, preferably through a transcatheter approach.

Bovine jugular vein valved xenograft for extracardiac total cavo-pulmonary connection: The risk of thrombosis and the potential liver protection effect.

BACKGROUND: Currently, non-valved conduits are preferred for extracardiac total cavo-pulmonary connection (TCPC). However, previous work has failed to provide objective data comparing the postoperative outcome between non-valved TCPCs and bovine jugular vein valved xenograft (BJV) TCPCs. Hence, the objective of this study is to compare the postoperative outcomes in extracardiac TCPC patients who received BJV vs synthetic non-valved conduits and evaluate the effect of BJV on liver fibrosis. METHODS: Of 206 patients who had extracardiac TCPC from 2002 to 2017 were divided into three groups. Group A (n = 66) received BJV, group B (n = 37) received PET conduits and group C (n = 103) received polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube. Study endpoints were hospital outcomes, conduits thrombosis, reinterventions, and survival. Liver stiffness and fibrosis were assessed in eight patients with BJV. RESULTS: Preoperative parameters were comparable among groups. Thrombosis was significantly lower in group C (P < .0003) but no difference between groups A and B (P = .951). Reinterventions did not differ significantly among groups (Log-rank P = .598). Hospital deaths occurred in seven patients (3.4%). There was no difference in survival between groups (Log-rank P = .221). The median liver stiffness score was 18.65 kPa and the eight patients had advanced liver fibrosis (grade F3-4) in group A. CONCLUSION: PTFE is the recommended conduit for TCPC with a lower risk of thrombosis compared to BJV and PET. BJV conduits in TCPC circuits may not protect against liver fibrosis. BJV should not be considered as an option for TCPC.

Evolution of the Norwood operation outcomes in patients with late presentation.

OBJECTIVES: We present the evolution of Norwood operation outcomes and practice pattern changes over 15 years from a single institution in Saudi Arabia. We intended to identify time trends in patient selection, procedural details, and outcome predictors over time. METHODS: Patients who underwent a Norwood operation (n = 145) between 2003 and 2018 with the use of a Blalock-Taussig shunt (BT group; n = 72), right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt (Sano group; n = 66), or a primary cavopulmonary shunt (CPS group; n = 7) were included. The study outcomes were operative mortality, long-term survival, and multistate transition to CPS, Fontan, and death. RESULTS: Median age was 29 days. Predictors of operative mortality were lower weight (P = .026), and longer bypass time (P = .014), whereas age, and type of shunt were not. Predictors of improved long-term survival were greater weight at operation (P = .0016), later era (P = .006), and shorter bypass time (P = .001). The multistate model revealed that patients with lower weight were more likely to undergo Sano versus BT (P < .001), and if BT was chosen in such patients, they were more likely to die (P = .027). The likelihood of receiving Sano shunt was 3-fold greater in the recent era (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Improved outcomes of the Norwood operation are evident in the recent era and with Sano shunt, especially in patients of smaller weight. Late presentation or older age is not a contraindication to Norwood operation. The incorporation of a primary CPS at stage one operation is feasible in selected patients.

Bolus potassium in frustrated ventricular fibrillation storm.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a well-known ominous complication of ischemic heart disease. While firmly structured algorithms have been developed for its management, yet its mortality rate remains high. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case report of a 46-year-old gentleman who was a victim of recurrent cardiac arrest in the ward while awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Emergency CABG was performed, intraoperatively he experienced recurrent VF which was reverted by direct current cardioversion-Defibrillation. He was sent to the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) with an open chest on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and an intra-aortic balloon pump. Postoperatively in CSICU he still experienced malignant ventricular arrhythmia with dropping of ejection fraction to less than 10%. The last few episodes of VF were lengthy, lasting more than an hour (while on ECMO support) with the failure of various antiarrhythmic medications to abort them. Eventually, a decision was made to give him 20 mmol boluses of potassium chloride (KCl) intravenously aiming at introducing a state of asystole, but the rhythm changed to sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: This report highlighted the fact that optimum management of VF is still lacking and necessitates more studies. The appropriate effective dose of potassium replacement during VF might need to be reconsidered in patients with persistent VF.

Gastrointestinal presentation of COVID-19 in a pediatric heart transplant recipient.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) most commonly causes a mild respiratory illness; however, there are wide ranges of presenting symptoms and disease severity. It has a mortality rate around 7%. Case presentation: We present a case of a 9-year-old female patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome status post heart transplantation at age of 7 days. She presented to our emergency room complaining of intermittent fever, chills, fatigue, poor appetite, and diarrhea.A throat swab nucleic acid test was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Intravenous fluids therapy was used for correction of hydration status. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of non-pulmonary presentation of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in a pediatric heart transplant recipient, which was successfully managed conservatively. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal manifestations can be the only presenting symptom in pediatric heart transplant recipients with COVID-19. Conservative treatment could be used successfully. Immunomodulatory medications that are used in heart transplant recipients may have protective value in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Junctional ectopic tachycardia following tetralogy of fallot repair in children under 2 years.

BACKGROUND: Junctional ectopic tachycardia is a serious arrhythmia that frequently occurs after tetralogy of Fallot repair. Arrhythmia prophylaxis is not feasible for all pediatric cardiac surgery patients and identification of high risk patients is required. The objectives of this study were to characterize patients with JET, identify its predictors and subsequent complications and the effect of various treatment strategies on the outcomes in selected TOF patients undergoing total repair before 2 years of age. METHODS: From 2003 to 2017, 609 patients had Tetralogy of Fallot repair, 322 were included in our study. We excluded patients above 2 years and patients with preoperative arrhythmia. 29.8% of the patients (n = 96) had postoperative JET. RESULTS: JET patients were younger and had higher preoperative heart rate. Independent predictors of JET were younger age, higher preoperative heart rate, cyanotic spells, non-use of B-blockers and low Mg and Ca (p = 0.011, 0.018, 0.024, 0.001, 0.004 and 0.001; respectively). JET didn't affect the duration of mechanical ventilation nor hospital stay (p = 0.12 and 0.2 respectively) but prolonged the ICU stay (p = 0.011). JET resolved in 39.5% (n = 38) of patients responding to conventional measures. Amiodarone was used in 31.25% (n = 30) of patients and its use was associated with longer ICU stay (p = 0.017). Ventricular pacing was required in 4 patients (5.2%). Median duration of JET was 30.5 h and 5 patients had recurrent JET episode. Timing of JET onset didn't affect ICU (p = 0.43) or hospital stay (p = 0.14) however, long duration of JET increased ICU and hospital stay (p = 0.02 and 0.009; respectively). CONCLUSION: JET increases ICU stay after TOF repair. Preoperative B-blockers significantly reduced JET. Patients with preoperative risk factors could benefit from preoperative arrhythmia prophylaxis and aggressive management of postoperative electrolyte disturbance is essential.