A single-institutional experience with 36 children less than 5 kilograms supported with the Berlin Heart: Comparison of congenital versus acquired heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed outcomes in all 36 consecutive children <5 kg supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device at the University of Florida, comparing those with acquired heart disease (n = 8) to those with congenital heart disease (CHD) (n = 28). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival after ventricular assist device insertion. T-tests using estimated survival proportions were used to compare groups at specific time points. RESULTS: Of 82 patients supported with the Berlin Heart at our institution, 49 (49/82 = 59.76%) weighed <10 kg and 36 (36/82 = 43.90%) weighed <5 kg. Of 36 patients <5 kg, 26 (26/36 = 72.22%) were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 36 patients <5 kg was [days]: median = 109, range = 4-305.) Eight out of 36 patients <5 kg had acquired heart disease, and all eight [8/8 = 100%] were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 8 patients <5 kg with acquired heart disease was [days]: median = 50, range = 9-130.) Twenty-eight of 36 patients <5 kg had congenital heart disease. Eighteen of these 28 [64.3%] were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 28 patients <5 kg with congenital heart disease was [days]: median = 136, range = 4-305.) For all 36 patients who weighed <5 kg: 1-year survival estimate after ventricular assist device insertion = 62.7% (95% confidence interval = 48.5-81.2%) and 5-year survival estimate after ventricular assist device insertion = 58.5% (95% confidence interval = 43.8-78.3%). One-year survival after ventricular assist device insertion = 87.5% (95% confidence interval = 67.3-99.9%) in acquired heart disease and 55.6% (95% confidence interval = 39.5-78.2%) in CHD, P = 0.036. Five-year survival after ventricular assist device insertion = 87.5% (95% confidence interval = 67.3-99.9%) in acquired heart disease and 48.6% (95% confidence interval = 31.6-74.8%) in CHD, P = 0.014. CONCLUSION: Pulsatile ventricular assist device facilitates bridge to transplantation in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg; however, survival after ventricular assist device insertion in these small patients is less in those with CHD in comparison to those with acquired heart disease.

Support with Single Ventricle-Ventricular Assist Device (sVAD) in Patients with Functionally Univentricular Circulation Prior to Fontan Operation.

Some patients with functionally univentricular circulation develop cardiac failure refractory to maximal management and are supported with a ventricular assist device (VAD). The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize our previous publications related to single ventricle-ventricular assist device (sVAD) support in patients with functionally univentricular circulation and to describe our current institutional approach at University of Florida to sVAD support in neonates, infants, and children prior to Fontan. Our programmatic philosophy at University of Florida is to strive to identify the minority of neonates with functionally univentricular circulation who are extremely high-risk prior to initiating staged palliation and to stabilize these neonates with primary preemptive sVAD in preparation for cardiac transplantation; our rationale for this approach is related to the challenges associated with failed staged palliation and subsequent bail-out sVAD support and transplantation. A subset of extremely high-risk neonates and infants with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent circulation undergo primary preemptive sVAD insertion and subsequent cardiac transplantation. Support with VAD clearly facilitates survival on the waiting list during prolonged wait times and optimizes outcomes after Norwood (Stage 1) by providing an alternative pathway for extremely high-risk patients. Therefore, the selective utilization of sVAD in extremely high-risk neonates facilitates improved outcomes for all patients with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent circulation. At University of Florida, our programmatic approach to utilizing sVAD support as a bridge to transplantation in the minority of neonates with functionally univentricular circulation who are extremely high-risk for staged palliation is associated with Operative Mortality after Norwood (Stage 1) Operation of 2.9% (2/68) and a one-year survival of 91.1% (82/90) for all neonates presenting with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or HLHS-related malformation with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent systemic circulation. Meanwhile, at University of Florida, for all 82 consecutive neonates, infants, and children supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 73.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 64.1-83.8%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 68.3% (95% CI = 58.4-79.8%). For all 48 consecutive neonates, infants, and children at University of Florida with biventricular circulation supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 82.7% (95% CI = 72.4-94.4%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 79.7% (95% CI = 68.6-92.6%). For all 34 consecutive neonates, infants, and children at University of Florida with functionally univentricular circulation supported with pulsatile paracorporeal sVAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 59.7% (95% CI = 44.9-79.5%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 50.5% (95% CI = 35.0-73.0%). These Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for patients supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD are better in patients with biventricular circulation in comparison to patients with functionally univentricular circulation both one year after VAD insertion (P=0.026) and five years after VAD insertion (P=0.010). Although outcomes after VAD support in functionally univentricular patients are worse than in patients with biventricular circulation, sVAD provides a reasonable chance for survival. Ongoing research is necessary to improve the outcomes of these challenging patients, with the goal of developing strategies where outcomes after sVAD support in functionally univentricular patients are equivalent to the outcomes achieved after VAD support in patients with biventricular circulation.

