Postoperative Pulmonary Hemodynamics and Systemic Inflammatory Response in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Defects.

There is scarce information about the relationships between postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics, inflammation, and outcomes in pediatric patients with congenital cardiac communications undergoing surgery. We prospectively studied 40 patients aged 11 (8-17) months (median with interquartile range) with a preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 48 (34-54) mmHg who were considered to be at risk for postoperative pulmonary hypertension. The immediate postoperative pulmonary/systemic mean arterial pressure ratio (PAP/SAPIPO, mean of first 4 values obtained in the intensive care unit, readings at 2-hour intervals) was correlated directly with PAP/SAP registered in the surgical room just after cardiopulmonary bypass (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). For the entire cohort, circulating levels of 15 inflammatory markers changed after surgery. Compared with patients with PAP/SAPIPO ≤ 0.40 (n = 22), those above this level (n = 18) had increased pre- and postoperative serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (p = 0.040), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (p = 0.020), interleukin-6 (p = 0.003), and interleukin-21 (p = 0.047) (panel for 36 human cytokines) and increased mean platelet volume (p = 0.018). Using logistic regression analysis, a PAP/SAPIPO > 0.40 and a heightened immediate postoperative serum level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (quartile analysis) were shown to be predictive of significant postoperative cardiopulmonary events (respective hazard ratios with 95% CIs, 5.07 (1.10-23.45), and 3.29 (1.38-7.88)). Thus, the early postoperative behavior of the pulmonary circulation and systemic inflammatory response are closely related and can be used to predict outcomes in this population.

Initial experience with del Nido cardioplegia solution at a Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome measures between our standard multidose cardioplegia protocol and a del Nido cardioplegia protocol in congenital heart surgery patients. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study including 250 consecutive patients that received del Nido cardioplegia (DN group) with a mandatory reperfusion period of 30% of cross clamp time and 250 patients that received a modified St. Thomas' solution (ST group). Groups were matched by age, weight, gender, and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) scores. Preoperative hematocrit and oxygen saturation were also recorded. Outcomes analyzed were the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS), lactate, ventilation time, ventricular dysfunction with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable demographically. Statistically significant differences (p ⩽ 0.05) were noted for cardiac dysfunction with LCOS, hematocrit at end of surgery (p = 0.0038), VIS on ICU admission and at end of surgery (p = 0.0111), and ICU LOS (p = 0.00118) with patients in the DN group having more desirable values for those parameters. Other outcome measures did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In our congenital cardiac surgery population, del Nido cardioplegia strategy was associated with less ventricular dysfunction with LCOS, a lower VIS and decreased ICU LOS compared with patients that received our standard myocardial protection using a modified St. Thomas' solution. Despite the limitation of this study, including its retrospective nature and cohort size, these data supported our transition to incorporate del Nido cardioplegia solution with a mandatory reperfusion period as the preferred myocardial protection method in our program.

Prognostic value of the preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients undergoing the bidirectional Glenn procedure.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with worse outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Little is known about this association in the pediatric population who require surgery for congenital heart defects, especially in patients with a single ventricle (SV). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of the preoperative NLR with outcomes in patients undergoing the bidirectional Glenn procedure. METHODS: This study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of 141 consecutive patients with SV undergoing the bidirectional Glenn procedure between January 2011 and December 2017 in two centers. The preoperative NLR was included in the last hemogram test before surgery. According to the NLR level, the patients were divided into group I (NLR < 1), group II (NLR between 1 and 2), and group III (NLR > 2). The primary endpoint was total hospital length of stay (LOS), and secondary endpoints were mechanical ventilation (MV) time, intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, ventricular dysfunction, complications, and middle-term mortality. RESULTS: The average follow-up duration was 48 months. There were 61, 47, and 33 patients in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Patients in group III exhibited an increased risk of prolonged total hospital LOS (P = .00). An increase in MV time (P = .03) and ICU LOS (P = .02) was also observed in this group, and these patients experienced greater mortality in 24 months following the surgery (P = .03). There was no association between the NLR and ventricular dysfunction (P = .26) and complications (P = .46). CONCLUSION: A high preoperative NLR was associated with worse outcomes in patients with SV physiology undergoing the bidirectional Glenn procedure.

Early and Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Ebstein's Anomaly.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate Ebstein's anomaly surgical correction and its early and long-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 62 consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly in our institution from January 2000 to July 2016. The following long-term outcomes were evaluated: survival, reoperations, tricuspid regurgitation, and postoperative right ventricular dysfunction. RESULTS: Valve repair was performed in 46 (74.2%) patients - 12 of them using the Da Silva cone reconstruction; tricuspid valve replacement was performed in 11 (17.7%) patients; univentricular palliation in one (1.6%) patient; and the one and a half ventricle repair in four (6.5%) patients. The patients' mean age at the time of surgery was 20.5±14.9 years, and 46.8% of them were male. The mean follow-up time was 8.8±6 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 8.06% and the one and 10-year survival rates were 91.9% both. Eleven (17.7%) of the 62 patients required late reoperation due to tricuspid regurgitation, in an average time of 7.1±4.9 years after the first procedure. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the long-term results of the surgical treatment of Ebstein's anomaly demonstrate an acceptable survival rate and a low incidence of reinterventions.

