Computed tomography-based surgical strategy for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

OBJECTIVES: We used computed tomographic angiography (CTA)-based surgical planning to clarify the anatomical indications of sutureless repair technique for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The mid-term impact of the current surgical strategies was evaluated. METHODS: One hundred twelve patients underwent repair for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The study period was divided into era 1 (1996-2010, n = 56) and era 2 (2011-2018, n = 56). Patients with single ventricular heart (SVH) were included. In era 2, the indications for primary sutureless repair and branch pulmonary vein incision were based on CTA findings. RESULTS: For patients with biventricular heart, the 5-year survival was 69% and 97% in eras 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.0024). For patients with SVH, the 5-year survival was 21% and 70% in eras 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.0007). During the follow-up period, the evidence of post-repair pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) was observed in 12 patients with biventricular heart [era 1, 8 patients (23%); era 2, 4 patients (13%)], and 14 patients with SVH [era 1, 6 patients (60%); era 2, 8 patients (36%)]. Using multivariable analysis, preoperative CTA was associated with improved survival in both biventricular heart and SVH and associated with post-repair PVS-free survival in SVH. Since 2011, 12 patients with post-repair PVS underwent multiple reintervention with 1 recorded death (5-year survival: 88%). CONCLUSIONS: CTA-based surgical strategy for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection provided significant survival benefit. Although post-repair PVS could occur in era 2, aggressive reintervention appeared to be associated with improved survival and vein patency.

Efficacy of hemodynamic-based management of tachyarrhythmia after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT, VT) are major concerns after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). This study evaluated the impact of comprehensive treatment, including hemodynamic interventions such as surgery, catheter-based intervention and pacemaker implantation (PMI), on tachyarrhythmia in repaired TOF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 66 repaired TOF patients with tachyarrhythmia (age at onset, 23±11 years), 29 patients had sustained SVT, 21 had sustained or non-sustained VT, and 16 had both (SVT+VT). Successful treatment with catheter-directed ablation and/or anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs) alone was achieved in 31 (69%) and partially achieved in 6 (13%) of 45 patients. Surgery, catheter-based intervention, and/or PMI were performed in 21 (32%) of 66 patients and resulted in complete control of the arrhythmia in 8 (38%) and partial control in 7 (33%) of these 21 patients, 20 (95%) of whom were receiving AADs. Patients with successfully controlled tachyarrhythmia in response to catheter ablation and/or AADs without hemodynamic intervention had a significantly higher probability of absence of sinus node dysfunction (odds ratio [OR], 23.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-845.2; P=0.02) and lone intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia (OR, 12.4; 95% CI: 1.3-278.7; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic interventions resulted in an improvement in outcomes in repaired TOF patients with tachyarrhythmia. To effectively manage intractable tachyarrhythmia with hemodynamic abnormalities, it is essential to understand hemodynamics and consider hemodynamic intervention.