Tamir Dagan

Covered Cheatham-Platinum stents for serial dilatation of severe native aortic coarctation.

Objectives: To report on the early results of treatment of native coarctation of the aorta by implantation and serial dilations of covered stents. Background: Transcatheter dilation of native coarctation of the aorta carries a risk of aneurysm or rupture. Covered stent implantation requires a large delivery system with the risk of vascular damage. Methods: Covered stents on balloons of diameter sufficient to anchor the stent in the coarctation were implanted using the smallest delivery system possible. Dilation with larger diameter balloons was performed until the pressure gradient was <20 mm Hg and the stent was opposed to the aortic wall. Results: Twenty‐two patients with native coarctation underwent stent implantation. Coarctation diameter increased from 3.6 ± 1.9 to 12.6 ± 1.9 mm (P < 0.001). Peak pressure gradient decreased from 29.4 ± 8.5 to 6.7 ± 5.7 mm Hg (P < 0.001). Nine patients underwent further dilation on average 5 months later. Residual pressure gradient decreased from 12.3 ± 5.8 to 2.1 ± 2.9 mm Hg (P = 0.002). The stent achieved the diameter of the transverse arch in all cases. Complications included a small tear at further dilation treated with a second stent and a femoral pseudoaneurysm. At short‐term follow‐up of 18.5 months all patients are alive and well with no evidence of recoarctation or aneurysm. Conclusions: These initial results show that serial dilation of covered Cheatham‐Platinum stents is feasible, safe, and an effective percutaneous method for the treatment of native coarctation of the aorta. However, long‐term follow up is required.

Coarctation of the aorta treated with the Advanta V12 large diameter stent: Acute results†

Objectives: To report on the early results of treatment of coarctation of the aorta by dilation with a new polytetrafluoroethylene covered stent. Background: Transcatheter dilation of aortic coarctation carries the risk of aneurysm or rupture. Covered stent implantation reduces this risk but requires a large delivery system. The Advanta V12 LD covered stent is premounted and requires a 9–11 Fr delivery system. Methods: Covered stents on balloons of a diameter sufficient to anchor the stent in the coarctation were implanted using the smallest available delivery system. Secondary dilation with larger diameter balloons was performed until the pressure gradient was <20 mm Hg and the stent was opposed to the aortic wall. Results: Twenty‐five patients with aortic coarctation underwent stent implantation. Coarctation diameter increased from (6.3 ± 3.5) mm to (14.4 ± 2.3) mm (P < 0.0001). Peak pressure gradient decreased from (25.3 ± 11.6) mm Hg to (2.5 ± 3.0) mm Hg (P < 0.0001). The stent achieved the desired diameter in all cases. There were no complications. At short‐term median follow‐up of 4.9 months, all patients are alive and well with no evidence of recoarctation or aneurysm. Conclusions: These initial results show that the covered Advanta V12LD stent is safe and effective in the immediate treatment of coarctation of the aorta through a low profile delivery system of 8–11 Fr. Long term follow up is required.

Endobronchial Closure of Bronchopleural Fistulae Using Amplatzer Devices : Our Experience and Literature Review

Bronchopulmonary fistulae (BPFs) are a severe complication of lobectomy and pneumonectomy and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We have developed a novel, minimally invasive method of central BPF closure using Amplatzer devices (ADs) that were originally designed for the transcatheter closure of cardiac defects. Ten patients with 11 BPFs (eight men and two women, aged 66.3±10.1 years [mean±SD]) were treated under conscious sedation with bronchoscopic closure of the BPFs using ADs. A nitinol double-disk occluder device was delivered under direct bronchoscopic guidance over a guidewire into the fistula. By extruding a disk on either side of the BPF, the fistula was occluded. Bronchography was performed by injecting contrast medium through the delivery sheath following the procedure to ensure correct device positioning. In nine patients, the procedure was successful and symptoms related to the BPF disappeared following closure by the AD. The results were maintained over a median follow-up period of 9 months. Therefore, we state that endobronchial closure using an AD is a safe and effective method for treatment of a postoperative BPF.

Computer-generated real-time digital holography: first time use in clinical medical imaging

AIMS Assessment of the feasibility of creating real-time interactive 3D digital holograms in a standard catheterization laboratory. 3D medical images are typically displayed and interacted with on 2D screens limiting their usefulness. A digital computer-generated real-time holographic display of patients 3D data could provide a spatially accurate image with all the depth cues and afford interaction within the image. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a feasibility study of creating real-time interactive 3D digital holograms with a purpose-built prototype using intraprocedural data from 3D rotational angiography and live 3D transesophageal echocardiography. The primary objective was to demonstrate that all the anatomical landmarks identified on standard imaging can be similarly identified using dynamic and static holographic images. The secondary objective was to demonstrate the usability of interactions with the image. Parameters were assessed by a rating scale. Eight patients were enrolled of whom five underwent transcatheter ASD closure using 3DTEE and three patients were evaluated by 3D rotational angiography. In all cases dynamic real-time and static 3D holograms were created in standard cath lab conditions. Four individual observers identified all anatomical landmarks on the holographic display independently from the 2D display. Interactions with the hologram including marking, cropping and rotation were performed. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of generating high quality, clinically relevant, 3D real-time colour dynamic holograms in a standard clinical setting with real patient volumetric data. The impact of computer-generated holography needs to be evaluated in controlled clinical trials.

