Recommendations for developing effective and safe paediatric and congenital heart disease services in low-income and middle-income countries: a public health framework.

The global burden of paediatric and congenital heart disease (PCHD) is substantial. We propose a novel public health framework with recommendations for developing effective and safe PCHD services in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). This framework was created by the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery Cardiac Surgery working group in collaboration with a group of international rexperts in providing paediatric and congenital cardiac care to patients with CHD and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in LMICs. Effective and safe PCHD care is inaccessible to many, and there is no consensus on the best approaches to provide meaningful access in resource-limited settings, where it is often needed the most. Considering the high inequity in access to care for CHD and RHD, we aimed to create an actionable framework for health practitioners, policy makers and patients that supports treatment and prevention. It was formulated based on rigorous evaluation of available guidelines and standards of care and builds on a consensus process about the competencies needed at each step of the care continuum. We recommend a tier-based framework for PCHD care integrated within existing health systems. Each level of care is expected to meet minimum benchmarks and ensure high-quality and family centred care. We propose that cardiac surgery capabilities should only be developed at the more advanced levels on hospitals that have an established foundation of cardiology and cardiac surgery services, including screening, diagnostics, inpatient and outpatient care, postoperative care and cardiac catheterisation. This approach requires a quality control system and close collaboration between the different levels of care to facilitate the journey and care of every child with heart disease. This effort was designed to guide readers and leaders in taking action, strengthening capacity, evaluating impact, advancing policy and engaging in partnerships to guide facilities providing PCHD care in LMICs.

Atrial approaches in mitral valve surgery: a propensity analysis of differences in the incidence of clinically relevant adverse effects.

BACKGROUND: The lack of evidence on complications using mitral valve approaches leaves the choice of risk exposure to the surgeon's preference, based on individual experience, speed, ease, and quality of exposure. METHODS: The present study analysed patients undergoing mitral valve surgery using a superior transseptal approach or a left-atrial approach between 2006 and 2018. We included first-time elective mitral valve procedures, isolated, or combined, without a history of rhythm disturbances. We used propensity score matching based on 26 perioperative variables. The primary endpoint was the association between the superior transeptal approach and clinically significant adverse outcomes, including arrhythmias, need for a permanent pacemaker, cerebrovascular events, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients met the inclusion criteria; 391 received the left atrial approach, and 261 received the superior transseptal approach. After matching, 96 patients were compared with 69 patients, respectively. The distribution of the preoperative and perioperative variables was similar. There was no difference in the incidence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias or the need for treatment. The incidence of nodal rhythm (p = 0.008) and length of stay in intensive care (p = 0.04) were higher in the superior transseptal group, but the need for permanent pacemaker implantation was the same. Likewise, there was no difference in the need for anticoagulation due to arrhythmia, the incidence of cerebrovascular events or mortality in the postoperative period or in the long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association with permanent heart rhythm disorders or any other significant adverse clinical outcome. Therefore, the superior transeptal approach is useful and safe for mitral valve exposure.

Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Congenital Heart Surgery Programs Across the World: Assessment by a Global Multi-Societal Consortium.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic currently gripping the globe is impacting the entire health care system with rapidly escalating morbidities and mortality. Although the infectious risk to the pediatric population appears low, the effects on children with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain poorly understood. The closure of congenital heart surgery programs worldwide to address the growing number of infected individuals could have an unintended impact on future health for COVID-19-negative patients with CHD. Pediatric and congenital heart surgeons, given their small numbers and close relationships, are uniquely positioned to collectively assess the impact of the pandemic on surgical practice and care of children with CHD. We present the results of an international survey sent to pediatric and congenital heart surgeons characterizing the early impact of COVID-19 on the care of patients with CHD.

Successful Management of Massive Air Embolism During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Multimodal Neuroprotection Strategies.

