Charles Francart

Pacemaker Lead Infection in Young Patients

Transvenous pacing has become widespread in the pediatric population, but related pacemaker lead infection in young patients has rarely been reported. To determine prevalence and optimal management of pacemaker lead infection in children and young adults, the authors reviewed their pacing database including 4,476 patients who previously had pacemaker implantations from 1975 to 2001. A pacemaker was implanted in 304 patients under the age of 40. Of these patients 217 of them had congenital heart disease: 108 with structural defect, 109 without (mainly complete AV blocks). Among patients with congenital heart disease, 12 developed a pacemaker lead infection (5.5%, 6 patients with structural defect, 6 without). This incidence was significantly higher than in patients < 40 years at first implantation without congenital heart disease (2.3%) and in > 40‐year‐old patients (1.2%, P < 0.001) . However, the number of reinterventions at the pulse generator site was higher in patients having had their first implantation before the age of 40. In patients with structural cardiac defect: two died after surgical lead extraction and one died before the scheduled lead extraction. The three remaining patients had successful surgical (n = 1) or percutaneous (n = 2) lead extractions. In patients without structural cardiac defect successful percutaneous extraction (5/6) or surgical extraction (1/6 with vegetation > 25 mm) was performed. One patient with percutaneous extraction developed chronic cor pulmonale during follow‐up. One infection recurred in one patient with structural cardiac defect although complete removal of the pacing material had been performed. The prevalence of pacemaker lead infection is higher in younger patients, perhaps in part due to a higher number of procedures at the pacemaker site than in the general population of patients with a pacemaker. Patients with structural cardiac defect who underwent surgical lead removal were at high risk for death. Patients with percutaneous lead extraction may develop cor pulmonale. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. I]:1489–1493)

Increased detection rate of Kawasaki disease using new diagnostic algorithm, including early use of echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of Kawasaki disease (KD) in Northern France by using new American Heart Association (AHA) criteria. STUDY DESIGN A 1-year prospective multicenter cohort study was performed in all pediatric departments. Patients <18 years old, who were admitted for prolonged but initially unexplained fever or suspected KD were included. All patients received the standard treatment considered appropriate by their physicians. A descriptive analysis and comparison of patients with complete and incomplete forms of KD were performed. The incidence of confirmed cases of KD (complete and incomplete forms) was calculated. RESULTS Seventy-seven children were included (39 in whom KD was diagnosed). Of the patients with KD, 26 (67%) met the classic AHA case definition, and 7 (18%) had incomplete KD. Cardiac ultrasound scanning was helpful in the diagnosis of 6 of 7 patients with incomplete KD (86%). The final incidence of confirmed KD was 9 of 100,000 children <5 years of age. In 6 children (15%) the diagnosis of KD was uncertain, but they were successfully treated for it. Coronary disease was identified in 48% of patients with confirmed KD. CONCLUSION The incidence of KD is higher than previously reported, in part because earlier reports did not include incomplete forms. New AHA criteria (laboratory tests and early echocardiography) were helpful for the diagnosis of incomplete forms of KD.

Transcatheter Closure of Aortocaval Fistula with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder

Purpose: To report percutaneous closure of aortocaval fistulas with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder. Case Reports: An aortocaval fistula was diagnosed after surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a 73-year-old man. A 3-year-old girl was treated for a congenital aortocaval fistula in another case. An 8times6-mm Amplatzer Duct Occluder was introduced via a 6-F introducer in each case, successfully occluding the fistulous track. Both patients are well and without any echocardiographic evidence of a shunt at 6 months. Conclusions: In selected patients, transcatheter closure of aortocaval fistula with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder could be an alternative to open surgery. Further evaluation is necessary.

Echocardiographic follow-up after Ross procedure in 100 patients.

The Ross procedure could provide an ideal aortic valve replacement method in children and young adults. We evaluated midterm echocardiographic results to assess pulmonary homograft function as well as pulmonary autograft dimensions and function. In all, 105 patients (26 women and 79 men) underwent the Ross procedure; median age at implant was 29 years. All patients underwent free root replacement. Transvalvular gradients and autograft dimensions were measured at 3 levels (annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, and proximal aorta) at discharge, at 6 months, and annually thereafter. Perioperative mortality was 4.7%. The mean period for echocardiographic follow-up in 100 patients was 32.7 months (range 0.5 to 7 years), during which 4 noncardiac-related deaths occurred. Two patients underwent late reintervention. No moderate or severe regurgitation was recorded. There was 1 case of mild homograft regurgitation and 4 of mild autograft regurgitation at late follow-up. Autograft peak gradients were low and reproducible (5 +/- 2.8 mm Hg at discharge vs 5.5 +/- 3.5 mm Hg at last follow-up, p = NS). Homograft peak gradients increased significantly without severe obstruction (7.8 +/- 5.7 mm Hg at discharge vs 15.8 +/- 9.2 mm Hg at last follow-up). The diameter of the autograft annulus was stable during follow-up, whereas autograft dimensions at sinuses and proximal aorta increased significantly. One group of patients was identified with sinus diameter increases >20% (group A). The 90 remaining patients were classified into group B. The only parameter significantly different between the 2 groups was the sinus diameters measured at discharge (1.74 cm/m2 (group A) vs 1.92 cm/m2 (group B); p = 0.036). In 100 patients and with echocardiographic follow-up for up to 7 years, the Ross procedure showed excellent results. For 10% of patients, we observed a 20% dilation of sinus diameters, but in only 3 patients (3%) was this beyond the upper normal limit.

