Utility of Transfontanelle Ultrasound in Predicting the Fluid Responsiveness in Children After Repair of Congenital Heart Diseases: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative fluid management in children undergoing cardiac surgery requires a balanced optimization. The blood flow velocity variation in the internal carotid artery (ΔICA) measured through transfontanelle ultrasound has been shown to predict fluid responsiveness during cardiac surgery. It may provide an excellent window to study fluid responsiveness in infants during the postoperative period when the intensivist is faced with the challenges of poor echocardiographic window. The authors aimed to observe the correlation between ΔICA measured on transfontanelle ultrasound with the respiratory variability of peak aortic blood flow velocity (ΔVpeak) on transthoracic echocardiography as a marker of fluid responsiveness in infants on mechanical ventilation during the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: The postcardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty infants undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: A fluid bolus of 10 mL/kg administered over 10 minutes at 1 and 6 hours after ICU admission. Patients were categorized into fluid responders and nonresponders based on >15% increase in the indexed stroke volume. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 50 fluid boluses were administered in 30 patients. Among these, 22 (73.33%) were responders and 8 (26.67%) were nonresponders. There was moderate correlation between ΔICA and peak aortic blood flow velocity variation (ΔVpeak) (r = 0.59, p ≤ 0.001). The ΔVpeak >14.74% had 68% sensitivity and 75% specificity to predict fluid responsiveness (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC], 0.749; p = 0.001; positive likelihood ratio, 2.71; negative likelihood ratio, 0.43). The ΔICA >9.85% could predict fluid responsiveness in infants (AUROC, 0.728; p = 0.003; 75% sensitivity; 60% specificity; positive likelihood ratio, 1.85; negative likelihood ratio, 0.42). Among children younger than 6 months, ΔICA >9.85% was a better predictor of fluid responsiveness (AUROC, 0.889; p = 0.009) than ΔVpeak >15% (AUROC, 0.778; p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: The ICA variability >9.85% measured via transfontanelle ultrasound is a good predictor of fluid responsiveness in infants, especially those younger than 6 months on mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery.

Utility of Lung Ultrasound in the Estimation of Extravascular Lung Water in a Pediatric Population-A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising bedside modality for the estimation of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), but has not been validated against objective measures in children. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of LUS B-line scoring with EVLWI, thresholds indicating elevated EVLWI, and its outcome following pediatric cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children younger than 12 years undergoing elective complete surgical correction of cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease (Aristotle score ≤9), excluding neonates, those weighing <3.5 kg, and those with thoracic deformities, pulmonary pathology, and hemodynamic instability. INTERVENTIONS: Extravascular lung water index measurement by transpulmonary thermodilution, along with concurrent LUS B-line and Chest-X ray (CXR) scoring. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: LUS B-line score had a moderate correlation with EVLWI (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.57; 95% CI 0.44-0.69). LUS B-line scores showed acceptable discrimination only for higher thresholds of EVLWI (sensitivity 82% and 79%, respectively, for EVLWI >20 mL/kg v sensitivity and specificity 57% and 80% for EVLWI >10 mL/kg). Age, body surface area, vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), chest X-ray score, and EVLWI but not LUS B-line score were significant predictors for duration of mechanical ventilation in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: LUS B-line scoring has limited utility in semiquantitative estimation of EVLWI at lower thresholds of EVLWI in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. It may have better discrimination and acceptable sensitivity and specificity at higher thresholds of EVLWI. Contrasting with multiple reports of clinical utility, these results call for wider evaluation of LUS and its clinical modifiers like age, pathology, and pretest probability in estimation of EVLWI.

Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm in COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Mucormycosis: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Literature on COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) is sparse. Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon complication of pulmonary mucormycosis (PM), and rarely reported in CAPM. Herein, we report five cases of CAPM with PAP managed at our center and perform a systematic review of the literature. We diagnosed PM in those with clinico-radiological suspicion and confirmed it by microbiology or histopathology. We encountered five cases of CAPM with PAP (size ranged from 1 × 0.8 cm to ~ 4.9 × 4.8 cm). All subjects had diabetes and were aged 55-62 years (75% men). In two cases, COVID-19 and mucormycosis were diagnosed simultaneously, while in three others, COVID-19 preceded PM. One subject who underwent surgery survived, while all others died (80% mortality). From our systematic review, we identified one additional case of CAPM with PAP in a transplant recipient. CAPM with PAP is rare with high mortality. Early diagnosis and multimodality management are imperative to improve outcomes.

