Longitudinal analysis of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function after the Norwood procedure.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate longitudinal systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in patients after the neonatal Norwood procedure. METHODS: Serial postoperative echocardiographic images before Fontan completion were assessed in neonates who underwent the Norwood procedure between 2001 and 2020. Ventricular function and atrioventricular valve regurgitation were compared between patients with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. RESULTS: A total of 335 patients were identified including 273 hypoplastic left heart syndrome and 62 of its variants. Median age at Norwood was 8 (7-12) days. Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed in 171 patients and the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit in 164 patients. Longitudinal ventricular function and atrioventricular valve regurgitation were evaluated using a total of 4352 echocardiograms. After the Norwood procedure, ventricular function was initially worse (1-30 days) but thereafter better (30 days to stage II) in the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit group (P < 0.001). After stage II, the ventricular function was inferior in the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery conduit group (P < 0.001). Atrioventricular valve regurgitation between the Norwood procedure and stage II was more frequent in the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt group (P < 0.001). After stage II, there was no significant difference in atrioventricular valve regurgitation between the groups (P = 0.171). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of shunt type on haemodynamics after the Norwood procedure seems to vary according to the stage of palliation. After the Norwood, the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt is associated with poorer ventricular function and worse atrioventricular valve regurgitation compared to right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Whereas, after stage II, modified Blalock-Taussig shunt is associated with better ventricular function and comparable atrioventricular valve regurgitation, compared to the right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit.

Early and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Ductal Stenting Versus Surgical Aortopulmonary Shunt Among Young Infants with Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

Surgical aortopulmonary shunting (SAPS) and ductal stenting (DS) are the main palliations in infants with cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CHD). We aimed to study the safety and efficacy of DS and to compare it with SAPS as a palliative procedure in infants with CHD and duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. Retrospective institutional clinical data review of consecutive infants aged < 3 months who underwent DS or SAPS over 5 years. The primary outcome was procedural success which was defined as event-free survival (mortality, need for re-intervention, procedural failure) at 30 days post-procedure. The secondary outcome was defined by a composite of death, major adverse cardiovascular events, or need for re-intervention at 6 months and on long-term follow-up. We included 102 infants (DS, n = 53 and SAPS, n = 49). The median age at DS and SAPS was 4 days (IQR 2.0-8.5) and 8 days (IQR 4.0-39.0), respectively. The median weight at intervention was 3.0 kg (IQR 3.0-3.0) and 3.0 kg (IQR 2.5-3.0) in the two respective arms. Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia was the most common indication for DS and SAPS. The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in SAPS group as compared with DS group (p < 0.05). However, 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates were similar in both groups (p = 0.29). DS was associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the intensive care and hospital stay than with SAPS. At 6 months, there was no significant difference in terms of mortality or event-free survival. Long-term MACE-free survival was also comparable (p = 0.13). DS is an effective and safer alternative to SAPS in infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation, offering reduced procedure-related mortality and morbidity than SAPS. Careful study of ductal anatomy is crucial to procedural success. However, long-term outcomes are similar in both procedures.

Echocardiographic measured shunt velocity does not predict pulmonary blood flow in patients with Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt.

INTRODUCTION: Catheterisation is the gold standard used to evaluate pulmonary blood flow in patients with a Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt. It involves risk and cannot be performed frequently. This study aimed to evaluate if echocardiographic measurements obtained in a clinical setting correlate with catheterisation-derived pulmonary blood flow in patients with a Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt as the sole source of pulmonary blood flow. METHODS: Chart review was performed retrospectively on consecutive patients referred to the catheterisation lab with a Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt. Echocardiographic parameters included peak, mean, and diastolic gradients across the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt and forward and reverse velocity time integral across the distal transverse aorta. In addition to direct correlations, we tested a previously published formula for pulmonary blood flow calculated as velocity time integral across the shunt × heart rate × Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt area. Catheterisation parameters included pulmonary and systemic blood flow as calculated by the Fick principle. RESULTS: 18 patients were included. The echocardiography parameters and oxygen saturation did not correlate with catheterisation-derived pulmonary blood flow, systemic blood flow, or the ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow. As the ratio of reverse to forward velocity time integral across the transverse aorta increased, the probability of shunt stenosis decreased. CONCLUSION: Echocardiographic measurements obtained outside the catheterisation lab do not correlate with catheterisation-derived pulmonary blood flow. The ratio of reverse to forward velocity time integral across the transverse aortic arch may be predictive of Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt narrowing; this finding should be investigated further.