Rational Use of Mechanical Circulatory Support as a Bridge to Pediatric and Congenital Heart Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Donor shortage and organ allocation is the main problem in pediatric heart transplant. Mechanical circulatory support is known to increase waiting list survival, but it is not routinely used in pediatric programs in Latin America. METHODS: All patients listed for heart transplant and supported by a mechanical circulatory support between January 2012 and March 2016 were included in this retrospective single-center study. The endpoints were mechanical circulatory support time, complications, heart transplant survival and discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients from our waiting list were assessed. Twelve (45%) patients were initially supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and a centrifugal pump was implanted in 17 (55%) patients. Five patients initially supported by ECMO were bridged to another device. One was bridged to a centrifugal pump and four were bridged to Berlin Heart Excor®. Among the 29 supported patients, 18 (62%) managed to have a heart transplant. Thirty-day survival period after heart transplant was 56% (10 patients). Median support duration was 12 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4 - 26 days) per run and the waiting time for heart transplant was 9.5 days (IQR 2.5-25 days). Acute kidney injury was identified as a mortality predictor (OR=22.6 [CI=1.04-494.6]; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Mechanical circulatory support was able to bridge most INTERMACS 1 and 2 pediatric patients to transplant with an acceptable complication rate. Acute renal failure increased mortality after mechanical circulatory support in our experience.

Lessons Learned From a Critical Analysis of the Fontan Operation Over Three Decades in a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: The Fontan operation (FO) has evolved and many centers have demonstrated improved results relative to those from earlier eras. We report a single-institution experience over three decades, describing the outcomes and evaluating risk factors. METHODS: Successive patients undergoing primary FO were divided into era I (1984-1994), era II (1995-2004), and era III (2005-2014). Clinical and operative notes were reviewed for demographic, anatomic, and procedure details. End points included early and late mortality and a composite of death, heart transplantation (HTX), or Fontan takedown. RESULTS: A total of 420 patients underwent 18 atriopulmonary connections, 82 lateral tunnels (LT), and 320 extracardiac conduit (EC) Fontan procedures. Forty-six (11%) patients died; early and late mortality were 7.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Eight (1.9%) patients underwent HTX, 11 (2.6%) underwent Fontan conversion to EC, and 1 (0.2%) takedown of EC to bidirectional Glenn shunt. Prevalence of concomitant valve surgery ( P < .001) and pulmonary artery reconstruction ( P < .001) differed over the eras. Preoperative valve regurgitation was associated with likelihood of early mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, P = .002). Embolic events (OR = 1.9, P = .047), preoperative valve regurgitation (OR = 2.3, P = .029), diagnosis of unbalanced atrioventricular canal defect (OR = 1.14, P = .03), and concomitant valve replacement (OR = 6.9, P = .001) during the FO were associated with increased risk of the composite end point (death, HTX, or takedown). CONCLUSION: Technical modifications did not result in improved results across eras, due in part to more liberal indications for surgery in the recent years. Valve regurgitation, unbalanced atrioventricular canal, embolic events, or concomitant valve replacement were associated with FO failure.

Early and long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of ebstein's anomaly

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate Ebstein's anomaly surgical correction and its early and long-term outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 62 consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly in our institution from January 2000 to July 2016. The following long-term outcomes were evaluated: survival, reoperations, tricuspid regurgitation, and postoperative right ventricular dysfunction. Results: Valve repair was performed in 46 (74.2%) patients - 12 of them using the Da Silva cone reconstruction; tricuspid valve replacement was performed in 11 (17.7%) patients; univentricular palliation in one (1.6%) patient; and the one and a half ventricle repair in four (6.5%) patients. The patients' mean age at the time of surgery was 20.5±14.9 years, and 46.8% of them were male. The mean follow-up time was 8.8±6 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 8.06% and the one and 10-year survival rates were 91.9% both. Eleven (17.7%) of the 62 patients required late reoperation due to tricuspid regurgitation, in an average time of 7.1±4.9 years after the first procedure. Conclusion: In our experience, the long-term results of the surgical treatment of Ebstein's anomaly demonstrate an acceptable survival rate and a low incidence of reinterventions.

Rational use of mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to pediatric and congenital heart transplantation

Abstract Introduction: Donor shortage and organ allocation is the main problem in pediatric heart transplant. Mechanical circulatory support is known to increase waiting list survival, but it is not routinely used in pediatric programs in Latin America. Methods: All patients listed for heart transplant and supported by a mechanical circulatory support between January 2012 and March 2016 were included in this retrospective single-center study. The endpoints were mechanical circulatory support time, complications, heart transplant survival and discharge from the hospital. Results: Twenty-nine patients from our waiting list were assessed. Twelve (45%) patients were initially supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and a centrifugal pump was implanted in 17 (55%) patients. Five patients initially supported by ECMO were bridged to another device. One was bridged to a centrifugal pump and four were bridged to Berlin Heart Excor®. Among the 29 supported patients, 18 (62%) managed to have a heart transplant. Thirty-day survival period after heart transplant was 56% (10 patients). Median support duration was 12 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4 - 26 days) per run and the waiting time for heart transplant was 9.5 days (IQR 2.5-25 days). Acute kidney injury was identified as a mortality predictor (OR=22.6 [CI=1.04-494.6]; P=0.04). Conclusion: Mechanical circulatory support was able to bridge most INTERMACS 1 and 2 pediatric patients to transplant with an acceptable complication rate. Acute renal failure increased mortality after mechanical circulatory support in our experience.