Evaluation of the Performance of Vasoactive Ventilation Renal Score in Predicting the Duration of Mechanical Ventilation and Intensive Care Hospitalization After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Various methods have been used to evaluate the predictivity of some markers during the recovery process after cardiac surgery in children. The aim herein was to evaluate the vasoactive ventilation renal (VVR) score in predicting the clinical outcomes of children who underwent congenital cardiac surgery within the early period in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients who underwent congenital heart surgery (CHS) between November 2016 and March 2020 were enrolled and evaluated prospectively. The VVR score was calculated as follows: vasoactive inotrope score (VIS) + ventilation index + (change in serum creatinine level based on the baseline value × 10). The relationship between the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of stay (LOS) in the PICU was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the cut-off values were calculated. At all of the time points identified in the study, the VVR score had a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC) when compared to the VIS and serum lactate levels, and the 48-h VVR score had the highest AUC (AUC 0.851, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.761-0.942/LOS in the PICU; AUC 0.946, 95% CI 0.885-1.000/duration of mechanical ventilation). The 48-h VVR score for the LOS in the PICU was 6.7 (sensitivity 70%, specificity 92%) and that for the duration of mechanical ventilation was 9.1 (sensitivity 87%, specificity 97%). As a result, in our study, it was found that the VVR score is a new and effective predictor of the duration of mechanical ventilation and LOS in the PICU in postoperative CHS patients.

Early Neurologic Complications and Long-term Neurologic Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Performed in Children.

BACKGROUND: We aimed at evaluating acute neurologic complications (ANC) and clinical outcome at a 2-year follow-up in children after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of our patient cohort aged between 1 month and 18 years at the time of ECMO support (between June 2014 to January 2017). Outcome analysis included ANC and their clinical consequences.The Pediatric Overall Performance Category (POPC) and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) were used for neurologic assessment performed at discharge from the hospital and at 2nd year follow-up. RESULTS: There were 35 children who required ECMO. The median ECMO time was 9 days (range 2-32 days). Decannulation from ECMO was achieved in 68.6% of patients, and overall, 42.8% survived (15 patients), The incidence of ANC in the surviving patients was 40% (6 children). ANC were intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, cerebral infarction, which occurred in one, two and three of the 15 surviving patients respectively (6.6, 13.3 and 20%). A higher rate of organ failure was related to death (p=0.043), whereas duration on ECMO was a risk factor for the development of ANC (p<0.05). At hospital discharge, the 14 patients evaluated had normal development or -mild disability in 73.2%, and at the 2-year follow-up, 93.4% had these scores. CONCLUSION: Children who receive ECMO have a risk to develop ANC, which was related to the length of ECMO treatment, while survival was related to less organ failure, Long-term neurological outcome was good in our patient cohort.

Long-term follow-up of subvalvular aortic stenosis in children: a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes of children with subaortic stenosis, to determine the risk factors for surgery and reoperation and to compare isolated subaortic stenosis and those concomitant with CHDs. METHODS: The study involved 80 children with subaortic stenosis. The patients were first classified as isolated and CHD group, and the isolated group was further classified as membranous/fibromuscular group. The initial, pre-operative, post-operative and the most recent echocardiographic data, demographic properties and follow-up results of the groups were analysed and compared. The correlation of echocardiographic parameters with surgery and reoperation was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant male predominance in all groups. The frequency of the membranous type was higher than the fibromuscular type in the whole and the CHD group. The median time to the first operation was 4.6 years. Thirty-five (43.7%) patients underwent surgery, 5 of 35 (14%) patients required reoperation. The rate of surgery was similar between groups, but reoperation was significantly higher in the isolated group. The gradient was the most important factor for surgery and reoperation in both groups. In the isolated group besides gradient, mitral-aortic separation was the only echocardiographic parameter correlated with surgery and reoperation. CONCLUSION: Reoperation is higher in isolated subaortic stenosis but similar in membranous and fibromuscular types. Early surgery may be beneficial in preventing aortic insufficiency but does not affect the rate of reoperation. Higher initial gradients are associated with adverse outcomes, recurrence and reoperation.

