Perioperative Morbidity and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Transitioned From Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Ventricular Assist Device Support: A Study of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database.

As a bridge to transplant strategy, children transitioned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to ventricular assist device (VAD) have higher waitlist mortality compared with those who receive de novo VAD. However, the contribution of the immediate perioperative period and differences in the two groups are not well studied. We performed a nested case-control study between children receiving de novo VAD (group 1) and those transitioned from ECMO to VAD (group 2) between 2014 and 2019 using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database. A total of 735 children underwent VAD placement with 498 in group 1 and 237 in group 2. Patients in group 2 were significantly younger, smaller, and significantly sicker, were twice as likely to transition to biventricular VAD and need unplanned reoperations. Overall mortality was 16% for group 1 and 34% for group 2 ( p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that ECMO use (odds ratio [OR], 2.17 [1.3-3.4]), ventilator need (OR, 2.2 [1.3-3.9]), and cardiogenic shock (OR, 1.8 [1.2-2.8]) were all independent preoperative predictors of VAD mortality while dialysis need (OR, 25.5 [8.6-75.3]), stroke (OR, 6.2 [3.1-12.6]), and bleeding (OR, 1.9 [1.1-3.4]) were independent postoperative predictors of VAD mortality within 30 days (all p < 0.05). The study demonstrated significant baseline differences between the two cohorts, warranting avoidance of comparison. Early elective VAD placement in this cohort of patients should be sought to avoid interim ECMO and high post-VAD mortality.

Narrowing Down the Symptomatology of Isolated Vascular Rings in Children.

Vascular rings may cause respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms due to compression of the trachea and/or esophagus. Advances in imaging have enabled early detection in asymptomatic patients posing new management dilemmas. Surgery is expected to relieve symptoms, although this has not been well studied. We sought to evaluate the presence and pattern of symptoms associated with vascular rings before surgical intervention and to detail symptom resolution after surgery. A 10-year retrospective review of patients diagnosed with an isolated vascular ring was performed between January 2010 and December 2019. 100 patients were identified; 35 double aortic arch (DAA) and 65 right aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum (RALL). 73 patients were symptomatic on presentation; 47 had respiratory, 5 had gastrointestinal, and 21 had both types of symptoms. Surgical repair was performed in 75 patients; 74 were symptomatic. Respiratory symptoms were more likely in patients with preoperative tracheal narrowing (p < 0.001). Moderate-severe respiratory symptoms led to surgery in RALL patients (OR 10.6, p = 0.0001). DAA patients were more likely to undergo surgery (p < 0.001) irrespective of symptom severity. At a median post-surgical follow-up of 4 months, there was a significant reduction in symptom burden (p < 0.001), except for asthma symptoms (p = 0.131). Symptom resolution was not dependent on the vascular ring anatomy (p = 0.331) or the age at operation (p = 0.158). Vascular rings are typically accompanied by respiratory symptoms and less commonly GI symptoms, both of which resolve in most patients after surgery. Those who present predominantly with asthma-like symptoms may not achieve resolution after surgery.

Cardiac surgical outcomes of patients with heterotaxy syndrome.

Objectives: The study objectives were to analyze the outcomes of pediatric patients with heterotaxy syndrome undergoing cardiovascular surgery and to determine the predictors of mortality. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 82 patients diagnosed with heterotaxy syndrome who underwent cardiovascular surgery between January 2008 and December 2017 was performed. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses to determine risk factors for mortality and Kaplan-Meier analysis for survival were performed. Results: Patient mortality in the cohort was 34% (28/82), including 36% (20/55) for single ventricle palliation and 30% (8/27) for biventricular repair. At 5 years, the probability of survival did not differ between the groups by log-rank testing (P = .829). Multivariable analysis found extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (hazard ratio, 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 4.3-25.4; P < .001), total anomalous pulmonary venous return (hazard ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-10.8; P = .002), and birth weight 2.5 kg or less (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-5.4; P = .041) to be independent risk factors for mortality in all-comers. Pulmonary vein stenosis was a univariate predictor of mortality among all patients with heterotaxy (hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.4; P = .005) and in the subgroup of patients with single ventricles (hazard ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-9.7; P = .002). Overall survival was 66% (54/82) at a median follow-up time of 2.2 years (0.4-4.1) from the initial surgery. Conclusions: Outcomes of children with heterotaxy syndrome, irrespective of the operative pathway, remain suboptimal in the current era. Risk factors for mortality in this population include birth weight 2.5 kg or less, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, pulmonary vein stenosis, and total anomalous pulmonary venous return, which may help to further optimize surgical decision making. Multiorgan system involvment is frequently encountered in these patients.

