2024 Statement from Asia expert operators on transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR), also known as percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation, refers to a minimally invasive technique that replaces the pulmonary valve by delivering an artificial pulmonary prosthesis through a catheter into the diseased pulmonary valve under the guidance of X-ray and/or echocardiogram while the heart is still beating not arrested. In recent years, TPVR has achieved remarkable progress in device development, evidence-based medicine proof and clinical experience. To update the knowledge of TPVR in a timely fashion, and according to the latest research and further facilitate the standardized and healthy development of TPVR in Asia, we have updated this consensus statement. After systematical review of the relevant literature with an in-depth analysis of eight main issues, we finally established eight core viewpoints, including indication recommendation, device selection, perioperative evaluation, procedure precautions, and prevention and treatment of complications.

Verification of "Japanese Scoring Systems" to Predict IVIG Resistance and Identification of Predictors for IVIG Resistance in Thai Children with Kawasaki Disease.

The objective of this study was to assess the validity of using the Kobayashi, Sano and Egami scoring systems to predict the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance of Kawasaki disease (KD) and to identify the predictors of IVIG resistance in our Thai population. A retrospective study involving 130 KD patients who were admitted between January 2005 and April 2018 was performed. We found that 17 (13%) KD patients did not respond to the first IVIG dose. The three scoring systems have good specificity (80.8%, 74% and 92.1%, respectively) but low sensitivity (0%, 33.3% and 22.2%, respectively). Multivariate analysis suggested that a body temperature greater than 40.2 °C (odds ratio of 3.80, P value = 0.03), a neutrophil percentage greater than 74% (odds ratio of 3.82, P value = 0.03) and serum albumin less than 3 g/L (odds ratio of 5.09, P value = 0.01) were predictors of IVIG resistance. Our study cannot conclude that the three Japanese scoring systems are not suitable for predicting IVIG resistance in the Thai population due to study limitations. However, a high-grade fever (≥ 40.2 °C), neutrophil predominance ≥ 74% and hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level < 3 g/L) were predictors of IVIG resistance in Thai KD patients.

Correlation Between Fragmented QRS and Ventricular Function from Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.

Fragmented QRS is an abnormal sign in an ECG resulting from ventricular dyssynchrony. The presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) is related to mortality in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). This study aimed to analyze the correlations between fQRS and ventricular function parameters from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. A total of 54 patients with rTOF or repaired DORV, TOF type who had been investigated by CMR at Songklanagarind Hospital from January 2012 to August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Most of the patients (47 patients, 87%) were diagnosed with TOF and most of these (57.4%) were treated with a transannular patch (TAP) on the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Forty-four patients (81%) had fQRS. The median time interval between EKG and CMR was 4.2 months (IQR 1.1, 6.9). Patients with fQRS had significantly higher RVEDVi (145.6 [IQR 121.1, 173.1) vs. 115.9 [IQR 96.2, 146.9] mL/m2, p = 0.037), higher RVESVi (82.5 [IQR 62.9, 100.8] vs. 58.6 [IQR 46, 77.2] mL/m2, p = 0.032) and higher RVEDV/LVEDV ratio [1.6 (IQR 1.4, 1.9) vs. 1.4 (IQR 1.3, 1.5), p = 0.026]. The extent of fQRS was significantly associated with an increase in RVEDVi (r = 0.39, p = 0.004) and RVESVi (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) but a decrease in RVEF (r = - 0.37, p = 0.006). Fragmented QRS had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than prolonged QRS duration (≥ 160 ms) to predict all of the parameters indicating pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Patients with rTOF who had fQRS were significantly associated with RV dilatation. The extent of fQRS had only low to moderate correlation with right ventricular parameters (RVEDVi, RVESVi and RVEF). Fragmented QRS could be used for early detection of RV dilatation and the need for PVR in patients with rTOF.

