Outcome of Cardiac Surgery in Children under 15 years with Congenital Heart Disease in Lao-Luxembourg Heart Center, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR / Lao Medical Journal

Background@#Congenital heart disease is the most common causes of major congenital malformations. Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents, globally, 28% of all congenital anomalies, with a prevalence of about 8 to 10 per 1000 people live births, and they mostly require corrective surgery.@*Objective@#To describe outcomes of congenital heart surgery in children under 15 years in Vientiane, Lao PDR.@*Methods@#We undertook retrospective analyses of children with CHD who underwent cardiac surgery by the ASD teams at the Laos-Luxembourg Heart Center, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane Capital, by reviewing the medical charts of patients discharged during 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2018.@*Results@#Of a total of 415 patients with CHD, 185 underwent cardiac surgery that were the simple lesion 62.1%; moderate lesion 36.0%, complex lesion 1.6%, respectively. The patients who met the inclusion criteria in this study were 158 with a median age of 51 months and those with preschool age of 52.0%. Corrective surgery was the commonest conducted at 98.1%. The major procedure was VSD closure at 34.8%. The post-operative complication found in 30.0%. Overall in hospital mortality rate was 8.8% (by RICHS-1 method). @*Conclusion@#Congenital heart disease surgery in children under 15 years old at Laos-Luxembourg Heart Center, Mahosot Hospital was significantly associated with post-operative complications and high mortality. Therefore, trainings on CHD surgery and Post-CHD surgery care must be urgently organized to the Lao cardiac surgeons and nurses to reduce complications and deaths.

Comparative analysis of myocardial protection with htk solution and hypothermic hyperkalemic blood solution in the correction of acyanogenic congenital cardiopathies - a randomized study

Abstract Objective: The goal of the present study was to compare the myocardial protection obtained with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegic solution (Custodiol®) and with intermittent hypothermic blood solution. Methods: Two homogenous groups of 25 children with acyanotic congenital heart disease who underwent total correction with mean aortic clamping time of 60 minutes were evaluated in this randomized study. Troponin and creatine kinase-MB curves, vasoactive-inotropic score, and left ventricular function were obtained by echocardiogram in each group. The values were correlated and presented through graphs and tables after adequate statistical treatment. Results: It was observed that values of all the studied variables varied over time, but there was no difference between the groups. Conclusion: We conclude that in patients with acyanotic congenital cardiopathies submitted to total surgical correction, mean aortic clamping time around one hour, and cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia, the HTK crystalloid cardioplegic solution offers the same myocardial protection as the cold-blood hyperkalemic cardioplegic solution analyzed, according to the variables considered in our study model.

Comprehensive management of pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

There are an increasing number of women with CHD seeking to bear children,and once pregnant,the risk of heart and maternal and fetal complications increases,and heart function is furhter damaged.The risk depends on the type of congenital heart disease,degree of hemodynamic impairment,and potential complications.Strengthening the comprehensive management of such patients,conducting careful individual and multidisciplinary risk assessment,and formulating detailed plans for follow-up during pregnancy,delivery and postpartum treatment can reduce the risk and improve perinatal outcomes,which has important significance for reducing maternal mortality.

Staged Repair after Hybrid Palliation for Interrupted Aortic Arch with Systemic Outflow Tract Obstruction / 대한흉부외과학회지

Surgical management of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) with systemic outflow tract obstruction is clearly a challenge. If both ventricles are adequate, the Yasui operation is a useful option. Otherwise, a staged approach through initial hybrid palliation and delayed biventricular repair, tailored to the degree of obstructed outflow, serves to avoid a high-risk neonatal procedure. Herein, we present a patient with IAA and severe systemic outflow tract obstruction whose treatment involved hybrid palliation, followed by a Yasui operation.

