Outcomes of Double-patch and Warden Techniques in Patients With Supracardiac Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection.

AIM: This study compared outcomes following the double-patch and Warden procedures for correcting partial anomalous connection of the right pulmonary veins to the superior vena cava. METHODS: Eighty (80) patients, aged <18years old, and with partial anomalous connection of the right pulmonary veins to the superior vena cava were randomly assigned into double-patch method (n=40) and Warden procedure (n=40) groups. The median follow-up was 22.5 (range, 12-39) months. The primary endpoint was sinus node dysfunction at the mid-term follow-up period. RESULTS: No early or late mortality occurred. In the early postoperative period, sinus node dysfunction was observed in 27.5% and 5% of cases after double-patch correction and the Warden procedure, respectively (risk ratio, 5.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-23.25; p=0.01). At follow-up, sinus node dysfunction persisted in two (5%) patients after double-patch correction. All patients had normal sinus rhythm after the Warden procedure. No early or late pacemaker implantation occurred in either group. No patients had significant pulmonary veins or superior vena cava stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The double-patch technique and Warden procedure both showed excellent early and mid-term results with no mortality and minimal morbidity. The Warden procedure was associated with less sinus node dysfunction in the early postoperative period than the double-patch technique. There was no significant between-group difference in sinus node dysfunction at the mid-term follow-up.

Selective Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion With or Without Additional Lower Body Perfusion During Aortic Arch Reconstruction in Infants.

BACKGROUND: Aortic arch reconstruction is often challenging, especially in infants, owing to its high postoperative complication risks. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between selective antegrade cerebral perfusion (SACP) alone and SACP in combination with continuous lower body perfusion with descending aortic cannulation (DAC) in preserving renal function, and to determine the influence of perfusion strategy on the postoperative course of infants who underwent aortic arch reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 121 infants who underwent aortic arch reconstruction between January 2008 and December 2018 were included in the analysis. Patients (median age: 29 days, range: 3-270 days) were divided into the following groups: those who underwent repair with SACP (SACP group, 79 patients) and those who underwent additional lower body perfusion (DAC group, 42 patients). RESULTS: Three (7.1%) and nine (11.4%) patients died in the DAC and SACP groups, respectively (P = .54). The SACP group had more patients requiring renal replacement therapy (P = .002) and higher incidence of second stage acute kidney injury (AKI) development (Kidney disease improving global outcomes (KDIGO) criteria; P = .032). The SACP group had higher frequency of open chest postoperatively than the DAC group (P = .011). The DAC group had lower vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) at the first postoperative day (P < .001) and shorter intensive care unit length of stay (P = .050). There was no difference in neurological complications between the groups (P = .061). High VIS was associated with early mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79 [1.33-2.41], P < .001) and AKI (OR: 1.60 [1.35-1.91], P < .001). The DAC perfusion strategy with minimal hypothermia was associated with lower risk of AKI (OR: 0.91 [0.84-0.98], P = .016). CONCLUSION: Antegrade cerebral perfusion with continuous lower body perfusion via DAC could effectively be used for improving early postoperative results among infants undergoing procedures that include aortic arch reconstruction.

Double Arterial Cannulation in the Critical Management of Neonatal Aortic Arch Obstruction With Closed Ductus Arteriosus.

The neonatal management of critical aortic arch obstruction in association with an arterial duct that remains closed or significantly constricted requires urgent surgical repair, with a postoperative focus on resolving the impaired function of compromised organs. Here, we present two neonatal cases illustrating the use of the dual arterial cannulation perfusion method in the complete repair of interrupted aortic arch and critical coarctation of the aorta with nonfunctional ductus arteriosus. We suggest that dual arterial cannulation, which provides total body perfusion (with the exception of cardiac perfusion during cardioplegic arrest of the heart), may be a good alternative to other perfusion strategies in cases of absent ductal blood flow, as this method allowed us to avoid the further development of severe multiple organ failure.

Combined perventricular septal defect closure and patent ductus arteriosus ligation via the lower ministernotomy approach.

Over the past decade, minimally invasive approaches have been advocated for surgical correction of congenital defects to reduce costs related to hospitalization and for improved cosmesis. Minimal skin incisions and partial sternotomy reduce surgical trauma, however these techniques might not be successful in treating a number of congenital pathological conditions, particularly for combined congenital defects. We focused on cases with a combined presentation of ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. We studied 12 infants who successfully underwent surgical treatment for a combined single-stage ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus closure through a lower ministernotomy without using cardiopulmonary bypass and X-rays. No intraoperative and early postoperative complications or mortality were noted. Postoperative echocardiography did not reveal residual shunts. The proposed technique is safe and reproducible in infants.

