Shakeel A. Qureshi

The efficacy and safety of stent redilatation in congenital heart disease

Objectives: To assess the extent of neointimal proliferation and the safety and efficacy of stent redilatation in patients with stents implanted for aortic coarctation or branch pulmonary artery stenosis. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Patients and interventions: Of 60 patients with Palmaz stents, 12 with coarctation and 12 with branch pulmonary artery stenosis (with 21 stented sites) underwent recatheterisation and stent redilatation. Results: Neointimal thickening > 1 mm was detected in six of the 12 coarctation stents and at nine of the 21 stented sites in branch pulmonary arteries (five of which had been overdilated at implantation). Eight of the coarctation stents were electively underdilated at implantation. Coarctation stent redilatation increased median (range) lumen diameter from 9.2 (6.3–11.1) mm to 11.7 (9.8–14.1) mm (p = 0.002), decreased gradient from 10.5 (0–20) mm Hg to 0.5 (0–15) mm Hg (p = 0.008), and increased the ratio of stent diameter to descending aorta diameter from 0.66 (0.38–1.02) to 0.85 (0.52–1.2) (p = 0.008). Pulmonary artery stent redilatation increased lumen diameter from 6.9 (3.8–13.5) mm to 8.8 (4.8–14.1) mm (p < 0.001), decreased gradient from 24 (2–62) mm Hg to 12 (0–29) mm Hg (p < 0.001), and increased the ratio of stent diameter to diameter of distal pulmonary artery from 0.66 (0.44–1.5) to 0.86 (0.48–1.88) (p = 0.001). Dilatation of one peripheral pulmonary artery stent resulted in rupture of the vessel distal to the stent. Conclusions: Neointimal proliferation is precipitated by overdilating stents at implantation. Redilatation using balloons matched to distal vessel diameter increases stent lumen size, but may not optimise vessel diameter. Redilatation is effective whether the indication for redilatation is a resistant stenosis at implantation, underexpansion at implantation, neointimal proliferation, or relative stenosis caused by growth.

Outcome of staged reconstructive surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome following antenatal diagnosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Staged reconstructive surgery has radically altered the prognosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Antenatal diagnosis allows for appropriate counselling, and time to consider treatment options. We report outcome from a centre where most cases are antenatally diagnosed and delivered on site. METHODS Information was collated on 188 consecutive cases of HLHS between 1995 and 2000, including timing of diagnosis, outcome of pregnancy, and age and outcome at each stage of surgery. At Guys Hospital, 174 cases were diagnosed antenatally, of whom 50 underwent surgery. Fourteen others (five diagnosed antenatally at other centres, and nine diagnosed postnatally) also underwent surgery. RESULTS Survival after stage I (the Norwood operation) was 52% (33/64). Postoperative survival after stage II (the hemi-Fontan operation, performed in 29), and stage III (the Fontan operation, performed in 10), was 100%. Two late deaths occurred 3 and 10 months after stage II, giving overall survival of 48% (31/64). At follow up, three children have neurological impairment, and one had poor right ventricular function necessitating cardiac transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Antenatal diagnosis allows informed decisions about treatment options, and facilitates preoperative care. Mortality following stage I is high, irrespective of timing of diagnosis, but medium term outcome for survivors is good.

Cardiovascular collapse after verapamil in supraventricular tachycardia.

Five babies who presented with supraventricular tachycardia were treated with verapamil intravenously. All developed severe hypotension and two died. Verapamil should not be used in the initial management of supraventricular tachycardia in neonates.

