Methylprednisolone for Heart Surgery in Infants - A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although perioperative prophylactic glucocorticoids have been used for decades, whether they improve outcomes in infants after heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, registry-based trial involving infants (<1 year of age) undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at 24 sites participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database. Registry data were used in the evaluation of outcomes. The infants were randomly assigned to receive prophylactic methylprednisolone (30 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo, which was administered into the cardiopulmonary-bypass pump-priming fluid. The primary end point was a ranked composite of death, heart transplantation, or any of 13 major complications. Patients without any of these events were assigned a ranked outcome based on postoperative length of stay. In the primary analysis, the ranked outcomes were compared between the trial groups with the use of odds ratios adjusted for prespecified risk factors. Secondary analyses included an unadjusted odds ratio, a win ratio, and safety outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1263 infants underwent randomization, of whom 1200 received either methylprednisolone (599 infants) or placebo (601 infants). The likelihood of a worse outcome did not differ significantly between the methylprednisolone group and the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 1.05; P = 0.14). Secondary analyses (unadjusted for risk factors) showed an odds ratio for a worse outcome of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.00) and a win ratio of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.32) in the methylprednisolone group as compared with the placebo group, findings suggestive of a benefit with methylprednisolone; however, patients in the methylprednisolone group were more likely than those in the placebo group to receive postoperative insulin for hyperglycemia (19.0% vs. 6.7%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among infants undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, prophylactic use of methylprednisolone did not significantly reduce the likelihood of a worse outcome in an adjusted analysis and was associated with postoperative development of hyperglycemia warranting insulin in a higher percentage of infants than placebo. (Funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and others; STRESS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03229538.).

Echocardiographic changes in patients with a cylinder mitral valve replacement: Preliminary analysis.

AIMS: Cylinder mitral valve construct (cMVC) is new technique for replacing the mitral valve compared to more traditional mitral valve replacement (MVR) procedures. Goal of this study was to describe echocardiographic changes over time in patients undergoing a cMVC. Secondary goal was to compare echocardiographic changes in patients that underwent a cMVC to a group of patients that underwent a MVR. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing a cMVC was performed. Demographics, discharge echocardiogram, and recent echocardiogram vales were evaluated. Age matched patients undergoing a MVR were assessed. Discharge and recent echocardiographic parameters were compared within the cMVC group. cMVC and MVR values were compared between groups. RESULTS: Five cMVC patients were studied. Age at surgery for the cMVC was 4.3 ± 4.2 years (median 2.2, .8-10.3 years). Time interval from hospital discharge echocardiogram to the most recent echocardiogram was 1.2 ± .7 years (median 1.0, .6-2.0 years). Mean mitral valve gradient significantly increased over time (3.6 ± 3.0 mm Hg vs 7.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg). There were significant improvements in left ventricular diameters, systolic sphericity index, shortening fraction, and ejection fraction over time. There were no significant differences in demographics, discharge echocardiogram values, and follow up echocardiogram values between the cMVC and MVR groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, echocardiographic indices of left ventricular function improved over time in patients undergoing cMVC. In addition, there were no significant differences between cMVC and MVR patients in echocardiographic values. Studies with a larger patient sample with longer follow up are needed to determine if cMVC continues to have comparable echocardiographic results to MVR.

Continuous-Flow LVAD Support Causes a Distinct Form of Intestinal Angiodysplasia.