Feasibility and 1-year outcome of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with different devices.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze feasibility of closing perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) with different devices by percutaneous approach and determining initial 1-year outcome of the procedure. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of pmVSD remains controversial due to a previous higher incidence of complete heart block (CHB), especially with the Amplatzer pmVSD occluder. Recently, several devices have been used to minimize the procedure-related complications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 133 patients who underwent transcatheter closure of pmVSD from September 2009 to March 2015. The median age and weight at intervention were 7.1 years (ranging from 9 months to 28 years) and 21.2 kg (ranging from 6.4 to 93 kg). RESULTS: Transcatheter pmVSD closure was successfully performed in 129 cases (97%) using 13 different devices. There were two new onset severe aortic regurgitation (AR) (1.5%), one new onset severe tricuspid regurgitation (0.7%), and one CHB (0.7%). Immediately after procedure, 41 patients (30.8%) had mild to moderate residual shunt and 27 patients (20.8%) had trivial to mild AR. At 1 year, there was no CHB and 10 patients (9.6%) had tiny to mild residual shunt and 10 patients (9.6%) had trivial AR. CONCLUSION: With proper case selection, good expertise, and judicious use of various devices with respect to anatomic details of pmVSD, transcatheter closure is feasible with satisfactory early outcome.

The relationship between myocardial and hepatic T2 and T2* at 1.5T and 3T MRI in normal and iron-overloaded patients.

Background Cardiac and liver iron assessment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is non-invasive and used as a preclinical "endpoint" in asymptomatic patients and for serial iron measurements in iron-overloaded patients. Purpose To compare iron measurements between hepatic and myocardial T2* and T2 at 1.5T and 3T MRI in normal and iron-overloaded patients. Material and Methods The T2 and T2* values from the regions of interest (ROIs) at mid-left ventricle and mid-hepatic slices were evaluated by 1.5T and 3T MRI scans for healthy and iron-overloaded patients. Results For iron-overloaded patients, the myocardial T2 (1.5T) and myocardial T2 (3T) values were 60.3 ms (range = 56.2-64.8 ms) and 55 ms (range = 51.6-60.1 ms) (ρ = 0.3679) while the myocardial T2* (3T) 20.5 ms (range = 18.4-25.9 ms) was shorter than the myocardial T2* (1.5T) 35.9 ms (range = 31.4-39.5 ms) (ρ = 0.6454). The hepatic T2 at 1.5T and 3T were 19.1 ms (range = 14.8-27.9 ms) and 15.5 ms (14.6-20.4 ms) (ρ = 0.9444) and the hepatic T2* at 1.5T and 3T were 2.7 ms (range = 1.8-5.6 ms) and 1.8 ms (range = 1.1-2.9 ms) (ρ = 0.9826). The line of best fit exhibiting the linearity of the hepatic T2* (1.5T) and hepatic T2* (3T) had a slope of 2 and an intercept of -0.387 ms (R = 0.984). Conclusion Our study found myocardial T2 (1.5T) nearly equal to T2 (3T) with myocardial T2* (3T) 1.75 shorter than myocardial T2* (1.5T). The relationship of hepatic T2* (1.5T) and hepatic T2* (3T) was linear with T2* (1.5T) approximately double to T2* (3T) in iron-overloaded patients. This linear relationship between hepatic T2* (1.5T) and hepatic T2 (3T) could be an alternative method for estimating liver iron concentration (LIC) from 3T.

Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects by Using the Occlutech Occluder Devices in More Than 1300 Patients: The IRFACODE Project: A Retrospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The Occlutech Figulla ASD device series (OFSO) shows an improved device design for interventional ASD closure, larger follow-up series are missing. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the feasibility, safety, implantation properties, results, and follow-up of ASD closure using Occlutech devices over a 5 year period by establishing a multi-institutional collaborative result registry with 16 contributing centers from 11 countries (IRFACODE). RESULTS: In 1315 patients of all age groups (female 66.9%), successful (98%) ASD closure was performed (mean age 28.9 years, weight 52 kg, height 148.6 cm). Of the defects, 47.9% showed no or only a deficient aortic rim; in 11.9%, there was more than one defect; a septum aneurysm was present in 21.5%; and the mean implanted device size was 20.5 mm. Immediate closure was achieved in 78.6%, at discharge in 83.1%, and 96.4% and 97.3% at 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 2.7 years (in total 3597 patient years), significant complications were minimal (total = 8, <1%) with secondary device embolizations in five and AV-blocks in three patients. No erosion or death was reported. CONCLUSION: ASD closure using OFSO is feasible in a large variety of patients, safe with only a minimal risk of severe side effects and especially without any aortic erosions despite a large percentage of large and complicated defects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparison of the Occlutech ® Figulla ® septal occluder and Amplatzer ® septal occluder for atrial septal defect device closure.

