15-Year Analysis of Surgical Approaches and Outcomes for Coarctation in 132 Neonates and Infants.

A variety of surgical approaches exist to treat aortic coarctation in neonates and infants. Our institutional approach is designed to match the surgical approach to the individual anatomy of the patient. The objective of this study is to evaluate operative characteristics and outcomes of all neonates and infants who underwent surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta or hypoplastic aortic arch at University of Florida from 2006 to 2021, inclusive, either in isolation or with concomitant repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) and/or ventricular septal defect (VSD). A retrospective review was performed of 132 patients aged 0-1 year who underwent surgical repair of aortic coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch between 2006 and 2021, inclusive, either in isolation or with concomitant repair of ASD and/or VSD. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: Group 1 = Median Sternotomy and Group 2 = Left Lateral Thoracotomy. Continuous variables are presented as median (minimum-maximum); categorical variables are presented as N (%). The most common operative technique in Group 1 was end-to-side reconstruction with ligation of the aortic isthmus. The most common operative technique in Group 2 was extended end-to-end repair. Operative Mortality was one patient (1/132 = 0.76%). Transcatheter intervention for recurrent coarctation was performed in seven patients (7/132 = 5.3%). Surgical re-intervention for recurrent coarctation was performed in three patients (3/132 = 2.3%). From these data, one can conclude that a strategy of matching the surgical approach to the anatomy of neonates and infants who underwent surgical repair of aortic coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch, either in isolation or with concomitant repair of ASD and/or VSD, is associated with less than 1% Operative Mortality and less than 3% recurrent coarctation requiring reoperation.

A single-institutional experience with 36 children less than 5 kilograms supported with the Berlin Heart: Comparison of congenital versus acquired heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed outcomes in all 36 consecutive children <5 kg supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device at the University of Florida, comparing those with acquired heart disease (n = 8) to those with congenital heart disease (CHD) (n = 28). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival after ventricular assist device insertion. T-tests using estimated survival proportions were used to compare groups at specific time points. RESULTS: Of 82 patients supported with the Berlin Heart at our institution, 49 (49/82 = 59.76%) weighed <10 kg and 36 (36/82 = 43.90%) weighed <5 kg. Of 36 patients <5 kg, 26 (26/36 = 72.22%) were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 36 patients <5 kg was [days]: median = 109, range = 4-305.) Eight out of 36 patients <5 kg had acquired heart disease, and all eight [8/8 = 100%] were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 8 patients <5 kg with acquired heart disease was [days]: median = 50, range = 9-130.) Twenty-eight of 36 patients <5 kg had congenital heart disease. Eighteen of these 28 [64.3%] were successfully bridged to transplantation. (The duration of support with ventricular assist device for these 28 patients <5 kg with congenital heart disease was [days]: median = 136, range = 4-305.) For all 36 patients who weighed <5 kg: 1-year survival estimate after ventricular assist device insertion = 62.7% (95% confidence interval = 48.5-81.2%) and 5-year survival estimate after ventricular assist device insertion = 58.5% (95% confidence interval = 43.8-78.3%). One-year survival after ventricular assist device insertion = 87.5% (95% confidence interval = 67.3-99.9%) in acquired heart disease and 55.6% (95% confidence interval = 39.5-78.2%) in CHD, P = 0.036. Five-year survival after ventricular assist device insertion = 87.5% (95% confidence interval = 67.3-99.9%) in acquired heart disease and 48.6% (95% confidence interval = 31.6-74.8%) in CHD, P = 0.014. CONCLUSION: Pulsatile ventricular assist device facilitates bridge to transplantation in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg; however, survival after ventricular assist device insertion in these small patients is less in those with CHD in comparison to those with acquired heart disease.

