Prevalence and clinical implications of heightened plastic chemical exposure in pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Phthalate chemicals are used to manufacture plastic medical products, including many components of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. We aimed to quantify iatrogenic phthalate exposure in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery and examine the link between phthalate exposure and postoperative outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study included pediatric patients undergoing (n=122) unique cardiac surgeries at Children's National Hospital. For each patient, a single plasma sample was collected preoperatively and two additional samples were collected postoperatively upon return from the operating room and the morning after surgery. Concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolites were quantified using ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Patients were subdivided into three groups, according to surgical procedure: (1) cardiac surgery not requiring CPB support, (2) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with a crystalloid prime, and (3) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with red blood cells (RBCs) to prime the circuit. Phthalate metabolites were detected in all patients, and postoperative phthalate levels were highest in patients undergoing CPB with an RBC-based prime. Age-matched (<1 year) CPB patients with elevated phthalate exposure were more likely to experience postoperative complications. RBC washing was an effective strategy to reduce phthalate levels in CPB prime. DISCUSSION: Pediatric cardiac surgery patients are exposed to phthalate chemicals from plastic medical products, and the degree of exposure increases in the context of CPB with an RBC-based prime. Additional studies are warranted to measure the direct effect of phthalates on patient health outcomes and investigate mitigation strategies to reduce exposure.

Low Fibrinogen Is Associated with Increased Bleeding-Related Re-exploration after Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Re-exploration after cardiac surgery remains a relatively frequent complication associated with adverse effects on outcome. We aimed to identify risk factors for re-exploration. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 2,403 patients having undergone cardiac surgical procedure between January 2013 and December 2014. Re-exploration was required in 114 patients (4.7%). Patients with oral anticoagulation, infective endocarditis, or a clearly identified bleeding source were excluded. Therefore, 42 patients remained for analysis. A matched cohort was selected for age, sex, ejection fraction, creatinine, and procedure out of the non-re-explored patients. RESULTS: Demographic data were similar in both groups, except for a higher prevalence of diabetes (45 vs. 21%; p = 0.036) in the non-re-explored patients. Surgery was elective in two-thirds and preoperative plasma fibrinogen concentration was lower in patients requiring re-exploration (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9 g/L; p = 0.002). During the initial operation, re-explored patients received more packed red blood cells (1.5 ± 3 vs. 0 ± 1 units; p < 0.001), Postoperatively, re-explored patients had higher lactate levels (1.7 ± 1.4 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L, p = 0.044), more chest tube drainage (1,245 ± 948 vs. 685 ± 413 mL; p < 0.001), higher hospital mortality (19 vs. 7%; p = 0.19), and longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays (8 ± 8 vs. 4 ± 7 days; p = 0.010). In addition, more fibrinogen was administrated during the initial surgery. Plasma fibrinogen concentration upon arrival at the ICU was lower in patients requiring re-exploration (2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.7 ± 0.7 g; p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis identified fibrinogen upon arrival at the ICU as an independent predictor of postoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: Cardiac surgery patients with low perioperative plasma fibrinogen concentration appear to be more susceptible to bleeding and re-exploration. Re-exploration in this group of patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Diagnostic work-up and current management strategies for infective endocarditis in the pediatric population.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and despite the significant advances that have been made in understanding the disease process in past decades, its incidence appears to be on the rise recently. Endocarditis in children is no longer a rare occurrence. This appeared to be related to a combination of the improved survival of children with congenital heart diseases (CHDs), increase use of intracardiac protheses, and catheter-related interventions. The American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines reduced the recommendations for use of prophylactic antibiotics in those with CHDs which occurred despite the noticeable increase in endocarditis incidence around that time. In general, the recommendations for managing children with IE are derived from the adults' guidelines, and the evidence-base is lacking in many clinical scenarios. Understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentations, microbiology, and outcomes of different management strategies for endocarditis is needed to have a clear and optimal plan for these children. In the current narrative review, we discuss IE in the pediatric population in terms of etiology, predisposing factors, and different treatment strategies for this unique population.

Third sternotomy with modified Bentall/Konno procedure for recurrent multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a 15-year-old.

This is a 15-year-old, 73.5 kg male who was born with congenital aortic valve stenosis. He underwent a transcatheter balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the neonatal period, followed by an open aortic valvotomy at 2 months of age. When he was 3 years old, he underwent aortic root replacement with a 15 mm aortic homograft. Recently, he presented with recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction that appeared valvular and subvalvular in nature. We present our technique of repeat aortic root replacement and left ventricular outflow tract enlargement using modified Bentall combined with Konno-Rastan aortoventriculoplasty.

Fontan Conversion in an Adult With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A 38-Year-Old Norwood Success.

A 38-year-old man with a functional single ventricle secondary to hypoplastic left heart syndrome presented with exertional fatigue. His last palliation was an intra-atrial conduit Fontan procedure. Comprehensive evaluation showed elevated liver enzyme values and a small, calcified conduit. Successful conversion to a nonfenestrated extracardiac conduit Fontan was performed with normalization of his liver enzyme values.

Hybrid stage 1 Norwood combined with reverse Blalock-Taussig shunt and sutureless repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connections.

The patient is a 35-week-old, 2.6-kg neonate who was diagnosed prenatally with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and a supracardiac variant of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. We present the technique of stage 1 hybrid palliation combined with repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Due to the risk of retrograde aortic arch obstruction from the ductal stents, a reverse Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed as well.

Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Heightened Plastic Chemical Exposure in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Importance: Phthalate chemicals are used to manufacture disposable plastic medical products, including blood storage bags and components of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. During cardiac surgery, patients can be inadvertently exposed to phthalate chemicals that are released from these plastic products. Objective: To quantify iatrogenic phthalate chemical exposure in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and examine the link between phthalate exposure and post-operative outcomes. Design Setting and Participants: The study cohort included 122 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Children's National Hospital. For each patient, a single plasma sample was collected pre-operatively and two additional samples were collected post-operatively upon return from the operating room (post-operative day 0) and the morning after surgery (post-operative day 1). Exposures: Concentrations of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolites were quantified using ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Main Outcomes and Measures: Plasma concentrations of phthalates, post-operative blood gas measurements, and post-operative complications. Results: Study subjects were subdivided into three groups, according to surgical procedure: 1) cardiac surgery not requiring CPB support, 2) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with crystalloid prime, and 3) cardiac surgery requiring CPB with red blood cells (RBCs) to prime the circuit. Phthalate metabolites were detected in all patients, and postoperative phthalate levels were highest in patients undergoing CPB with RBC-based prime. Age-matched (<1 year) CPB patients with elevated phthalate exposure were more likely to experience post-operative complications, including arrhythmias, low cardiac output syndrome, and additional post-operative interventions. RBC washing was an effective strategy to reduce DEHP levels in CPB prime. Conclusions and Relevance: Pediatric cardiac surgery patients are exposed to phthalate chemicals from plastic medical products, and the degree of exposure increases in the context of CPB with RBC-based prime. Additional studies are warranted to measure the direct effect of phthalates on patient health outcomes and investigate mitigation strategies to reduce exposure. Key Points: Question: Is cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass a significant source of phthalate chemical exposure in pediatric patients?Findings: In this study of 122 pediatric cardiac surgery patients, phthalate metabolites were quantified from blood samples before and after surgery. Phthalate concentrations were highest in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass with red blood cell-based prime. Heightened phthalate exposure was associated with post-operative complications.Meaning: Cardiopulmonary bypass is a significant source of phthalate chemical exposure, and patients with heightened exposure may be at greater risk for postoperative cardiovascular complications.

Cardiovascular surgery in very low birth weight (≤1500 g) neonates.

OBJECTIVES: Low birth weight and prematurity are known risks of increased morbidity and mortality with undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Our aim was to review the outcomes of very low birth weight (≤1500 g) patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for 32 very low birth weight (≤1500 g) patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery from 2004 to 2021 in our institution. RESULTS: Fifteen patients weighting ≤1500 g at surgery (≤1500-g group) were compared to 17 patients born with a weigh of ≤1500 g and weighting between 1500 and 2500 g at surgery (>1500- to ≤2500-g group) in this study. In-hospital mortality was 33% (5/15) in the ≤1500-g group and 24% (4/17) in the >1500- to ≤2500-g group (P = 0.55). All patients with simple biventricular lesion survived following full repair. The occurrence of postoperative intracerebral haemorrhage was significantly higher in those operated at weight ≤1500 g than those weighting >1500 to ≤2500 g (40% vs 0%; P = 0.01). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 66.0 ± 12.4% and 46.2 ± 14.8% in the ≤1500-g group and 76.5 ± 10.3% and 70.6 ± 11.1% in the >1500- to ≤2500-g group (log-rank P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery for a very low birth weight neonate resulted in a high early and late mortality. Early surgery is only acceptable for simple biventricular lesions if needed. Delayed surgery seems to provide better long-term outcomes in patients with complex lesions. Alternative strategies for neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass should be investigated in patients with complex biventricular and single ventricular lesions.

Cardiac surgery 2016 reviewed.

For the year 2016, more than 20,000 published references can be found in Pubmed when entering the search term "cardiac surgery". Publications last year have helped to more clearly delineate the fields where classic surgery and modern interventional techniques overlap. The field of coronary bypass surgery (partially compared to percutaneous coronary intervention) was enriched by five large prospective randomized trials. The value of CABG for complex coronary disease was reconfirmed and for less complex main stem lesions, PCI was found potentially equal. For aortic valve treatment, more evidence was presented for the superiority of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for patients with intermediate risk. However, the 2016 evidence argued against the liberal expansion to the low-risk field, where conventional aortic valve replacement still appears superior. For the mitral valve, many publications emphasized the significant impact of mitral valve reconstruction on survival in structural mitral regurgitation. In addition, there were many relevant and other interesting contributions from the purely operative arena in the fields of coronary revascularization, surgical treatment of valve disease, terminal heart failure (i.e., transplantation and ventricular assist devices), and aortic surgery. While this article attempts to summarize the most pertinent publications it does not have the expectation of being complete and cannot be free of individual interpretation. As in recent years, it provides a condensed summary that is intended to give the reader "solid ground" for up-to-date decision-making in cardiac surgery.

Cardiac surgery 2015 reviewed.

For the year 2015, almost 19,000 published references can be found in PubMed when entering the search term "cardiac surgery". The last year has been again characterized by lively discussions in the fields where classic cardiac surgery and modern interventional techniques overlap. Lacking evidence in the field of coronary revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery has been added. As in the years before, CABG remains the gold standard for the revascularization of complex stable triple-vessel disease. Plenty of new information has been presented comparing the conventional to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) demonstrating similar short- and mid-term outcomes at high and low risk, but even a survival advantage with transfemoral TAVI at intermediate risk. In addition, there were many relevant and interesting other contributions from the purely operative arena. This review article will summarize the most pertinent publications in the fields of coronary revascularization, surgical treatment of valve disease, heart failure (i.e., transplantation and ventricular assist devices), and aortic surgery. While the article does not have the expectation of being complete and cannot be free of individual interpretation, it provides a condensed summary that is intended to give the reader "solid ground" for up-to-date decision-making in cardiac surgery.