Assessment of safety about therapeutic cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease children with recent upper respiratory tract infection / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the safety of elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease (CHD) children with recent upper respiratory tract infection (URI) (within two weeks), so as to provide guidance for clinical anesthesia management. Methods: A total of 140 CHD children of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II~III undergoing tracheal intubation general anesthesia for elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization, aged 3 months to 15 years, were divided into URI group and non-URI group according to history of recent URI. The incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) [i.e. laryngospasm, bronchospasm, breath holding ≥ 15 s, pulse blood oxygen saturation (SpO2)<95%( ≥ 10 s), cough, and glossoptosis] and postoperative dysphoria, fever, copious sputum, and vomiting within 24 h after operation were observed and compared. Results: Compared with non-URI group, recent URI increased significantly the overall incidence of PRAEs (any complications of PRAEs) (P=0.001), particularly the incidence of SpO2<95% (P=0.014) and cough (P=0.000). Compared with children aged from 4-15 in URI group, the overall incidence of PRAEs (P=0.003), SpO2<95% (P=0.018), and cough (P=0.027) of children younger than 3 years increased significantly. Besides, compared with non-URI group, recent URI increased significantly the incidence of postoperative copious sputum (P=0.002). Conclusion: Recent URI increases significantly the incidence of perioperative complications in CHD children undergoing elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization. These complications are short and easily managed, and no serious adverse events occurred in CHD children.

Assessment of safety about therapeutic cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease children with recent upper respiratory tract infection / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To explore the safety of elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization in congenital heart disease (CHD) children with recent upper respiratory tract infection (URI) (within two weeks),so as to provide guidance for clinical anesthesia management.Methods·A total of 140 CHD children of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) Ⅱ～Ⅲ undergoing tracheal intubation general anesthesia for elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization,aged 3 months to 15 years,were divided into URI group and non-URI group according to history of recent URI.The incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) [i.e.laryngospasm,bronchospasm,breath holding ≥ 15 s,pulse blood oxygen saturation (SpO2)＜95％(≥ 10 s),cough,and glossoptosis] and postoperative dysphoria,fever,copious sputum,and vomiting within 24 h after operation were observed and compared.Results·Compared with non-URI group,recent URI increased significantly the overall incidence of PRAEs (any complications of PRAEs) (P=0.001),particularly the incidence of SPO2＜95％ (P=0.014) and cough (P=0.000).Compared with children aged from 4-15 in URIgroup,the overall incidence of PRAEs (P=0.003),SPO2＜95％ (P=0.018),and cough (P=0.027) of children younger than 3 years increased significantly.Besides,compared with non-URI group,recent URI increased significantly the incidence of postoperative copious sputum (P=0.002).Conclusion·Recent URI increases significantly the incidence of perioperative complications in CHD children undergoing elective therapeutic cardiac catheterization.These complications are short and easily managed,and no serious adverse events occurred in CHD children.

Outcomes of Surgery for Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return without Total Circulatory Arrest

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in surgical techniques and hospital care have led to improved outcomes following total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) repair. However, the surgical repair of TAPVR remains associated with a high risk of mortality and need for reoperation. We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate mid-term outcomes following in situ TAPVR repair without total circulatory arrest (TCA), and to identify the risk factors associated with surgical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 29 cases of surgical intervention for TAPVR conducted between April 2000 and July 2015. All patients were newborns or infants who underwent in situ TAPVR repair without TCA. RESULTS: Four anatomic subtypes of TAPVR were included in this study: supracardiac (20 cases, 69.0%), cardiac (4 cases, 13.8%), infracardiac (4 cases, 13.8%), and mixed (1 case, 3.4%). The median follow-up period for all patients was 42.9 months. Two (6.9%) early mortalities occurred, as well as 2 (6.9%) cases of postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO). Preoperative ventilator care (p=0.027) and preoperative PVO (p=0.002) were found to be independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: In situ repair of TAPVR without TCA was associated with encouraging mid-term outcomes. Preoperative ventilator care and preoperative PVO were found to be independent risk factors for mortality associated with TAPVR repair.

Aortic Root Translocation with Arterial Switch for Transposition of the Great Arteries or Double Outlet Right Ventricle with Ventricular Septal Defect and Pulmonary Stenosis

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) and transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary stenosis (PS) are complex heart diseases, the treatment of which remains a surgical challenge. The Rastelli procedure is still the most commonly performed treatment. Aortic root translocation including an arterial switch operation is advantageous anatomically since it has a lower possibility of conduit blockage and the left ventricle outflow tract remains straight. This study reports successful aortic root transpositions in two patients, one with DORV with VSD and PS and one with TGA with VSD and PS. Both patients were discharged without postoperative complications.