Acute kidney injury in congenital cardiac surgery: Pediatric risk-injury-failure-loss-end-stage renal disease and Acute Kidney Injury Network.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increased risk of mortality, especially in pediatric intensive care units. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors of AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease and to compare two different classification systems: pediatric risk-injury-failure-loss-end-stage renal disease (pRIFLE) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 145 patients undergoing pediatric congenital heart surgery who were between 1 month and 18 years of years, and treated at a cardiovascular surgery department from January 2009 to October 2011. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients (mean age, 36.6 ± 43.3 months) were enrolled: 84 (61.3%) developed AKI according to the pRIFLE criteria (25.5%, risk; 20.4%, injury; 15.3%, failure); and 65 patients (47.4%) developed AKI according to the AKIN criteria (15.3%, stage I; 18.2%, stage II; and 13.9%, stage III). Children younger than 11 months were more likely to develop AKI (P < 0.005). Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time was associated with an increased risk of AKI (P < 0.05). pRIFLE identified AKI more frequently than AKIN (P < 0.0005). pRIFLE may help in the early identification of patient at risk for AKI and seems to be more sensitive in pediatric patients (P < 0.05). Any degree of AKI in both classifications was associated with increased mortality (pRIFLE: OR, 15.1; AKIN: OR, 11.2; P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: pRIFLE identified AKI more frequently than the AKIN criteria. pRIFLE identified patients at risk for AKI earlier, and was more sensitive in pediatric patients. Any degree of AKI in both classifications was associated with increased mortality. Both sets of criteria had the same association with mortality.

Effects of Preoperative Tricuspid Valve Diameters on Early Postoperative Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Tricuspid Valve Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many of the previous studies on tricuspid valve surgery were on the materials that were used and the advantages and disadvantages of them. In this study, effects of preoperative tricuspid valve diameter on early postoperative outcomes were investigated. Methods: A total of 43 patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair surgery with the ring between the years 2012-2014 were included in this study. Tricuspid valve diameters and other cardiac functions of patients undergoing tricuspid intervention were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography.Patients included in this study were divided into 2 groups: those with minimal, minimal-to-1st degree and 1st-degree tricuspid valve regurgitation found on thoracic echocardiography in the early postoperative period were considered as having a successful tricuspid repair (Group 1). Those with 1st-2nd degree and higher degrees of tricuspid regurgitation were considered as having an unsuccessful tricuspid repair (Group 2).The relationship between tricuspid valve dimensions and early tricuspid valve regurgitation was assessed with the help of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data. RESULTS: Thirty patients (Group 1) were found to have a successful tricuspid valve repair in the postoperative period. The mean annulus diameter of the tricuspid valve at end-diastole in patients from Group 1 was similar to Group 2 (4.24 ± 0.44 cm versus 3.99 ± 0.40; P = .080). Also, tricuspid valve end-systolic diameter in Group 1 was similar to patients in Group 2 (3.59 ± 0.38 cm versus 3.42 ± 0.33 cm; P = .151). Conclusion: A direct relationship was not found between tricuspid valve diameter and post-operative development of moderate to severe regurgitation in tricuspid valve surgery in this study.

Predictors of Early Extubation After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Prospective Observational Study.

This prospective, observational, single-center study aimed to determine the perioperative predictors of early extubation (<24 h after cardiac surgery) in a cohort of children undergoing cardiac surgery. Children aged between 1 month and 18 years who were consecutively admitted to pediatric intensive care unit after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease between January 2012 and June 2014. Ninety-nine patients were qualified for inclusion during the study period. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 20 h (range 1-480), and 64 patients were extubated within 24 h. Four of them failed the initial attempt at extubation, and the success rate of early extubation was 60.6 %. Older patient age (p = .009), greater body weight (p = .009), absence of preoperative pulmonary hypertension (p = .044), lower RACHS-1 category (OR, 3.8; 95 % CI 1.35-10.7; p < .05), shorter cardiopulmonary bypass (p = .008) and cross-clamp (p = .022) times, lower PRISM III-24 (p < .05) and PELOD (p < .05) scores, lower inotropic score (p < .05) and vasoactive-inotropic score (p < .05), and lower number of organ failures (OR, 2.26; 95 % CI 1.30-3.92; p < .05) were associated with early extubation. Our study establishes that early extubation can be accomplished within the first 24 h after surgery in low- to medium-risk pediatric cardiac surgery patients, especially in older ones undergoing low-complexity procedures. A large prospective multiple institution trial is necessary to identify the predictors and benefits of early extubation and to facilitate defined guidelines for early extubation.

