Vincenzo Poli

Prognostic role of BNP in children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease: analysis of prediction models incorporating standard risk factors.

Abstract Background: The routine use of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in pediatric cardiac surgery remains controversial. Our aim was to test whether BNP adds information to predict risk in pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: In all, 587 children undergoing cardiac surgery (median age 6.3 months; 1.2–35.9 months) were prospectively enrolled at a single institution. BNP was measured pre-operatively, on every post-operative day in the intensive care unit, and before discharge. The primary outcome was major complications and length ventilator stay >15 days. A first risk prediction model was fitted using Cox proportional hazards model with age, body surface area and Aristotle score as continuous predictors. A second model was built adding cardiopulmonary bypass time and arterial lactate at the end of operation to the first model. Then, peak post-operative log-BNP was added to both models. Analysis to test discrimination, calibration, and reclassification were performed. Results: BNP increased after surgery (p<0.001), peaking at a mean of 63.7 h (median 36 h, interquartile range 12–84 h) post-operatively and decreased thereafter. The hazard ratios (HR) for peak-BNP were highly significant (first model HR=1.40, p=0.006, second model HR=1.44, p=0.008), and the log-likelihood improved with the addition of BNP at 12 h (p=0.006; p=0.009). The adjunction of peak-BNP significantly improved the area under the ROC curve (first model p<0.001; second model p<0.001). The adjunction of peak-BNP also resulted in a net gain in reclassification proportion (first model NRI=0.089, p<0.001; second model NRI=0.139, p=0.003). Conclusions: Our data indicates that BNP may improve the risk prediction in pediatric cardiac surgery, supporting its routine use in this setting.

Tranexamic Acid Therapy in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND We conducted a retrospective study of cyanotic and acyanotic patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass to determine the effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and blood products administered during the operation in pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS From January 2008 to December 2011, during 2 different periods, a total of 231 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (123 cyanotic, 108 acyanotic) were included in this study. A total of 104 patients were in the antifibrinolytic group and exclusively treated with tranexamic acid that was given as a bolus of 20 mg/kg(-1) after anesthetic induction and 20 mg/kg(-1) after protamine. The other 127 patients were in the control group. We analyzed intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of tranexamic acid administration. RESULTS There were no differences in mortality or operative time, but blood loss in 48 hours was greater in the control group (p=0.0012). A significant difference was found in the amount of intraoperative erythrocyte concentrate transfused (140±55 vs 170±78 mL, p=0.0011) but not in number. The number and amount of erythrocyte concentrate transfused in the first 48 postoperative hours were also greater in the control group (45 vs 77 patients, p=0.012; 100±40 vs 120±55 mL, p=0.0022). There were not many differences in the effect of tranexamic acid between the cyanotic and acyanotic subgroup. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective study provides evidence that tranexamic acid may be used in the field of congenital cardiac surgery effectively.

First experience with sildenafil after Fontan operation: short-term outcomes.

Background We conducted a retrospective study to determine the effect of oral sildenafil administrated as monotherapy after Fontan operation in single ventricle physiology. Methods From January 2008 to March 2012, during two different periods, a total of 30 pediatric patients undergoing Fontan operation by extracardiac conduit were included in this study. Thirteen patients were in the sildenafil group and exclusively treated with sildenafil given at the dose of 0.35 mg/kg through a nasogastric tube and then orally every 4 h, at the start of cardiopulmonary bypass and for the first postoperative week; then we reduced and discontinued the therapy. The other 17 patients were in the control group. No other vasodilator was administered in both groups. We analyzed intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of sildenafil administration. Results There were no differences in mortality or operative time. The total and relative drainage loss was lower in the sildenafil group (P = 0.0003 and 0.0045). The hemodynamic parameters showed a better condition in the sildenafil group, with a lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (P = 0.0001) and better mPAP to mean systemic blood pressure (mSBP) ratio (P = 0.0043), whereas there was no difference in peripheral oxygen saturation (P = 0.31). The sidenafil group patients showed other additional positive differences as well as lower inotropic score (P = 0.0005) and intubation time (P = 0.0004). No complications related to the use of sildenafil were noted in any of the children studied. Conclusion This initial experience provides evidence that sildenafil may be used in postoperative Fontan operation with positive effectiveness.

Supra-Annular Mitral Valve Implantation in Very Small Children

Mitral valve replacement (MVR) is a surgical option when mitral valvuloplasty is not feasible/successful. This study reviews our experience with MVR in very young children.

Custodiol Solution and Cold Blood Cardioplegia in Arterial Switch Operation: Retrospective Analysis in a Single Center.