Protruding coronary stent detected by transesophageal echocardiography changes surgical procedure.

This case describes an unusual intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) finding of an unknown sinus of Valsalva mass in a patient undergoing an off-pump coronary artery bypass procedure. The intraoperative TEE finding not only revealed a protruding right coronary ostial stent but also changed the surgical procedure to include an aortotomy that allowed successful removal of the stent. As interventional cardiologists begin exploring more techniques to manage difficult ostial lesions, this finding may be seen more commonly in the future. This case highlights how the use of routine TEE even in off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures may be very beneficial.

Imaging Artifacts in Echocardiography.

Artifacts are frequently encountered during echocardiographic examinations. An understanding of the physics and underlying assumptions of ultrasound processing involved with image generation is important for accurate interpretation of 2D grayscale, spectral Doppler, color flow Doppler, and 3D artifacts and their clinical implications.

Efficacy and Safety of Recombinant Factor VII as Rescue for Severe Perioperative Bleeding in HeartMate II Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) for management of perioperative bleeding in HeartMate II recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients underwent HeartMate II implantation. Sixteen patients received rFVIIa (six intraop, eight early postop, and two both intra- and postop). The effect of rFVIIa on transfusion of blood products as well as the amount of chest tube drainage was used to assess efficacy and 30-day incidence of thromboembolic events was used to assess safety. RESULTS: Patients who received intraoperative rFVIIa had been transfused significantly more blood products prior to rFVIIa administration compared to total amount of intraoperatively transfused blood products in those who did not receive intra-op rFVIIa; however, there were no significant differences in the amount of transfused blood products and chest tube output in the 24-hour postoperative period between the two groups. Postoperative administration of rFVIIa did not have a significant impact on the amount of red blood cell transfusion but there was a trend towards decreased requirement for fresh frozen plasma (mean 2.7 vs. 1.1, p = 0.08), platelet (1.5 vs. 0.7, p = 0.14), and cryoprecipitate (5.3 vs. 1.2, p = 0.09). The hourly rate of chest tube output also decreased significantly from an average of 235 ± 57 mL/hour prior to rFVIIa administration to an average of 98 ± 36 mL/hour in the first four hours after rFVIIa administration (p value = 0.003). There were no 30-day thromboembolic events in those patients who received rFVIIa. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports selective use of rFVIIa in HeartMate II recipients for the management of severe perioperative bleeding.

Expanding role of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography in the general anesthesia practice and residency training in the USA.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the perioperative use of noncardiac transesophageal echocardiography in anesthesiology and to explore the current mechanisms of teaching and certification. RECENT FINDINGS: Anesthesiologists frequently use echocardiography in many noncardiac situations with potential impact on outcomes. Certification has evolved to include those who use echocardiography in noncardiac situations. More advanced teaching tools have been developed for the learning of diagnostic and monitoring modality. SUMMARY: Transesophageal echocardiography can have many helpful uses in perioperative patient care. This study summarizes many noncardiac uses, certification, and echocardiography education for anesthesiologists.

Comprehensive Approach to the Management of Patients With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Analysis of 100 Consecutive Neonates.