Effects of modified and classic Blalock-Taussig shunts on the pulmonary arterial tree.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess by angiography the late effects of both classic and modified Blalock-Taussig shunts in terms of growth and development of stenosis and distortion. METHODS At a mean of 51 months postoperatively, we retrospectively reviewed the results in 78 patients who underwent creation of Blalock-Taussig shunts (25 classic and 71 modified). RESULTS At the level of the anastomosis, the shunt caused a reduction in diameter of the pulmonary artery in 49% of all shunts, major stenosis (>50% narrowing of the lumen) in 14%, and distortion of the pulmonary artery in 19%, findings that did not correlate with the type of shunt. Distortion did correlate with younger age at the time of shunt operation (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS After a Blalock-Taussig shunt, growth of the pulmonary arteries occurred but did not exceed the normal growth of the pulmonary arterial tree. Moreover, a shunt procedure can cause distortion and stenosis of the pulmonary artery, which may have important implications for future corrective surgical intervention. All these findings support earlier complete surgical repair of correctable congenital cardiac defects.

Simultaneous treatment of native coarctation of the aorta combined with patent ductus arteriosus using a covered stent

A 19‐year‐old girl with coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus underwent simultaneous treatment of native coarctation and closure of ductus arteriosus using a covered Cheatham‐Platinum stent. This technique may be used as an alternative to other forms of interventional therapy or surgery for this combination of lesions in adolescents and adults. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2003;59:387–390.

Determinants of hemodynamic results of balloon dilation of aortic recoarctation

Between October 1982 and May 1990, balloon dilation of aortic recoarctation was attempted in 27 patients. In 1 case dilation was not performed owing to suspected aortic perforation. The remaining 26 patients had 30 procedures. The age at the first dilation ranged between 2.6 months and 18.3 years. After dilation, systolic gradient decreased from 49 +/- 17 mm Hg to 20 +/- 17 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). A reduction of gradient to less than or equal to 20 mm Hg occurred after the first dilation in 17 of 26 (65%) patients. Residual gradients between 25 and 80 mm Hg were present in the remaining 9 patients. During follow-up of 2 months to 6.7 years, 5 of 17 patients with a good initial result developed further recoarctation (2 had successful redilation, 2 had reoperation, and 1 is awaiting repeat dilation). Of 9 patients with gradients greater than 20 mm Hg after the first dilation, 1 had successful redilation and 3 had reoperation. The remaining 5 patients are being managed conservatively. 2 patients developed aneurysms after dilation (1 immediately and the other at 2 months). In all, 15 patients (58%) had a good, and 11 (42%) a poor late hemodynamic result. Aortic diameters at different levels of the aortic arch and at the reconstructed isthmus (normalized to the aorta at the level of the diaphragm) were significantly higher in the group with a good late result than in that with a poor one. Balloon/aortic diameter ratio at diaphragm level also had a significant influence on the late results.

Effect of introducing balloon dilation of native aortic coarctation on overall outcome in infants and children

The outcome of 40 consecutive newborns and children with normal cardiac connections presenting with unoperated (i.e., no previous surgical or balloon dilation treatment) aortic coarctation since the introduction of balloon dilation as a treatment option (group A) was compared retrospectively with that of a similar cohort of 38 patients (group B) presenting in the period immediately before the introduction of balloon dilation. Group A consisted of 18 newborns (< 30 days) and 22 children and Group B consisted of 20 newborns and 18 children. In group A, 30 patients had balloon dilation but 10 underwent surgery because of parental preference, unfavorable anatomy or for logistic reasons. Group B had conventional surgical repair by various methods. All patients were followed up clinically by Doppler echocardiography and, when possible, by magnetic resonance imaging. Repeat cardiac catheterization was only performed in those with suspected recoarctation. Survival and freedom from reintervention were investigated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Patients of all ages in group A and those who had balloon dilation were at higher risk for reintervention (25 and 30%, respectively, at 1 year) than those in group B or those who had surgery (20 and 18%, respectively, at 1 year). Mortality was not significantly different between groups A and B, but there were 2 neonatal deaths directly attributable to the dilation procedure. Two patients developed aneurysms after dilation. Balloon dilation is an effective treatment for unoperated coarctation, but the recoarctation rate appears to be higher than for surgery.

Interlocking detachable platinum coils, a controlled embolization device: early clinical experience.