Complications and critical events during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are very challenging, difficult to manage, and in some instances have the potential to lead to fatal outcomes. Massive cerebral air embolism is undoubtedly a feared complication during CPB. If not diagnosed and managed early, its effects are devastating and even fatal. It is a catastrophic complication and its early diagnosis and intraoperative management are still controversial. This is why the decision-making process during a massive cerebral air embolism represents a challenge for the entire surgical, anesthetic, and perfusion team. All caregivers involved in this event must synchronize their responses quickly, harmoniously, and in such a way that all interventions lead to minimizing the impact of this complication. Its occurrence leaves important lessons to the surgical team that faces it. The best management strategy for a complication of this type is prevention. Nevertheless, a surgical team may ultimately be confronted with such an occurrence at some point despite all the prevention strategies, as was the case with our patient. That is why, in each institution, no effort should be spared to establish cost-effective strategies for early detection and a clear and concise management protocol to guide actions once this complication is detected. It is the duty of each surgical team to determine and clearly organize which strategies will be followed. The purpose of this case study was to demonstrate that a massive air embolism can be rapidly detected using near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring and can be successfully corrected with a multimodal neuroprotection strategy.

Linking world bank development indicators and outcomes of congenital heart surgery in low-income and middle-income countries: retrospective analysis of quality improvement data.

OBJECTIVE: Many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) struggle to provide the health services investment required for life-saving congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. We explored associations between risk-adjusted CHD surgical mortality from 17 LMICs and global development indices to identify patterns that might inform investment strategies. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis: country-specific standardised mortality ratios were graphed against global development indices reflective of wealth and healthcare investment. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The International Quality Improvement Collaborative (IQIC) keeps a volunteer registry of outcomes of CHD surgery programmes in low-resource settings. Inclusion in the IQIC is voluntary enrolment by hospital sites. Patients in the registry underwent congenital heart surgery. Sites that actively participated in IQIC in 2013, 2014 or 2015 and passed a 10% data audit were asked for permission to share data for this study. 31 sites in 17 countries are included. OUTCOME MEASURES: In-hospital mortality: standardised mortality ratios were calculated. Risk adjustment for in-hospital mortality uses the Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery method, a model including surgical risk category, age group, prematurity, presence of a major non-cardiac structural anomaly and multiple congenital heart procedures during admission. RESULTS: The IQIC registry includes 24 917 congenital heart surgeries performed in children<18 years of age. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5.0%. Country-level congenital heart surgery standardised mortality ratios were negatively correlated with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (r=-0.34, p=0.18), and health expenditure per capita (r=-0.23, p=0.37) and positively correlated with under-five mortality (r=0.60, p=0.01) and undernourishment (r=0.39, p=0.17). Countries with lower development had wider variation in mortality. GDP per capita is a driver of the association between some other measures and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Results display a moderate relationship among wealth, healthcare investment and malnutrition, with significant variation, including superior results in many countries with low GDP per capita. These findings provide context and optimism for investment in CHD procedures in low-resource settings.

Wide Dissection and Intercostal Vessel Division Allows for Repair of Hypoplastic Aortic Arch Through Thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: The approach to coarctation of the aorta with hypoplastic aortic arch is controversial. We evaluated the outcomes in patients with coarctation of the aorta with or without hypoplastic aortic arch operated through a posterior left lateral thoracotomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients with aortic coarctation, who underwent repair between January 2009 and October 2017, was analyzed. Preoperative, postoperative, and echocardiographic characteristics were reviewed. Statistical analysis examined survival, freedom from reintervention, and freedom from recoarctation. RESULTS: In nine years, 389 patients who underwent surgical treatment for coarctation of the aorta were identified; after exclusion criteria and complete echocardiographic reports, 143 patients were analyzed, of which 29 patients had hypoplastic aortic arch. The modification in the extended end-to-end anastomosis technique was a wide dissection and mobilization of the descending aorta that was achieved due to the ligation and division of 3 to 5 intercostal vessels. In both groups, patients were close to one month of age and had a median weight of 3.6 and 3.4 kg for hypoplastic and nonhypoplastic arch, respectively. In postoperative events, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P = .57 for renal failure, P = .057 for transient, nonpermanent neurologic events, P = .496 for sepsis), as for intensive care unit ( P = .502) and total in-hospital stay ( P = .929). There was one case of postoperative mortality in each group and both were associated with noncardiac comorbidities. Regarding survival (log-rank = 0.060), freedom from reintervention (log-rank = 0.073), and freedom from recoarctation (log-rank = 0.568), there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: We believe that it is the modified technique that allowed greater mobilization of the aorta and successful repair of hypoplastic arch through thoracotomy, without an increase in paraplegia or other adverse outcomes.