Outcomes of Children Supported With Pulsatile Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device: Congenital Versus Acquired Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the outcomes of 82 consecutive pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age) supported with the Berlin Heart ventricular assist device (VAD), comparing those with congenital heart disease (CHD; n = 44) with those with acquired heart disease (AHD; n = 37). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality after VAD insertion. Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival. RESULTS: Forty-four CHD patients were supported (age: median = 65 days, range = 4 days-13.3 years; weight [kg]: median = 4, range = 2.4-42.3). Ten biventricular CHD patients were supported with eight biventricular assist devices (BiVADs), one left ventricular assist device (LVAD) only, and one LVAD converted to BiVAD, while 34 univentricular CHD patients were supported with single ventricle-ventricular assist devices (sVADs). In CHD patients, duration of VAD support was [days]: median = 134, range = 4-554. Of 44 CHD patients, 28 underwent heart transplantation, 15 died on VAD, and one was still on VAD. Thirty-seven AHD patients were supported (age: median = 1.9 years, range = 27 days-17.7 years; weight [kg]: median = 11, range = 3.1-112), including 34 BiVAD and 3 LVAD. In AHD patients, duration of VAD support was [days]: median = 97, range = 4-315. Of 37 AHD patients, 28 underwent transplantation, three died on VAD, five weaned off VAD (one of whom underwent heart transplantation 334 days after weaning), and one was still on VAD. One-year survival after VAD insertion was 59.9% (95% CI = 46.7%-76.7%) in CHD and 88.6% (95% CI = 78.8%-99.8%) in AHD, P = .0004. Five-year survival after VAD insertion was 55.4% (95% CI = 40.8%-75.2%) in CHD and 85.3% (95% CI = 74.0%-98.2%) in AHD, P = .002. CONCLUSIONS: Pulsatile VAD facilitates bridge-to-transplantation in neonates, infants, and children with CHD; however, survival after VAD insertion is worse in patients with CHD than in patients with AHD.

Support with Single Ventricle-Ventricular Assist Device (sVAD) in Patients with Functionally Univentricular Circulation Prior to Fontan Operation.

Some patients with functionally univentricular circulation develop cardiac failure refractory to maximal management and are supported with a ventricular assist device (VAD). The purpose of this manuscript is to summarize our previous publications related to single ventricle-ventricular assist device (sVAD) support in patients with functionally univentricular circulation and to describe our current institutional approach at University of Florida to sVAD support in neonates, infants, and children prior to Fontan. Our programmatic philosophy at University of Florida is to strive to identify the minority of neonates with functionally univentricular circulation who are extremely high-risk prior to initiating staged palliation and to stabilize these neonates with primary preemptive sVAD in preparation for cardiac transplantation; our rationale for this approach is related to the challenges associated with failed staged palliation and subsequent bail-out sVAD support and transplantation. A subset of extremely high-risk neonates and infants with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent circulation undergo primary preemptive sVAD insertion and subsequent cardiac transplantation. Support with VAD clearly facilitates survival on the waiting list during prolonged wait times and optimizes outcomes after Norwood (Stage 1) by providing an alternative pathway for extremely high-risk patients. Therefore, the selective utilization of sVAD in extremely high-risk neonates facilitates improved outcomes for all patients with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent circulation. At University of Florida, our programmatic approach to utilizing sVAD support as a bridge to transplantation in the minority of neonates with functionally univentricular circulation who are extremely high-risk for staged palliation is associated with Operative Mortality after Norwood (Stage 1) Operation of 2.9% (2/68) and a one-year survival of 91.1% (82/90) for all neonates presenting with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or HLHS-related malformation with functionally univentricular ductal-dependent systemic circulation. Meanwhile, at University of Florida, for all 82 consecutive neonates, infants, and children supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 73.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 64.1-83.8%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 68.3% (95% CI = 58.4-79.8%). For all 48 consecutive neonates, infants, and children at University of Florida with biventricular circulation supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 82.7% (95% CI = 72.4-94.4%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 79.7% (95% CI = 68.6-92.6%). For all 34 consecutive neonates, infants, and children at University of Florida with functionally univentricular circulation supported with pulsatile paracorporeal sVAD: Kaplan-Meier survival estimated one year after VAD insertion = 59.7% (95% CI = 44.9-79.5%), and Kaplan-Meier survival estimated five years after VAD insertion = 50.5% (95% CI = 35.0-73.0%). These Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for patients supported with pulsatile paracorporeal VAD are better in patients with biventricular circulation in comparison to patients with functionally univentricular circulation both one year after VAD insertion (P=0.026) and five years after VAD insertion (P=0.010). Although outcomes after VAD support in functionally univentricular patients are worse than in patients with biventricular circulation, sVAD provides a reasonable chance for survival. Ongoing research is necessary to improve the outcomes of these challenging patients, with the goal of developing strategies where outcomes after sVAD support in functionally univentricular patients are equivalent to the outcomes achieved after VAD support in patients with biventricular circulation.