The retirement years of Doctor Helen B. Taussig: an intersection of art and medicine.

Dr Helen B. Taussig (1898-1986) worked a paediatric cardiologist at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland from 1930 to 1963. Dr Taussig would become world-renowned for her contributions to the systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt to treat congenital heart patients with cyanosis. This shunt would eventually be named after the surgeon/cardiologist as the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Dr Taussig's name was also attached to the description of one form of double outlet right ventricle called the Taussig-Bing malformation. Dr Taussig ultimately received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 as a testimony to her life-long contributions to the field of congenital heart surgery.In 1963, Dr Taussig retired from clinical practice but continued her teaching and academic pursuits at Johns Hopkins for another 14 years. Upon her "second retirement" in 1977, she moved to Kennett Square, PA. This paper will review the retirement years of Dr Helen Taussig and the curious intersection between art and medicine.

Treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to consolidate existing data from randomised controlled trials on hypoplastic left heart syndrome. METHODS: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome specific randomised controlled trials published between January 2005 and September 2021 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were included. Regardless of clinical outcomes, we included all randomised controlled trials about hypoplastic left heart syndrome and categorised them according to their results. Two reviewers independently assessed for eligibility, relevance, and data extraction. The primary outcome was mortality after Norwood surgery. Study quality and heterogeneity were assessed. A random-effects model was used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 33 included randomised controlled trials, 21 compared right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt and modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt during the Norwood procedure, and 12 regarded medication, surgical strategy, cardiopulmonary bypass tactics, and ICU management. Survival rates up to 1 year were superior in the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt group; this difference began to disappear at 3 years and remained unchanged until 6 years. The right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt group had a significantly higher reintervention rate from the interstage to the 6-year follow-up period. Right ventricular function was better in the modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt group 1-3 years after the Norwood procedure, but its superiority diminished in the 6-year follow-up. Randomised controlled trials regarding medical treatment, surgical strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass, and ICU management yielded insignificant results. CONCLUSIONS: Although right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt appeared to be superior in the early period, the two shunts applied during the Norwood procedure demonstrated comparable long-term prognosis despite high reintervention rates in right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt due to pulmonary artery stenosis. For medical/perioperative management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, further randomised controlled trials are needed to deliver specific evidence-based recommendations.

Comparison between the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and right ventricular outflow tract stent in the palliative treatment for tetralogy of Fallot. / 改良Blalock-Taussigåˆ†æµæœ¯ä¸Žå³å¿ƒå®¤æµå‡ºé“æ”¯æž¶æ¤å ¥æœ¯å§‘æ¯æ€§æ²»ç–—æ³•æ´›å››è”ç—‡çš„æ¯”è¾ƒ.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) who are not suitable candidates for primary corrective surgery or have a high surgical risk, transcatheter right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stent implantation is considered a safe and effective palliative intervention. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic outcomes of RVOT stent implantation in neonates and infants with TOF in comparison with the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) and to compare the impact of the 2 palliative interventions on arterial oxygen saturation and pulmonary artery development in pediatric patients. METHODS: Clinical data of 32 patients with TOF admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2011 to March 2021 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into an mBTS group (undergoing mBTS, n=15) and a stent implantation group (undergoing RVOT stenting, n=17) according to the surgical procedures. The 2 groups were assessed and compared in the surgical-related arterial oxygen saturation, postoperative complication rate, mortality rate, and re-intervention rate. The development of the patients' main pulmonary artery, right pulmonary artery, and left pulmonary artery was assessed by z-scores according to echocardiographic results. RESULTS: The children in the stent implantation group were younger and less weighed compared with the mBTS group (both P<0.05). Compared with the preoperative period, children in the stent implantation group had significantly higher arterial oxygen saturation [(75±17)% vs (96±3)%, P=0.026]; z-scores of pulmonary trunk [(-2.82±1.27) points vs (0.86±0.77) points, P=0.014], right pulmonary artery [(-1.88±0.59) points vs (-0.28±0.71) points, P=0.011], and left pulmonary artery [(-2.34±0.36) points vs (-1.67±0.36) points, P=0.036] were significantly increased. However, there were no significant differences in arterial oxygen saturation and pulmonary artery z-scores between pre- and post-mBTS procedures (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RVOT stent would have good surgical outcomes used in TOF patients with low weight and severe comorbidities. It also leads to an higher postoperative oxygen saturation and better promotion of pulmonary artery growth with RVOT stent compared to mBTS.

