João Luiz Manica

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty for congenital aortic stenosis using the femoral and the carotid artery approach: a 16-year experience from a single center.

Objectives:The aim of this article is to report a 16‐year experience with percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAVP) in newborns and young infants up to 3 months of age in a tertiary care cardiac reference center in a developing country and to determine its value in postponing open heart surgery. Background:Congenital aortic stenosis (AS) is a potentially life threatening disorder. BAVP and surgical procedures have similar short and medium‐term efficacy. Methods:Thirty‐one consecutive newborns and young infants with critical AS underwent BAVP in our department from 1991 to 2007. Mean patient age at time of the procedure was 22 days (range 2–92 days) and mean weight was 3,310 g (1,840–4,400 g). Results:There was a significant reduction in mean Doppler‐derived peak gradient across the aortic valve immediately after the procedure (75.1 ± 22 versus 32.2 ± 13.02, P < 0.001), and this finding was maintained throughout follow‐up. Since 2003, when the carotid approach became routine practice, no major vascular complications were observed. Mean time of follow‐up was 81 months (5 days–196 months) with only two deaths (7.4%). Only 24% patients required surgical reintervention on the aortic valve during follow‐up. Survival free from aortic valve surgery was 80% at 24 months, 66% at 63 months, and 50% at 80 months. Conclusion:Percutaneous intervention for relief of critical aortic stenosis in newborns in a tertiary center of a developing country is safe and has excellent short and long‐term results comparable to other centers throughout the world.

Covered-stent implantation to treat aortic coarctation

Aortic coarctation comprises approximately 7% of all known congenital heart defects. Surgery and balloon angioplasty have been performed for many years but are associated with a significant incidence of recoarctation and aneurysm formation. Although bare-stent implantation decreases the incidence of recoarctation, the risk of aortic dissection or aneurysm formation is not eliminated. Described initially to treat patients with coexistent aneurysm of the aortic wall, we currently believe that covered-stent implantation for aortic coarctation should play a more important role. Our increasing experience from expanding their indication to deal with complications from previous interventions, associated defects or particular anatomical situations has led us to conclude that most of cases of aortic coarctation in adolescents and adults should be treated by the implantation of covered stents.

Oclusão percutânea de comunicação interatrial pelo sistema único de saúde: uma opção economicamente viável

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most frequent congenital malformations, representing 5% to 10% of all congenital heart defects. The most common type is the ostium secundum ASD (OS ASD), and represents 75% of these malformations. When diagnosed late or left untreated, in addition to abnormalities in the clinical examination, there may be heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, mitral insufficiency, right ventricular overload and pulmonary hypertension. In advanced cases with severe pulmonary hypertension and interatrial shunt reversal (right to left), there is cyanosis, which indicates severe cardiopulmonary disease and increased mortality. In the last decades, with the improvement of percutaneous techniques and devices, the possibility of percutaneous treatment of congenital defects has increased dramatically. Several studies have shown excellent early and long-term results of percutaneous atrial septoplasty. In addition to providing greater comfort for patients, lower complication rates, less in-hospital and extra-hospital recovery time and efficacy similar to that of surgical atrial septoplasty in developed countries, it is definitely the most economic option. There is no doubt that in the near future, the cost-effectiveness ratio of this procedure will also be observed in developing countries such as Brazil, where the cost of the prosthesis is, to this day, the major obstacle for the standardization of this procedure and the amounts paid for surgical procedures are outdated.

Experiência Inicial com o Implante Percutâneo da Válvula Melody ® no Brasil

Introducao: Stress is associated with cardiovascular diseases.O implante percutâneo da valvula pulmonar e uma alternativa para condutos com disfuncao. Descrevemos aqui a primeira experiencia com o implante da valvula Melody® no Brasil. Metodos: Foram selecionados pacientes com estenose ou insuficiencia pulmonar significativa em condutos de 16 a 22 mm. Foram empregadas tecnicas padronizadas. Factibilidade, seguranca e eficacia desse procedimento foram avaliadas. Resultados: Desde dezembro de 2013, dez pacientes (media de idade e peso de 16,5 anos e 49 kg, respectivamente) foram submetidos ao procedimento com intervalo medio de 11,9 ± 8,6 anos desde a ultima cirurgia. Insuficiencia pulmonar foi indicacao para o tratamento em tres pacientes, estenose em dois e lesao mista em cinco. A valvula Melody® foi implantada com sucesso em todos os casos. A media da pressao sistolica do ventriculo direito e a relacao ventriculo direito/ventriculo esquerdo diminuiram de 49,2 ± 15,9 para 35,8 ± 5,7 mmHg e de 0,55 ± 0,18 para 0,39 ± 0,08 mmHg (p < 0,01 para ambos). Nao observamos estenose e nem insuficiencia pulmonar residual significativa. Um paciente teve extravasamento contido requerendo um stent coberto e um segundo implante valvular. Todos os pacientes receberam alta do hospital em 72 horas. As valvulas funcionaram adequadamente em um seguimento medio de 4,1 ± 2,2 meses, sem complicacoes. Conclusoes: O implante percutâneo da valvula Melody® foi factivel, seguro e eficaz em nosso meio, e esteve de acordo com trabalhos previamente publicados. Apesar de mais pacientes e um maior tempo de seguimento serem necessarios, estudos de custo-efetividade devem ser realizados para sua incorporacao no sistema publico de saude brasileiro.

