Yoshio Ootaki

Contemporary patterns of surgery and outcomes for aortic coarctation: An analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database

OBJECTIVEnThe objective of this study was to describe characteristics and early outcomes across a large multicenter cohort undergoing coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch repair.nnnMETHODSnPatients undergoing coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch repair (2006-2010) as their first cardiovascular operation in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database were included. Group 1 patients consisted of those with coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch without ventricular septal defect (coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch, isolated); group 2, coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch with ventricular septal defect (coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch, ventricular septal defect); and group 3, coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch with other major cardiac diagnoses (coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch, other).nnnRESULTSnThe cohort included 5025 patients (95 centers): group 1, 2705 (54%); group 2, 840 (17%); and group 3, 1480 (29%). Group 1 underwent coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch repair at an older age than groups 2 and 3 (groups 1, 2, and 3, 75%, 99%, and 88% <1 year old, respectively; Pxa0<xa0.0001). The most common operative techniques for coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch repair (group 1) were end-to-end (33%) or extended end-to-end (56%) anastomosis. Overall mortality was 2.4%, and was 1%, 2.5%, and 4.8% for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively (Pxa0<xa0.0001). Ventricular septal defect management strategies for group 2 patients includedxa0ventricular septal defect closure (nxa0=xa0211, 25%), pulmonary artery band (nxa0=xa089, 11%), or no intervention (nxa0=xa0540, 64%) without significant difference in mortality (4%, 1%, 2%; Pxa0=xa0.15). Postoperative complications occurred in 36% of patients overall and were more common in groups 2 and 3. There were no occurrences of spinal cord injury (0/973).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn the current era, primary coarctation or hypoplastic aortic arch repair is performed predominantly in neonates and infants. Overall mortality is low, although those with concomitant defects are at risk for higher morbidity and mortality. The risk of spinal cord injury is lower than previously reported.

Coronary Anomaly Preventing Transcatheter Closure of an Atrial Septal Defect

A 4-year-old asymptomatic girl presented for elective transcatheter closure of her ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Her examination revealed a fixed split second heart sound with a 2/6 systolic ejection murmur at the left upper sternal border and a right ventricular lift. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a 15-mm secundum ASD with a mildly dilated right ventricle. The left coronary artery (LCA) could not be readily identified on the study. The patient was referred for percutaneous device closure when a preprocedural transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a moderate-sized secundum ASD with left to right shunting, moderate right ventricle dilation, and an anomalous origin of the LCA from the right sinus of Valsalva was identified (Figure 1A). The origin and distribution of the right coronary artery was normal. Cardiac catheterization revealed a Qp:Qs …

Medium-Term Outcomes After Implantation of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Valved Conduit.

BACKGROUNDnPulmonary valve replacement is becoming the most frequent congenital heart surgery performed on adolescents and young adults. Numerous surgical options are available, including autologous pericardium, mechanical valves, allografts, and bioprosthetic valves. Each option has limitations with durability and freedom from reintervention for stenosis or insufficiency, particularly in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to analyze our uniquely designed, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) valved conduit (VC) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.nnnMETHODSnBeginning in 2012, ePTFE VC were implanted in 26 patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.0 to 15.9). Bicuspid VC were used in the first 3 patients, and tricuspid VC were used in 23 patients. The ePTFE VC is fashioned from commercially available ePTFE tube graft (16 mm in 1 patient, 20 mm in 7 patients, 24 mm in 18 patients) and 0.1 mm thick ePTFE membrane for the leaflet material. Valve function was assessed by echocardiogram after the implantation.nnnRESULTSnThere were no postoperative hospital deaths. Mean follow-up was 2.6 years (range, 4 months to 4.7 years), and there have been no reoperations for the ePTFE VC. There was one reintervention for stenosis at the distal anastomosis. Pulmonary insufficiency was mild or less in 24 patients (92%). The average peak instantaneous pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery was 22.4 ± 15.1 mm Hg at latest follow-up.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCompared with historical data for other pulmonary valve replacement options, our ePTFE VC shows superior medium-term performance, with less reintervention or significant valve dysfunction.

