Balloon expandable covered stents as primary therapy for hemodynamically stable traumatic aortic injuries in children.

OBJECTIVES: To expand on the limited available literature regarding the use of balloon expandable covered stents for the treatment of traumatic aortic injuries (TAI) in the pediatric population. BACKGROUND: Although endovascular grafts have largely replaced surgery for TAI repair, there are significant limitations to the use of these grafts in pediatric patients. METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with TAI following blunt chest wall trauma. Procedural characteristics, follow-up, and reinterventions are described. RESULTS: Six covered stents implanted in five patients. Median patient age was 12 years (11-13 years) and median weight 50 kg (44-54 kg). Procedural success was achieved in all cases. No procedural or postprocedural complications were noted. Median follow-up time was 24 months (11-36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon expandable covered stent treatment of pediatric patients with TAI is a feasible alternative to open surgical repair, and preferred over endovascular grafts due to graft size limitations and the large delivery systems.

Prevalence of aspirin resistance by thromboelastography plus platelet mapping in children with CHD: a single-centre experience.

RationaleAspirin resistance has been reported in up to 80% of children with cardiovascular defects undergoing surgery. Because of a patient who had embolic stroke while on therapeutic aspirin dose but in whom aspirin resistance was present on his thromboelastography platelet mapping, we chose to obtain thromboelastography platelet mapping on cardiac patients on aspirin to assess their risk. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates aspirin resistance noted in these patients and their characteristics.Methods and resultsThis is a retrospective study of 25 patients taking aspirin for a month at therapeutic dose. In total, 11 female patients were enrolled. Ages in all subjects were 5 months to 27 years. A total of 19 patients had a Fontan surgery. Three had a cavopulomanary anastomosis, one had a hybrid procedure, and two had coronary anomalies. Compliance was assessed at the time of the clinic visit. Aspirin resistance was defined as platelet inhibition below 50%. Variables evaluated were level of platelet inhibition, age, body mass index, and gender.

Preprocedural Transthoracic Echocardiography Can Predict Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device Size for Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defect Closure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be used to predict Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) size for device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD). DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients who underwent ASD device closure at our institution between August 2006 and August 2013 was performed. Patients with complex congenital heart disease, devices other than the ASO, multiple devices, or inadequate TTE images were excluded. Those who had transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided device placement were evaluated. A blinded observer reviewed their preprocedural TTE images and applied a scaled formula to predict device size. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients underwent ASO placement during the study period, 87 had TEE guidance, of which 45 met inclusion criteria. The mean predicted device size by the scaled formula was 18.0 ± 5.11 mm, compared to the mean implanted device size of 18.8 ± 5.22 mm. The mean absolute difference between each predicted and final deployed device size was 1.44 mm with 95% CI [1.08, 1.81]. The Pearson correlation showed that the predicted device size had a positive correlation coefficient of 0.94. CONCLUSION: Preprocedural TTE assessment of ASD size using a scaling formula in patients with adequate TTE windows can accurately predict ASO device size and aid in device selection.

Prospective randomized trial of transthoracic echocardiography versus transesophageal echocardiography for assessment and guidance of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in children using the Amplatzer septal occluder.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can provide safety and efficacy equivalent to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for assessment and guidance of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in pediatric patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective randomized trial of ASD closure using the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) from March 2008 to April 2012. Inclusion criteria were isolated secundum ASD, age 2 to 18 years, and adequate TTE windows. Forty patients were enrolled and randomized to either TEE or TTE. In the TEE group, we used "stop flow" balloon sizing to determine device size. In the TTE group, we used the average ASD diameter times 1.2 (scaled). Patients were followed up to 1 year. RESULTS: Patient general and hemodynamic characteristics were similar in both groups. Procedural success was 100% in both groups. The average TEE stop flow diameter was similar to the scaled TTE diameter (15.35 ± 4.62 mm vs. 16.57 ± 5.47 mm; p = 0.46). Device size (16.0 ± 4.94 mm vs. 16.37 ± 5.05 mm, p = 0.82) and ratio of device to defect size (1.0 ± 0.06 vs. 0.99 ± 0.03, p = 0.52) were also similar. Total procedure (70.6 ± 22.98 min vs. 51.1 ± 17.61 min, p = 0.005), room (126.8 ± 28.41 min vs. 95.7 ± 20.53 min, p = 0.0004), and fluoroscopy (13.6 ± 6.17 min vs. 8.9 ± 8.45 min, p = 0.007) times were all significantly shorter in the TTE group. Neither group had significant complications during the procedure nor in follow-up. Rates of shunt resolution were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in selected pediatric patients, use of TTE is as efficacious and safe as TEE for assessment and guidance of ASD occlusion using the ASO. TTE also may offer the additional safety benefit of reduced fluoroscopy exposure.

Device closure of secundum atrial septal defects in children <15 kg: complication rates and indications for referral.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine institutional complication rates in a previously underreported patient population and discuss referral indications. BACKGROUND: There has been a trend over the years for referral of younger and smaller patients for "elective" closure of atrial septal defects (ASD). In general, the risks associated with ASD device closure are believed and reported to be relatively low. Complication rates in this group of smaller patients are not well described in the literature for either percutaneous or surgical approaches. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent elective transcatheter closure of secundum ASD between March 2000 and April 2010. We excluded all children >15 kg, as well as those with complex congenital heart defects. Major and minor complications were predefined and indications for referral were evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 128 patients meeting criteria with a median procedural age of 1.92 years (3 months to 4.92 years), and median weight of 10.8 kg (4.3 to 14.9 kb). There were 7 major (5.5%) and 12 minor (9.4%) complications. Nearly two-thirds of referrals were for right heart enlargement or poor growth. Rate of resolution of residual shunt was 99%. When compared with age, there was no difference in the rate of resolution of right heart enlargement. No clinically significant improvement in growth was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter ASD closure in small children is highly successful, but with an increase in previously perceived complication rates. In small, asymptomatic patients, deferral of closure until the historically established timeline of around 4 to 5 years of age should be strongly considered.

Coarctation of aorta and vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation in a neonate.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: A case report of a newborn with coarctation of aorta and severe vein of Galen malformation. RECENT FINDINGS: This case report reviews literature on congenital heart disease and intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Emphasis is laid on diagnostic challenges and management options. SUMMARY: Congenital heart diseases with arteriovenous malformations carry a high risk of mortality. Thorough physical examination and high index of suspicion can lead to early diagnosis, and interdisciplinary coordination leads to better outcomes.