Trends in Ductus Arteriosus Stent Versus Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Shunt Use and Comparison of Cost, Length of Stay, and Short-Term Outcomes in Neonates With Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: An Observational Study Using the Pediatric Health Information Systems Database.

BACKGROUND: The modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt is the gold standard palliation for securing pulmonary blood flow in infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow. Recently, the ductus arteriosus stent (DAS) has become a viable alternative. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective multicenter study of neonates ≤30 days undergoing DAS or Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt placement between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020 at hospitals reporting to the Pediatric Health Information Systems database. We performed generalized linear mixed-effects modeling to evaluate trends in intervention and intercenter variation, propensity score adjustment and inverse probability weighting with linear mixed-effects modeling to analyze length of stay and cost of hospitalization, and generalized linear mixed modeling to analyze differences in 30-day outcomes. There were 1874 subjects (58% male, 61% White) from 45 centers (29% DAS). Odds of DAS increased with time (odds ratio [OR] 1.23, annually, P<0.01 [95% CI, 1.10-1.38]) with significant intercenter variation (median OR, 3.81 [95% CI, 2.74-5.91]). DAS was associated with shorter hospital length of stay (ratio of geometric means, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.63-0.91]), shorter intensive care unit length of stay (ratio of geometric means, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.61-0.97]), and less expensive hospitalization (ratio of geometric means, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.56-0.87]). Intervention was not significantly associated with odds of 30-day transplant-free survival (OR,1.18 [95% CI, 0.70-1.99]) or freedom from catheter reintervention (OR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.65-1.58]), but DAS was associated with 30-day freedom from composite adverse outcome (OR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.11-2.05]). CONCLUSIONS: Use of DAS is increasing, but there is variability across centers. Though odds of transplant-free survival and reintervention were not significantly different after DAS, and DAS was associated with shorter length of stay and lower in-hospital costs.

Chronic inflammatory pulmonary artery lesion causing right pulmonary artery stenosis 15 years post Blalock-Taussig shunt ligation.

Discrete central endovascular pulmonary arterial lesions raise clinical concern for malignancy such as primary pulmonary artery sarcoma. We present a case of a female in her late teens who had an obstructive mid right pulmonary artery lesion found on follow-up imaging 15 years after Tetralogy of Fallot repair. The lesion was in the vicinity of a previously ligated Blalock-Taussig shunt and causing right PA stenosis with delayed perfusion to the right lung, and a flow-related distal left PA aneurysm. The lesion was excised and confirmed histologically to be inflammatory in nature. Intraoperative microbiology demonstrated growth of the Kytococcus species, and she was managed with 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, with a full recovery.

Initial Counseling Prior to Palliation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: 2021 vs 2011.

We sought to examine current practices and changes in practice regarding initial counseling for families of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) given the evolution of options and outcomes over time. Counseling (Norwood with Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt (NW-BTT), NW with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (NW-RVPA), hybrid palliation, heart transplantation, or non-intervention/hospice (NI)) for patients with HLHS were queried via questionnaire of pediatric care professionals in 2021 and compared to identical questionnaire from 2011. Of 322 respondents in 2021 (39% female), 299 respondents were cardiologists (92.9%), 17cardiothoracic surgeons (5.3%), and 6 were nurse practitioners (1.9%). Respondents were largely from North America (96.9%). In 2021, NW-RVPA procedure was the preferred palliation for standard risk HLHS patient (61%) and was preferred across all US regions (p < 0.001). NI was offered as an option by 71.4% of respondents for standard risk patients and was the predominant strategy for patients with end-organ dysfunction, chromosomal abnormality, and prematurity (52%, 44%, and 45%, respectively). The hybrid procedure was preferred for low birth-weight infants (51%). In comparison to the identical 2011 questionnaire (n = 200), the NW-RVPA was endorsed more in 2021 (61% vs 52%, p = 0.04). For low birth-weight infants, hybrid procedure was more recommended than in 2011 (51% vs 21%, p < 0.001). The NW-RVPA operation is the most recommended strategy throughout the US for infants with HLHS. The hybrid procedure for low birth-weight infants is increasingly recommended. NI continues to be offered even in standard risk patients with HLHS.