Transcatheter closure of large congenital coronary‐cameral fistulae with Amplatzer devices

Objectives: To report on the methods and results of treatment of large congenital coronary‐cameral fistulae by transcatheter closure with Amplatzer devices. Background: Large coronary‐cameral fistulae cause a steal phenomenon from the normal coronary circulation. Surgical closure is an option. However, transcatheter methods allow for temporary occlusion, definition of anatomy, and online assessment of successful closure. Amplatzer devices are compact occluders that can be fully delivered, collapsed, and repositioned until a satisfactory position is attained. Methods: Coronary and fistula anatomy were defined by selective coronary angiography with or without temporary occlusion. Device closure of the fistula was performed at the most distal point accessible, often from the cameral side using an arteriovenous loop method. Results: Ten patients of median age 2.6 years (0.5–52.2) and weight 14.4 kg (6.1–67) underwent an attempt at transcatheter closure of a large fistula. In nine patients, the fistula was closed successfully with a device. There were no complications. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of coronary‐cameral fistula with Amplatzer devices is safe and effective.

The Amplatzer duct occluder II additional sizes device for transcatheter PDA closure: Initial experience

To present our initial experience with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II Additional Sizes (ADOIIAS) device.

Anomalous origin of the pulmonary artery from the aorta: early diagnosis and repair leading to immediate physiological correction.

INTRODUCTION Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is a rare cardiac anomaly in which the pulmonary artery abnormally arises from the ascending aorta. Physiologically, most patients develop signs of cardiac failure due to high flow to both lungs, with systemic or supra-systemic pressures in the normally connected lung. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with this rare anomaly, in which early anatomic repair lead to rapid physiologic correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective case review of all patients with anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta at Schneider Childrens Medical center of Israel between 1986 and 2007. All clinical operative and echocardiographic charts were analysed. RESULTS Twelve patients were diagnosed as anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta. In 10 patients, the right pulmonary artery rose from the ascending aorta, while in two an anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery was associated with a right aortic arch. Initial diagnoses was made with two-dimensional echocardiography in all patients. In six patients, diagnostic cardiac catheterisation was performed in order to confirm the diagnosis. Age at diagnosis ranged from 5 to 180 days with a median of 15 days, and patient weight ranged from 780 grams to 5 kilograms, with a median of 3 kilograms. Initial echocardiographic evaluation showed systemic (four patients) or supra-systemic (seven patients) pressures in the right ventricle and normally connected lung. All underwent surgical repair. There was no operative mortality. All reconstructed patients achieved normal right ventricular pressures within days after surgery. The flow pattern in both pulmonary arteries was normalised. CONCLUSIONS Early surgical repair of anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta is feasible and safe even in newborn and premature babies with complete resolution of the pulmonary hypertension and normalisation of pulmonary vascular resistance.

Pulmonary hypertension specific treatment in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

When bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), morbidity and mortality are significantly increased. BPD‐associated PH is not included in the current indications for PH medications. However, limited data demonstrate hemodynamic improvement and decreased mortality with PH‐specific treatment. This report describes our 6‐year experience treating BPD‐associated PH with PH medications, mainly sildenafil.

Variable phenotypic presentation of a novel FOXF1 missense mutation in a single family.

Heterozygous mutations in the FOXF1 transcription factor gene are implicated in alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV), a developmental disorder of the lungs classically presenting with pulmonary hypertension and early demise. Evidence has suggested haploinsufficiency and partial paternal imprinting. We present a family with several affected members with an extremely variable phenotype.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia in children with limited fluoroscopy

BACKGROUND Limited fluoroscopy cryo-ablation using a 3D electro-anatomical system (3DS) has been used for AVNRT in children. We aimed to facilitate a fluoroscopy limited approach of RF ablation of AVNRT in children. METHODS A retrospective study was performed of procedure parameters in children undergoing RF ablation of AVNRT in 75 consecutive children (June 2011 to November 2013 - Group A) using standard fluoroscopy techniques compared to those of 64 consecutive children (December 2013 to May 2015 - Group B), using a fluoroscopy limited approach with 3DS. RESULTS The acute success rate was 98.7% (74/75) and 98.4% (63/64) for groups A and B, respectively. The recurrence rate was 2.7% (2/74) and 0% (0/63) with a mean follow-up period of 45.5±12.1 and 14.3±6.1months for group A and group B, respectively. The mean procedure and fluoroscopy times were significantly lower for group B compared to group A (119±37 (43-203) and 0.83±1.04 (0.05-3.83) minutes versus 146±53 (72-250) and 16.1±8.9 (4.39-55) minutes, p<0.003 and p<0.0001, respectively). There were no ablation-related complications. CONCLUSIONS A fluoroscopy limited approach for RF ablation of AVNRT in children using a 3DS is easily acquired and adapted, and significantly reduces the fluoroscopy and procedure time with excellent efficacy, safety and low recurrence rate. CONDENSED ABSTRACT This study confirmed that a 3D mapping system (3DS) to guide ablations of AVNRT in children reduces radiation exposure. Combined, limited fluoroscopy and 3DS in a methodology that resembles the familiar conventional fluoroscopy approach for RF ablation of AVNRT in children is proposed. Combined limited fluoroscopy and RF-energy in children with AVNRT are associated with a shorter procedure time, minimal fluoroscopy time, a high success rate and a low recurrence rate.