History of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery: The First Decade.

The World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery (WSPCHS) is the largest professional organization in the world dedicated to pediatric and congenital heart surgery. The purpose of this article is to document the first decade of the history of WSPCHS from its formation in 2006, to summarize the current status of WSPCHS, and to consider the future of WSPCHS. The WSPCHS was incorporated in Canada on April 7, 2011, with a head office in Montreal, Canada. The vision of the WSPCHS is that every child born anywhere in the world with a congenital heart defect should have access to appropriate medical and surgical care. The mission of the WSPCHS is to promote the highest quality comprehensive cardiac care to all patients with congenital heart disease, from the fetus to the adult, regardless of the patient's economic means, with an emphasis on excellence in teaching, research, and community service.

Transposition of the Great Arteries in the Developing World: Surgery and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Little has been published regarding surgery for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in the developing world. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify patient characteristics, surgical interventions, institutional characteristics, risk factors for mortality, and outcomes among patients undergoing surgery for TGA in this setting. METHODS: Developing world congenital heart surgical programs submitted de-identified data to a novel international collaborative database as part of a quality improvement project. We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included all cases of TGA with intact ventricular septum and TGA with ventricular septal defect performed from 2010 to 2013. Demographic, surgical, and institutional characteristics and their associations with in-hospital mortality were identified. RESULTS: There were 778 TGA operations performed at 26 centers, 480 (62%) for TGA with intact ventricular septum and 298 (38%) for TGA with ventricular septal defect. Most (80%) were single-stage arterial switch operations, but 20% were atrial baffling procedures (atrial switch operation) or 2-stage repairs (pulmonary artery band followed by arterial switch operation). Age at operation was >30 days in one-half of the cases and did not vary significantly with operation type. Survival was 85% and did not significantly vary with age at operation or operation type. Preceding septostomy was infrequently reported (16%) and was not associated with surgical mortality. Mortality was associated with lower World Health Organization weight/body mass index-for-age percentile and lower institutional volume of TGA repair. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of TGA performed in the developing world is associated with an early survival of 85%. Type of surgical repair and age at operation varied considerably, but no associations with mortality were identified. In contrast, poor nutrition and small surgical volume were most strongly associated with mortality. Multicenter collaborative quality improvement efforts may benefit patients with TGA in the developing world.

Effects of Fabrication on Early Patency and Regeneration of Small Intestinal Submucosa Vascular Grafts.

Small intestinal submucosa grafts for vascular regeneration have produced variable patency (0-100%) that has been concurrent with variability in fabrication techniques. We hypothesized that 1) preservation (P) or removal (R) of the stratum compactum layer of the intestine and 2) a dehydrated (D) or hydrated (H) state of the graft, affect early patency and tissue regeneration. We combined both parameters through a 2(2) factorial experimental design into four groups (PD, RD, PH, RH), and compared them in an in vivo early response predictive model (swine, ID 4.5 mm, 7d, n = 4). Patency, thrombogenicity, vascularization, fibroblast infiltration, macrophage polarization profile, endothelialization, and biaxial mechanics were assessed. PD grafts remained patent (4/4) but had scarce vascularization and fibroblast infiltration. RD and RH had extensive vascularization and fibroblast infiltration, however, RD had sustained patency (4/4) and the highest number of regeneration-associated phenotype macrophages (M2), whereas RH had lower patency (3/4) and less M2 macrophages. PH had a modest cellular infiltration, but the lowest patency (2/4) and a dominant adverse macrophage phenotype. Elasticity of R grafts evolved toward that of native carotids (particularly RD), while P grafts kept their initial stiffness. We concluded that fabrication parameters drastically affected early patency and regeneration, with RD providing the best results.