BACKGROUND: We report our comprehensive approach to the management of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and describe our outcomes in 100 consecutive neonates. METHODS: We stratified 100 consecutive neonates (January 1, 2015 to September 1, 2023, inclusive) into 3 pathways. Pathway 1: 77 of 100 (77%) were standard risk and underwent an initial Norwood Stage 1. Pathway 2: 10 of 100 (10%) were high-risk with noncardiac risk factors and underwent an initial Hybrid Stage 1. Pathway 3: 13 of 100 (13%) were high-risk with cardiac risk factors: 10 underwent an initial Hybrid Stage 1 + Ventricular Assist Device insertion (HYBRID+VAD), and 3 were supported with prostaglandin as a planned bridge to primary cardiac transplantation. RESULTS: The overall 1-year mortality for the entire cohort of 100 patients was 9% (9 of 100). Pathway 1: Operative Mortality in Pathway 1 for the initial Norwood Stage 1 was 2.6% (2 of 77). Of the 75 survivors of Norwood Stage 1, 72 underwent successful Glenn, 2 underwent successful biventricular repair, and 1 underwent successful cardiac transplantation. Pathway 2: Operative Mortality in Pathway 2 for the initial Hybrid Stage 1 without VAD was 10% (1 of 10). Of 9 survivors of Hybrid Stage 1, 4 underwent successful cardiac transplantation, 1 died while awaiting cardiac transplantation, 3 underwent Comprehensive Stage 2 (with 1 Operative Mortality after Comprehensive Stage 2), and 1 underwent successful biventricular repair. Pathway 3: Of 10 patients supported with initial HYBRID+VAD in Pathway 3, 7 (70%) underwent successful cardiac transplantation and are alive today, and 3 (30%) died on VAD while awaiting transplantation. Median VAD support time was 134 days (range, 56-226 days). Of 3 patients who were bridged to transplant with prostaglandin, 2 underwent successful transplantation and 1 died while awaiting transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive approach to the management of patients with HLHS is associated with an Operative Mortality after Norwood of 2.6% (2 of 77) and an overall 1-year mortality of 9% (9 of 100). Ten patients (10%) were stabilized with HYBRID+VAD while awaiting transplantation. VAD facilitates survival on the waiting list during prolonged waiting times.

A Single-Institutional Experience with 36 Children Smaller Than 5 Kilograms Supported with the Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) over 12 Years: Comparison of Patients with Biventricular versus Functionally Univentricular Circulation.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed outcomes in all 36 consecutive children <5 kg supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) at the University of Florida, comparing those with univentricular circulation (n = 23) to those with biventricular circulation (n = 13). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality. Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival after VAD insertion. T-tests using estimated survival proportions and standard errors were used to compare groups at specific time points. RESULTS: Of all 82 patients ever supported with Berlin Heart at our institution, 49 (49/82 = 59.76%) weighed <10 kg and 36 (36/82 = 43.90%) weighed <5 kg. Of these 36 patients who weighed <5 kg, 26 (26/36 = 72.22%) were successfully bridged to transplantation. Of these 36 patients who weighed <5 kg, 13 (13/36 = 36.1%) had biventricular circulation and were supported with 12 biventricular assist devices (BiVADs) and 1 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (Age [days]: median = 67, range = 17-212; Weight [kilograms]: median = 4.1, range = 3.1-4.9), while 23 (23/36 = 63.9%) had univentricular circulation and were supported with 23 single ventricle-ventricular assist devices (sVADs) (Age [days]: median = 25, range = 4-215; Weight [kilograms]: median = 3.4, range = 2.4-4.9). Of 13 biventricular patients who weighed <5 kg, 12 (12/23 = 92.3%) were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation. Of 23 functionally univentricular patients who weighed <5 kg, 14 (14/23 = 60.87%) were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation. For all 36 patients who weighed <5 kg: 1-year survival estimate after VAD insertion = 62.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 48.5%-81.2%) and 5-year survival estimate after VAD insertion = 58.5% (95% CI = 43.8%-78.3%). One-year survival after VAD insertion: 84.6% (95% CI = 67.1%-99.9%) in biventricular patients and 49.7% (95% CI = 32.3%-76.4%) in univentricular patients, P = 0.018. Three-year survival after VAD insertion: 84.6% (95% CI = 67.1%-99.9%) in biventricular patients and 41.4% (95% CI = 23.6%-72.5%) in univentricular patients, P = 0.005. CONCLUSION: Pulsatile VAD facilitates bridge to transplantation in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg; however, survival after VAD insertion in these small patients is less in those with univentricular circulation in comparison to those with biventricular circulation.