Implante de Stent Não-Valvado na Via de Saída do Ventrículo Direito: Forma Simples e Efetiva de Retardar Nova Intervenção Cirúrgica

BACKGROUND: Right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction is frequently used to repair cardiac malformations. However, the lifetime of these conduits is short and stent implantation is a good option to relieve obstructed RVOT. The objective of this study is to report the experience of a tertiary center with non-valved stent implantation and its short and medium term results. METHODS: Between September 1990 and January 2009, 11 late postoperative patients were submitted to stent implantation due to RVOT obstruction. Mean age at the time of procedure was 12.5 ± 8.3 years (1-28 years), and mean weight was 35 ± 20.9 kg (6-62 kg). Mean follow-up time was 12.5 ± 6 months (0-48 months). RESULTS: Mean systolic right ventricular pressures decreased from 99 ± 23 mmHg before to 57 ± 12 mmHg (p < 0.001) after stent implantation. At echocardiogram, RV to PA gradient decreased from 69 ± 19 mmHg to 33 ± 20 mmHg (p < 0.01). Forty percent of the patients required percutaneous or surgical reintervention during a mean time of 22 months after the procedure. There was one case of stent fracture, relieved with the implantation of another stent, one case of failure, and one death not related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Non-valved stent implantation in obstructed RVOT is a highly effective and safe palliative approach. Moreover, it allows the somatic growth of young patients and does not preclude future percutaneous implantation of valved stents to treat free pulmonary regurgitation.

Perfil de pacientes com cardiopatia congênita submetidos a procedimentos percutâneos em um centro terciário: análise de 1.002 casos

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects have a well-known impact on patient´s quality of life. This study aimed to describe the population of patients with congenital heart disease submitted to percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1,002 patients submitted to cardiac catheterization between 2003 and 2009 at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul. Clinical, demographic and procedure variables were obtained from an institutional database and patient charts. RESULTS: Median age was 33 (0-73) years and median weight was 23 (9.6-52.6) kg. Patients were predominantly females (52%), with acyanotic heart disease (63.2%) and postnatal diagnosis (94.8%). Pulmonary stenosis (22.9%), atrial septal defect (22.5%) and patent ductus ateriosus (21.6%) were the most common acyanotic heart defects, whereas tetralogy of Fallot was the most frequent cyanotic heart disease (15,2%). Most of the procedures (58,6%) were therapeutic, including pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (32.9%), atrial septal defect closure (20.9%) and ductus arteriosus closure (15%). Complications were observed in 19.2% of patients, and inguinal hematomas (7.8%) and fever (7.6%) were the most frequent findings. There were 3 procedure-related deaths (0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The study results demonstrated the prevalence of therapeutic procedures in patients with acyanotic heart disease, performed with a low complication rate at a tertiary referral center.

Profile of Patients with Congenital Heart Disease Submitted to Percutaneous Procedures at a Tertiary Centre: Analysis of 1,002 Cases

ABSTRACT Background Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects have a well-known impact on patient´s quality of life. This study aimed to describe the population of patients with congenital heart disease submitted to percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures at a tertiary referral center. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1,002 patients submitted to cardiac catheterization between 2003 and 2009 at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul. Clinical, demographic and procedure variables were obtained from an institutional database and patient charts. Results Median age was 33 (0-73) years and median weight was 23 (9.6-52.6) kg. Patients were predominantly females (52%), with acyanotic heart disease (63.2%) and postnatal diagnosis (94.8%). Pulmonary stenosis (22.9%), atrial septal defect (22.5%) and patent ductus ateriosus (21.6%) were the most common acyanotic heart defects, whereas tetralogy of Fallot was the most frequent cyanotic heart disease (15,2%). Most of the procedures (58,6%) were therapeutic, including pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (32.9%), atrial septal defect closure (20.9%) and ductus arteriosus closure (15%). Complications were observed in 19.2% of patients, and inguinal hematomas (7.8%) and fever (7.6%) were the most frequent findings. There were 3 procedure-related deaths (0.3%). Conclusions The study results demonstrated the prevalence of therapeutic procedures in patients with acyanotic heart disease, performed with a low complication rate at a tertiary referral center.