A Single-Centre Retrospective Review of Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunts: A 22-Year Experience.

INTRODUCTION: This single-centre retrospective study explores demographics and outcomes of patients who underwent a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) over a 22-year period. The predominant surgical approach in this study is a lateral thoracotomy, in contrast to a midline sternotomy. Risks and outcomes of this approach are compared with national and international literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic, anatomical, clinical, surgical and outcome data of all patients who underwent a MBTS between 2000 and 2022 were collected and analysed, excluding Norwood procedures, which are not performed at this institution. Short- and long-term morbidity and mortality is described. RESULTS: Over the 22-year study period, 185 MBTS were performed in 162 patients, at a median age of 16 days (interquartile range [IQR] 5-59 days) and weight of 3.47 kg (IQR 3-4.25 kg, minimum weight 2 kg). Of these, 79% of patients had a biventricular circulation. Cardiac diagnoses included both univentricular and biventricular anatomy; tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (36%), transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect/pulmonary stenosis (TGA/VSD/PS) (11%), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) (23%), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) (14%), other (16%). The most common size of MBTS was 4 mm (71%); 93% were performed via a lateral thoracotomy. There were 47 cases of major operative morbidity, which did not differ significantly with cardiac diagnosis. Overall all-cause mortality was 13.5%. Early operative mortality was 4.3%. Mortality varied with cardiac diagnosis, 6% with TOF and 19% with PA/IVS. There was no era effect on mortality rates, however a lower frequency of major morbidity (23% vs 7%, p=0.03) was observed in the most recent third of the study period. Risk factors for shunt reintervention or mortality included weight <2.5 kg (HR=2.79 [1.37, 5.65], p=0.005), and pre- (HR=3.31 [1.86, 5.9], p<0.001) or postoperative lactic acidosis (HR=1.37 [1.25,1.5], p<0.001). These rates are comparable to those in the literature, with the predominant approach a midline sternotomy. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates and risk factors for adverse outcomes are comparable to those previously reported for both univentricular and biventricular groups. These results highlight that outcomes of MBTS performed via lateral thoracotomy are comparable to those by midline sternotomy as reported in the literature. Operating via the lateral approach may be advantageous as it avoids the complications of a midline sternotomy.

Increasing Use of the Right Ventricle-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt for Stage 1 Palliation.

BACKGROUND: Stage 1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome entails use of the Norwood operation with a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt, or the hybrid procedure. Use trends and factors influencing palliation selection remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate these questions and to compare outcomes between types of stage 1 palliation. METHODS: The National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative phase 1 (June 2008-August 2016) and phase 2 (August 2016-September 2019) databases were used. Procedure type was assessed by operation year. Baseline characteristics and annual hospital volume were evaluated. Postsurgical admission duration and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 3497 patients were included, 30.8% with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, 59.7% with right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt, and 9.5% with hybrid. Use of the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt increased over time (P = .02). This increase was similar among all hospital volumes. Higher hospital volume (odds ratio [OR], 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4; P = .003), male sex (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6; P = .01), and isolated cardiac disease (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01-1.55; P = .05) were associated with relatively higher likelihoods of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Mortality/transplant rates before stage 2 palliation were higher with the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt than with the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt (12.3% vs 9.6%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: In stage 1 palliation, use of right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunts has increased over time, use of modified Blalock-Taussig shunts has decreased, and use of hybrids was unchanged. The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt has a higher likelihood of use in higher-volume centers, males, and less complex patients but is associated with longer hospitalizations and lower transplant-free survival to stage 2 palliation.

Catheter Intervention for Flow Regulatory Clips on Palliative Shunts and Conduits in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease.