Sobrevida y libertad de reoperación en pacientes sometidos a tratamiento endovascular de enfermedades de la aorta / Reoperation-free survival in patients subjected to endovascular treatment of diseases of the aorta

Resumen Introducción: El manejo endovascular para patologías de la aorta ha aumentado como opción para pacientes de alto riesgo quirúrgico de cirugía convencional abierta. Los resultados a corto plazo para mortalidad, libertad de enfermedad y reintervención, evidencian resultados favorables respecto a la cirugía abierta, pero a mediano (1-12 meses) y largo plazo (>1 año) no existen resultados en nuestro medio. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte bidireccional, en el cual se realizó el segmento retrospectivo en pacientes sometidos a manejo endovascular con prótesis aórtica y el segmento prospectivo en el seguimiento de los pacientes. Resultados: Se identificaron 194 pacientes entre abril de 2002 y diciembre de 2015 sometidos a tratamiento endovascular, que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. El seguimiento se completó en el 82,2%. 92 casos (56.8%) de aorta abdominal con un seguimiento de 4,9 años (RIC 2,5-8,9. La sobrevida calculada fue 92% al año, 86% 2 años y 66.4% a los 5 años. El periodo libre de enfermedad fue 88.7% al año, 86.4% 2 años y 78.5% a los 10 años y 13 pacientes requirieron reintervención. 67 casos de aorta torácica con un seguimiento de 5,3 años (RIC 2,9-10.2), la sobrevida calculada 94% al año, 90.7% 2 años y 75.2% a los 5 años. El periodo libre de enfermedad fue 88.7% al año, 86.4% 2 años y 78.5% a los 10 años y 9 pacientes requirieron reintervención. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos son favorables e incentivan para continuar ofreciendo el abordaje endovascular ya que la supervivencia y la libertad de reoperación se encuentran de acuerdo con lo reportado en la literatura.

Abstract Introduction: The endovascular management for diseases of the aorta has increased as an option for patients of high risk for conventional open surgery. The short-term mortality, disease-free and reoperation results, show favourable outcomes compared to open surgery, but there are no results available in this country for the medium (1-12 months) and long-term (>1 year). Methods: A bi-directional cohort study, in which the retrospective segment was conducted on patients subjected to endovascular management with an aortic replacement, and the prospective segment on the follow-up of the patients. Results: A total of 194 patients, subjected to endovascular treatment and met the inclusion criteria, were identified between April 2002 and December 2015. The follow-up was completed in 82.2% of cases. There were 92 (56.8%) cases of abdominal aorta with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (95% range; 2.5-8.9). The calculated survival was 92% at one year, 86% at 2 years, and 66.4% at 5 years. The period free of disease was 88.7% at one year, 86.4% at 2 years, and 78.5% at 10 years, with 13 patients requiring re-operation. There were 67 cases of thoracic aorta, with a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (95% range; 2.9-10.2). The calculated survival was 94% at one year, 90.7% at 2 years, and 75.2% at 5 years. The period free of disease was 88.7% at one year, 86.4% at 2 years, and 78.5% at 10 years, and 9 patients required re-operation. Conclusions: The results obtained are favourable and are encouraging to continue offering the endovascular approach since the re-operation survival is similar to that reported in the literature.

Factores asociados a insuficiencia renal postoperatoria en cirugía de revascularización miocárdica / Factors associated to postoperative kidney failure following myocardial revascularisation