Subaortic Membrane-A Savior in Large Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect.

Ventricular septal defects (VSD) are the most common congenital cardiac defect. Patients with large VSDs present early due to an increase in the volume load on the left ventricle and pressure load on the right ventricle. Few of them present late even without surgical intervention, due to partial restriction of perimembranous (PM) VSD, either by the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve or by aortic valve cusp prolapse into the VSD. The authors observed a novel structure (ie, subaortic membrane in this case) restricting the large PM VSD in a 15-year-old child.

Sub-pulmonic stenosis caused by a right ventricular outflow tract vegetation in a children with restricted ventricular septal defect.

Infective endocarditis involving the right heart is rarely observed in the pediatric population. Echocardiography plays an important role in its diagnosis, and surgery is indicated in patients with heart failure and persistent sepsis not responding to medical treatment. Here, we report a rare case of restricted ventricular septal defect complicated by a vegetation developed in the right ventricular outflow tract and causing sub-pulmonic stenosis in a 3-year-old male child.

Honeycomb in the heart: A rare case of hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum.

The incidence of cardiac hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is 0.5% to 2% in the sheep grazing areas of developing and under-developed countries. The cyst can be present in the interventricular septum in 5% to 9% of the patients, along with conduction block or arrythmia. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can guide the surgeon in cyst localization and excision. This image review highlights the TEE findings in a young patient with multiple hydatid cysts of the interventricular septum, and the cyst membrane adhering to the septal tricuspid leaflet.

Giant Eustachian valve and Thebesian valve-A highly deceptive structures as atrial septal defect rims.

The Eustachian valve (EV) of the inferior vena cava and the Thebesian valve (TV) of the coronary sinus are incompletely regressed structures of embryonic sinus venosus. In the majority of cases, the EV and TV disappear completely after birth or are represented only by a thin crescentic fold. On echocardiography, these vestiges may mimic abnormal structures. We report a case with giant EV and TV which were initially misinterpreted as rims of an atrial septal defect (ASD) leading to the false diagnosis of ostium secundum ASD.

Modified bi-caval view-An ideal view for diagnosing left superior vena cava with large left innominate vein on saline contrast echocardiography.

Left superior vena cava (LSVC) is the most common congenital thoracic venous anomaly which commonly drains into the right atrium via the coronary sinus. Various clinical implications are associated with LSVC and is commonly diagnosed with saline contrast echocardiography. In this case we discuss the importance of a modified bi-caval view over the mid-oesophageal four-chamber view in diagnosing LSVC with the large left innominate vein.

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by a right coronary cusp prolapse: An unusual finding.

Patients with large sub-pulmonic ventricular septal defect (VSD) present early as a results of their complications. Some present late, due to the restriction of VSD by the right coronary cusp (RCC) due to its prolapse. In this report, we present a rare case of sub-pulmonic VSD in a 33-year-old man who developed a sub-pulmonic stenosis due to the prolapse of the RCC into the right ventricular outflow tract.

Myocardial protection and clinical outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot patients undergoing intracardiac repair: a randomized study of two cardioplegic techniques.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial protection in Tetralogy of Fallot patients undergoing intracardiac repair is suboptimal due to hypertrophied right ventricle. Hypertrophied myocardium is more susceptible to poor myocardial preservation because of inadequate capillary density as compared to the myocytes. There is a capillary to myocyte ratio mismatch. But del Nido Cardioplegia owing to its less viscosity is able to get more evenly distributed under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass as opposed to blood Cardioplegia. We hypothesized that the del Nido Cardioplegia technique, would be beneficial in myocardial protection because of its composition and method of delivery, leading into better early and late clinical outcomes in patients undergoing Tetralogy of Fallot repair as compared to blood cardioplegia reconstituted using St Thomas Cardioplegia solution. The objective of the study was to identify a better technique of myocardial preservation in Tetralogy of Fallot patient. METHODS: In total, 56 Tetralogy of Fallot patients undergoing intracardiac repair under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly allocated to receive antegrade Cardioplegia with either standard blood Cardioplegia (Group I) or del Nido Cardioplegia (Group II). Preoperative as well as postoperative data including echocardiographic parameters for right ventricle functions, creatine kinase MB level, inotropic requirement, mechanical ventilation duration, intensive care unit stay and hospital mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Inotropic score in the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in Group II compared to Group I (13.4 ± 7.2 vs. 21.2 ± 9.6, p = 0.003). Creatine kinase MB level (ng/mL) was comparable between the groups. Echocardiographic parameters for right ventricle functions were also comparable between the groups during early as well as after 3 to 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Del Nido Cardioplegia is equally efficacious in providing myocardial protection during intracardiac repair under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in Tetralogy of Fallot patients as compared to blood Cardioplegia solution with the added benefit of reducing inotropic requirement in first 24 hours postoperative period.