Ventricular interdependence analysis in patients with congenital heart disease with systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the right ventricle / Análisis de la interdependencia ventricular en pacientes con cardiopatía congénita con disfunción sistólica y diastólica del ventrículo derecho

Ventricular interdependence (VI) is understood as the response of one ventricle to the changes in pressure and volume in the remaining other. At the time, this behavior in congenital heart disease is not clear, specially in those which affect the right ventricle (RV). Objective: To determine and compare the different types of VI in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) involving RV with systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study was performed in patients with CHD with volume overload mechanism (atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection) as well as patients with overload pressure mechanism (Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and Ebstein's anomaly). An echocardiographic study was performed on every patient and based on each ventricle ejection fraction and tricuspid and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE and MAPSE, respectively) interdependence was classified as: A (Preserved measurements on both ventricles), B (changes in RV with preserved measurements of the LV) and C (changes in both ventricles). Comparison was made by dysfunction type, time of evolution, the Tei index of myocardial performance (IMF), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and functional class. Results: Out of 86 patients, we found: type A VI in 58%, type B VI in 26% and type C VI in 16% of patients, type C VI was mostly associated with Ebsteins anomaly. The bigger the interdependence, the longer the time of evolution, weight and Tei's Index. Conclusions: Interdependence occurs in CHD where RV is mainly affected. There is an association between type of interdependence and the mechanism of RV dysfunction (systolic or diastolic).

La interdependencia ventricular (IV) se entiende como la respuesta de un ventrículo a los cambios en la presión y el volumen restante en el otro. Hasta hoy, este comportamiento en la enfermedad cardíaca congénita no está claro, especialmente en las que afectan al ventrículo derecho (VD). Objetivo: Determinar y comparar los diferentes tipos de IV en pacientes con enfermedad cardiaca congénita (ECC)) que implica al ventrículo derecho con disfunción sistólica y diastólica. Métodos: Estudio transversal y comparativo que se realizó en pacientes de enfermedad coronaria con mecanismo de sobrecarga de volumen (defectos del tabique auricular, defectos septales ventriculares, ductus arterioso permeable y conexión venosa pulmonar anómala total), así como en pacientes con mecanismo de presión de sobrecarga (tetralogía de Fallot, atresia pulmonar con comunicación interventricular y anomalía de Ebstein). Un estudio ecocardiográfico se realizó en todos los pacientes y con base en cada fracción de eyección del ventrículo y en la excursión sistólica tricúspide y mitral del plano anular (TAPSE y MAPSE, respectivamente) La interdependencia se clasificó como: A (conserva las mediciones en ambos ventrículos), B (cambios en el ventrículo derecho con mediciones conservadas en el ventrículo izquierdo) y C (cambios en ambos ventrículos). Se realizó la comparación por tipo de disfunción, tiempo de evolución, el Índice de Tei de rendimiento miocárdico (IMF), presión sistólica de la arteria pulmonar (PSAP) y clase funcional. Resultados: De los 86 pacientes, se encontró: Tipo A IV en el 58%, el tipo B IV en el 26% y el tipo C IV en 16% de los pacientes, Tipo C IV se asocia sobre todo con la anomalía de Ebstein. Cuanto más grande es la interdependencia, mayor será el tiempo de la evolución, peso e Índice de Tei. Conclusiones: La interdependencia ocurre en las enfermedades del corazón, donde el ventrículo derecho se ve afectado principalmente. Existe una asociación entre el tipo de interdependencia y el mecanismo de la disfunción del ventrículo derecho (sistólica o diastólica).

Pseudoaneurysm of Surgically Reconstructed Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Complicated by Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) has been reported as a rare complication of RVOT reconstruction performed using conduit replacement or patch repair. Rarely, it may present alongside symptoms secondary to the compression of adjoining mediastinal structures. We report the case of a patient who developed a symptomatic RVOT pseudoaneurysm one month after a total correction of tetralogy of Fallot. In the present case, superior vena cava syndrome was caused by compression of the superior vena cava, which was a very unusual presentation.