Influence of staged repair and primary repair on outcomes in patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Complete atrioventricular septal defect with tetralogy of Fallot is a rare congenital heart disease. The combination of these lesions occurs in about 1% of all patients with atrioventricular canal defects and in 5-6% of patients with tetralogy of Fallot. To assess the influence of surgical strategy on the survival and reintervention rate for the left atrioventricular valve and right ventricular outflow tract. METHODS: We analyzed all related studies since 1986. Thirty-eight articles were initially retrieved via PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar, from which 18 retrospective studies were included in the systematic review and 8 studies in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the 6-year survival between staged repair and primary repair [80 patients in the primary group and 81 patients in the staged group; I2 = 0%; time-to-event data Peto odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-1.5, P = 0.31; hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.3-1.3, P = 0.23]. Both groups had an equal reintervention rate for the left atrioventricular valve [75 patients in the primary group and 71 patients in the staged group; I2 = 0.26%; the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio 0.60, 95% CI 0.22-1.68, P = 0.33], but patients who received an initial palliation had a higher rate of reoperation on the right ventricular outflow tract [I2 = 0%; the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.27-0.9988, P = 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this meta-analysis reveal no difference in 6-year survival and reoperation rate for the left atrioventricular valve; however, patients who underwent staged repair had a higher rate of reintervention for the right ventricular outflow tract, which could be related to initially poor pulmonary bed anatomy. Therefore, both the primary repair and the staged repair are acceptable options for repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect with tetralogy of Fallot. The choice of surgical strategy must consider the anatomy of the pulmonary bed, patient condition and associated anomalies, which could affect surgical risk.

Does mitral valve repair matter in infants with ventricular septal defect combined with mitral regurgitation?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess mitral valve function after repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) combined with mitral regurgitation (MR) in the mid-term follow-up period, to evaluate the clinical utility of simultaneous mitral valve repair (MVR). METHODS: From June 2005 to March 2014, 60 patients with VSD and MR underwent surgical treatment. After performing propensity score analysis (1:1) for the entire sample, 46 patients were selected and divided into 2 groups: those with VSD closure and MVR (VSD + MVR, 23 patients) and those with VSD closure without mitral valve intervention (VSD only, 23 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 48 months (median 32 months; interquartile range 28-40 months). RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality in either group. There was no significant difference in the duration of the postoperative period between groups (ventilation time, P = 0.49; inotropic support, P = 0.50). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time were significantly longer in the 'VSD + MVR' group (cardiopulmonary bypass, P = 0.023; aortic cross-clamp, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in regurgitation area (P = 0.30) and MR grade (P = 0.76) between groups postoperatively. There was no significant difference in freedom from MR ≥ 2+ between groups (log-rank test, P = 0.28). In the 'VSD + MVR' group, 12-, 36- and 42-month freedom from MR ≥ 2+ values were 100%, 59 ± 10.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 36.1-76.2%] and 44 ± 15% (95% CI 15.8-69.7%), respectively, while in the 'VSD only' group, these values were 100%, 54.5 ± 10.6% (95% CI 32-72.3%) and 54.5 ± 10.6% (95% CI 30-72.3%), respectively. The only significant risk factor for recurrent MR ≥ 2+ during the follow-up period was mild residual MR in the early postoperative period (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: In infants with VSD combined with MR, simultaneous MVR has no benefits simultaneous MVR provided no advantage over that of isolated VSD closure. We found that the presence of mild residual MR in the early postoperative period predisposes the development of MR ≥ 2+ in follow-up period.

Modified reverse aortoplasty versus extended anastomosis in patients with coarctation of the aorta and distal arch hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our prospective randomized study was to compare modified reverse aortoplasty (MRA) and extended end-to-end anastomosis (EEA). METHODS: We have assessed the operative correction results in 54 infants with coarctation of the aorta and distal aortic arch hypoplasia who underwent primary repair in our institute between July 2013 and February 2014. All of the patients were <12 months old when they had the operation. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 arms: modified reverse subclavian flap angioplasty (MRA group; n = 27) or extended end-to-end anastomosis (EEA group; n = 27). RESULTS: We found a significant difference in residual arterial hypertension between the groups: 2 (7.7%) patients in the MRA group and 8 (30.8%) patients in the EEA group, respectively (P = 0.03). Risk factors for arterial hypertension were precoarctation area rigidity and endocardial fibroelastosis. During the last follow-up visit, recoarctation was observed in 1 (3.8%) patient in the MRA group and in 2 (7.7%) patients in the EEA group, respectively (P = 0.50). Cox regression analysis showed that the only risk factor for recoarctation was the patient's low weight before surgery [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.016 (0.001-0.51), P = 0.047]. An aortic aneurysm developed in 2 (7.7%) patients in the MRA group; however, no significant difference was found between the groups (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta using modified reverse subclavian flap angioplasty and extended anastomosis were comparable in mortality rates and early postoperative complications. Nevertheless, MRA may be beneficial in reducing residual arterial hypertension at the mid-term follow-up visit.