Surgical Treatment of Isolated Interrupted Aortic Arch in a Young Female Diagnosed during Pregnancy.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a very rare pathology characterized by luminal discontinuity between ascending and descending aorta. IAA is commonly treated in pediatric ages, but the surgery is rarely used for adult patients. In this case report, we aimed to present a successful surgery in a young woman in whom IAA was diagnosed during pregnancy.

Does surgically induced right bundle branch block really effect ventricular function in children after ventricular septal defect closure?

In this prospective study, we aimed to assess left and right ventricular function in terms of the presence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) in the cases with repaired ventricular septal defect (VSD). Fifty-three patients who had VSD surgery at least 1-year preceding admission and 52 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. All the participants underwent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination. The cases with RBBB were determined. The conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic measurements of the patients with and without RBBB were compared with each other and healthy controls. Twenty-eight of VSD repair groups were male and 25 were female. Control group consisted of 30 males and 22 females. The mean age of the study and control groups was 7.5 ± 5.0 and 6.9 ± 4.3 years, respectively. RBBB was detected in 20 of 53 (37.7 %) operated patients. The only significant difference between the cases with and without RBBB was decreased right ventricular fractional area change (%) in the former group (33 ± 7 vs. 39 ± 5 p < 0.05). When compared to controls, operated group had statistically lower [corrected] tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p < 0.05), lower systolic, early diastolic, and late diastolic myocardial velocities, higher left and right ventricular myocardial performance indices, irrespective of the presence of RBBB. The ratios of mitral or tricuspid inflow to left or right ventricular myocardial in early diastolic velocities measured from lateral annular levels were increased in operated group (all p values <0.05). In conclusion, RBBB in the cases with surgical VSD repair might be associated with right ventricular dysfunction. Biventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction may develop following VSD repair irrespective of the presence of RBBB. Tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance indices are useful in detection of those subclinical dysfunctions.

Left ventricular myxoma producing cardiac failure.

INTRODUCTION: Seventy-five percent of primary cardiac tumors are benign, and most are myxomas. Seventy-five percent of myxomas originate from the left atrium, and 2.5% arise from the left ventricle. Heart failure is a rare complication of myxoma. CASE: A 54-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to the pulmonology department with a diagnosis of pneumonia and congestive heart failure during hospitalization. An echocardiography evaluation revealed a mobile mass (3.3 cm X 1.2 cm) in the left ventricle. The measured ejection fraction was 22%. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations confirmed the presence of a myxoma in the left ventricle. The myxoma was a hanging mass with a stalk on the interventricular septum near the anterior mitral valve annulus. We visualized the gelatinous fragile mass on the septum; we then extracted the myxoma via a transaortic approach with the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was discharged 10 days after surgery. DISCUSSION: Myxoma is treated by early surgical resection because of the potential for serious complications. Left ventricular myxomas have been reported to lead to a silent heart failure. This case is important because of its location and the patient's resultant heart failure.

Vacuum-assisted closure and bilateral pectoralis muscle flaps for different stages of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the results of bilateral pectoralis major muscle flaps (BPMMF) and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) at different stages of postcardiac surgery mediastinitis. METHODS: Of 65 patients with a deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after cardiac surgery, 33 with a stable sternum were treated with VAC (59.3 +/- 11.7 years of age) and 32 with an unstable sternum or osteomyelitis (63.3 +/- 9.8 years of age) were treated with early BPMMF and continuous irrigation. Delayed BPMMF reconstruction was necessary in six VAC patients. RESULTS: The overall incidence of DSWI was 1.04% within the study period. Deep sternal wound infection was diagnosed 15.9 +/- 10.8 days (range 5-62 days) after surgery. Diabetes was more common in the BPMMF group than in the VAC group (P = 0.046). Hospital mortality after treatment was 4.6% (n = 3) overall. Causes of death were septic multiorgan failure and respiratory failure. The infective pathogens were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; n = 2) and Acinetobacter species (n = 1). The median hospital stay was 29 days (range 15-110 days). After 6 months, only one recurrent sternal infection had occurred in the VAC group. CONCLUSIONS: Early BPMMF is an effective surgical treatment for DSWI in patients with an unstable sternum and osteomyelitis. VAC may be considered for patients without osteomyelitis but a stable sternum, or as adjuvant therapy in patients with comorbidity.