A Single-Institutional Experience with 36 Children Smaller Than 5 Kilograms Supported with the Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) over 12 Years: Comparison of Patients with Biventricular versus Functionally Univentricular Circulation.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed outcomes in all 36 consecutive children <5 kg supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) at the University of Florida, comparing those with univentricular circulation (n = 23) to those with biventricular circulation (n = 13). METHODS: The primary outcome was mortality. Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival after VAD insertion. T-tests using estimated survival proportions and standard errors were used to compare groups at specific time points. RESULTS: Of all 82 patients ever supported with Berlin Heart at our institution, 49 (49/82 = 59.76%) weighed <10 kg and 36 (36/82 = 43.90%) weighed <5 kg. Of these 36 patients who weighed <5 kg, 26 (26/36 = 72.22%) were successfully bridged to transplantation. Of these 36 patients who weighed <5 kg, 13 (13/36 = 36.1%) had biventricular circulation and were supported with 12 biventricular assist devices (BiVADs) and 1 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (Age [days]: median = 67, range = 17-212; Weight [kilograms]: median = 4.1, range = 3.1-4.9), while 23 (23/36 = 63.9%) had univentricular circulation and were supported with 23 single ventricle-ventricular assist devices (sVADs) (Age [days]: median = 25, range = 4-215; Weight [kilograms]: median = 3.4, range = 2.4-4.9). Of 13 biventricular patients who weighed <5 kg, 12 (12/23 = 92.3%) were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation. Of 23 functionally univentricular patients who weighed <5 kg, 14 (14/23 = 60.87%) were successfully bridged to cardiac transplantation. For all 36 patients who weighed <5 kg: 1-year survival estimate after VAD insertion = 62.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 48.5%-81.2%) and 5-year survival estimate after VAD insertion = 58.5% (95% CI = 43.8%-78.3%). One-year survival after VAD insertion: 84.6% (95% CI = 67.1%-99.9%) in biventricular patients and 49.7% (95% CI = 32.3%-76.4%) in univentricular patients, P = 0.018. Three-year survival after VAD insertion: 84.6% (95% CI = 67.1%-99.9%) in biventricular patients and 41.4% (95% CI = 23.6%-72.5%) in univentricular patients, P = 0.005. CONCLUSION: Pulsatile VAD facilitates bridge to transplantation in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg; however, survival after VAD insertion in these small patients is less in those with univentricular circulation in comparison to those with biventricular circulation.

Analysis of 82 Children Supported With Pulsatile Paracorporeal Ventricular Assist Device: Comparison of Patients With Biventricular Versus Univentricular Circulation.