Outcomes of Children Supported With Pulsatile Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device: Congenital Versus Acquired Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the outcomes of 82 consecutive pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) supported with the Berlin Heart ventricular assist device (VAD), comparing those with congenital heart disease (CHD; n = 44) with those with acquired heart disease (AHD; n = 37). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality after VAD insertion. Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival. RESULTS: Forty-four CHD patients were supported (age: median = 65 days, range = 4 days-13.3 years; weight [kg]: median = 4, range = 2.4-42.3). Ten biventricular CHD patients were supported with eight biventricular assist devices (BiVADs), one left ventricular assist device (LVAD) only, and one LVAD converted to BiVAD, while 34 univentricular CHD patients were supported with single ventricle-ventricular assist devices (sVADs). In CHD patients, duration of VAD support was [days]: median = 134, range = 4-554. Of 44 CHD patients, 28 underwent heart transplantation, 15 died on VAD, and one was still on VAD. Thirty-seven AHD patients were supported (age: median = 1.9 years, range = 27 days-17.7 years; weight [kg]: median = 11, range = 3.1-112), including 34 BiVAD and 3 LVAD. In AHD patients, duration of VAD support was [days]: median = 97, range = 4-315. Of 37 AHD patients, 28 underwent transplantation, three died on VAD, five weaned off VAD (one of whom underwent heart transplantation 334 days after weaning), and one was still on VAD. One-year survival after VAD insertion was 59.9% (95% CI = 46.7%-76.7%) in CHD and 88.6% (95% CI = 78.8%-99.8%) in AHD, P = .0004. Five-year survival after VAD insertion was 55.4% (95% CI = 40.8%-75.2%) in CHD and 85.3% (95% CI = 74.0%-98.2%) in AHD, P = .002. CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatile VAD facilitates bridge-to-transplantation in neonates, infants, and children with CHD; however, survival after VAD insertion is worse in patients with CHD than in patients with AHD.

Descending thoracic aortic surgery: update on mortality, morbidity, risk assessment and management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on thoracic aortic surgery, as well as key management guidelines in the perioperative period. This is particularly timely, as endovascular techniques continue to evolve and become more available. RECENT FINDINGS: Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease is expanding in applications and case complexity. SUMMARY: With the expanded use of endovascular techniques to treat aortic disease, midterm and long-term outcome studies and comparisons to open surgical approach are now being published with increasing frequency. This review analyzes the available literature on preventing adverse outcomes after descending thoracic aortic surgery, with specific attention to mortality, morbidity, risk assessment and management in the perioperative setting.

An accuracy evaluation of the T-Line Tensymeter (continuous noninvasive blood pressure management device) versus conventional invasive radial artery monitoring in surgical patients.

Continuous beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure (BP) monitoring with a simultaneous arterial waveform display is typically achieved with an invasive arterial catheter. We evaluated a noninvasive device, the T-Line Tensymeter, that provides a calibrated arterial pressure waveform from which continuous BP measurements and heart rate may be computed by either a bedside host monitor or the tensymeter device itself. In 25 patients given general anesthesia, we measured systolic, mean, and diastolic BPs via the tensymeter and compared these measurements with those obtained from the contralateral radial artery catheter. Data were analyzed using the Bland Altman test to determine agreement between the two systems. The mean +/- sd bias and precision (mm Hg) were as follows: 1.7 +/- 7.0 and 5.7 +/- 4.4 for systolic BP; 2.3 +/- 6.9 and 5.7 +/- 4.5 for diastolic BP; and 1.7 +/- 5.3 and 4.0 +/- 4.8 for mean BP. Noninvasive pressures from the tensymeter-produced arterial waveform agreed with simultaneous contralateral BPs measured from arterial catheters within an acceptable clinical range for a limited population of surgical patients studied over a systolic arterial BP range from 41 to 189 mm Hg without significant temporal performance degradation. The tensymeter may enable physicians to circumvent arterial cannulation in certain circumstances (such as with low- or intermediate-risk procedures) on patients when beat-to-beat BP measurement is desirable.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: from the femoral artery to the left ventricular apex--the spectrum to access.

The role of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) continues to evolve and expand at a rapid pace. The advanced age and frailty of many TAVR candidates often presents complex vascular access challenges when contemplating the exact route of valve delivery. As the indications and approved routes of delivery have evolved, so have the direct open vascular and percutaneous techniques paramount to success. We review the spectrum of access options that may be available for consideration during TAVR procedures and highlight the "pearls and pitfalls" of each technique. We additionally highlight reasons a technique may be preferred for a specific patient subset, as well as the concerns addressed by the anesthesiologist in approaching TAVR.

Postoperative atelectasis after one-lung ventilation with the Univent tube in a child.

This case describes a postoperative complication after single-lung ventilation in a 10-year-old patient scheduled for scoliosis repair. This patient underwent an anterior thoracoscopic excision of several vertebral discs followed by a posterior double-rod fixation of her spine. The postoperative course was complicated by complete atelectasis of the patient's right lung for 5 days. Methods of single-lung ventilation, advantages and disadvantages of the Univent tube versus the double-lumen tube, and the possible mechanisms leading to postoperative atelectasis in this child are discussed.