Insights from 3D Echocardiography in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Patients Undergoing TV Repair.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is associated with morbidity and mortality. TR mechanisms and the impact of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) are unclear. We examined HLHS TR mechanisms, TVR's impact on tricuspid valve (TV), and features of poor TVR durability. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 35 HLHS TVR cases and 35 age/stage-matched HLHS controls who do not undergo TVR. Pre-operative 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) assessed overall TV morphology (prolapse, normal, tethered), leaflet morphology, vena contracta area, and TR location. Two-dimensional echocardiography measured TV annulus diameter, RV fractional area change (RVFAC), sphericity, and TR grade at three time points (pre-op, early post-op, and latest follow-up). RESULTS: Pre-op, TVR group, and controls had no difference in age, RV function or shape, or TV dimension. TVR group most commonly had anterior leaflet prolapse followed by septal leaflet prolapse or tethering. TR jet arises centrally (63%) and anterior septally (26%). Posterior annuloplasty (69%), commissuroplasty (37%), and leaflet repair (37%) were surgical techniques commonly performed. At early post-op, TR grade and TV annulus decreased. At latest follow-up, TV annulus remained reduced; however, 50% had significant TR. 25% required TV reoperation. Larger vena contracta at TVR was associated with significant TR. CONCLUSION: HLHS patients undergoing TVR had more anterior leaflet prolapse and central TR. While TVR initially reduces annular size and TR grade, 50% redevelop significant TR despite maintained annular reduction. The association of greater TR severity prior to repair with post-op recurrence raises the consideration for earlier repair of TR in HLHS patients.

Tricuspid Regurgitation in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Provides Additional Information in Describing Jet Location.

BACKGROUND: Twenty-five percent of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) require tricuspid valve (TV) repair. The location of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is important in determining the type of repair performed. Studies using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) have reported a high incidence of error on two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for the identification of TV leaflets. The aim of this study was to compare assessment of TR on 3DE and 2DE in patients with HLHS (jet location, TR grade, and reproducibility). METHODS: A retrospective, single-center review was performed. Fifty-six patients with HLHS with available two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiograms, and mild or greater TR, were included. TR location, grade, vena contracta area, and TV annular diameter were measured on 2DE and 3DE. Reproducibility was assessed by blinded reviewers. RESULTS: Three-dimensional echocardiography identified the primary jet location as central (57%) followed by anteroseptal (36%). There was poor agreement between findings on 3DE and 2DE for jet location (κ = 0.05; 95 CI, -0.08 to 0.19). Interobserver reproducibility for location on 3DE was excellent (κ = 0.8), whereas reproducibility for 2DE was poor (κ = 0.32). The most common jet location pre-Norwood and pre-Glenn was central (70%), whereas pre-Fontan and post-Fontan, jet location was central (45%) and anteroseptal (48%). Vena contracta area on 2DE correlated moderately with vena contracta area on 3DE (r = 0.60, P < .0001). TV annular diameters on 2DE and 3DE for lateral (r = 0.85, P < .0001) and anteroposterior (r = 0.74, P = .001) dimensions were strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: In children with HLHS, assessment of TR location on 2DE had poor agreement with assessment on 3DE and was poorly reproducible. In contrast, TR jet location on 3DE was highly reproducible. Pre-Glenn, a central TR jet was the most common, while post-Glenn, central and anteroseptal locations were equal, highlighting the importance of preoperative identification of TR jet location in patients with HLHS.

60 Years After the First Woman Cardiac Surgeon: We Still Need More Women in Cardiac Surgery.

In 1960, Dr Nina Starr Braunwald became the first woman to perform open heart surgery. Sixty years later, despite the fact that women outnumbered men in American medical school in 2017, men still dominate the field of cardiac surgery. Women surgeons remain underrepresented in cardiac surgery; 11% of practicing cardiac surgeons in Canada were women in 2015, and 6% of practicing adult cardiac surgeons in the US were women in 2019. Although women remain a minority in other surgical specialties also, cardiothoracic surgery remains one of the most unevenly-gender distributed specialties. Why are there so few women cardiac surgeons, and why does it matter? Evidence is emerging regarding the benefits of diversity for a variety of industries, including healthcare. In order to attract and retain the best talent, we must make the cardiac surgery environment more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Some causes of perpetuation of the gender gap have been documented in the literature-these include uneven compensation and career advancement opportunities, outdated views on family dynamics, and disproportionate scrutiny of women surgeons, causing additional workplace frictions for women. Diversity is an organizational strength, and gender-diverse institutions are more likely to outperform their non-gender-diverse counterparts. Modifiable issues perpetuate the gender gap, and mentorship is key in helping attract, develop, and retain the best and brightest within cardiac surgery. Facilitating mentorship opportunities is key to reducing barriers and bridging the gap.

