Modified technique for coarctation of aorta with hypoplastic distal aortic arch.

BACKGROUND: A combination of coarctation of aorta with various severity of distal arch hypoplasia frequently occurs in newborns. Traditional techniques in the neonatal period such as extended end-to-end anastomosis or inner curve patch are controversial. Arch geometry has a marked role in long-term outcomes. We introduce a modified Amato technique of distal aortic arch enlargement with native tissue-to-tissue reconstruction. METHODS: Neonatal patients with coarctation of aorta and distal aortic arch hypoplasia who underwent surgical reconstruction using this technique between January 2016 and December 2019 in our center were included. Patients with concomitant complex heart defects were excluded. Data were obtained from echo protocols, CT scans before and after repair. The dimensions of the arch were assessed using Z-score, arch geometry was evaluated with height/width ratio. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (22 males, 10 females) were included. Median age and weight were 7 days (5; 18) and 3.5 kg (3.1; 4.0), respectively. The Z-score of distal part of the arch before and after procedure was significantly different (<0.01). No mortality, recoarctation, or bronchial compression was found during 18 (6-38) months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Modified technique for coarctation of aorta with hypoplastic distal aortic arch provides favorable geometry of the aorta with a low risk of morbidity. The proper selection and accurate technique could minimize potential risks. This method is relatively safe and might improve long-term outcomes associated with the geometry of aorta.

Intestinal microbiome changes in an infant with right atrial isomerism and recurrent necrotizing enterocolitis: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a multifactorial disease that predominantly affects premature neonates. Intestinal dysbiosis plays a critical role in NEC pathogenesis in premature neonates. The main risk factor for NEC in term infants is mesenteric hypoperfusion associated with ductal-dependent congenital heart disease (CHD) that eventually leads to intestinal ischemia. The incidence of NEC in neonates with critical CHD is 6.8%-13%. However, the role of the intestinal microbiome in NEC pathogenesis in infants with ductal-dependent CHD remains unclear. CASE SUMMARY: A male term neonate with right atrial isomerism underwent modified Blalock-Taussig shunt placement on the 14th day of life and had persistent mesenteric hypoperfusion after surgery. The patient had episodes of NEC stage IIA on the 1st and 28th days after cardiac surgery. Fecal microbial composition was analyzed before and after cardiac surgery by sequencing region V4 of the 16S rRNA gene. Before surgery, species belonging to genera Veillonella and Clostridia and class Gammaproteobacteria were detected, Bifidobacteriaceae showed a low abundance. The first NEC episode was associated with postoperative hemodynamic instability, intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury during cardiopulmonary bypass, and a high abundance of Clostridium paraputrificum (Clostridium sensu stricto I) (56.1%). Antibacterial therapy after the first NEC episode resulted in increased abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, decreased abundance of Firmicutes, and low alpha diversity. These changes in the microbial composition promoted the growth of Clostridium sensu stricto I (72.0%) before the second NEC episode. CONCLUSION: A high abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto I and mesenteric hypoperfusion may have contributed to NEC in the present case.