The Occlutech(®) Figulla(®) septal occluder (OFSO) is a later-generation double-disk device with few reports of its success rates and complications compared with the Amplatzer(®) septal occluder (ASO), which is the worldwide standard device in percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. We recruited and compared the results in 149 patients (76.5 % female) who underwent ASD device closure in our center between January 2003 and June 2012. The patients ranged in age from 2.3 to 77.2 years. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding patient baseline characteristics and procedure variables. The success rate using either device was excellent (ASO 94.4 % and OFSO 97.4 %; p = 0.43). Although the diameter of the ASD and the pulmonary arterial pressure in the OFSO group were slightly higher than in the ASO group, the median fluoroscopic time in the OFSO group was significantly shorter (ASO 13.7 min; OFSO 9.0 min; p < 0.001). The overall median follow-up time was 3.6 years (interquartile range 2.1-9.0 years). There were no significant differences between the major and minor complications when comparing the two devices. Both devices were safe and effective for percutaneous ASD closures. The OFSO had the benefit of a shorter fluoroscopic time.

Predictors of high maintenance prostaglandin E1 doses in neonates with critical congenital heart disease-ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation during preoperative care.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with critical congenital heart disease of the ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation type (CCHD-DDPC) require prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to maintain oxygen saturation until surgery. However, the factors contributing to the maintenance doses of PGE1 remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the predictors of high maintenance PGE1 doses in these neonates. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included neonates with CCHD-DDPC at Songklanagarind Hospital between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2021. Factors associated with high maintenance PGE1 doses (> 0.01 mcg/kg/min) were analyzed to identify predictors. Odds ratios were calculated using tabulation and logistic regression analysis. A prediction score was developed for high maintenance PGE1 doses. RESULTS: Among 96 neonates with CCHD-DDPC, 55 % required high maintenance doses of PGE1. Three factors significantly associated with high maintenance PGE1 doses were patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) size-to-birthweight ratio ≤1.3 mm/kg, initial PGE1 dose >0.03 mcg/kg/min, and preoperative invasive mechanical ventilation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for these three predictors was 0.7409. A predictive score of 0-3 was created based on these factors. The probabilities of receiving a high maintenance dose of PGE1 for patients with overall scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 0.19 (95 % CI: 0.04-0.33), 0.42 (95 % CI: 0.30-0.54), 0.69 (95 % CI: 0.57-0.81), and 0.87 (95 % CI: 0.76-0.99), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In neonates with CCHD-DDPC, a PDA size-to-birth weight ratio ≤1.3 mm/kg, an initial dose of PGE1 > 0.03 mcg/kg/min, and preoperative invasive mechanical ventilation were predictors of high maintenance PGE1 doses during the preoperative period.

Developing standard reference data for Thai children from a six-minute walk test.

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a useful test for pre-and post-treatment comparisons, measuring functional status and predicting morbidity and mortality. The test is not widely used with children because the exact reference data in healthy children are often not known and the test requires concentration and co-operation from the participants, which is harder to manage in children. Data for children have been studied in many countries, but data for Thai children is limited. OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for a six-minute walking distance (6MWD) of healthy Thai children aged between 9 and 12 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthy children attending the 4 to 6 grades of seven primary schools in Songkla province in southern Thailand. The tests were conducted according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines between June and September 2008. The potential variables were evaluated for their relations and confounding factors. Reference curves were developed. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirty nine students were recruited for the study, 403 boys (54.5%) and 336 girls (45.5%). Only one girl could not complete the test. The mean 6MWD was 677 (+/- 62.2) meters. The average walking distance was 36.4 meters greater in boys than girls (693.5 and 657.1 meters, respectively). The walking distance increased with age from 9 to 12 years of age in boys, but it decreased with age in girls after 11 years old. There were no unexpected events during or after the tests. Multivariate analysis showed that the 6MWD correlated to age, sex, weight and heart rate differences. Age-specific centile curves of 9 to 12 years for the 6MWD in each sex were developed. CONCLUSION: 6MWT a practical simple test, is one of several modalities for objective evaluation of functional exercise capacity. The reference value of 6MWT for healthy Thai children aged 9 to 12 years was calculated and reported.