RATIONALE: The objective of this autopsy study was to determine whether gastrointestinal angiodysplasia develops during continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. OBJECTIVE: LVAD support causes pathologic degradation of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasia at an alarming rate. It has been speculated that LVAD support itself may cause angiodysplasia. The relationship to abnormal vWF metabolism is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal gastrointestinal vascularity develops during continuous-flow LVAD support. METHODS AND RESULTS: Small bowel was obtained from deceased humans, cows, and sheep supported with a continuous-flow LVAD (n=9 LVAD, n=11 control). Transmural sections of jejunum were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated isolectin-B4 for endothelium to demarcate vascular structures and quantify intestinal vascularity. Paired plasma samples were obtained from humans before LVAD implantation and during LVAD support (n=41). vWF multimers and degradation fragments were quantified with agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Abnormal vascular architecture was observed in the submucosa of the jejunum of human patients, cows, and sheep supported with a continuous-flow LVAD. Intestinal vascularity was significantly higher after LVAD support versus controls (5.2±1.0% versus 2.1±0.4%, P=0.004). LVAD support caused significant degradation of high-molecular-weight vWF multimers (-9±1%, P<0.0001) and accumulation of low-molecular-weight vWF multimers (+40±5%, P<0.0001) and vWF degradation fragments (+53±6%, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal intestinal vascular architecture and LVAD-associated vWF degradation were consistent findings in multiple species supported with a continuous-flow LVAD. These are the first direct evidence that LVAD support causes gastrointestinal angiodysplasia. Pathologic vWF metabolism may be a mechanistic link between LVAD support, abnormal angiogenesis, gastrointestinal angiodysplasia, and bleeding.

Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Infants: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify outcomes of infants (<1 year of age) diagnosed with pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). STUDY DESIGN: MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through February 1, 2017, with no language restrictions. Publications including infants diagnosed with primary PVS, defined as the absence of preceding intervention(s), were considered. The study was performed according to Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, the Systematic Reviews, and Meta-Analysis checklist, and registered prospectively. The quality of selected reports was critically examined. Data extraction was independently performed by multiple observers with outcomes agreed upon a priori. Data were pooled using an inverse variance heterogeneity model with incidence of mortality the primary outcome of interest. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies of 185 infants were included. Studies were highly diverse with regards to the participants, interventions, and outcomes reported. The median (range) age at diagnosis was 5.0 (0.1-11.6) months. Pooled mortality was 58.5% (95% CI 49.8%-67.0%, I2 = 21.4%). We observed greater mortality incidence among infants with 3 or 4 vein stenoses than in those with 1 or 2 vein stenoses (83.3% vs 36.1%; P < .01). We observed greater mortality among infants with bilateral than unilateral disease (78.7% vs 26.0%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Studies of primary PVS during infancy are highly variable in their methodological quality and estimates of clinical outcomes; therefore, estimates of prognosis remain uncertain. Multicenter, interdisciplinary collaborations, including alignment of key outcome measurements, are needed to answer questions beyond the scope of available data.

Pretransplant Panel Reactive Antibodies and Lung Transplant Outcomes in Children.

Background Pre-lung transplant (LTx) panel reactive antibody (PRA) levels are associated with adverse outcomes in adult LTx recipients, but their impact in pediatric LTx recipients is unknown. Methods The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was queried from 2004 to 2013 to compare survival between pediatric LTx recipients with PRA class I and II levels = 0 versus > 0. Results Overall, 333 pediatric LTx recipients had data on class I or II PRA and were included in the analysis. Univariate analysis demonstrated that PRA > 0 was not associated with survival benefit for class I (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.985; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.623, 1.555; p = 0.947) or class II (HR = 1.080; 95% CI: 0.657, 1.774; p = 0.762) PRA. Multivariate Cox models confirmed no significant association with mortality hazard for both class I (HR = 1.230; 95% CI: 0.641, 2.363; p = 0.533) and class II (HR = 0.847; 95% CI: 0.359, 1.997; p = 0.704) PRA. Multivariate logistic regression models identified no association between class I or class II and acute rejection within 3 years of LTx. Conclusions Pretransplant class I and II PRA levels > 0 were not associated with mortality or acute rejection in pediatric LTx recipients.

Custom extracellular matrix cylinder mitral valve in a pediatric patient.