Risk Factors For Unfavorable Outcomes After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA) is an important preliminary step toward the Fontan procedure; thus, understanding of risk factors for morbidity and mortality after BCPA may ultimately promote improved rates of success with Fontan completion and general survival. This study evaluated survival and predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients after BCPA. METHODS: Clinical data of 157 patients who underwent BCPA from 2003 to 2015 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Three-year and nine-year survival after BCPA were 87.1% ± 2.8% and 85.8% ± 2.9%, respectively. Freedom from unfavorable outcomes (mortality, BCPA takedown, nonsuitability for Fontan procedure) was 83.8% ± 3.1% at three years and 73.5% ± 4.8% at nine years. Multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC; hazard ratio [HR]: 3.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-10.36; P = .01) and increased mean pressure in BCPA circuit (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.34; P = .03) were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes. Postoperative mean pressure in BCPA circuit in patients with poor outcomes was median 16 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR]: 14-18 mm Hg) versus median 14 mm Hg (IQR: 12-15.5 mm Hg) in patients with favorable outcomes ( P < .01). Preoperative (HR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.20-2.91; P < .01) and postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR; HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.24-3.94; P < .01) were also associated with unfavorable outcome in univariate Cox regression. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated mean pressure in the BCPA circuit is the main predictor of unfavorable outcome; therefore, thorough preoperative examination and careful patient selection are critical points for successful intermediate-stage and later Fontan completion. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection and insufficient correction of AVVR worsen the prognosis in this patient group.

Outcomes of perventricular off-pump versus conventional closure of ventricular septal defects: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: Perventricular device closure (PVDC) of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) has demonstrated excellent clinical results. However, no prospective studies have compared PVDC with the conventional approach (CA). METHODS: Between June 2012 and August 2014, 640 consecutive patients with isolated VSD were enrolled in the study, and randomized into the PVDC group ( n = 320) and the CA group ( n = 320). The mean ages were 36.2 (10; 36) months and 36.2 (10; 36) months, respectively. The average weights were 13.9 (8.1; 15.0) kg and 14.5 (6.9; 13.8) kg, respectively. The mean follow-up was 24.9 (standard deviation 1.8) months. RESULTS: No early or late deaths occurred in either group. The procedural success rate reached 96.6% in the PVDC group, with a 3.4% conversion rate to CA. Mean procedure time was 56.9 (30; 70) min in the PVDC group and 162 (120; 180) min in the CA group ( P = 0.000). Thirteen (3.9%) patients in the CA group and only 4 (1.3%) in the PVDC group required postoperative blood transfusion in the intensive care unit ( P = 0.040). At the final follow-up, significantly more residual shunts were found in the CA group. No rhythm or conduction disorders occurred in any patient of either group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the mid-term follow-up results, PVDC has similar efficacy to CA for VSD closure. The off-pump PVDC technique reduces blood product transfusion and the procedural time and minimizes surgical trauma while providing excellent cosmetic results.

Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis with additional pulmonary blood flow: good or bad pre-Fontan strategy.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of preserved additional pulmonary blood flow (APBF) on survival after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) and completion of Fontan circulation. Methods: From March 2003 and April 2015, 156 patients with a single ventricle underwent BCPS. After performing propensity score analysis (1:1) for the entire sample, 50 patients with APBF (APBF group) were matched with 50 patients without APBF (no-APBF group). Results: Age ( P = 0.90), sex ( P = 0.57), weight ( P = 0.75), single ventricle morphology ( P = 0.87), type of neonatal palliative procedure ( P = 0.52), saturation ( P = 0.35), ejection fraction ( P = 0.90), Nakata index ( P = 0.70) and mean pulmonary artery pressure ( P = 0.72) were not significantly different between the groups. No significant survival difference was demonstrated ( P = 0.54). One and 4-year survival rates were both 89.1% ± 4.6% in the APBF group and 87.2% ± 4.9% and 83.4% ± 5.9%, respectively, in the no-APBF group. There was no significant difference in rates of Fontan completion ( P = 0.24), which was achieved in 22 patients from the APBF group (55.0%) and 26 patients from the no-APBF group (65.0%). However, Fontan completion occurred significantly earlier in the no-APBF group ( P < 0.01). In this group, Fontan procedure was performed before 36 months of inter-stage period in 45.9% ± 8.5% of cases (95% CI 31.0-63.7%) compared to only 13.3 ± 5.6% (95% CI 5.8-29.1%) in the APBF group. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that APBF does not affect survival after BCPS or Fontan completion rate. APBF allows postponing the Fontan procedure without a negative effect on clinical status.

Perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects: results in patients less than 1 year of age.

OBJECTIVES: To present and share our experience in perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects in patients less than 1 year old. METHODS: From 2012-2014, 51 patients less than 1 year old with ventricular septal defects were operated on with minimally invasive transthoracic device closure under the guidance of transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP). The median age at operation was 8.0 ± 2.5 months and the mean body weight was 7.9 ± 3.4 kg; 7.3% (5) of patients had a weight less than 5 kg. The Qp/Qs ratio was 1.9 ± 0.4. The ventricular septal defect size ranged from 3 to 9 mm; the mean diameter was 5.7 ± 1.6 mm; 27.4% (14) of defects were subaortic, 66.7% (34) perimembranous and 5.9% (3) were muscular. For defect closure, we used a ventricular septal defect occlusion device (Lepu Medical Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China) through a 3-cm skin incision in the lower third of the sternum. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 96.1% and there were 2 patients who were converted to open-heart surgery (3.9%) during procedures. The operation time 'skin to skin' was 55.9 ± 41.0 (40) min; 48.8% of cases were less than 40 min. Intensive care unit stay was 16.5 ± 9.4 (18) h; ventilation time was 3.2 ± 3.5 (2) h; all patients did not require inotropic support, blood transfusion and analgesia. Of the total, 7.8% (4) of patients had residual shunt of not more than 1 mm; there were no atrioventricular blocks, rhythm disturbances or other types of major complications in the early postoperative period. Length of hospital stay was 5.6 ± 3.2 days. The mean follow-up was 18.7 ± 10.1. Residual shunts, conduction disturbances or valve complications were not observed in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: Perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defects showed safety and high efficiency in patients less than 1 year of age, compared with conventional surgical repair with cardiopulmonary bypass, and provided a short period of rehabilitation and excellent cosmetic result.

The Warden procedure can be successfully performed using minimally invasive cardiac surgery without aortic clamping.

Currently, minimally invasive cardiac surgery has found widespread use even in congenital heart surgery. The number of defects, which can be corrected through a small incision or totally endoscopic, is on the rise. Nowadays, surgeons can repair atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart defects using minimally invasive techniques. In this paper, we report 21 cases of successful repair of supracardiac partial anomalous right upper and middle pulmonary venous connection, using the Warden procedure. It was performed in children through the right-sided midaxillary thoracotomy with direct cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation and induction of ventricular fibrillation. There were no operative or early postoperative deaths or complications. All patients were in sinus rhythm at discharge. According to echocardiography, there were no cases of early SVC or pulmonary veins narrowing. The Warden procedure can be performed safely and efficiently using the minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect using a video-assisted thoracoscopic approach.

We describe a new technique of perventricular closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect on a beating heart using transesophageal echocardiography guidance and video-assisted thoracoscopy. Ventricular septal defects were closed successfully, and no shunts, rhythm disorders, or valve incompetence developed during the short hospital stay. This procedure is safe and effective for selected patients. These early and mid-term results encourage further evaluation.

Surgical off-pump closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects.

OBJECTIVE: To present our first experience in perventricular closure of ventricular septal defect, which is in our opinion, an important adjunct to current ventricular septal defect treatment options. BACKGROUND: Surgical closure under cardiopulmonary bypass is the treatment of choice for a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Percutaneous techniques have technical limitations. To date, an off-pump approach and device deployment through the wall of the right ventricle is not widespread and has only been reported from China and Germany. We think this approach is promising in selected patients. METHODS: In July 2012, 7 pediatric patients with an isolated perimembranous ventricular septal defect (age range, 4 months to 8 years, mean 2.5 years, all female) with a body weight of 5 to 27 kg, mean 12.7 kg, underwent minimally invasive perventricular device closure. RESULTS: In all patients, the ventricular septal defect was occluded successfully based on transesophageal echocardiographic confirmation. There were no cases of occluder dislocation noted in the operating room or in the postoperative period. No residual shunts were observed. There was no transient or persistent rhythm disorder in any of the patients. All patients were discharged 4-5 days postoperatively, in excellent physical condition. CONCLUSIONS: The described off-pump approach showed excellent results. It offers such advantages as avoidance of the morbidity associated with cardiopulmonary bypass, significantly shorter hospital stay and therefore reduced costs, and a cosmetic advantage.