Effect of transcatheter closure by AmplatzerTM Duct Occluder II in patients with small ventricular septal defect.

Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an alternative treatment of surgery. However, because of the potential risk of the complete atrioventricular block (AVB) and the lack of available dedicated devices for VSD, this procedure rarely used most centers. Recently in Thailand, with distinct device design that may cause less clamp force and radial force, the AmplatzerTMDuct Occluder (ADO) II has become available for the closure of small VSDs. This is a retrospective review of 49 patients who underwent transcatheter VSD closure using ADO II at Songklanagarind hospital and Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health between January 2014 and December 2016 with an intention to report procedural success rate and 12-months-outcomes. Twenty-six cases were female. The median age and weight at treatment were 7.8 year (ranged from 1.9 to 25 year) and 25.1 kg (ranged from 11 and 57 kg). The majority (65.3%) of the VSD was a perimembranous defect. The mean diameter of LV entry was 5.2 ± 2.5 mm and the mean RV exit was 3.2 ± 0.8 mm. Four patients had more than 1 exit at RV orifice. The mean length of the VSD was 5.3 ± 1.8 mm. The mean aortic valve-VSD distance was 3.9 ± 2.0 mm. The mean tricuspid valve-VSD distance was 3.8 ± 2.5 mm. The procedural success achieved in all patients (100%), most of the implantations were performed in a retrograde approach (53.1%). The ADO II was successfully implanted in 2 cases (5%) who failed other devices in the first attempts. There were no major complications. There were no changes in the severity of tricuspid and aortic valve regurgitation immediate after implantation and at 12 months' follow-up. Three patients (6%) had tiny to small residual shunt at 12 months' follow-up. None of the patients had a complete heart block. However, new-onset of left bundle branch block and right bundle branch block occurred in 2 (5%) cases and 5 (10%) cases, respectively. With symmetrical double-disc design and softness of the device, the ADO II can be safely and effectively used for closure of the VSDs with the defect size less than 6 mm.

Medium-term results of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation using the Venus P-valve: international experience.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the international procedural and short-term to midterm experience with the new percutaneous Venus P-valve. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective data of patient characteristics, clinical and imaging follow-up of Venus P-valve implantation outside China were collected. Thirty-eight patients underwent attempted Venus P-valve implantation between October 2013 and April 2017. Thirty-seven valves were successfully implanted during 38 procedures. There was one unsuccessful attempt and there were two valve migrations, one of which required surgical repositioning. The mean follow-up was 25 months with no short-term or midterm valve failure or deterioration in performance. Frame fractures occurred in 27% of patients. The cohort demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pulmonary regurgitation fraction and indexed right ventricular diastolic volumes at six and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the Venus P-valve has provided satisfactory short-term to midterm results with high success and low complication rates in an inherently challenging patient substrate.

A case report of infant with left ventricular noncompaction.

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy resulting from abnormal arrest during endomyocardial embryogenesis. The authors present a 6-month-old infant with intractable cardiogenic shock and echocardiographic features of LVNC, characterized by excessively prominent ventricular trabeculation and deep intertrabecular recesses as the first case report in Thailand.

Positive serology for dengue viral infection in pediatric patients with Kawasaki disease in southern Thailand.

BACKGROUND: The etiologic agent of Kawasaki disease (KD) is unknown, but may be dengue infection because of reported cases of concomitant KD and dengue. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective study was conducted to ascertain the relationship of positive serology for dengue infection in pediatric patients presenting with KD. A total of 65 cases were diagnosed with KD during the period of 4 years and of the 48 who had a complete dengue serologic study, 9 had a positive dengue titer. CONCLUSION: In the present study 18.7% of patients had proven dengue infection from a positive serologic study. Further case-control study with other pediatric patients presenting with acute febrile illness needs to be done to support this significant finding.