Technique of Coronary Transfer for TGA with Single Coronary Artery

An eight-day-old neonate was diagnosed with dextro-transposition of the great arteries, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and a single sinus origin of the coronary arteries. The single coronary artery originated from the left sinus (sinus 2), had a proximal left circumflex arterial branch, and passed anteriorly to the right side of the aorta, further branching into the right coronary and left anterior descending arteries. We successfully performed an arterial switch operation and coronary transfer by tube graft reconstruction with autologous aortic tissue to treat the dextro-transposition of the great arteries and atrial septal defect with a single-sinus origin of the coronary arteries.

Extracardiac Conduit Fontan Operation and Right Ventricular Exclusion Procedure for Right Ventricle Failure after Repair of Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect

A 13-year-old girl, who had undergone the total correction of partial atrioventricular septal defect at the age of 4 years, was admitted with severe tricuspid regurgitation in echocardiography. She had received one-and-a-half ventricle repair during follow-up. Her right ventricle showed global akinesia, and the ejection fraction of the left ventricle was 25% with paradoxical interventricular septal motion. We performed right ventricular exclusion adjunct to the Fontan procedure. She is doing well two years after the operation without complications.

Thirty-Three Years Old Modified Senning Operation

Numerous technical modifications and various complications of the Senning procedure have been described in the literature. We describe the excellent clinical status and anatomic result of a 33-year-old patient who underwent a modified Senning operation using the left atrial appendage for reconstruction more than 30 years prior to presentation.

The Clinical Outcomes of Damus-Kaye-Stansel Procedure According to Surgical Technique

BACKGROUND: The Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) procedure is a method for mitigating the risk of systemic ventricular outflow tract obstruction (SVOTO). However, there have been few reports on which surgical technique shows a better outcome. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of the DKS procedure according to the surgical technique used. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 12 consecutive patients who underwent the DKS procedure from March 2004 to April 2013. When the relationship of the great arteries was anterior-posterior, the double-barrel technique (group A) was performed. If the relationship was side-by-side, the ascending aortic flap technique (group B) was performed. RESULTS: There was no early mortality and 1 late mortality in group B. There was no statistically significant difference in the median peak pressure gradient of preoperative subaortic stenosis in both groups: 14 mmHg (range, 4 to 53 mmHg) in group A and 15 mmHg (range, 0 to 30 mmHg) in group B (p=0.526). Further, a significant postoperative pressure gradient was not observed in either group A or group B. More than moderate postoperative neoaortic regurgitation was observed in 1 patient of group B; this patient underwent neoaortic valve replacement 66 months after the DKS procedure. No one had a recurrent SVOTO during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The DKS procedure is an effective way to minimize the risk of SVOTO, and there is little difference in the outcomes of the DKS procedure according to the surgical technique used.

Surgery for Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connections: Modification of the Warden Procedure with a Right Atrial Appendage Flap

BACKGROUND: Surgical repair of a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) to the superior vena cava (SVC) may be complicated by sinus node dysfunction or SVC obstruction. We modified the Warden procedure by using a right atrial auricular flap to decrease the occurrence of these complications. METHODS: Between February 2005 and July 2012, 10 consecutive patients underwent a modified Warden procedure to correct PAPVC. The median patient age was 5.7 years. Eight patients (80%) had an atrial septal defect. To surgically correct the PAPVC, we made a U-shaped incision on the right atrial appendage and sutured the flap to the posterior wall of the SVC. The anterior wall was reconstructed with various patch materials. RESULTS: No early or late deaths occurred, nor did any patient require early or late reoperation for SVC or pulmonary venous obstruction. No new arrhythmias appeared during follow-up, which was complete in all patients (mean, 29.5 months). CONCLUSION: Our modification of the Warden procedure seems to be effective and safe. This technique may lower the risk of SVC obstruction, pulmonary venous obstruction, and sinus dysfunction.