Mitral valve construction using extracellular matrix (ECM) is a relatively new procedure. In this case, a 15-month-old boy with a history of severe mitral valve regurgitation secondary to endocarditis underwent mitral valve surgery. Mitral valve repair was not possible, and thus, a 17 mm extracellular matrix cylinder valve (ECM-CV) was constructed for valve replacement. The ECM-CV is clearly imaged using echocardiography, especially three-dimensional imaging, that helped define valve function. As the use of ECM for valve construction increases, echocardiography will play an essential role in evaluating the function and mechanics of these novel valves.

Influence of Transplant Center Procedural Volume on Survival Outcomes of Heart Transplantation for Children Bridged with Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Transplant center expertise improves survival after heart transplant (HTx) but it is unknown whether center expertise ameliorates risk associated with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) bridge to transplantation. This study investigated whether center HTx volume reduced survival disparities among pediatric HTx patients bridged with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), left ventricular assist device (LVAD), or no MCS. Patients ≤18 years of age receiving first-time HTx between 2005 and 2015 were identified in the United Network of Organ Sharing registry. Center volume was the total number of HTx during the study period, classified into tertiles. The primary outcome was 1 year post-transplant survival, and MCS type was interacted with center volume in Cox proportional hazards regression. The study cohort included 4131 patients, of whom 719 were supported with LVAD and 230 with ECMO. In small centers (≤133 HTx over study period), patients bridged with ECMO had increased post-transplant mortality hazard compared to patients bridged with LVAD (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12, 0.71; p = 0.006) and patients with no MCS (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19, 0.57; p < 0.001). Interactions of MCS type with medium or large center volume were not statistically significant, and the same differences in survival by MCS type were observed in medium- or large-volume centers (136-208 or ≥214 HTx over the study period). Post-HTx survival disadvantage of pediatric patients bridged with ECMO persisted regardless of transplant program volume. The role of institutional ECMO expertise outside the transplant setting for improving outcomes of ECMO bridge to HTx should be explored.

Induction immunosuppression for combined heart-lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Research on induction immunosuppression in patients undergoing combined heart-lung transplantation (HLTx) is limited. METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried from 2000 to 2013 to examine the influence of induction immunosuppression for combined HLTx in adult (≥18 years) and adolescent (≥12 and <18 years) recipients. RESULTS: Of 394 eligible combined HLTx cases (361 adults, 33 adolescents), 384 were included in univariate Cox analysis and 116 in the multivariate Cox model. Univariate analysis demonstrated no differences in survival by induction medication and no difference among the most common maintenance immunosuppression regimens. Adjusting for use of corticosteroids, multivariate analysis demonstrated no benefit of basiliximab (HR=3.582; 95% CI: 0.966, 13.279; P=.056), thymoglobulin/antilymphocyte globulin (ALG)/antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (HR=0.808; 95% CI: 0.134, 4.888; P=.817), alemtuzumab (HR=0.369; 95% CI: 0.087, 1.563; P=.176), or other induction medications (HR=1.511; 95% CI: 0.146, 15.610; P=.729), compared to no induction medication, with respect to mortality hazard post-HLTx. There were also no differences in treated acute rejection episodes by type of induction immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Induction immunosuppression with contemporary agents does not improve survival after combined HLTx.

Survival in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at the time of lung transplantation.

Limited data exist on ECMO at the time of LTx in children. The UNOS database was queried from 2000 to 2013 for pediatric lung transplant recipients (<18 yr) to assess post-transplant survival of patients on ECMO at the time of LTx. Of 587 pediatric recipients with 17 on ECMO, 585 were used for univariate and Kaplan-Meier function analysis, 535 for multivariate Cox models, and 24 for propensity score matching. Univariate Cox (HR = 1.777; 95% CI: 0.658, 4.803; p = 0.257) and Kaplan-Meier function (log-rank test: chi-square (df = 1): 1.32, p = 0.250) analyses did not identify a survival difference between ECMO and non-ECMO, while multivariate Cox models (HR = 1.821; 95% CI: 0.654, 5.065; p = 0.251) did not demonstrate an increased risk for death. Propensity score matching analysis (HR = 1.500; 95% CI: 0.251, 8.977; p = 0.657) also failed to demonstrate a significantly increased hazard ratio. Using a contemporary cohort of pediatric lung transplant recipients, the use of ECMO at the time of lung transplantation did not negatively impact survival.

