Validation of the Vasoactive-Ventilation-Renal Score for Neonatal Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVES:  We aimed to validate the vasoactive-ventilation-renal (VVR) score and to compare it with other indices as a predictor of outcome in neonates recovering from surgery for critical congenital heart disease. We also sought to determine the optimal time at which the VVR score should be measured. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed neonates recovering from cardiac surgery between July 2017 and June 2020. The VVR score was calculated at admission, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Max values, defined as the highest of the four scores, were also recorded. The main end result of interest was a composite outcome which included prolonged intensive care unit stay and mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated, and areas under the curve with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all time points. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was also performed. RESULTS: We reviewed 73 neonates and 21 of them showed composite outcomes. The area under the curve value for VVR score as a predictor of composite outcome was greatest at postoperative 72-hour max (AUC= 0.967; 95% confidence interval, (0.927-1). On multivariable regression analysis, the VVR max 72 hours remained a strong independent predictor of prolonged ICU stay and mortality (odds ratio, 1.452; 95% confidence interval, 1.036-2.035). CONCLUSIONS: We validated the utility of the VVR score in neonatal cardiac surgery for critical congenital heart disease. The VVR follow-up in postoperative 72 hours is superior to other indices and especially the maximum VVR value is a potentially powerful clinical tool to predict ICU stay and mortality.

The Ideal Timing of Bedside Surgical Ligation of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Babies Less Than 30 Gestational Weeks.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to determine the relationship between exposure to hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus and morbidities in premature babies, the optimal number of pharmacologic treatment cycles, and ideal ductus ligation timing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective single-center study conducted in a 3-year period between July 2017 and June 2020. Premature babies, born ≤30 weeks of gestation and transferred to our unit for bedside ductus ligation, were included in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups; Group A consisted of the patients who received ≥3 pharmacologic treatment cycles, and group B consisted of the patients who received ≤2 cycles. The groups were compared according to preoperative and postoperative features. The main outcome of the study was the presence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The secondary outcomes were specified as the length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). RESULTS: The study group consisted of 24 patients. There were 10 patients in group A and 14 patients in group B. The mean gestational week and the mean birthweight were found to be 26,7 ± 2.2 weeks and 928 ± 190 g, respectively. The incidence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia was significantly higher in group A (70% vs. 14.3%; P = .019). Post-ligation invasive MV, duration, and length of stay in the intensive care unit were found to be significantly longer in group A. None of the patients had hemodynamic disturbances or complications during and after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside surgical ductus ligation is a safe procedure. Prolonging pharmacologic treatment in order to avoid surgery increases the risk of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and prolongs hospital stay.

Pulmonary artery banding and venous bidirectional cava-pulmonary shunt for two-stage arterial switch procedure in late referral of patients with transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum: midterm results.

OBJECTIVE: Two-stage arterial switch operation and left ventricle retraining are necessary for the patients with left ventricle dysfunction and transposition of great vessels with intact ventricular septum (TGA-IVS) who are referred late. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with the diagnosis of TGA-IVS and left ventricle dysfunction who underwent arterial switch operation in our centre between July 2013 and August 2017 were analysed retrospectively. The inclusion criteria for left ventricle retraining were patients older than 2 months of age at presentation, having an echocardiographic left ventricle mass index of less than 35 g/m², and having an echocardiographic "banana-shaped" left ventricle geometric appearance. The patients were divided into two groups: pulmonary artery banding and Blalock Taussig shunt were performed as the initial surgical procedure for later arterial switch operation in Group I (n = 19) and pulmonary artery banding and bidirectional cava-pulmonary shunt in Group 2 (n = 28). RESULTS: The average age was found to be 122.3 ± 45.6 days in Group I and 145.9 ± 37.2 days in Group II. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.232 versus p = 0.373) between the average left ventricle mass index of the two groups neither before the first stage nor the second stage (26.6 ± 4.8 g/m² versus 25.0 ± 4.9 g/m² and 70.5 ± 12 g/m² versus 673.8 ± 12.0 g/m², respectively). The average time interval for the left ventricle to retrain was 97.7 ± 42.9 days for Group I and 117.3 ± 40.3 days for Group II, significantly lower in Group I (p = 0.027). The time spent in ICU, length of the period during which inotropic support was required, and the duration of hospital stay were significantly higher in Group I (p<0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.00, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery banding and bidirectional cava-pulmonary shunt can be performed as a safe and effective alternative to pulmonary artery banding and arterial Blalock Taussig shunt for patients with TGA-IVS in whom arterial switch operation is needed beyond the neonatal period. This approach involves a shorter hospital stay and fewer post-operative complications.