Catheter intervention (CI) for a Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS) or a ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit (VPC) is often required after a palliative surgery for congenital heart disease. Flow regulatory clips help improve interstage mortality; their use necessitates CIs to prevent cyanosis. To study the CI outcomes in patients who underwent palliative surgery with either BTSs or VPCs with flow regulatory clips. This single-center retrospective study evaluated demographic characteristics and interventional outcomes of 49 consecutive pediatric patients who required CI for BTS (BTS group) or VPC (VPC group) between January 2008 and September 2018. Overall, 34 and 18 procedures were performed in the BTS and VPC groups, respectively. Moreover, 19/32 (59.3%) and 12/17 (70.1%) patients from the BTS and VPC groups had flow regulatory clips, respectively. All clips were unclipped successfully; one patient in each group underwent staged unclipping. A higher proportion of "clipped patients" underwent CI due to desaturation [clipped vs. non-clipped: BTS, 10/20 (50.0%) vs. 3/14 (21.4%), p = 0.092; VPC, 9/13 (69.2%) vs. 1/5 (20.0%), p = 0.060]. Most clipped patients successfully progressed to the next stage [BTS, 19/20 (95.0%); VPC, 12/13 (92.3%)]. Severe adverse events (SAEs) were more frequent in the VPC group than in the BTS group [3/13 (23.1%) vs. 0/20 (0%), p = 0.024]. Two patients developed an atrioventricular block (requiring an atropine infusion), while one died due to pulmonary overcirculation. While the indication of CI was cyanosis for a higher proportion of clipped patients, all clips were unclipped successfully. The incidence of CI-related SAEs was higher in the VPC group than in the BTS group.

Decellularized vs Non-decellularized Allogeneic Pulmonary Artery Patches for Pulmonary Arterioplasty.

We studied pulmonary artery size, reinterventions, and panel reactive antibodies in patients with single-ventricle physiology who underwent a pulmonary arterioplasty with decellularized (DAPAP) and non-decellularized allogeneic pulmonary artery patches (non-DAPAP). Retrospective review identified 59 patients with single-ventricle physiology who underwent pulmonary arterioplasty from 2008 to 2017: 28 patients underwent arterioplasty with DAPAP and 31 patients with non-DAPAP. Demographic and operative variables were similar between groups. Among patients who underwent a Norwood procedure, a right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt was more commonly used in the DAPAP group (12/20, 60%) and a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was more commonly used in the non-DAPAP group (17/22, 77%). On multivariable analysis, the use of DAPAP was associated with higher pre-Fontan angiography Z-scores in right (estimate = 0.17, standard error = 0.04, P = 0.0005) and left pulmonary arteries (estimate = 0.12, standard error = 0.05, P = 0.01). No areas of calcification, discrete coarctation, or pulmonary dilation were noted in any of the pulmonary arteries. On multivariable analysis, the use of DAPAP was associated with higher freedom from pulmonary artery reinterventions (Hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.9, P = 0.04). The median value for Class I panel reactive antibodies was 0% (IQR 0, 4) in the DAPAP and 23% (IQR 14, 36) in the non-DAPAP group. The median value for Class II panel reactive antibodies was 15% (IQR 0, 17) in the DAPAP and 21% (IQR 10, 22) in the non-DAPAP group. Pulmonary arterioplasty with DAPAP was associated with higher pre-Fontan pulmonary artery Z-scores and higher freedom from pulmonary artery reinterventions.

Impact of Anatomical Sub-types and Shunt Types on Aortopulmonary Collaterals in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

This study aims to clarify the relation of development of aortopulmonary collateral arteries (APCs) with anatomical sub-types and the shunt types at Norwood procedure in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). A total of 140 patients with HLHS who completed 3 staged palliation between 2003 and 2019 were included. Incidence of APCs and corresponding interventions were examined using angiogram by cardiac catheterization, with respect to the anatomical sub-types and shunt types. Totally, APCs were observed in 87 (62%) of the patients; pre-stage II in 32 (23%), pre-stage III in 64 (46%), and after stage III in 40 (29%). The incidence of APCs before stage II was significantly higher in patients with aortic atresia/mitral atresia (AA/MA) compared with other sub-types (P = 0.022). Patients with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (RVPAC) had a higher incidence of APCs originating from the descending aorta, compared with those with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (20% vs 2%, P= 0.002). Interventions for APCs were performed in 58 (41%) patients; before stage II in 10 (7%), after stage II in 7 (5%), before stage III in 22 (16%), and after stage III in 32 (23%). Patients with AA/MA had more interventions before stage II (P= 0.019), and patients with aortic stenosis/mitral stenosis (AS/MS) had a lower incidence of interventions after stage III (P= 0.047). More than half of the patients with HLHS developed APCs. Before stage II, patients with AA/MA sub-type had a higher incidence of APCs, and those with RVPAC had significantly more APCs from the descending aorta.