A contemporary analysis of induction immunosuppression in pediatric lung transplant recipients.

There is an increasing trend in the use of induction immunosuppression in children undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). To evaluate the effect of this practice on survival, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was queried from 1987 to 2012, restricting analysis to transplant patients 6-17 years old from 2001 to 2012, who received no induction (NONE) or induction (INDUCED) with the contemporary agents of basiliximab, alemtuzumab, thymoglobulin, antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), or antithymocyte globulin (ATG). Of 23 951 lung transplants, 330 met inclusion criteria with 177 (54%) being INDUCED. Of the INDUCED agents, 121 (68%) were basiliximab, 3 (2%) alemtuzumab, and 53 (30%) ALG/ATG/thymoglobulin. The mean patient age was 13.6 (SD = 3.2) and 14 (SD = 3.0) years for the INDUCED and NONE groups, respectively. The median survival in the INDUCED group was 77.4 months (95% CI: 46.1, 125.6) compared with 50.8 months (95% CI: 42.9, 61.3) for the NONE (log-rank P-value = 0.3601). The most common cause of death was due to allograft failure or pulmonary complications with only one patient dying from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. The estimated hazard ratio for INDUCED versus NONE was 0.859 (95% CI: 0.620, 1.191; P = 0.3618); there were no significant confounders or effect modifiers among the demographic and clinical variables. In conclusion, antibody-based induction immunosuppression with contemporary agents had a trend toward a protective, but not statistically significant, effect in 6- to 17-year-old patients.

Tracheostomy in adolescent patients bridged to lung transplantation with ambulatory venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is quickly becoming a method to bridge patients with advanced pulmonary disease to lung transplantation. Historically, pediatric hospitals have more in-depth experience with the use of ECMO; however, bridging children with this method of respiratory support to lung transplantation is carried out infrequently with limited reported experiences in the medical literature. This article describes the optimal use of ambulatory VV-ECMO in two adolescent patients who were bridged to lung transplantation aided by tracheostomy placement.

Quality improvement methodologies increase autologous blood product administration.

Whole blood from the heart-lung (bypass) machine may be processed through a cell salvaging device (i.e., cell saver [CS]) and subsequently administered to the patient during cardiac surgery. It was determined at our institution that CS volume was being discarded. A multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, perfusionists, intensive care physicians, quality improvement (QI) professionals, and bedside nurses met to determine the challenges surrounding autologous blood delivery in its entirety. A review of cardiac surgery patients' charts (n = 21) was conducted for analysis of CS waste. After identification of practices that were leading to CS waste, interventions were designed and implemented. Fishbone diagram, key driver diagram, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, and data collection forms were used throughout this QI process to track and guide progress regarding CS waste. Of patients under 6 kg (n = 5), 80% had wasted CS blood before interventions, whereas those patients larger than 36 kg (n = 8) had 25% wasted CS before interventions. Seventy-five percent of patients under 6 kg who had wasted CS blood received packed red blood cell transfusions in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit within 24 hours of their operation. After data collection and didactic education sessions (PDSA Cycle I), CS blood volume waste was reduced to 5% in all patients. Identification and analysis of the root cause followed by implementation of education, training, and management of change (PDSA Cycle II) resulted in successful use of 100% of all CS blood volume.

Cross-country transfer between two children's hospitals of a child using ambulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for bridge to lung transplant.

With a limited number of pediatric lung transplant programs, the transfer of patients will be required for appropriate candidates. Pediatric patients have been successfully transferred using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with no previous reports using ambulatory single-site venovenous (VV) ECMO via a bicaval dual-lumen (BCDL) catheter as a method for transport to a lung transplant center in order to bridge to lung transplantation. Therefore, we present the successful transfer of a 13-yr-old female on ambulatory VV ECMO between two free-standing children's hospitals and then bridged to bilateral lung transplantation.