PurposeTo present the early clinical experience of a new mechanically controlled-release embolization device—the interlocking detachable coil (IDC)—in complex embolization outside the head.MethodsIDCs were used only when conventional embolization techniques were considered too risky or unsafe. The soils consist of unfibered coiled platinum (0.012 inch), mechanically connected to a pusher wire and deployed through a Tracker 18 catheter. IDCs come in a range of diameters (2–8 mm) and lengths (1–30 cm).ResultsA total of 87 IDCs were used for 27 procedures in 25 patients (mean 14.5 years) to occlude 31 arteries or vascular lesions. Control of the coil and its release were satisfactory and all coils were fully retrievable up to the point of deployment. Two IDC coils embolized inadvertently but were retrieved; there were no other complications. The IDC coils could not be satisfactorily placed in one high-flow arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and in another case there was a small residual fistula. Occlusion was produced in 29 of 31 lesions. Ancillary techniques were needed in 5 patients: temporary balloon occlusion in 2 and 0.038-inch coils in 3.ConclusionThe IDC coil is an effective device that allows controlled embolization to be performed, especially in aneurysms and in high-flow AV fistulas in children.

An evaluation of right and left ventricular function after anatomical correction and intra-atrial repair operations for complete transposition of the great arteries.

Anatomical correction of complete transposition of the great arteries has the potential advantage over intra-atrial repair in that the left ventricle becomes the systemic pump. To investigate the importance of this, we evaluated right and left ventricular function in 21 patients after anatomical correction and in 21 patients after Mustard or Senning operations. First-pass and equilibrium-gated radionuclide angiography were used to measure right and left ventricular ejection fractions between 17 and 78 (mean, 47) months after anatomical correction and between 3 and 187 (mean, 67) months after intra-atrial repair. The mean age of the patient groups at the time of study was 52 and 84 months, respectively. The right ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 35% to 78% (mean, 58%) in patients after anatomical correction and from 27% to 68% (mean, 51%) after intra-atrial repair (p = 0.066). The left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 39% to 74% (mean, 58%) after anatomical correction and from 35% to 74% (mean, 58%) after intra-atrial repair (p = 0.86). The mean right and left ventricular ejection fractions of both groups were significantly lower than those of normal children. Individuals with systemic ventricular dysfunction were identified after both types of operations; however, symptomatic dysfunction occurred only after intra-atrial repair (p = 0.24).

Evolving use of embolisation coils for occlusion of the arterial duct.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of arterial duct occlusion with coils chosen according to the duct morphology. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Paediatric cardiology centre. PATIENTS: Coil occlusion was attempted in 57 patients aged 0.5 to 15 (median 3.7) years and weighing 5-59 (median 14) kg between January 1991 and December 1995. A residual leak was present in 8 patients after umbrella closure and in 4 patients after duct ligation. METHODS: Coils of 4 different types were implanted through 4 or 5 F femoral artery catheters. Platinum or Interlocking Detachable 0.018 inch coils were deployed completely inside tubular ducts. Gianturco or PDA controlled release 0.038 inch coils were implanted to straddle short, post ligation and post umbrella ducts. RESULTS: Coil implantation was successful in 54/57 patients. At 1 year the cumulative occlusion rate was 53/57 ducts (93%) on an intention to treat analysis. A single coil was implanted in 37 (69%), 2 coils in 10 (19%), 3 coils in 3 (5%) and 4 coils in 4 (7%) of the 54 successful procedures. Duct occlusion was documented at the end of the procedure in 31%, by the following day in 83%, by 6 weeks in 87%, by 6 months in 96%, and by 1 year in 98%. Coil embolisation occurred in 6/58 procedures (10%), with a 50% rate in the first year of implantation (1/2 patients) falling to 7% in the last year (3/42 patients). All embolised coils were easily retrieved. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion of small to moderate size arterial ducts, including residual post umbrella or post ligation ducts, was readily accomplished by coils selected according to the duct anatomy. This has both cost and practical benefits.