Haemodynamic and clinical variables after surgical systemic to pulmonary artery shunt placement versus arterial ductal stenting.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter stenting of the arterial duct is an alternative to surgical systemic to pulmonary artery shunt in neonates with parallel circulation. The current study compares haemodynamic and laboratory values in these patients for the first 48 hours after either intervention. METHODS: Neonates with ductal dependent pulmonary blood flow who underwent surgical shunt placement or catheter-based arterial ductal stent placement between January 2013 and January 2022 were identified. Haemodynamic variables included heart rate, blood pressure, near infrared spectroscopy, central venous pressure, vasoactive inotropic score, and arterial saturation. Laboratory variables collected included blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum lactate. Variables were collected at baseline, upon post-procedural admission, 6 hours after admission, 12 hours after admission, and 48 hours after admission. Secondary outcomes included post-procedural mechanical ventilation duration, post-procedural hospital length of stay, need for reintervention, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiac arrest, and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: Of the 52 patients included, 38 (73%) underwent shunt placement while 14 (27%) underwent a stent placement. Heart rates, renal oxygen extraction ratio, and cerebral oxygen extraction ratio were significantly lower in the stent group (p = <0.01, 0.01, and < 0.01, respectively).Haemoglobin and vasoactive inotropic scores were significantly lower in the stent group (p = <0.01, <0.01, respectively). The stent group had increased risk for cardiac arrest (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo arterial ductal stent placement have lower heart rates, haemoglobin, renal oxygen extraction ratio, cerebral oxygen extraction ratio, and vasoactive inotropic score in the first 48 hours post-procedure compared to patients with shunt placement.

Pulmonary Annulus Growth Pattern in Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot Prior to Surgical Repair.

Objectives: The size of the pulmonary valve annulus often determines the feasibility of pulmonary valve preservation at the time of intracardiac repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. Currently, there is limited available data regarding the growth pattern and the determining factors that contribute towards pulmonary valve annulus growth. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with or without prior palliation. These patients had an echocardiogram at the time of initial diagnosis and a second echocardiogram prior to intracardiac repair. The sizes of the pulmonary annulus, the right and left pulmonary arteries with z-scores were recorded. Patients with improvement in the pulmonary annulus z-scores between the 2 echocardiographic examinations were allocated in Group I (n = 46) and Group II (n = 68) were those with no improvement. Results: A total of 114 patients were included in the study. The right and left pulmonary arteries size and z scores improved significantly between the 2 echocardiograms. Although the median size of the pulmonary annulus increased between the 2 echocardiograms (6 and 7.9 mm; P<0.001), there was no significant change in the z-score (-2.2, -2.34; P = 0.185). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, blood group, presence of collaterals, and palliation with Blalock-Taussig shunt had no impact on the improvement in pulmonary annulus z-score. Conclusion: In Tetralogy of Fallot, the pulmonary valve annulus z-score may not change significantly prior to the intracardiac repair. Although in certain subgroups there may be an improvement, there was no specific factor that could be identified and had an influence on this improvement.

Blalock-Taussig Shunt versus Ductal Stenting as Palliation for Duct-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation.

Objectives: There is limited data published from outside North America and Europe comparing the outcomes of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) and ductal stenting as the first palliative procedure for infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. This study reports the National Heart Center's, in Muscat, Oman, experience in comparing the outcomes of these 2 interventions. Methods: This retrospective study included all infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation who received either a MBTS or ductal stenting from 2016-2019. The primary outcomes were death or re-interventions. Secondary outcomes included death, subsequent re-interventions, survival to subsequent surgical intervention, survival to hospital discharge, post-procedural mechanical ventilation and duration of intensive care unit stay. Results: A total of 71 patients were included in the study, 33 (46%) of whom received ductal stenting. The prevalence of the primary outcome (death or re-intervention) in the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent group was 54.5% versus 31.6% in the MBTS group but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of time to next surgical intervention (P = 0.233). The PDA stent group had shorter post-procedural, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay durations (P <0.05). Syndromic patients were at higher risk of mortality compared to non-syndromic patients. Conclusion: MBTS and ductal stenting are both acceptable modalities as a palliative intervention for infants with duct-dependant pulmonary circulation. Syndromic patients are at higher risk of mortality. This can be considered an important factor for patient selection.