Surgical Ligation on Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Comparison between Early and Late Ligations

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early surgical ligation (within 15 days of age) over late surgical ligation (after 15 days of age) by a comparative analysis of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants undergoing surgical correction for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) over the course of 6 years in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the medical records in the neonatal intensive care unit at Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, from March 2007 to May 2013, to identify VLBW infants (< 1,500 g) who underwent surgical PDA ligation. RESULTS: The gestational age (GA) in the late ligation (LL) group was significantly younger than in the early ligation (EL) group (p=0.010). The other baseline characteristics and preoperative conditions did not differ significantly between the two groups. The intubation period before surgery (p < 0.001) and the age at surgery (p < 0.001) were significantly different. The postoperative clinical outcomes of the study patients, including major morbidity and mortality, are summarized. There were no significant differences in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, or mortality between the EL and the LL groups. However, the LL group was significantly associated with an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (p=0.037) and with a prolonged duration of the total parenteral nutrition (p=0.046) after adjusting for GA. CONCLUSION: Early surgical ligation for the treatment of PDA that failed to close after medical treatment or in cases contraindicated for medical treatment might be desirable to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and to alleviate feeding intolerance in preterm infants.

Multiple Embolic Aortic Valve Endocarditis with Small Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Adult

A 50-year-old female was admitted to Pusan National University Hospital with complaints of fatigue and sweating. Echocardiography showed a small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and highly mobile vegetations on the aortic valve. Emergency operation was performed due to the high risk of embolization and severe aortic regurgitation. When the pulmonary artery opened, we found unexpected fresh vegetation. The tissue of the PDA was fragile and infected. We successfully removed the infected tissue, closed the PDA with a patch, and replaced the aortic valve with a mechanical prosthesis.

Right Ventricular Inflow Obstruction Caused by Supratricuspid Ring after the Conventional Biventricular Repair of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries: A case report

A seventeen-month-old male baby, who had received conventional biventricular repair for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, underwent excision of supratricuspid ring. Although tricuspid valve annulus was marginally small on direct inspection in the operating theater, circumferential excision of supratricuspid ring alone completely relieved the right ventricular inflow obstruction.

Outcome of the Modified Norwood Procedure: 7 Years of Experience from a Single Institution / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: We assessed the early and mid-term results of the modified Norwood procedure for first-stage palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants to identify the risk factors for hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March, 2003, and December, 2009, 23 patients (18 males and 5 females) with HLHS or variants underwent the modified Norwood procedure. The age at operation ranged from 3 to 60 days (mean, 11.7+/-13.2 days) and weight at operation ranged from 2.2 to 4.8 kg (mean, 3.17+/-0.52 kg). We used a modified technique that spared the anterior wall of the main pulmonary artery in 20 patients. The sources of pulmonary blood flow were RV-PA conduit in 15 patients (group I) and RMBTS in 8 (group II). Follow-up was completed in 19 patients (19/20, 95%) in our hospital (mean 26.0+/-22.8 months). RESULT: Early death occurred in 3 patients (3/23, 13%), of whom 2 had TAPVC. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent bidirectional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC, stage 2) and seven underwent the Fontan operation (stage 3). Three patients died between stages, 2 before stage 2 and one before stage 3. The estimated 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 69%, respectively. On multivariate regression analysis, aberrant right subclavian artery (RSCA) and associated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) were risk factors for hospital mortality after stage 1 Norwood procedure. CONCLUSION: HLHS and its variants can be palliated by the modified Norwood procedure with low operative mortality. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection adversely affects the survival after a stage 1 Norwood procedure, and interstage mortality rates need to be improved.

Changes of the Biventricular Outflow Tract after a Half Turned Truncal Switch Operation in Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries, a Ventricular Septal Defect and Pulmonary Stenosis: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Rastelli repair has been considered the procedure of choice for surgically repairing transposition of the great arteries combined with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. However, the long term results have been less than optimal and these patients who ungo this procedure can eventually display conduit obstruction, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and arrhythmias. Many new procedures are now available and they are technically challenging for making a more normal anatomic repair. In our hospital, two patients who had a TGA with VSD and PS have been repaired with a Half Turned Truncal Switch Operation and a Lecompte maneuver in 2003 and 2006, respectively. We report on our two experiences with performing a Half Turned Truncal Switch Operation, and we discuss the changes of the biventricular outflow tract.