We reviewed outcomes in 82 consecutive children supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD), comparing those with functionally univentricular circulation (n = 34) to those with biventricular circulation (n = 48). The primary outcome was mortality. Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival. T-tests using KM-estimated survival proportions and standard errors were used to compare groups at specific time points. 48 biventricular patients were supported (Age: median = 1.4 years, range = 17 days-17.7 years; Weight [kilograms]: median = 9.4, range = 3.1-112), including 43 BiVAD, 4 LVAD only, and 1 LVAD converted to BiVAD. In biventricular patients, duration of VAD support [days]: median = 97, range = 4-315. Of 48 biventricular patients, 35 underwent heart transplantation, 7 died on VAD, 5 weaned off VAD (1 of whom underwent heart transplantation 334 days after weaning), and 1 is still on VAD. 34 univentricular patients were supported with single VAD (sVAD) (Age: median = 38.5 days, range = 4 days-13.3 years; Weight [kilograms]: median = 3.98, range = 2.4-32.6). In univentricular patients, duration of VAD support [days]: median = 138, range = 4-554. Of 34 univentricular patients, 22 underwent transplantation, 11 died on VAD, and 1 is still on VAD. One-year survival after VAD insertion was 82.7% (95% CI = 72.4-94.4%) in biventricular patients and 59.7% (95% CI = 44.9-79.5%) in univentricular patients, p = 0.026. Five-year survival after VAD insertion was 79.7% (95% CI = 68.6-92.6%) in biventricular patients and 50.5% (95% CI = 35.0-73.0%) in univentricular patients, p = 0.010. Pulsatile VAD facilitates bridge to transplantation in neonates, infants, and children with functionally univentricular circulation; however, survival is worse than in patients with biventricular circulation.

Ventricular assist device support in neonates and infants with a failing functionally univentricular circulation.

Some neonates with functionally univentricular hearts are at extremely high risk for conventional surgical palliation. Primary cardiac transplantation offers the best option for survival of these challenging neonates; however, waitlist mortality must be minimized. We have developed a comprehensive strategy for the management of neonates with functionally univentricular hearts that includes the selective use of conventional neonatal palliation in standard-risk neonates, hybrid approaches in neonates with elevated risk secondary to a noncardiac etiology, and neonatal palliation combined with insertion of a single ventricular assist device (VAD) in neonates with elevated risk secondary to a cardiac etiology. Here we describe our selection criteria, technical details, management strategies, pitfalls, and current outcomes for neonates with functionally univentricular hearts supported with a VAD. Our experience shows that extremely high-risk neonates with functionally univentricular hearts who are poor candidates for conventional palliation can be successfully stabilized with concomitant palliation and pulsatile VAD insertion while awaiting cardiac transplantation.

Quantifying drysuit seal pressures in non-immersed scuba divers.

INTRODUCTION: Drysuits use flexible neck and wrist seals to maintain water-tight seals. However, if the seals exert too much pressure adverse physiological effects are possible, including dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, and paresthesias in the hands. We aimed to quantify the seal pressures of neck and wrist seals in non-immersed divers. METHODS: We recruited 33 diving volunteers at two dive facilities in High Springs, Florida. After a history and physical exam, we measured vital signs as well as wrist and neck seal pressures using a manometer system. RESULTS: The mean (SD) seal pressure of the right wrist seals was found to be 38.8 (14.9) mmHg, while that of the left wrist seals was 37.6 (14.9) mmHg. The average neck seal pressure was 23.7 (9.4) mmHg. Subgroup analysis of seal material demonstrated higher mean sealing pressure with latex seals compared to silicone; however, this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Drysuit seal pressures are high enough to have vascular implications and even potentially cause peripheral nerve injury at the wrist. Divers should trim their seals appropriately and be vigilant regarding symptoms of excessive seal pressures. Further research may elucidate if seal material influences magnitude of seal pressure.

A Comprehensive Approach to the Management of Patients With HLHS and Related Malformations: An Analysis of 83 Patients (2015-2021).