Surveillance transbronchial biopsies in infant lung and heart-lung transplant recipients.

There are limited published data on surveillance TBB for the identification of allograft rejection in infants after lung or heart-lung transplantation. We performed a retrospective review of children under one yr of age who underwent lung or heart-lung transplant at our institution. Since 2005, four infants were transplanted (three heart-lung and one lung). The mean age (±s.d.) at the time of transplant was 5.5 ± 2.4 (range 3-8) months. A total of 16 surveillance TBB procedures were completed in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with a range of 3-7 performed per patient. A minimum of five acceptable tissue pieces with expanded alveoli were obtained in 81% (13/16) of TBB procedures and a minimum of three pieces in 88% (14/16). There was no evidence of acute allograft rejection in 88% (14/16) of TBB procedures. One TBB procedure yielded two tissue specimens demonstrating A2 acute allograft rejection. One TBB procedure failed to yield tissue with sufficient alveoli. Additionally, B-grade assessment identified B0 in 50% (8/16), B1R in 12% (2/16), and BX (ungradeable or insufficient sample) in 38% (6/16) of biopsy procedures, respectively. In conclusion, TBB may be safely performed as an inpatient and outpatient procedure in infant lung and heart-lung transplant recipients and may provide adequate tissue for detecting acute allograft rejection and small airway inflammation.

Contrast transthoracic echocardiography and the placement of a bicaval dual-lumen catheter in a Swine model of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Placement of a bicaval dual-lumen (BCDL) catheter demands sophisticated visualization in patients to assure proper positioning in order to administer single-site venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). Large animal models are needed and thus appropriate procedures to assure anatomic and functional cannula placement would assist in experimental design and procedures. This report describes the use of agitated blood and saline transthoracic contrast echocardiography to confirm appropriate placement and function of the BCDL catheter in a swine model of VV ECMO. Five consecutive common crossbred piglets had confirmation using this technique with assurances of cannulation while not significantly altering experimental time and procedures. Researchers studying VV ECMO in large animal models may want to consider this method of confirmation of BCDL catheter placement.

Gram-negative infection and bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after lung transplantation manifests as a gradual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Bronchiectasis is often seen but occurs at variable rates with the underlying pathogenesis being unclear. OBJECTIVE: We completed a study to determine whether lower airway infection with gram-negative bacilli was associated with the development of bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with BOS. METHODS: A retrospective review of 17 lung transplant recipients (age: 28 ± 7 years, range: 13 to 40 years) in a patient population transplanted for cystic fibrosis (CF) 82% (14/17), bronchiolitis obliterans 12% (2/17), and sarcoidosis 6% (1/17) was completed. Each patient completed pulmonary function testing and underwent annual computed tomographic imaging of the chest for surveillance posttransplant at a single transplant center. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was present in 70% (12/17) of patients whereas 94% (16/17) of patients had varying severity of BOS: 1 (n = 7), 2 (n = 3), and 3 (n = 6). All 12 patients with bronchiectasis had an allograft gram-negative rod infection and 92% (11/12) of them had BOS. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bronchiectasis in lung transplant recipients with BOS was associated with a gram-negative bacterial airway infection of the allograft in a small cohort of predominately lung transplant recipients with CF.

Venovenous ECMO as a bridge to lung transplant and a protective strategy for subsequent primary graft dysfunction.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an established therapy for primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in adults after lung transplant, while venovenous (VV) ECMO is an evolving therapy that can bridge patients to lung transplantation. This report describes a case of relatively quick improvement of grade 3 PGD, based on the PaO2/FIO2 (P/F) ratio, in a 17-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis who was bridged to lung transplantation with ambulatory VV ECMO and then received support with VV ECMO as a protective strategy during the initial phases of PGD after lung transplantation.