Gullain-Barré syndrome following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

We report a case of Gullain-Barré syndrome after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in a diabetic male with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who recovered fully after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin without any residual weakness.

Dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl as coadjuvants of balanced anaesthesia technique in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Ideal anesthetic technique for renal allograft recipients should provide hemodynamic stability, optimum graft reperfusion and adequate analgesia. Balanced anesthesia is preferred because renal nociception is conducted multi-segmentally and chronically ill ESRD patients have labile psychological profile. Present study compared the efficacy ofdexmedetomidine with fentanyl administered via intravenous and epidural route before induction of general anesthesia. METHODS: Prospective, double blind randomized study, recruited sixty hemo-dynamically stable ESRD adults, 18-55 years, scheduled for elective live related renal transplantation. Patients randomly received intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg followed by epidural dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg alongwith 5 ml; 0.25% ropivacaine or intravenous fentanyl 1 µg/kg followed by epiduralfentanyl 1 µg/kg alongwith 5 ml; 0.25% ropivacaine. All patients received standardized general anaesthesia and continuous epidural ropivacaine 0.25%; 4-8 ml/hr. Preoperative sedation, peri-operative haemodynamics, end tidal anaesthetic agent requirement, peri-operative fluid requirement, need for vasopressors, blood loss and early graft function was assessed. RESULTS: 80% patients receiving intravenous dexmedetomidine did not require rescue midazolam for achieving satisfactory sedation before induction of general anaesthesia. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced propofol and end tidal inhalational agents requirement and need for rescue analgesics. Early renal graft function (onset time of diuresis after declamping, 24 hours urine output and serum creatinine levels) was comparable. There were no adverse sequelae. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine-based anaesthetic regimen versus fentanyl-based anaesthesia provided appropriate anxiolysis and analgesia for conducting invasive procedures and subsequent epidural administration of these agents reduced anaesthetic requirement and prolonged postoperative analgesia without compromising hemodynamics and respiratory parameters. Further dose finding studies can be conducted in kidney transplant recipients.

Post-ductal coarctation of aorta aneurysm repair in adult via left antero-axillary thoracotomy with antegrade cerebral perfusion-a case series.

Coarctation of the aorta is a common congenital abnormality that may be associated with serious and rare anomalies like aneurysms. Severe coarctation or interrupted aortic arch in adults is usually managed by percutaneous interventions or extra-anatomic bypass. However, the presence of an aneurysm beyond the coarcted segment implies the opening of a collateral-rich segment of the aorta with redressal of the arch if hypoplastic. We describe our experience in managing three such patients through antero-lateral thoracotomy with antegrade cerebral perfusion. We have found this technique helpful in treating aneurysms of the distal aortic arch or proximal descending thoracic aorta.

Correction to: Post­ductal coarctation of aorta aneurysm repair in adult via left antero­axillary thoracotomy with antegrade cerebral perfusion-a case series.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12055-024-01734-5.].

Congenital Absence of Sternum: A Surgical Technique for Successful Outcome.

Congenital absence of sternum is a rare malformation of the anterior chest wall that needs surgical correction to avoid life-threatening complications as a consequence of such defect. It results from either partial or complete failure of fusion of mesenchymal strip during in utero organogenesis. The absence of sternum entails the risk of trauma to the mediastinal structures and other life-threatening complications. This defect is evaluated by a thorough clinical examination and computed tomography imaging of the thoracic cage to plan the surgical procedure. Early repair of the defect when the thoracic cage is still compliant yields the best result.

A Rare Case of Early-Onset Postpneumonectomy Syndrome After Right Pneumonectomy in Patient with Small Cell Carcinoma Right Lung.

ABSTRACT: Postpneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is a rare, life-threatening complication characterized by dynamic airway obstruction due to mediastinal rotation at any time point following pneumonectomy. This can produce life-threatening respiratory and cardiovascular complications. We report a case who developed PPS following right pneumonectomy in a 55-year-old female patient with small cell carcinoma (SCC) right lung.