Background: Some patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and HLHS-related malformations with ductal-dependent systemic circulation are extremely high-risk for Norwood palliation. We report our comprehensive approach to the management of these patients designed to maximize survival and optimize the utilization of donor hearts. Methods: We reviewed our entire current single center experience with 83 neonates and infants with HLHS and HLHS-related malformations (2015-2021). Standard-risk patients (n = 62) underwent initial Norwood (Stage 1) palliation. High-risk patients with risk factors other than major cardiac risk factors (n = 9) underwent initial Hybrid Stage 1 palliation, consisting of application of bilateral pulmonary bands, stent placement in the patent arterial duct, and atrial septectomy if needed. High-risk patients with major cardiac risk factors (n = 9) were bridged to transplantation with initial combined Hybrid Stage 1 palliation and pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) insertion (HYBRID + VAD). Three patients were bridged to transplantation with prostaglandin. Results: Overall survival at 1 year = 90.4% (75/83). Operative Mortality for standard-risk patients undergoing initial Norwood (Stage 1) Operation was 2/62 (3.2%). Of 60 survivors: 57 underwent Glenn, 2 underwent biventricular repair, and 1 underwent cardiac transplantation. Operative Mortality for high-risk patients with risk factors other than major cardiac risk factors undergoing initial Hybrid Stage 1 palliation without VAD was 0/9: 4 underwent transplantation, 1 awaits transplantation, 3 underwent Comprehensive Stage 2 (with 1 death), and 1 underwent biventricular repair. Of 9 HYBRID + VAD patients, 6 (67%) underwent successful cardiac transplantation and are alive today and 3 (33%) died while awaiting transplantation on VAD. Median length of VAD support was 134 days (mean = 134, range = 56-226). Conclusion: A comprehensive approach to the management of patients with HLHS or HLHS-related malformations is associated with Operative Mortality after Norwood of 2/62 = 3.2% and a one-year survival of 75/83 = 90.4%. A subset of 9/83 patients (11%) were stabilized with HYBRID + VAD while awaiting transplantation. VAD facilitates survival on the waiting list during prolonged wait times.

Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm Characterized by Multimodal Imaging.

We present a four-year-old female with an incidental finding of a congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm who underwent surgical resection with excellent results. This case highlights the importance of multimodal imaging in the diagnosis and characterization of this rare condition.

Review article: glucose measurement in the operating room: more complicated than it seems.

Abnormalities of blood glucose are common in patients undergoing surgery, and in recent years there has been considerable interest in tight control of glucose in the perioperative period. Implementation of any regime of close glycemic control requires more frequent measurement of blood glucose, a function for which small, inexpensive, and rapidly responding point-of-care devices might seem highly suitable. However, what is not well understood by many anesthesiologists and other staff caring for patients in the perioperative period is the lack of accuracy of home glucose meters that were designed for self-monitoring of blood glucose by patients. These devices have been remarketed to hospitals without appropriate additional testing and without an appropriate regulatory framework. Clinicians who are accustomed to the high level of accuracy of glucose measurement by a central laboratory device or by an automated blood gas analyzer may be unaware of the potential for harmful clinical errors that are caused by the inaccuracy exhibited by many self-monitoring of blood glucose devices, especially in the hypoglycemic range. Knowledge of the limitations of these meters is essential for the perioperative physician to minimize the possibility of a harmful measurement error. In this article, we will highlight these areas of interest and review the indications, technology, accuracy, and regulation of glucose measurement devices used in the perioperative setting.

Challenges to glycemic measurement in the perioperative and critically ill patient: a review.

Accurate monitoring of glucose in the perioperative environment has become increasingly important over the last few years. Because of increased cost, turnaround time, and sample volume, the use of central laboratory devices for glucose measurement has been somewhat supplanted by point-of-care (POC) glucose devices. The trade-off in moving to these POC systems has been a reduction in accuracy, especially in the hypoglycemic range. Furthermore, many of these POC devices were originally developed, marketed, and received Food and Drug Administration regulatory clearance as home use devices for patients with diabetes. Without further review, many of these POC glucose measurement devices have found their way into the hospital environment and are used frequently for measurement during intense insulin therapy, where accurate measurements are critical. This review covers the technology behind glucose measurement and the evidence questioning the use of many POC devices for perioperative glucose management.