En 1960, la Dre Nina Starr Braunwald est devenue la première femme à pratiquer une chirurgie à cœur ouvert. Soixante ans plus tard, malgré le fait que les femmes étaient plus nombreuses que les hommes dans les facultés de médecine américaines en 2017, les hommes dominent toujours le domaine de la chirurgie cardiaque. Les chirurgiennes restent sous-représentées en chirurgie cardiaque; 11 % des chirurgiens praticiens en cardiologie au Canada étaient des femmes en 2015, et 6% des chirurgiens praticiens en cardiologie pour adultes aux États-Unis étaient des femmes en 2019. Bien que les femmes restent également minoritaires dans d'autres spécialités chirurgicales, la chirurgie cardiothoracique reste l'une des spécialités où la répartition des sexes est la plus inégale. Pourquoi y a-t-il si peu de chirurgiennes en cardiologie, et pourquoi est-ce important? Des données émergent au sujet des avantages de la diversité pour une variété de secteurs, y compris les soins de santé. Afin d'attirer et de retenir les meilleurs talents, nous devons rendre le milieu de la chirurgie cardiaque plus diversifié, équitable et inclusif. Certaines causes expliquant la persistance de l'écart entre les sexes ont été documentées dans la littérature : il s'agit notamment de l'inégalité de la rémunération et des possibilités d'avancement, de points de vue dépassés sur la dynamique familiale et de l'attention disproportionnée portée aux chirurgiennes, ce qui entraîne des frictions supplémentaires pour les femmes en milieu de travail. La diversité est une force au sein d'une organisation, et les établissements où la diversité des genres est présente sont plus susceptibles d'obtenir de bons résultats que les autres. Des problèmes modifiables perpétuent l'écart entre les sexes, et le mentorat est essentiel pour attirer, perfectionner et retenir les meilleurs éléments dans le domaine de la chirurgie cardiaque. Il est essentiel de faciliter les possibilités de mentorat pour réduire les obstacles et combler le fossé.

Tricuspid Valve Adaptation during the First Interstage Period in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), yet the evolution of tricuspid valve (TV) dysfunction in HLHS is poorly understood. This study sought to examine changes in TV function in HLHS between the first two stages of surgical palliation and to determine the mechanism of TR at the time of stage two surgery-bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA). METHODS: We prospectively investigated 44 infants at two time points-prior to Norwood-Sano (T1 - median age 5.4 days) and prior to BCPA (T2 - median age 4.7 months) using two-dimensional (2DE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). Right ventricular (RV) size, function and shape was assessed with 2DE. Extracted spatial coordinates from 3DE were used to calculate TV leaflet and annular area, tethering and prolapse volumes, bending angle, and coaptation index. TR was graded qualitatively, and 2D and 3D vena contracta (VC) were measured. RESULTS: The cohort from T1 to T2 had increased indexed leaflet and annular area (P < .0001) and tethering volume (P < .0001), with no change in coaptation. Significant TR was present in 14 infants (32%) at T2 and was associated with greater leaflet (P = .02) and annular areas (P = .002) and greater prolapse volume (P = .008), but not tethering volume or reduced coaptation. At latest follow-up (median 23 months), 13 patients died or required transplantation. Only 3DE VC at T2 was associated with death or transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The TV in HLHS adapts to interstage stressors (increased preload and afterload) by increasing leaflet size to maintain adequate leaflet coaptation. Significant TR at T2 was associated with greater leaflet size and prolapse. This may represent TV maladaptation from an excessive response in leaflet expansion to stressors.

Driveline Site Is Not a Predictor of Infection After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Driveline infections (DLIs) remain a major source of morbidity for patients requiring long-term ventricular assist device (VAD) support. We aimed to assess whether VAD driveline exit site (DLES) (abdomen versus chest wall) is associated with DLI. All adult patients who underwent insertion of a HeartWare HVAD or HeartMate II (HMII) between 2009 and 2016 were included. Driveline infection was defined as clinical evidence of DLI accompanied by a positive bacterial swab and need for antibiotics. Competing risks analysis was used to assess the association between patient characteristics and DLI. Ninety-two devices (59 HMII) were implanted in 85 patients (72 men; median age 57.4 years) for bridge to transplant or destination therapy. VAD DLES was chest in 28 (30.4%) devices. Median time on VAD support was 347.5 days (IQR 145.5, 757.5), with 28 transplants and 29 deaths (27 on device). DLI occurred in 24 patients (25 devices) at a median of 140 days (IQR 67, 314) from implant. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 15 infections (60%). Freedom from infection was 72.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 53.1-78.0%) at 1 year and 41.9% (95% CI 21.1-61.5%) at 3 years. In competing risks regression, abdominal DLES was not predictive of DLI (hazard ratio, HR 1.65 [95% CI 0.63, 4.29]), but body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m was (HR 2.72 [95% CI 1.25, 5.92]). In conclusion, risk of DLI is high among patients on long-term VAD support, and a nonabdominal DLES does not reduce this risk. The only predictor of DLI in this series was an elevated BMI.

Aorto-Right Atrial Fistula After Sutureless Valve Implantation.

Aortic valve replacement with sutureless valves has many potential applications including in redo surgery, minimally invasive scenarios, and heavily calcified aortic roots. Herein we report a case of the development of an aorto-right atrial fistula after replacement of a Medtronic Freestyle stentless subcoronary bioprosthesis (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) with a Perceval sutureless valve (LivaNova PLC, London, UK). This eventually necessitated repair with repeat surgery and aortic valve replacement with a stented valve. For patients with failing stentless bioprostheses returning for reintervention, we suggest removal of only Freestyle leaflet tissue without supra-annular debridement to avoid weakening of the native root tissue.

Extended Bridge to Heart and Lung Transplantation Using Pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist.

In end-stage idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (iPAH), centrally cannulated Novalung (Novalung GmbH, Hechingen, Germany) pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (pECLA) decompresses the pulmonary artery for bridge to transplantation. We report placing a 45-year-old man with end-stage iPAH and right heart failure on centrally cannulated pECLA for 82 days as a bridge to heart and double-lung transplantation (HLTx). To our knowledge, this is the longest reported bridge to transplantation in Canada and the first successful bridge to HLTx. We demonstrate how pECLA permits mobility, facilitating physiotherapy to ensure fitness for transplantation. Considering the irreversible right heart failure, HLTx remains suitable in iPAH.