Hybrid palliation versus nonhybrid management for a multi-institutional cohort of infants with critical left heart obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patient characteristics and overall survival for infants with critical left heart obstruction after hybrid palliation (bilateral pulmonary artery banding with or without ductal stenting) versus nonhybrid management (eg, Norwood, primary transplantation, biventricular repair, or transcatheter/surgical aortic valvotomy). METHODS: From 2005 to 2019, 1045 infants in the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society critical left heart obstruction cohort underwent interventions across 28 institutions. Using a balancing score propensity analysis, 214 infants who underwent hybrid palliation and 831 infants who underwent nonhybrid management were proportionately matched regarding variables significantly associated with mortality and variables noted to significantly differ between groups. Overall survival between the 2 groups was adjusted by applying balancing scores to nonparametric estimates. RESULTS: Compared with the nonhybrid management group, infants who underwent hybrid palliation had lower birth weight, smaller gestational age, and higher prevalence of in-utero interventions, noncardiac comorbidities, preoperative mechanical ventilation, absent interatrial communication, and moderate or severe mitral valve stenosis (all P values < .03). Unadjusted 12-year survival after hybrid palliation and nonhybrid management, was 55% versus 69%, respectively. After matching, 12-year survival after hybrid palliation versus nonhybrid management was 58% versus 63%, respectively (P = .37). Among matched infants born weighing <2.5 kg, 2-year survival after hybrid palliation versus nonhybrid management was 37% versus 51%, respectively (P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: Infants born with critical left heart obstruction who undergo hybrid palliation have more high-risk characteristics and anatomy versus infants who undergo nonhybrid management. Nonetheless, after adjustment, there was no significant difference in 12-year survival after hybrid palliation versus nonhybrid management. Mortality remains high, and hybrid palliation confers no survival advantage, even for lower-birth-weight infants.

Impact of Social Determinants and Digital Literacy on Telehealth Acceptance for Pediatric Cardiology Care Delivery during the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether telehealth acceptance by parents of children with heart disease is predicted by sociodemographic and/or by parental digital literacy, and to assess parental perceptions of telehealth usability and reliability. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a single center study comparing telehealth acceptance versus visit cancellation/rescheduling for pediatric cardiology visits during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. All parent/guardians who consented to survey completion received a validated survey assessing their digital literacy. Consenting parents who accepted telehealth received an additional validated survey assessing their perceptions of telehealth usability and reliability. RESULTS: A total of 849 patients originally were scheduled for in-person visits between March 30 and May 8, 2020. Telehealth acceptance was highest among younger, publicly insured, Hispanic patients with primary diagnoses of arrhythmia/palpitations, chest pain, dysautonomia, dyslipidemia and acquired heart disease. Among parents who completed surveys, a determinant of telehealth acceptance was digital literacy. Telehealth was determined to be a usable and reliable means for health care delivery. CONCLUSION: Although the potential for inequitable selection of telehealth due to sociodemographic factors exists, we found that such factors were not a major determinant for pediatric cardiology care within a large, diverse, free-standing pediatric hospital.

Late management of the aortic root after repair of tetralogy of Fallot: A European multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the indications, type, and outcomes of reoperations on the aortic root after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). METHODS: Eleven centers belonging to the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association contributed to the data collection process. We included 36 patients who underwent surgical procedures on the aortic root, including surgery on the aortic valve and ascending aorta, between January 1975 and December 2017. Original diagnoses included TOF-pulmonary stenosis (n = 18) and TOF-pulmonary atresia (n = 18). The main indications for reoperation were aortic insufficiency (n = 19, 53%), aortic insufficiency and dilatation of the ascending aorta (n = 10, 28%), aortic root dilatation (n = 4, 11%), and ascending aorta dilatation (n = 3, 8%). RESULTS: The median age at reoperation was 30.4 years (interquartile range 20.3-45.3 years), and mechanical aortic valve replacement was the most common procedure performed. Five patients died early after reoperation (14%), and larger ascending aorta diameters were associated with early mortality (P = .04). The median age at the last follow-up was 41.4 years (interquartile range 24.5-51.6 years). Late death occurred in five patients (5/31, 16%). Most survivors (15/26, 58%) were asymptomatic at the last clinical examination (New York Heart Association, NYHA class I). The remaining patients were NYHA class II (n = 7) and III (n = 3). The most common symptoms were fatigue (n = 5), dyspnea (n = 4), and exercise intolerance (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Reoperations on the aortic root are infrequent but may become necessary late after TOF repair. The main indications for reoperation are aortic insufficiency, either isolated or associated with a dilatation of the ascending aorta. The surgical risk at reoperation was high and the presence of ascending aorta dilation is related to higher mortality.