Experience in one centre using the buttoned device for occlusion of atrial septal defect: comparison with the Amplatzer septal occluder

We report our experience using the buttoned device to close defects within the oval fossa and probe-patent oval foramens, comparing the findings with those obtained with the Amplatzer septal occluder. From 1992 to 1997, we used the buttoned device to close defects in 73 consecutive patients, 64 with defects in the oval fossa and nine with patent foramens. We compared this experience with a further series of 62 patients seen from 1997 to 1999 in whom the Amplatzer septal occluder was used. Successful implantation was achieved in three-quarters of those with septal defects in whom the buttoned device was used, in all of those in whom the buttoned device was used for patent foramens, and in nine-tenths of those in whom closure was attempted using the Amplatzer occluder. Immediate surgery was needed in 3 patients in whom a buttoned device was used, one because of embolization and two with residual shunts and a straddling device. Similar immediate surgery was needed to retrieve one embolized Amplatzer occluder. During follow-up, surgery was needed in a further 7 patients, all having had insertion of a buttoned device, because of atrial perforation in one and a significant residual shunt in the remainder. At late follow-up, the rate of complete occlusion was 69% in the patients in whom the buttoned device was used to close a septal defect, 100% when the buttoned device was used for patent foramens, and 95% in those treated with the Amplatzer occluder. Our experience shows that the Amplatzer occluder produced a significantly higher rate of occlusion for larger defects, and with a shorter fluoroscopy time than the buttoned device. The Amplatzer septal occluder, therefore, is our preferred device for closure of defects within the oval fossa.

Interest of β-blockers in patients with right ventricular systemic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND β-blockers improve the prognosis of patients with cardiac failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of β-blockers in patients with dysfunctional systemic right ventricle. METHODS Fourteen patients with systemic right ventricle following a Mustard or a Senning operation for the transposition of the great arteries, or congenitally corrected transposition were included in the study. All had a decreased systemic right ventricular ejection fraction despite having standard cardiac failure therapy. Quality of life, New York Heart Association class, aerobic capacity, and systemic right ventricular function were assessed before treatment with β-blockers and at the end of the follow-up period, mean of 12.8 months with a range from 3 to 36 months. RESULTS Change in New York Heart Association class was significant (p = 0.016). Quality of life improved significantly throughout the study from a median grade 2 with a range from 1 to 3 to a median grade 1 with a range from 1 to 2 (p = 0.008). Systemic right ventricular ejection fraction assessed by radionuclide ventriculography improved significantly from a median of 41% (range: 29-53%) to 49% (range: 29-62%; p = 0.031). However, the change in thee ejection fraction assessed by magnetic resonance imaging was not significant from a median of 29% (range: 12-47%) to 32% (range: 22-63%; p = 0.063). CONCLUSION In patients with cardiac failure due to systemic right ventricular dysfunction, β-blockers improve New York Heart Association class, quality of life, and systemic right ventricular ejection fraction assessed by radionuclide ventriculography.

Transcatheter occlusion of moderate to large patent arterial ducts, having a diameter above 2.5 mm, with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder. Comparisons with the Rashkind, buttoned devices, and coils in 116 consecutive patients.

