Bidirectional Glenn for residual outflow obstruction in Tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND: Residual right ventricular outflow obstruction during Tetralogy of Fallot repair necessitates peri-operative revision often requiring trans-annular patch with its negative sequels. Bidirectional Glenn shunt in this setting reduces trans-pulmonary gradient to avoid revision. METHODS: Bidirectional Glenn shunt was added during Tetralogy repair in patients with significant residual obstruction. A total of 53 patients between January, 2011 and June, 2018 were included. Final follow-up was conducted in July, 2018. RESULTS: Mean age at operation was 5.63±3.1 years. Right to left ventricular pressure ratio reduced significantly (0.91±0.09 versus 0.68±0.05; p<0.001) after bidirectional Glenn, avoiding revision in all cases. Glenn pressures at ICU admission decreased significantly by the time of ICU discharge (16.7±3.02 versus 13.5±2.19; p<0.001). Pleural drainage ≥ 7 days was seen in 14 (26.4%) patients. No side effects related to bidirectional Glenn-like facial swelling or veno-venous collaterals were noted. Mortality was 3.7%. Discharge echocardiography showed a mean trans-pulmonary gradient of 32.11±5.62 mmHg that decreased significantly to 25.64±5 (p<0.001) at the time of follow-up. Pulmonary insufficiency was none to mild in 45 (88.2%) and moderate in 6 (11.8%). Mean follow-up was 36.12±25.15 months (range 0.5-90). There was no interim intervention or death. At follow-up, all the patients were in NYHA functional class 1 with no increase in severity of pulmonary insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Supplementary bidirectional Glenn shunt significantly reduced residual right ventricular outflow obstruction during Tetralogy of Fallot repair avoiding revision with satisfactory early and mid-term results.

Percutaneous trans-jugular technique for continuous perioperative monitoring of intra-cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures during cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the safety of trans-jugular pressure-monitoring catheter insertion at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. METHODS: The observational study was carried out at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2010. All patients electively scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease who had percutaneous trans-jugular pressure monitoring catheters inserted peri-operatively were included in the study. Dedicated Medtronic 3 Fr pressure monitoring catheters were passed through internal jugular vein using the modified Seldinger. The patients were followed up during the hospital stay for complications related to catheter insertion/removal. Data was analysed using SPSS version 15. RESULTS: Of the 572 patients in the study, the catheters were ultimately positioned with the tips in the pulmonary artery in 447 (78.14%)patients, right ventricle 54 (9.44%) patients, left atrium in 52 (9.09%), and in both pulmonary artery and left atrium in 19 (3.32%) patients. Duration of pressure monitoring from all the chambers was 53 +/- 19 hours post-operatively. Transient and self-limiting atrial or ventricular ectopic beats were noticed in 163 (27.58%) patients during insertion. Catheter was found to be non-functional in 12 (2.03%) patients. Only one (0.16%) patient experienced recurrent tachyarrhythmia which required the withdrawal of catheter. CONCLUSION: Insertion of trans-jugular pressure monitoring catheters during cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease is a safe and reliable technique.

Pancarditis: a rare complication of tropical pyomyositis.

Tropical pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of the skeletal muscles leading to abscess formation, occurring in the tropical areas, often following minor trauma. We report a case of pancarditis as the direct complication of pyomyositis in a 10-year-old girl who presented with painful swelling of her right thigh, high grade fever and impaired consciousness. Echocardiography showed pericardial effusion with strands and a large vegetation in the left ventricle cavity. She was treated successfully with open heart surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics. We emphasize early diagnosis and prompt treatment of pyomyositis to reduce its associated mortality and morbidities.

Double flap patch closure of VSD with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance: an experience at AFIC/NIHD.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 30 days outcome measured in terms of morbidity and mortality in cases of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) managed with double flap patch closure. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC/NIHD), Rawalpindi, from December 2005 to December 2008. METHODOLOGY: Forty patients with VSD having PVR 9.58 + 4.33 wood units underwent double flap patch closure. The patch was fenestrated as one half of the expected aortic annulus diameter. A separate flap patch 5 mm larger than fenestration was attached to superior upper one third margins of fenestration. The patch was placed with flap to open towards the left ventricular apex. Modified ultra filtration (MUF) was employed in every case and sildenafil was given postoperatively. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 1 to 28 years with a mean of 6.66 + 5.70 years. There were 22 males and 18 females. All patients were weaned off from inotropic and ventilatory support as earlier as possible postoperatively with intensive care unit (ICU) stay of 77.15 + 54.56 hours. Postoperative pulmonary artery pressures were reduced to 42.63 + 10.86 mmHg as compared to pre-operative pulmonary artery pressures of 88.3 + 15.2 mmHg. Postoperatively 11 patients with suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressures and desaturation went into pulmonary hypertensive crisis in which immediate 2D echo evidenced the functioning flap valve with right to left shunt. There was only one death (early) out of 40 patients with an overall mortality of 2.5% along with limited morbidity. CONCLUSION: Double flap patch is an inexpensive, easy to construct technique with low morbidity and mortality in cases of VSD with raised PVR.

Bidirectional Glenn shunt without cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of bidirectional Glenn shunt (BDG) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). STUDY DESIGN: Quasi experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFICNIHD), Rawalpindi. METHODOLOGY: Thirty one patients underwent BDG without CPB between January 2006 to December 2007. Subjects for off pump BDG were those who did not require any intracardiac repair, had good sized branch pulmonary arteries, had acceptable PA pressures (< 16 mm Hg), and did not have any significant atrio-ventricular (AV) valve regurgitation. The off pump BDG was performed using veno-venous shunt between the superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium (RA) following heparinization. All patients underwent discharge echocardiography to assess BDG patency. Statistical significance was determined using t-test with statistical significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 18 males and 13 females. All patients survived. Twenty seven (87.09%) patients received BDG and 04 patients (12.90%) received bilateral BDG. Atrial septectomy with inflow occlusion was performed in 5 patients. Antegrade pulmonary blood flow was left in 24 (77.41%) of 31 patients. There was significant improvement in postoperative SpO2 (p = 0.000) in all the cases. There were no postoperative neurologic complications. Sepsis occurred in 2 patients who ultimately recovered. One patient had chylothorax which stopped after three (03) days in ICU. No SVC/PA distortions were noted by discharge echocardiography. Eliminating CPB reduced the cost of the procedure substantially and saved the patients from its inherent complications. CONCLUSION: BDG without CPB is a safe procedure in selected patients. It avoids CPB related problems and is cost effective, with excellent results.

Outcome of ventricular septal defect closure.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors affecting the outcome, measured in terms of morbidity and mortality, after primary ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure. DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, from January 2002 to October 2003. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Children upto the age of 5 years who had primary VSD closure were studied. Patients were divided into two groups. Group-I included survivors and group-II included non-survivors. There was no difference in the conduct of operation among the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were operated of whom 47 survived. Pulmonary hypertensive crisis (p < 0.001), pulmonary infections (p < 0.001) and pleural effusions (p < 0.003) were higher in non-survivor group. Patients in non survivor group were younger (0.75 + 0.34 years vs 2.24 + 1.16 years, p = 0.01) having less body weight (4.91 + 1.56 kg vs 7.94 + 3.35, p = 0.03) and high pulmonary artery to systemic pressure ratio at the time of coming off bypass (0.63 + 0.13 vs 0.43 + 0.09, p < 0.001). Non survivors had higher association (66.6 % vs 19.1%) of additional left to right shunts (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Body weight less than 5 kg along with young age, high pulmonary artery to systemic pressure ratio at the time of coming off bypass and presence of additional left to right shunt are risk factors for adverse outcome.