BACKGROUND The cardioplegia is one of the most significant tools used to increase myocardial protection. The aim of our study is to compare the use of Custodiol solution versus intermitted blood cardioplegia in a retrospective analysis of data for patients who underwent arterial switch operation in our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 2008 to March 2011, myocardial protection was performed in 44 neonates (blood group) with intermittent blood cardioplegia. From March 2011 to November 2014, myocardial protection was performed in 50 neonates (Custodiol group) with one-shot anterograde Custodiol cardioplegia. RESULTS Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp were more favorable in Custodiol group (p-value 0.005 and ≤ 0.00001). The rate of delayed sternal closure was 63.6% in the blood group and 52% in the Custodiol group (p = 0.25). In the postoperative outcomes we did not find differences between the two groups. The 30-day mortality was one patient in the blood group (p = 0.46). We observed a transient ischemic electrocardiogram in 10 patients of the blood group and in 14 of the Custodiol group (p = 0.72), all cases with full resolution during hospitalization without coronary reoperation. A trend of higher peak of troponin-I and brain natriuretic peptide in Custodiol group has been reported. CONCLUSION No prefect cardioplegia exists, the Custodiol solution does not cause extra/additional myocardial damage in arterial switch operation. In our experience this strategy seems warranted to simplify the procedure and to be more comfortable for the surgeon.

Tracheal surgery in children: outcome of a 12-year survey

OBJECTIVES Despite the fact that team management has improved the results in recent years, perioperative deaths and complications remain high in paediatric tracheal surgery. We reviewed our institutional experience by comparing our results with those in the literature. METHODS Between 2005 and 2017, 30 children underwent surgery for tracheal disease. Fifteen were boys and fifteen were girls (50% vs 50%). The median age at operation was 7 months (15 days-9.6 years), and the median weight was 5.2 kg (2.8-34 kg). Congenital tracheal stenosis was diagnosed in 25 children (83.3%), and 5 (16.7%) had acquired lesions. The mean internal diameter in congenital tracheal stenosis was 1.5 mm, with complete tracheal rings present in all patients. Associated malformations were bronchopulmonary in 11 cases (36.7%) and cardiovascular in 16 (53.3%). RESULTS No in-hospital deaths occurred in our data set. Overall mortality was 4 of 30 cases (13.3%). Twenty-four endoscopic reinterventions were required in 19 children (63%) and consisted of stent positioning in 13 (43.3%), balloon dilatation in 5 (16.7%), granulation removal in 4 (13.3%) and tracheostomy in 2 (6.7%). Of the survivors (26 of 30, 86.7%), 11 children (42.3%) did not require further examination on adequate tracheal diameter for age and absence of symptoms after a median follow-up period of 3.5 years. CONCLUSIONS The result of paediatric tracheal surgery depends on several factors. The number of cases treated at a particular centre is an important one, but our experience, although limited, can be compared with that at centres with a higher volume of cases. We emphasize the need for applying a multidisciplinary approach to master the surgical command of different reconstructive tracheal procedures, to manage associated defects, particularly cardiovascular defects, and to manage complications under endoscopic guidance. These can be considered the mainstays of building a successful tracheal programme.

False-aneurysm after xenograft implantation for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.

A 12-year-old male with pulmonary atresia and a ventricular septal defect (VSD) underwent surgical correction at 1 year of age with implantation of a 16-mm xenograft conduit (Sorin Biomedica Inc., Saluggia, Italy), closure of the VSD, and enlargement of both pulmonary arteries with autologous pericardium. At the age of 5, he developed stenosis of the conduit (mean gradient = 60mmHg), and underwent replacement of the conduit with a 22-mmHancock conduit (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) using autologous pericardium to buttress the right ventricular (RV)-conduit anastomosis. At the age of 12, he redeveloped conduit stenosis (RV systolic pressure = 87mmHg) and a false aneurysm was noted at the RV-conduit anastomosis with extensive calcification throughout the conduit (Figure 1). The patient was placed on bypass initially via groin cannulation and subsequently aorto-bicaval cannulation. The stenotic conduit was excised and replaced with a 25-mm Hancock conduit (Figure 2). The patient tolerated the procedure well. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Diagnostic accuracy and prognostic valued of plasmatic Cystatin-C in children undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND Diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) is often delayed in children after cardiac surgery due to the lack of an early biomarker of renal damage. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma cystatin-C as an early biomarker of AKI and its prognostic value in pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS Cystatin-C and creatinine were measured pre-operatively and at 2-6-12h post-surgery. The primary outcome was: AKI (defined as an increase of ≥1.5 of plasma creatinine from baseline) and a composite marker, including major complications and/or extubation time>15days. Risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, considering some continuous predictors in the basal model (i.e., age, body surface area and Aristotle-score) to which cystatin-C peak values were added. Discrimination, calibration, and reclassification tests were also performed. RESULTS 248 children (140 males) undergoing cardiac surgery (median age 6.5months; IQR: 1.7-40.1months; range 0-17years) have been enrolled. Post operatory Cystatin-C values were found to be an early diagnostic marker of AKI showing the best area under the ROC curve value (AUC) at 12h (0.746, CI 95% 0.674-0.818). In the multivariable analyses, peak cystatin-C values showed a significant hazard ratio (HR=2.665, CI 95% 1.750-4.059, p<0.001). Finally, post operatory cystatin-C at 12h significantly improved the AUC (p=0.017) compared to basal model, resulting a net gain in reclassification proportion (NRI=0.417, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data show that cystatin-C should be considered an early biomarker of AKI, improving the risk prediction for complicated outcome in pediatric cardiac surgery.