Robert D. Stewart

Contemporary Fontan Operation: Association Between Early Outcome and Type of Cavopulmonary Connection

BACKGROUND Extracardiac conduit and lateral atrial tunnel total cavopulmonary connection are both widely used in the management of functionally univentricular hearts. The effect of the type of connection on early outcomes after Fontan operation remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of Fontan type on early outcome in a large clinical database. METHODS Patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database undergoing the Fontan operation (2000 to 2009) were included. We used multivariable analysis to evaluate the effect of Fontan type (extracardiac conduit vs lateral tunnel) on in-hospital death, Fontan takedown/revision, Fontan failure (in-hospital death or Fontan takedown/revision), postoperative length of stay, and complications, adjusting for patient, procedural, and center factors. RESULTS The study included 2,747 patients (61% male) from 68 centers. A right-dominant ventricle was present in 45%. Extracardiac conduit Fontan (vs lateral atrial tunnel) was performed in 63%; in all, 65% were fenestrated. In multivariable analysis with adjustment for patient, procedural (including fenestration), and center factors (including Fontan volume), the extracardiac conduit Fontan was associated with significantly higher Fontan takedown/revision (odds ratio, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 6.87) and Fontan failure (odds ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 4.59), and longer postoperative hospital stay (adjusted estimated difference in postoperative hospital stay: +1.4 days). CONCLUSIONS These multicenter data suggest that of the two prevalent forms of Fontan connection in current use, the lateral atrial tunnel Fontan may be associated with superior early outcomes.

The Arterial Switch Operation: 25-Year Experience With 258 Patients

BACKGROUND At our institution, the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries has transitioned from the Gore-Tex patch (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) for pulmonary artery reconstruction to redundant pantaloon pericardial patch (RPPP). The (U-shaped) coronary artery button was used for coronary reimplantation. This study investigates overall mortality and factors for neopulmonary artery, neoaortic, and coronary artery surgical reintervention. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent arterial switch between 1983 and 2007. Our surgical database, operative reports, and cardiology clinic charts were reviewed. Time to event was plotted as Kaplan-Meier curves. Predictors of time-to-event were examined using Cox proportional hazard modeling. RESULTS A total of 258 patients underwent arterial switch during the study. Mortality declined from 15% (era I: 1983 to 1990) to 11% (era II: 1991 to 1998) to 7% (era III: 1999 to 2007). Era III had a significantly later time to death compared with era I (hazard ratio [HR] 0.62, p = 0.04). The RPPP had a lower neopulmonary artery reintervention rate compared with Gore-Tex; 9 of 225 (4%) versus 3 of 21 (14%), p = 0.008. Complex anatomy increased risk for neopulmonary reintervention (HR 3.3, p = 0.03). Surgical reintervention rate for coronary arteries was 2%. Complex coronary anatomy (HR 17.9, p = 0.01) predicted coronary reintervention. Predictors of neoaortic reintervention were prior pulmonary artery band (HR 4.3, p = 0.03), complex anatomy (HR 3.5, p = 0.01), and coronary artery anatomy (HR 3.5, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Arterial switch operation mortality has decreased. Conversion to RPPP reduced neopulmonary artery reintervention. The (U-shaped) coronary artery button technique is associated with low coronary reintervention rates. Complex coronary anatomy increases coronary and aortic reintervention. Prior pulmonary artery banding and complex anatomy increase aortic reintervention.

Reoperative Techniques for Complications After Arterial Switch

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to review our experience with late reoperations after the arterial switch operation (ASO) and to introduce reparative solutions adapted from previous techniques. METHODS A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients who underwent late reoperations after ASO between 1983 and 2010. Eighteen patients were from our concomitantly reported cohort of 258 ASO patients and 5 came from distant referrals. RESULTS Twenty-seven reoperations on 23 patients were performed for lesions relating to coronary arteries (9 procedures, 7 patients), the neoaortic root (12 procedures, 10 patients), and the right ventricular outflow tract (6 procedures, 6 patients). Four patients died: 1 from an exsanguinating gastric ulcer 4 years after prosthetic valve replacement; 1 from coronary occlusion one month postoperatively from an unroofed intramural left main coronary artery; and 2 after supravalvar pulmonary artery stenosis repair complicated by coexisting left ventricular dysfunction from the original ASO. CONCLUSIONS The ASO remains the treatment of choice for transposition of the great arteries and its variants. While the incidence of late reintervention is low, a subset of patients will require operations that extend the principles of myocardial revascularization, left ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, and relief of pulmonary stenosis.

Plastic Bronchitis in Patients With Fontan Physiology: Review of the Literature and Preliminary Experience With Fontan Conversion and Cardiac Transplantation

Plastic bronchitis is a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by the formation of mucofibrinous casts within the pulmonary bronchi. In patients with congenital heart disease, it is most frequently observed in single ventricular anatomies after Fontan palliation. The pathophysiology of plastic bronchitis remains unknown, and a consistently effective treatment strategy has yet to be identified. We report two cases of plastic bronchitis in patients with Fontan physiology. The first was treated with Fontan conversion and, despite encouraging short-term results, experienced recurrence of cast formation seven months postoperatively. The second underwent cardiac transplantation and has been free of bronchial casts for over one year. In addition, we explore the similarities between plastic bronchitis and protein-losing enteropathy, considering theories of their pathophysiologic mechanisms and reports of mutually effective treatment strategies. We propose that bronchial cast formation may result from the confluence of genetic makeup, inflammation, and the Fontan physiology and conclude that further investigation into therapies directed at these factors is merited.