Comparative Effect of High-Frequency Nasal Cannula and Noninvasive Ventilation on the Work of Breathing and Postoperative Pulmonary Complication after Pediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Various forms of commonly used noninvasive respiratory support strategies have considerable effect on diaphragmatic contractile function which can be evaluated using sonographic diaphragm activity parameters. OBJECTIVE: To compare the magnitude of respiratory workload decreased as assessed by thickening fraction of the diaphragm and longitudinal diaphragmatic strain while using high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) modes [nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)] in pediatric patients after cardiothoracic surgery. METHODOLOGY: This prospective randomized controlled trial was performed at a tertiary care surgical intensive care unit in postcardiac surgery patients aged between 1 and 48 months, who were randomly allocated into three groups: 1) HFNC (with flows at 2 L/kg/min), 2) NIPPV via RAMS cannula in PSV mode (pressure support 8 cmH2O, PEEP 5 cmH2O), and 3) BiPAP in nCPAP mode (CPAP of 5 cmH2O). Measurements were recorded at baseline after extubation (R0) and subsequently every 12 hourly (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5) at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours respectively until therapy was discontinued. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, with 20 patients each in the NIPPV group, HFNC group, and BiPAP group. Longitudinal strain at crura of diaphragm was lower in the BiPAP group as compared to HFNC group at R2-R4 [R2 (-4.27± -2.73 vs - 8.40± -6.40, P = 0.031), R3 (-5.32± -2.28 vs -8.44± -5.6, P = 0.015), and R4 (-3.8± -3.42 vs -12.4± -7.12, P = 0.040)]. PFR was higher in HFNC than NIPPV group at baseline and R1-R3[R0 (323 ± 114 vs 264 ± 80, P = 0.008), R1 (311 ± 114 vs 233 ± 66, P = 0.022), R2 (328 ± 116 vs 237 ± 4, P = 0.002), R3 (346 ± 112 vs 238 ± 54, P = 0.001)]. DTF and clinical parameters of increased work of breathing remain comparable between three groups. The rate of reintubation (within 48 hours of extubation or at ICU discharge) was 0.06% (1 in NIPPV, 1 in BiPAP, 2 in HFNC) and remain comparable between groups (P = 1.0). CONCLUSION: BiPAP may provide better decrease in work of breathing compared to HFNC as reflected by lower crural diaphragmatic strain pattern. HFNC may provide better oxygenation compared to NIPPV group, as reflected by higher PFR ratio. Failure rate and safety profile are similar among different methods used.

Role of transesophageal echocardiography in early detection of myocardial ischemia before electrocardiography changes post arterial switch operation.

Myocardial ischemia after arterial switch operation is most commonly associated with imperfect translocation of coronary arteries to the neoaorta. Early post-operative myocardial ischemia is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. We present a rare case of intra-operative myocardial ischemia after ASO, detected with transesophageal echocardiography before electrocardiography changes.

Ultrasonic prediction of weaning failure in children undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective observational study.

Background and Aim: To assess the utility of ultrasonic markers like B-line score (LUS), diaphragm thickness (DT), thickening fraction (DTF), and excursion (DE) as predictors of weaning outcomes in children on mechanical ventilation (MV) after cardiac surgery. Methods: This was a prospective observational study done in postcardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Children aged 1 month to 18 years, on MV after cardiac surgery from January to November 2017, were included. They were extubated after satisfying institutional weaning criteria. Ultrasound for LUS, DT, DTF, and DE was performed preoperatively, during pressure support ventilation (PSV) before extubation and 4 h after extubation. Results: Patients were divided into weaning failure and success groups based on reintubation within 48 h of extubation. Of the 50 evaluated patients, 43 (86%) were weaned successfully and 7 (14%) had weaning failure. The left DTF during PSV was lower in patients weaning failure (0.00%, interquartile range (IQR) 0.00-14.28 vs 16.67%, IQR 8.33-22.20, P = 0. 012). The left DTF≤ 14.64% during PSV (area under receiver's operating curve 0.795, P = 0.014), 85% sensitivity, and 57% specificity (positive likelihood ratio 1.97, negative likelihood ratio 0.25) could predict weaning failure. Conclusion: The left DTF during PSV is a good predictor of weaning failure in children on MV in postoperative ICU after congenital cardiac surgery. Take home message: In children on mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery, left DTF during pressure support ventilation is a good predictor of weaning failure.

Aneurysmal Oscillation of the Capnogram: A Case Report.

Variations in the alveolar plateau phase of the capnogram are often confused with spontaneous breathing efforts in an intubated patient. The oscillations in the capnogram due to a large ascending thoracic aneurysm are a separate entity from cardiogenic oscillations, and can be an indicator of underlying bronchial or lung compression.