Cateterismo intervencionista na estenose valvar pulmonar crítica do recém-nascido e na atresia pulmonar com septo interventricular íntegro: 13 anos de experiência de um serviço terciário

INTRODUCAO: A abordagem percutânea e opcao de escolha em neonatos portadores de estenose pulmonar critica (EP) e atresia pulmonar com septo interventricular integro (APSI). Neste trabalho sao descritos casos tratados consecutivamente em centro de referencia e seu seguimento a medio prazo. METODOS: A maioria dos pacientes recebeu infusao endovenosa de prostaglandina pre-procedimento, independentemente da necessidade hemodinâmica. Na abordagem da APSI, foi utilizada guia de ponta rigida e, mais recentemente, valvotomia com cateter de radiofrequencia. Na maioria dos casos, foi realizada dilatacao sequencial com balao ate atingir 110% a 120% do diâmetro do anel valvar pulmonar. RESULTADOS: Entre 1998 e 2011, 17 neonatos com APSI (idade mediana de 5 dias, peso de 3,1 + 0,6 kg) e 30 neonatos com EP (idade mediana de 12 dias, peso medio de 3 + 1,4 kg) foram tratados em um servico terciario. Na APSI, 14 pacientes foram abordados com guia rigida, com sucesso de 71,4%, e 3 com radiofrequencia, com sucesso de 100%. Na EP, o sucesso foi alcancado em todos os casos. O obito hospitalar foi de 23,5% no grupo com APSI e de 3,3% no grupo com EP, nenhum relacionado ao procedimento percutâneo. Na evolucao a medio prazo, a taxa de reintervencao por reestenose foi de 21,4% no grupo com APSI e de 10% no grupo com EP. CONCLUSOES: A valvoplastia pulmonar na EP e na APSI apresenta resultados clinicos e hemodinâmicos aceitaveis, desde que se observem caracteristicas anatomicas favoraveis e se mantenha a patencia do fluxo pulmonar ate o procedimento. A morbidade e a mortalidade dos portadores de EP critica sao mais baixas que as de portadores de APSI.

Tratamento percutâneo de lesões residuais e complicações em condutos de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de circuito do tipo Fontan

BACKGROUND: The introduction of total cavopulmonary anastomosis (TCPA) or Fontan procedure significantly changed the natural history of patients with complex heart diseases inadequate for biventricular repair. However, the development of silent stenosis is well known. In addition, fenestrated conduits are frequently used. The present study reports the experience of a tertiary center with percutaneous devices implanted in the conduits of patients with univentricular circulation. METHOD: From July 2000 to July 2010, 12 patients received percutaneous devices in conduits after Fontan procedure. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the indication for the procedure: 5 patients received septal occluders to close surgical fenestrations (group 1), 6 patients received stents for the relief of conduit obstructions (group 2) and 1 patient received both devices simultaneously. Mean age of group 1 patients at the time of the procedure was 174 ± 53.5 months and mean weight was 30.7 ± 6.8 kg. Mean age of group 2 patients was 148.5 ± 84.6 months and mean weight was 28.9 ± 19.8 kg. RESULTS: In group 1, oxygen saturation rose from 82.6 ± 7.5% to 90.4 ± 7.5% immediately after the procedure (P = 0.001). In group 2, oxygen saturation rose from 81.8 ± 8.9% to 91.3 ± 8.7% (P = 0.01). The minimal conduit diameter changed from 6.9 + 4,8 mm to 16.6 ± 3.5 mm after the procedure (P = 0.02). The patient who was submitted to both procedures simultaneously had an increase of the minimal conduit diameter from 11.7 mm to 16 mm and an improvement in systemic saturation from 60% to 90%. CONCLUSION: Treatment of conduit obstructions with non-covered stents and the occlusion of surgical fenestrations with covered stents or AmplatzerTM devices are safe procedures, with high immediate success rates which are maintained in the mid-term follow-up.