Timing of adding blood to prime affects inflammatory response to neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass.

Complications from systemic inflammation are reported in neonates following exposure to cardiopulmonary bypass. Although the use of asanguinous primes can reduce these complications, in neonates, this can result in significant haemodilution, requiring addition of blood. This study investigates whether the addition of blood after institution of bypass alters the inflammatory response compared with a blood prime. Neonatal swine were randomised into four groups: blood prime, blood after bypass but before cooling, blood after cooling but before low flow, and blood after re-warming. All groups were placed on central bypass, cooled, underwent low flow, and then re-warmed for a total bypass time of 2 hours. Although haematocrit values between groups varied throughout bypass, all groups ended with a similar value. Although they spent time with a lower haematocrit, asanguinous prime groups did not have elevated lactate levels at the end of bypass compared with blood prime. Asanguinous primes released less tumour necrosis factor α than blood primes (p=0.023). Asanguinous primes with blood added on bypass produced less interleukin 10 and tumour necrosis factor α (p=0.006, 0.019). Animals receiving blood while cool also showed less interleukin 10 and tumour necrosis factor α production than those that received blood warm (p=0.026, 0.033). Asanguinous primes exhibited less oedema than blood primes, with the least body weight gain noted in the end cool group (p=0.011). This study suggests that using an asanguinous prime for neonates being cooled to deep hypothermia is practical, and the later addition of blood reduces inflammation.

A Modification of the Pulmonary Autograft Procedure to Prevent Late Autograft Dilatation

Although the pulmonary autograft procedure for aortic valve replacement is a commonly utilized option for children, its use is diminishing in adult-aged patients. One commonly cited concern is the tendency for the pulmonary autograft to dilate in the aortic position. This article reviews a technique we have used in 36 patients since October, 2004 that stabilizes the autograft so that it cannot dilate. There have been no operative or late deaths and the autograft has continued to function in 34 patients. Two patients have undergone autograft replacement because of early failure, which we believe was likely related to technical considerations in our early technique (first reported in the 2005 STCVS Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual). The technical modifications described in this article have produced a more reliable and reproducible technique and have not resulted in any autograft failures in our experience. One patient with Marfans syndrome and a bicuspid aortic valve is symptom- and dilation-free 8 years post op, with no autograft or pulmonary homograft insufficiency, normal activity and a stable aortic root by serial echocardiography. Our results suggest that this technique might be applicable for selected adult patients in whom autograft growth is not necessary and for whom the risk of autograft dilatation would provide a reason to avoid a pulmonary autograft procedure.

Development of chylous ascites in an infant with ventricular septal defect: a case report

This case report describes chylous ascites associated with a CHD in a 4-month-old infant. Although atraumatic chylous ascites are a rare clinical finding, the recognition and treatment of chylous ascites influence the timing of cardiac surgery.

Ross procedure for patient with Marfan syndrome.

The most prominent long-term complication after the Ross procedure is the risk of autograft dilatation, and therefore its application in patients at increased perceived risk of autograft dilatation (those with bicuspid aortic valve disease, aortic insufficiency [AI] with dilated aorta, collagen vascular diseases such as Marfan syndrome) has been discouraged. We reported a modified Ross procedure in 2005 in which the autograft was completely encased in a polyester graft before implantation to prevent further dilatation of the autograft. This case report describes follow-up of a patient with Marfan syndrome who underwent this modified Ross procedure in Julyxa02005.

Neonatal ascending aortic thrombus: successful medical treatment.

Neonatal aortic thrombosis is a potentially life-threatening condition with significant morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed and untreated. The most common location of arterial thrombosis in neonates is in the abdominal aorta and is associated with umbilical artery catheterisation. There are only a few previous reports of thrombosis in the ascending aorta. We describe a case of ascending aortic thrombosis in a neonate who underwent successful thrombolytic therapy.