Late Survival and Patient-Perceived Health Status of the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Improved survival for patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) has led to an increased focus on functional health status (FHS). We assessed late survival and patient-perceived FHS for repaired TGA patients. METHODS: From 1985-1990, 830 neonates admitted to 24 Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society (CHSS) institutions with d-TGA underwent repair, including 516 arterial switch, 110 Mustard, 175 Senning, and 29 Rastelli operations. Median follow-up was 24.0 years (range, 0-32.7 years). We performed multiphase parametric hazard analysis for death after repair. Patients completed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Core Scales and Cardiac Module Adult Forms. Patient and operative factors and CHSS General Questionnaire responses were analyzed for association with FHS using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Survival at 30 years after repair was arterial switch, 80% ± 2%; Mustard, 81% ± 5%; Senning, 70% ± 4%; and Rastelli, 86% ± 8%. The arterial switch had the lowest hazard for late death. TGA patients reported FHS similar to a healthy population in all domains except physical health (lower scores). Symptoms, including chest pain and fainting, and having a pacemaker were associated with lower, and being employed with higher, self-reported physical health. Arterial switch patients reported higher FHS than the atrial switch patients in all domains. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial switch patients have a lower risk of premature death and better FHS than those with an atrial switch. Increased surveillance in atrial switch patients is warranted because of their increased risk of late death. Presence of symptoms, pacemaker, and lack of employment are associated with reduced FHS.

Lessons learned in the use of clinical registry data in a multi-centre prospective study: the Pediatric Heart Network Residual Lesion Score Study.

BACKGROUND: Using existing data from clinical registries to support clinical trials and other prospective studies has the potential to improve research efficiency. However, little has been reported about staff experiences and lessons learned from implementation of this method in pediatric cardiology. OBJECTIVES: We describe the process of using existing registry data in the Pediatric Heart Network Residual Lesion Score Study, report stakeholders' perspectives, and provide recommendations to guide future studies using this methodology. METHODS: The Residual Lesion Score Study, a 17-site prospective, observational study, piloted the use of existing local surgical registry data (collected for submission to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database) to supplement manual data collection. A survey regarding processes and perceptions was administered to study site and data coordinating center staff. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 98% (54/55). Overall, 57% perceived that using registry data saved research staff time in the current study, and 74% perceived that it would save time in future studies; 55% noted significant upfront time in developing a methodology for extracting registry data. Survey recommendations included simplifying data extraction processes and tailoring to the needs of the study, understanding registry characteristics to maximise data quality and security, and involving all stakeholders in design and implementation processes. CONCLUSIONS: Use of existing registry data was perceived to save time and promote efficiency. Consideration must be given to the upfront investment of time and resources needed. Ongoing efforts focussed on automating and centralising data management may aid in further optimising this methodology for future studies.

Left-Sided Reoperations After Arterial Switch Operation: A European Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to report the frequency, types, and outcomes of left-sided reoperations (LSRs) after an arterial switch operation (ASO) for patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) and double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) TGA-type. METHODS: Seventeen centers belonging to the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association (ECHSA) contributed to data collection. We included 111 patients who underwent LSRs after 7,951 ASOs (1.4%) between January 1975 and December 2010. Original diagnoses included D-TGA (n = 99) and DORV TGA-type (n = 12). Main indications for LSR were neoaortic valve insufficiency (n = 52 [47%]) and coronary artery problems (CAPs) (n = 21 [19%]). RESULTS: Median age at reoperation was 8.2 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2.9-14 years). Seven patients died early after LSRs (6.3%); 4 patients with D-TGA (5.9%) and 3 patients with DORV TGA-type (25%) (p = 0.02). Median age at last follow-up was 16.1 years (IQR, 9.9-21.8 years). Seventeen patients (16%) required another reoperation, which was more frequent in patients with DORV- TGA type (4 of 9 [45%]) than in patients with D-TGA (13 of 95 [14%]). Late death occurred in 4 patients (4 of 104 [3.8%]). The majority of survivors were asymptomatic at last clinical examination (84 of 100 [84%]). CONCLUSIONS: Reoperations for residual LSRs are infrequent but may become necessary late after an ASO, predominantly for neoaortic valve insufficiency and CAPs. Risk at reoperation is not negligible, and DORV TGA-type anatomy, as well as procedures on the coronary arteries, were significantly associated with a higher morbidity and a lower overall survival. Recurrent reoperations after LSRs may be required.

A double-blind randomized trial of fish oil to lower triglycerides and improve cardiometabolic risk in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of 4 g/day fish oil to lower triglycerides and impact lipoprotein particles, inflammation, insulin resistance, coagulation, and thrombosis. STUDY DESIGN: Participants (n = 42, age 14 ± 2 years) with hypertriglyceridemia and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol <160 mg/dL were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial comparing 4 g of fish oil daily with placebo. Treatment interval was 8 weeks with a 4-week washout. Lipid profile, lipoprotein particle distribution and size, glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and thrombin generation were measured. RESULTS: Baseline lipid profile was total cholesterol 194 (5.4) mg/dL (mean [SE]), triglycerides 272 (21) mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 39 (1) mg/dL, and LDL cholesterol 112 (3.7) mg/dl. LDL particle number was 1614 (60) nmol/L, LDL size was 19.9 (1.4) nm, and large very low-density lipoprotein/chylomicron particle number was 9.6 (1.4) nmol/L. Triglycerides decreased on fish oil treatment but the difference was not significant compared with placebo (-52 ± 16 mg/dL vs -16 ± 16 mg/dL). Large very low-density lipoprotein particle number was reduced (-5.83 ± 1.29 nmol/L vs -0.96 ± 1.31 nmol/L; P < .0001). There was no change in LDL particle number or size. There was a trend towards a lower prothrombotic state (lower fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; .10 > P > .05); no other group differences were seen. CONCLUSIONS: In children, fish oil (4 g/day) lowers triglycerides slightly and may have an antithrombotic effect but has no effect on LDL particles.