Hybrid strategy in neonates with ductal-dependent systemic circulation and multiple risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to analyze outcomes of the hybrid strategy for ductal-dependent systemic circulation consisting of bilateral pulmonary artery banding with or without ductal stenting followed by delayed Norwood-type palliation or comprehensive stage II operation in high-risk neonates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed between December 2017 and March 2021. Thirty high-risk neonates underwent palliation with bilateral pulmonary artery banding: 11 with prostaglandin therapy and 19 with ductal stenting. Median (range) age and body weight of patients at hybrid stage I were 3 days (0-43) and 2.9 kg (1.1-4.2), respectively. Operative and interstage mortality, morbidity, and reintervention rates were assessed. RESULTS: Overall survival was 70% (21/30) at a median follow-up time of 9 months (range, 0-37) from hybrid stage I. Operative survival for hybrid stage I was 90% (27/30), of which 2 patients received palliative care, and there was 1 interstage death (4%, 1/27). After hybrid stage I, 37% of patients had a reintervention, and 3% (n = 1) used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation before the next stage of repair. Five patients are awaiting second-stage operation, and 9 patients are awaiting Fontan completion. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or its variants can be successfully palliated using the hybrid strategy and bridged to a delayed Norwood or comprehensive stage II operation with satisfactory survival. This operative approach is a promising alternative pathway for neonates deemed to be high risk due to multiple preoperative risk factors.

A comparison of autologous pericardium with Dacron™ for closure of ventricular septal defect in infants.

OBJECTIVES: Glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium (GtAP) and Dacron™ are 2 patch materials commonly used to repair ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in children. The primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that GtAP is as effective as Dacron for the repair of isolated VSD in infants. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from all infants who underwent repair of isolated VSD at our institution between January 2009 and April 2017. A total of 156 patients were divided into 2 groups: 99 underwent repair with Dacron patch and 57 with GtAP. The primary end point was the need for reintervention for significant residual VSD. Adjusted hospital charges were also compared. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable in their baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity indicators. One patient in each group underwent reintervention for the closure of residual VSD. The GtAP group had a higher incidence trivial and small residual VSD at discharge than the Dacron group (65% vs 39%, P = 0.007). The median duration of follow-up was 37 (15-75) months with no difference between the 2 groups. Forty-five percentage of the residual VSDs in the Dacron group (19/42) and 54%in the GtAP group (21/39) had closed. There was no difference in hospital charges and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: GtAP for the closure of isolated VSD in infants is comparable to Dacron. Although the incidence of trivial or small residual VSD is higher with the use of pericardium immediately after surgery, this difference disappears over time.

Periocardiophrenic Release to Prevent Conduit Compression After Neonatal Truncus Arteriosus Repair.

Sternal approximation postcardiac surgery in neonates can sometimes be challenging. Neonatal truncus arteriosus repair using a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery homograft conduit is one such surgical procedure wherein there is a risk of developing conduit compression after sternal closure. We describe our technique of pericardiophrenic release at the time of delayed sternal closure to prevent hemodynamic compromise and conduit compression after sternal approximation in such cases.

Spontaneous rupture of a coronary artery fistula presenting with post-exertional syncope and haemopericardium.

An 8-year-old with a known diagnosis of an asymptomatic coronary artery fistula (CAF) presented with exertional syncope and haemopericardium due to contained rupture of CAF. A transcatheter closure was attempted, but the fistula ruptured again prompting emergency surgical repair. Spontaneous rupture is a catastrophic complication of CAF and warrants a high index of suspicion, timely diagnosis and team management.

Right Atrial Cannulation via Thoracotomy for Emergent Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pediatric Patients with Prior Sternotomy.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the most common mechanical circulatory support strategy used to treat pediatric patients presenting with low cardiac output or cardiogenic shock. While transthoracic central cannulation is feasible and mostly utilized for early postoperative support, peripheral cannulation is preferred as a primary strategy in the late postoperative period. Redo-sternotomy and venous cannulation are difficult to achieve in patients with occluded peripheral veins or complex venous anatomy like Glenn circulation. In pediatric patients with multiple prior sternotomy and catheterization procedures, vascular access for cannulation is frequently limited. Peripheral cannulation for venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) may be challenging or even impossible. In our case series, four pediatric patients with prior sternotomy underwent right atrial cannulation emergently in patients to secure venous drainage for ECMO support. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support could be established rapidly with adequate venous drainage in all cases. We conclude that right atrial cannulation via right thoracotomy can be a useful technique for venous cannulation in cases with prior sternotomy and is particularly useful in cases with Glenn circulation.

Modified Yasui Operation Using Cryopreserved Femoral Vein Homograft.

The Yasui operation is indicated in an interrupted aortic arch and a posterior malaligned ventricular septal defect with a narrow subaortic region. We present a modification of the Yasui procedure in which the aortic reconstruction was simplified using a nonvalved cryopreserved femoral vein homograft to connect the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the femoral vein homograft and ascending aorta to complete the neoaortic reconstruction. After baffling the left ventricle to the pulmonary artery with a patch, a valved segment from the same femoral vein homograft was used to restore continuity of the right ventricular outflow.