Objetivos: Determinar qué antecedentes clínicos del paciente y factores del procedimiento quirúrgico se asocian con la aparición de insuficiencia renal postoperatoria en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica. Métodos: estudio llevado a cabo entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2013, de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte, en la que se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica electiva que presentaron insuficiencia renal postoperatoria durante el postoperatorio inmediato hasta el egreso. Los controles estuvieron conformados por pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica electiva que no desarrollaron insuficiencia renal postoperatoria inmediata hasta el egreso. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar los factores asociados a insuficiencia renal postoperatoria. Las asociaciones se expresaron en razones de disparidad con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza. Resultados: la edad avanzada {OR 1,03 IC95% (1,01-1,04){, la presencia preoperatoria de diabetes mellitus {OR 1,8 IC95% (1,9-3,4){, la insuficiencia cardiaca {OR 2,7 IC 95% (1,1-6,7){ y el mayor tiempo de perfusión {OR 1,02 IC 95% (1,01-1,03){ se asociaron con mayor riesgo de insuficiencia renal postoperatoria, en tanto que el mayor hematocrito {OR 0,86 IC95% (0,82-0,91){ y la mayor fracción de eyección {OR 0,94 IC95% (0,92-0,96){ se relacionaron con disminución del riesgo de insuficiencia renal postoperatoria. Conclusiones: En quienes se realizó revascularización miocárdica los factores asociados a la presentación de insuficiencia renal postoperatoria fueron comorbilidades que se relacionaron con daño renal progresivo dentro y fuera del contexto de la cirugía. Esto implica que las estrategias para minimizar este evento estarán enfocadas a identificar de manera oportuna a estos pacientes y proporcionarles nefroprotección adecuada.

Motivation: To determine which medical history and surgical procedure factors are associated to the onset of postoperative kidney failure in patients undergoing myocardial revascularisation. Methods: Case-control cohort study carried out between January 2005 and December 2013 which included patients who had undergone elective myocardial revascularisation and showed postoperative kidney failure immediately after surgery and until discharge. Controls consisted of patients who had undergone elective myocardial revascularisation and did not develop postoperative kidney failure immediately after surgery. A logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated to postoperative kidney failure. Associations were expressed as grounds of disparity with their corresponding confidence intervals. Results: old age {OR 1.03 CI 95% (1.01-1.04){, preoperative presence of diabetes mellitus {OR 1.8 CI 95% (1.9-3.4)}, cardiac insufficiency {OR 2.7 CI 95% (1.1-6.7)} and a longer perfusion time {OR 1.02 CI 95% (1.01-1.03)} were associated to a higher risk of postoperative kidney failure, while higher hematocrit {OR 0.86 CI 95% (0.82-0.91)} and higher ejection fraction {OR 0.94 CI 95% (0.92-0.96)} were associated with a decrease of the risk of postoperative kidney failure. Conclusions: In patients who had undergone myocardial revascularisation, risk factors associated to postoperative kidney failure where comorbidities related to internal and external gradual kidney damage outside the context of the surgery. This implies that strategies to minimise this event should be focused on identifying these patients in a timely manner and offering appropriate nephroprotection.

Factores asociados a la aparición de mediastinitis en 2073 revascularizaciones miocárdicas / Factors associated with the onset of mediastinitis in 2073 myocardial revascularizations

Introducción: La mediastinitis, entidad de etiología multifactorial, ocurre hasta en 4% de los pacientes sometidos a revascularización miocárdica, y se reporta una mortalidad hospitalaria de 14% a 47%, que genera aumento en los costos de atención y deterioro de la calidad de vida así como de la sobrevida del paciente a largo plazo. Objetivo: Determinar cuáles antecedentes clínicos del paciente y factores relacionados con el procedimiento quirúrgico se asocian con la aparición de mediastinitis. Materiales y métodos: Diseño de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte histórica de pacientes sometidos a revascularización miocárdica en el periodo de enero de 2005 a julio de 2011. Los pacientes con mediastinitis se compararon con un grupo control sin mediastinitis tomados del mismo grupo de riesgo en una relación 1:4, y pareados por fecha de cirugía. El diagnóstico de mediastinitis se hizo con criterios clínicos, de laboratorio y hallazgos quirúrgicos. Resultados: Se identificaron treinta casos en el periodo relacionado. Los factores asociados a la aparición del evento fueron: diabetes mellitus OR 2,3 (1,1-4,9), uso de circulación extracorpórea OR 2,4 (1,1-5,5), tiempo de perfusión OR 1,1 (1,1-1,3) y pacientes mayores de 70 años OR 1,1 (1,2-1,4). Conclusiones: La mediastinitis sigue siendo una complicación de baja prevalencia con consecuencias devastadoras. El impacto clínico y económico de esta complicación debe obligar a los grupos quirúrgicos a crear estrategias de prevención con base en el conocimiento de los factores de riesgo de su población.