AIM To report results of transcatheter occlusion of moderate to large patent arterial ducts, having a minimum diameter above 2.5 mm, with the Amplatzer duct occluder, and to compare these with results achieved using Rashkind or Sideris devices and Cook detachable coils. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective study conducted on intention-to-treat data from a tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS Since 1989, 116 consecutive patients, 77 females and 39 males, underwent percutaneous closure with several devices. We used the Rashkind double umbrella in 23 patients, the Sideris buttoned device in 39 patients, coils in 17 patients, and the Amplatzer duct occluder in 37 patients. The median age of the patients was 37 months, and the median weight 13 kg. The mean minimum diameter of the duct was 3.8 +/- 1.22 mm, with a median of 3.5 mm, and range from 2.5 to 10 mm. RESULTS Implantation succeeded in all but 9 of the children (92%). The time of fluoroscopy was shorter, and full occlusion was better as judged on angiography, in patients closed using the Amplatzer device, despite closure of larger ducts, than in patients closed using other devices (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p = 0.0015 for the Rashkind, Sideris, and coils, respectively). Complications included embolisation in 2 patients, and haemolysis in 3 patients. In 12 patients, a second device was inserted because of residual shunting noted during follow-up. Complete occlusion was achieved earlier after implantation (p = 0.0002), and the rate of complete occlusion was better in patients receiving an Amplatzer device (97%, p = 0.024) than in patients undergoing closure with other devices. CONCLUSION Transcatheter closure of moderate to large patent arterial ducts using the Amplatzer duct occluder is an effective and safe procedure, providing better results than those achieved using other occluders.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect with the Figulla® ASD Occluder: A comparative study with the Amplatzer® Septal Occluder

BACKGROUND Single-centre experience in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) using the Figulla(®) ASD Occluder (FSO; Occlutech GmbH, Jena, Germany) and the Amplatzer(®) Septal Occluder (ASO; Saint-Jude Medical, Zaventem, Belgium) has been reported. AIM To perform a retrospective comparison of the two occluders. METHODS From September 2009 to December 2012, 131 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous ASD occlusion: One hundred with the ASO device; 31 with the FSO device. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding patient characteristics, stretched diameter, age and device size. In the ASO group, implantation succeeded in all but two patients because of deficient rim. Another patient had device embolization in the aorta retrieved percutaneously. During follow-up, 86 patients had no residual shunt and nine patients had a residual shunt (small in seven; moderate in two). Two other patients had persistent interatrial small shunt caused by an adjacent ASD close to the device. In the FSO group, implantation succeeded in all but two patients: one because of deficient posterior rim; and one because of complete atrioventricular block that resolved after device extraction. During follow-up, no shunt was observed in all but one patient. At late follow-up (up to 36months), full occlusion was observed in 88 (88.0%) patients in the ASO group and 28 (90.3%) patients in the FSO group (with no significant difference between groups). CONCLUSION Transcatheter closure of ASD with the FSO is feasible and safe. FSO results compare favorably with ASO results. However, additional long-term studies that include more patients are mandatory.

Noninvasive Diagnosis of Anomalous Origin of the Left Main Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery

Figure 1. Two-dimensional echocardiography. High parasternal short-axis view demonstrating left coronary artery originating from pulmonary trunk posteriorly. Arrow shows left anterior descending coronary artery; arrowhead, left circumflex artery. A indicates anterior; Ao, aorta; L, left; and PA, pulmonary artery. Figure 2. Echocardiographic images in …

0152: Is amiodarone a safe and effective alternative drug in persistant fetal tachycardias?

Background Persistant fetal tachycardias, especially when complicated with hydrops, are associated with a poor prognosis. Digoxin and flecaine are usually used but not always effective. Amiodarone remains frequently a last choice of treatment because of its known complications. Aims In this retrospective study, we reviewed the use of amiodarone in patients with resistant fetal tachycardia, to determine the safety of this drug and its efficiency. Methods Between 1986 and 2012, sixteen pregnancies admitted for fetal tachycardia were treated with amiodarone. Four had atrial flutter and twelve had supra-ventricular tachycardia. The fetuses were severe: ten fetuses (63%) had hydrops. Amiodarone was never used as a first line therapy, but as a second line therapy in 6 fetuses and as a third line therapy in 6 fetuses. Results Amiodarone was effective in 10 of the 16 (63%) patients and despite the presence of hydrops (efficiency was obtained in 4/6 fetuses of the non hydropic group versus 6/10 of the hydrops group, p=NS). Among mothers, two complications were noticed: mild hypothyroidism and hepatic cytolysis. Hypothyroidism was present in three patients who did not need any substitutive treatment. Hepatic cytolysis was also present in three patients but never above three times normal level. Fetuses were born at 35.8±3.2 WA, weighed 2805±579g, and five of them required oral intubation at birth. One fetal death occured (sinusal rhythm was obtained but hydrops with ventricular dysfunction persisted and a ventricular thrombus appeared). Hypothyroidism was present in six patients: three had transient hypothyroidism that resolved in two weeks, two were treated for six months and one is still treated. All children had normal neurological development. Conclusion Persistant tachycardias complicated with hydrops remain a medical challenge. Amiodarone seems to be a safe and efficient alternative drug in this indication.