Surgical repair of non-obstructive supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in an adult patient.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is an uncommon congenital heart malformation with abnormal drainage of all pulmonary veins into the systemic venous system. Despite its very low incidence, it is usually a pediatric cardiac emergency and rarely allows survival into adulthood without surgical correction in infancy. Herein, we report one of the oldest cases from Turkey who was successfully operated for non-obstructive, supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

Perioperative factors associated with hyperglycemia after pediatric cardiac surgery and impact of hyperglycemia on morbidity and mortality.

Ödek Ç, Kendirli T, Yildirim-Yildiz N, Yaman A, Uçar T, Eyileten Z, Ates C, Uysalel A, Tutar E, Atalay S. Perioperative factors associated with hyperglycemia after pediatric cardiac surgery and impact of hyperglycemia on morbidity and mortality Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60 497-505. This retrospective, observational, single-center study aimed to determine the perioperative factors associated with postoperative hyperglycemia (blood glucose level ≥126 mg/dl) and the impact of hyperglycemia on morbidity and mortality in a cohort of children undergoing cardiac surgery. Non-diabetic children aged between 1 month to 18 years who were consecutively admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease between January 2008 and December 2013 were included. One hundred and twenty-six patients were qualified for inclusion during the study period. Seventy-four (57.8%) of the patients had at least one glucose measurement ≥ 126 mg/dl. Higher PRISM III-24 (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02-1.18, p= 0.004) and PELOD (p=0.006) scores, higher Wernovsky inotropic score (p=0.027) and vasoactive-inotropic score (p=0.029) were associated with hyperglycemia. Postoperative hyperglycemia was not associated with duration of mechanical ventilation), length of PICU stay, healthcare associated infections, or mortality. Our study establishes that hyperglycemia is common after pediatric cardiac surgery but not associated with short-term morbidity and mortality. Insulin therapy can be accomplished without hypoglycemia when a permissive glycemic target is used. A large prospective multiple institution trial is necessary to facilitate defined guidelines for postoperative hyperglycemia after pediatric cardiac surgery.

Management of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants, and the results of the intravenous indomethacine treatment and surgery. METHODS: Among 394 preterm infants (<37 weeks), symptomatic PDA was diagnosed by echocardiography in 51 babies and they were examined retrospectively. All infants were managed conservatively and then IV indomethacine was given to non-responders (n=30). Surgical closure was performed in 12 babies. RESULTS: The incidence of symptomatic PDA in preterm infants was 12.9%: median age: 3 days, mean birth weight: 1434+/-540 g (540-2900g) and mean gestational age (GA) 30.9+/-3.3 weeks (23-37 weeks). With indomethacine, ductal closure was achieved in 70% infants. Early clinical improvement was observed in all cases that underwent surgery and most of them had a low birth weight (<1500 g) and an early gestational age (<32 weeks). None of them died due to operation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of symptomatic PDA is high in preterm infants. Treatment with indomethacine improves ductal closure and is associated with few reversible adverse effects. In the other hand, early clinical improvement and high success rate were achieved after surgery. If indomethacine fails to achieve ductal closure, decision of surgery must be made immediately.

Magnetic resonance angiographic and three-dimensional computerized tomographic identification of scimitar syndrome in an 8-month-old infant.

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality. Clear anatomic definition is an important issue before operation. We report definition of both abnormal pulmonary venous drainage and anomalous systemic arterial supply by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and three-dimensional computerized tomography in an eight month-old infant with scimitar syndrome. The presented case study confirms that these noninvasive diagnostic tools can successfully be used to provide valuable information about vascular anatomy in infants with scimitar syndrome.

Acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis after TAPVC repair treated with atrial septectomy with inflow occlusion. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

Acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis is a fatal complication after obstructive TAPVC repair. An atrial septectomy or enlargement of a small ASD could be a lifesaving procedure in order to maintain cardiac output in severe cases. This procedure can be accomplished with inflow occlusion in patients with critical condition.

Prolonged pleural effusion following Fontan operation: effective pleurodesis with talc slurry.

Prolonged pleural effusions following a Fontan operation are a difficult problem. Although fenestrations and embolizations of systemic-pulmonary artery collaterals were suggested to treat and to decrease the risk of this complication, talc slurry pleurodesis may successfully augment and accelerate the beneficial effects of those techniques against the resistant effusions.