Surgical outcomes of infective endocarditis in pediatrics: Moving the needle to a contemporary, multidisciplinary approach.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon disease in children that, when present, is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. The presence of congenital heart disease often complicates management. The aim of the present study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of children undergoing surgery for IE. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from 2004 to 2020 was conducted to identify consecutive patients younger than age 20 years with IE undergoing surgery. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with IE were identified, of whom 47 underwent surgery at a median age of 16.7 years. Thirty-one patients (65.95%) had congenital heart disease. Vegetation and embolic phenomena occurred in 41 and 29 patients (87.23% and 61.7%), respectively, with the brain as most common location (57.1%). Native valve involvement had a greater tendency to embolize (P < .001). Staphylococcus spp was the most common organism (49%). The mitral valve was the most affected (31.9%). Seven (14.9%) patients had multivalvar involvement and valve replacement was the most common procedure performed (37 patients; 78.7%). There were 3 operative deaths (6.4%). Median length of hospital stay was 21 days. Risk factors for prolonged hospital stay were time to surgery in days (P < .001) and native valvar involvement (P = .05). Five patients (10.6%) had postoperative recurrent IE. Survival at 1 and 5 years was 93.6% and 89.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Children with IE can undergo surgery with acceptable results. The morbidity, but not mortality, is driven by embolic complications. Staphylococcus spp and native valve involvement are significant risk factors. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Preemptive stenting of the left pulmonary artery during comprehensive stage 2 procedure does not influence Fontan candidacy.

Objective: Pulmonary artery reconstruction during comprehensive stage 2 (CS2) procedure can be challenging. Since 2017, we have employed preemptive left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenting. We hypothesized that LPA stenting promotes adequate growth and without compromising Fontan candidacy. Herewith, we report our midterm results. Methods: From 2002 to 2020, 159 patients underwent CS2. Patients were divided as follows: no stent (n = 122; Group 1) and perioperative LPA stent (n = 37; Group 2). Group 2 was subdivided according to unplanned stent (n = 17; Group 2a) or preemptive stent (n = 20; Group 2b). Relevant perioperative data was reviewed. Nonparametric statistics were utilized. Results: Median age and weight at surgery and hospital length of stay after CS2 did not differ between groups. Median cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp times were significantly greater in Group 1 (265 vs 243 minutes [P = .021] and 46 vs 26 minutes [P = .008]). In-hospital mortality was similar between Groups 1 and 2 (9.0% vs 18.9%, respectively [P = .1348]). Group 2b demonstrated a superior survival compared to Group 2a (P = .0335) but not Group 1 (P > .9999). Preemptive stenting significantly increased median hilar LPA diameter at CS2 exit angiogram compared with no stenting (P < .0001). Groups 2a and 2b significantly increased the pre-Fontan diameter of the hilar LPA when compared with Group 1 (6.1 and 6.8 vs 5.7 mm, respectively [P < .0001]). A further 120 patients underwent Fontan operation (75%). Median follow-up for Groups 1 and 2 were 7.4 and 3.0 years, respectively. Conclusions: Perioperative LPA stenting during CS2 does not adversely affect pulmonary growth. Preemptive stenting seems advantageous for LPA growth in preparation for Fontan completion.

Experience With the Crescent• Right Atrial Jugular Dual Lumen Catheter for Pediatric Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Series.

The Crescent dual lumen right atrial (RA) cannula has recently been introduced for the support of pediatric patients in need of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support. We present the first pediatric case series illustrating utility of the Crescent RA cannula in the pediatric patient population at a single institution over a 10 month period. From December 2021 to August 2022, six pediatric patients were adequately supported on seven VV ECMO runs at our institution with the Crescent RA cannula. ECMO cannulation, circuit design, anticoagulation management, ECMO circuit pressures, flow rates, and recirculation were similar to our standard of care for VV ECMO. The Crescent RA cannula can be used safely and effectively to provide adequate support for pediatric patients requiring VV ECMO.