A study of forty-nine consecutive Whipple resections for periampullary adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND We designed a program to evaluate the morbidity, mortality, survival rates, and patients quality of life after Whipple resection for pancreatic and other periampullary adneocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS After studying 11 fresh and unembalmed cadavers to learn the regional anatomy and to practice the surgical techniques for traditional Whipple procedure by the senior author (JS), 49 patients aged 56 to 84 years old were treated with Whipples pancreatoduocenectomy. RESULTS There was no postoperative mortality or morbidity from anastomotic leakage. All 49 patients were discharged in an improved condition following surgery, including 5 patients with emergency resection. Eight patients are alive at the time of this writing, including 2 patients who had their pancreatic cancer resected 168 and 139 months ago. CONCLUSIONS In the opinion of these authors, treatment of all resectable cancers with Whipples pancreatoduodenectomy offers not only a superior palliation but also the hope of cure.

Late Complications Following the Arterial Switch Operation

The arterial switch operation has been the principal treatment for transposition of the great arteries and its variants for the last 25 years. Early mortality has decreased significantly over time, but long-term complications include pulmonary artery stenosis, coronary artery obstruction, neoaortic valvar insufficiency, arrhythmia, and aortic arch obstruction. This article provides an overview of the history, anatomic patterns, surgical results, and possible operative solutions discussed in the literature for patients with transposition of the great arteries who undergo arterial switch operations that result in late complications. Published journal articles were identified through PubMed literature search. The authors selected 72 articles for analysis. It is concluded that modifications can be made to the arterial switch operation in an effort to meet the challenges presented by late complications.

Topical application of bacitracin ointment is associated with decreased risk of mediastinitis after median sternotomy.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of mediastinitis after open-heart surgery is infrequent but dreaded as it carries a high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that topical antibacterials would have on the postoperative mediastinitis rate. METHODS Data were collected from 2455 consecutive patients who underwent sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass for both valvar and ischemic heart disease. Prior to 1999, patients (n = 1036) underwent surgery with standard perioperative intravenous antibiotics but no application of bacitracin. After 1999, patients (n = 1419) underwent surgery with intravenous antibiotics and application of bacitracin ointment to the sternotomy incision after closure. RESULTS Cases of mediastinitis occurred in 12 patients (1.2%) not treated with bacitracin, which required re-exploration, sternectomy, and soft tissue closure of the mediastinum. Alternatively, 3 patients (0.2%) in the group treated with bacitracin developed mediastinitis (P < .01). Therefore, the use of topical antibacterials was associated with a 6-fold reduction in the risk of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery. This significant difference in the infection rate was observed even though the percentage of patients with risk factors for mediastinitis was equal to greater than the group not treated with bacitracin. Non-bacitracin versus bacitracin: diabetics, 298 versus 484; emergency operations, 24 versus 50; bilateral internal thoracic grafts, 28 versus 29; and obesity (body mass index >30), 294 versus 396. CONCLUSIONS The use of topical antibacterials is associated with a decrease in the risk of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery.

Operative Techniques in Association With Arrhythmia Surgery in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Arrhythmia surgery in patients with congenital disease is challenged by the range of anatomic variants, arrhythmia types, and intramyocardial scar location. Experimental and clinical studies have elucidated the mechanisms of arrhythmias for accessory connections, atrial fibrillation, atrial reentry tachycardia, nodal reentry tachycardia, focal or automatic atrial tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. The surgical and transcatheter possibilities are numerous, and the congenital heart surgeon should have a comprehensive understanding of all arrhythmia types and potential methods of ablation. The purpose of this article is to introduce resternotomy techniques for safe mediastinal reentry and to review operative techniques of arrhythmia surgery in association with congenital heart disease.

The Role of Tricuspid Valve Surgery in the Late Management of Tetralogy of Fallot: Collective Review

While surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is generally associated with good early outcomes, late complications affect long-term survival and may require reoperation. Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may increase the risk of arrhythmias, reduced cardiac function, and sudden death. Tricuspid valve function can be compromised secondarily in the setting of PR or directly as a result of injury or alteration of the valve related to the original TOF repair. This article reviews the etiologic mechanisms, pathophysiological implications, and surgical interventions for TR. Effective management following TOF repair requires consideration of TR to optimize late outcomes.

An overview of surgery options for congenital coronary artery anomalies.

Congenital and acquired coronary artery anomalies are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and can be sudden in onset. The spectrum of congenital lesions include anomalous origin from the pulmonary artery, critical left main stenosis/atresia, coronary artery fistulas, anomalous aortic origin and intramyocardial courses. The spectrum of acquired lesions include Kawasaki disease, late postoperative obstructions in patients who had coronary artery surgical manipulations and iatrogenic injuries that can occur in the catheterization laboratory or the operating room. Surgical therapies for ischemic syndromes associated over the long term of these anomalies are presented herein.