Introduction: Mediastinitis is a multifactorial entity which occurs in up to 4% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). It has a hospital mortality of 14% to 47%, which generates increased costs of care and deterioration of the quality of life and patient survival in the long term. Objective: To determine which clinical antecedents and factors related to the surgical procedure are associated with the occurrence of mediastinitis. Materials and methods: A nested case control study in a historical cohort of patients undergoing CABG in the period January 2005 to July 2011. Patients with mediastinitis were compared with a control group without mediastinitis taken from the same risk group in a 1:4 ratio and matched for date of surgery. The diagnosis of mediastinitis was made on clinical and laboratory criteria and surgical findings. Results: Thirty cases were identified in the related period. Factors associated with the occurrence of the event were: diabetes mellitus OR 2.3 (1.1 to 4.9), use of extracorporeal circulation OR 2.4 (1.1-5.5), OR 1 perfusion time, 1 (1.1 to 1.3) and patients older than 70 years OR 1.1 (1.2-1.4). Conclusions: Mediastinitis remains complications of low prevalence with devastating consequences. The clinical and economic impact of this complication should compel surgical groups to create prevention strategies based on knowledge of the risk factors of the population.

Estudio cooperativo de la mortalidad operatoria en la corrección de cardiopatías congénitas en Colombia / Cooperative study of operatory mortality in the correction of congenital cardiopaties in Colombia

No se cuenta con información estadística veraz acerca de los resultados del tratamiento de las cardiopatías congénitas en Colombia; por esta razón se diseñó este estudio en el cual se reúne la información sobre mortalidad en cuatro grandes centros cardiovasculares del país, se tiene en cuenta la estratificación del riesgo de mortalidad y se obtienen valores promedio de las diferentes categorías establecidas por el PCCC (Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium). Estos valores pueden servir como parámetro para la evaluación de los centros que realizan correcciones de cardiopatías congénitas en Colombia.

Ampliación de anillo aórtico para implantación de prótesis. Evolución en el tiempo / Ampliación de anillo aórtico para implantación de prótesis. Evolución en el tiempo

Objetivo: describir las características cardíacas de pacientes sometidos a cambio valvular aórtico con ampliación del anillo para implantación de una prótesis mayor, mediante seguimiento clínico y ecocardiográfico.Materiales y métodos: entre 1997 y 2001 se tomaron 26 pacientes, de los cuales 13 (50 porciento), con edad promedio de 57 años, se sometieron a seguimiento. La ecocardiografía se practicó en el control, obteniéndose área valvular aórtica, masa ventricular y gradientes transprotésicos para luego establecer los índices respectivos.Resultados: hubo mejoría en la clase funcional de los 13 pacientes controlados, con 92.3 porciento en clase I (p= 0.002). La evolución postoperatoria fue de 25 meses en promedio. El índice de masa ventricular y los gradientes valvulares (medio) presentaron reducción de 149 a 113 g/m2 y de 67 a 12.2 mm Hg respectivamente (p= 0.001); también se evidenció aumento en el índice de área efectiva valvular protésica que varió de 0.37 a 1 cm/m2 (p= 0.001).Discusión: los resultados evidencian involución en los trastornos ventriculares y mejoría en la clase funcional de los pacientes sometidos a este procedimiento; sin embargo, no se logró establecer comparación con pacientes que presentaran una prótesis menor a 21 mm de diámetro, lo que permitiría confirmar las ventajas de una válvula mayor.Conclusión: la cirugía de cambio valvular aórtico con ampliación del anillo para la implantación de una prótesis mayor, parece ser una alternativa para los pacientes con anillo aórtico nativo pequeño, evidenciándose mejoría clínica y ecocardiográfica en su evolución.