Antiarrhythmic effect of magnesium sulfate after open heart surgery: effect of blood levels.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias following cardiac surgery is still a difficult complication to treat. Magnesium sulfate is an effective antiarrhythmic agent with negligible side effects. In this study, effects of magnesium sulfate as a first line antiarrhythmic agent was compared with results of two different well-accepted antiarrhythmic agents. METHODS: One hundred patients with arrhythmia were prospectively randomized to a study and a control group. Lidocaine and amiodarone were accepted as standard antiarrhythmic agents. Patients in study group were received magnesium sulfate routinely as a first line antiarrhythmic agent. Unresponsive arrhythmias were treated with standard antiarrhythmic agents. Control group patients received only standard antiarrhythmics. RESULTS: Magnesium sulfate alone was effective in 56% of the study group whereas 74% of the control group were responsive to standard antiarrhythmics (P=n.s.). In study group, a subgroup analysis according to blood levels of Mg2+ revealed that magnesium sulfate was more effective in patients with low Mg2+ levels (63% for low Mg2+ levels, 55% for normal Mg2+ levels, 36% for high Mg2+ levels) and ventricular arrhythmias (60% for ventricular and 40% for supraventricular arrhythmias), without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium sulfate is an effective and safe antiarrhythmic agent for arrhythmias developed after open-heart surgery. Its antiarrhythmic effect may relate to its pharmacological properties and unrelated to normalization of the circulating magnesium concentrations. We recommend its use as a first line antiarrhythmic agent without routine measurement of blood levels.

Efficiency of L-arginine enriched cardioplegia and non-cardioplegic reperfusion in ischemic hearts.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction with decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels has been implicated on reperfusion injury. Although L-arginine has been shown to diminish reperfusion injury in in vitro studies, clinical studies were very limited. METHODS: Forty patients with acute myocardial ischemia undergoing CABG were randomized to a study and a control group. L-Arginine was added to cardioplegia solutions in study group. A non-cardioplegic warm blood solution with 8 mmol/l L-arginine infused for controlled reperfusion. Control patients received same protocol without L-arginine. Myocardial O2, lactate, nitrite and malondialdehyde extractions were measured in addition to calculation of CK-MB/CPK ratio and hemodynamic data. RESULTS: While there was no mortality in study group, one patient in control group died. Overall and nitrite (P=0.01) and lactate extractions (P=0.04) was higher in study and control groups, respectively. Myocardial O2 uptake was higher and malondialdehyde extraction was lower in study group. CK-MB/CPK ratio at postoperative sixth hour was also significantly lower in study group. Ninety percent of the study group had spontaneous return of the sinus rhythm, while 80% of the control patients required defibrillation (P<0.0001). In addition to significantly better hemodynamics, perioperative myocardial infarction incidence was lower (P=0.037), the length of intensive care unit (P=0.009) and hospital (0.014) stays were shorter in study group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of L-arginine for protection of acutely ischemic myocardium appears to be a safe technique. L-Arginine supplementation increased NO levels and attenuated free O2 radical mediated myocardial injury. Controlled reperfusion with l-arginine enriched non-cardioplegic blood could be a new therapeutic entity to diminish ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Surgery for cardiac hydatid disease: an Anatolian experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical/pathological features and the outcome of the surgical treatment of cardiac hydatid disease in our unit and other hospitals of Anatolia over a fifteen-years period. METHODS: Between 1984 and 2001, fifty cases of surgically treated cardiac hydatid disease were identified by systematic literature search from Anatolia. Twelve patients were operated at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara University within the same period. Overall thirty-nine patients were female (mean age 29.8+/-14 years). Sixty-three percent of patients were complaining of dyspnea at the time of referral to the hospital and 22% presented with signs of acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: The most common cardiac location was the left ventricle (46.7%) followed by the interventricular septum, the right ventricle and atria. The most common procedure was controlled puncture and aspiration of the cyst content, its excision and closure of the resulting cavity, which were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. Overall Anatolian operative mortality was 4.8% (3 patients). No late deaths but recurrence in one patient have occurred. CONCLUSION: In view of the lack of efficient alternative treatment options, we recommend surgical intervention even in asymptomatic patients in order to prevent the occurrence of lethal complications.