ObjectiveTo investigate effectiveness and safety of right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy (RVIAT) in surgical repair for intra-cardiac anomalies combined with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 34 patients who underwent intra-cardiac correction of congenital heart defects and PDA ligation simultaneously via RVIAT in our hospital from August 2014 to August 2019. There were 25 males and 9 females with an age range of 0.5-6.1 years.ResultsThe length of incision was 3.0 (3.0, 3.5) cm. The operation time lasted 110.0 (90.0, 121.0) min. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was 45.5 (38.8, 63.5) min and the aortic cross-clamp time was 22.5 (14.8, 34.8) min. The bleeding volume was 20.0 (13.8, 20.0) mL. ICU stay time was 17.0 (5.5, 22.3) h, post-operative mechanical ventilation time was 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) h, total in-hospital cost was 46 (39, 51) thousand yuan. There was no mortality or reoperation during perioperative and follow-up period. Within the median follow-up of 636.0 days, 1 patient had minimal residual ventricular septal defect shunt while no new-onset scoliosis, funnel chest or pectus carinatum was detected. No bilateral mammary developmental asymmetry was observed in the female patients during the follow-up period. All the patients’ parents or guardians were satisfied with the right vertical infra-axillary aesthetic skin incision.ConclusionThe minimally invasive repair for intra-cardiac heart defects combined with PDA via RVIAT is a safe and effective method with minimal invasiveness and excellent cosmesis.
In patients with a functionally univentricular heart, the Fontan strategy achieves separation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation and reduction of ventricular volume overload. Contemporary modifications of surgical techniques have significantly improved survival rate. However, the resulting Fontan physiology is associated with high morbidity. Despite large improvements in outcomes of contemporary Fontan patients, a large burden of disease exists in this patient population. In face of the imbalance of medical resources in China and different understanding of Fontan treatment in various regions, there is no consensus on the current status of Fontan strategy, surgical technique and perioperative treatment. By reviewing large amounts of literature, assessing survival rate and risk factors for mortality and complications of the Fontan circulation, knowledge sharing from tens of experts, we achieved a consensus on many aspects of palliation of Fontan. We hope this consensus will help Chinese colleagues further continue their efforts to improve surgical outcomes of the univentricular heart patients.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the immediate effects and the near and midterm followup results of transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis to find out an effective plan for onestop balloon valvuloplasty. Methods From March 2006 to March 2010, 32 patients including 23 males and 9 females with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis were treated in Fu Wai Hospital. Their age ranged from 5 days to 11 months (4.59±3.21 months). Weight of the patients ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 kg (6.48±2.05 kg). Dilatation was performed under general anesthesia with intubation and the guidance of echocardiography. During the follow-up period, all survivors had serial echocardiographic assessment to measure the transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG) and the degree of pulmonary regurgitation. Results All operations were successful with no severe postoperative complications. Hemodynamic indexes were stable after operation with TPG lowered from from 82±27 mm Hg preoperatively to 23±12 mm Hg postoperatively (t=15.28, Plt;0.05). Only 4 patients had a TPG of more than 40 mm Hg on echocardiography before leaving the hospital. Tricuspid regurgitation was decreased significantly with 17 cases of nonregurgitation, 13 cases of light regurgitation and 2 cases of moderate regurgitation. Saturation of peripheral oxygen in all the patients increased to higher than 95%. Followup time ranged from 1 month to 4 years (16±11 months). The results of the follow-up were satisfying for all the patients. The average TPG was 17±10 mm Hg with only one above 40 mm Hg. Pulmonary valve regurgitation was found in 24 patients including 23 with light pulmonary regurgitation and 1 with moderate regurgitation. Conclusion Transthoracic balloon valvuloplasty for newborns and infants with severe and critical pulmonary valve stenosis is safe and effective.
ObjectiveTo summarize the treatment results of double aortic arch (DAA) by minimally invasive surgical technique. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of DAA patients who underwent minimally invasive surgeries in our center between October 2016 and August 2021. ResultsThere were 11 males and 4 females with a mean age of 3-61 (20.00±18.80) years. There were 8 patients of DAA and 7 patients of DAA complicated with distal left-sided aortic arch atresia and ligamentum connection. All patients received operations through minimal subaxillary incision, 13 patients were through left side and 2 patients were through right side. One patient with ventricular septal defect was performed operations concurrently under the cardiopulmonary bypass through right minimal subaxillary incision. All patients had symptom improvement without surgery related complications or death in postoperative period. The duration of operation was 30-192 (61.93±40.19) min and mechanical ventilation time was 2-9 (5.33±2.53) h. The length of ICU stay was 18-124 (51.00±38.07) h and hospital stay time was 8-21 (12.67±3.42) d. All patients had symptomatic relief with good growth and exercise tolerance during the follow-up of 6 (3, 9) months. ConclusionMinimally invasive surgical technique is a safe, effective and cosmetic approach with good results for DAA treatment.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical characteristics and outcome of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in children aged no more than 14 years, and to discuss the selection of prosthesis.MethodsFrom September 2002 to August 2019, 14 patients aged no more than 14 years who received TVR were included in our study. There were 9 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 9.8±4.3 years.ResultsMechanical prosthesis was implanted in 8 patients, and bioprosthesis in 6 patients. The mean cardiopulmonary time and aortic-clamp time was 170.3±109.8 min and 95.1±63.1 min, respectively. The mortality within 30 days after surgery was 21.4% (3/14), and all 3 patients died of severe low cardiac output syndrome. Eleven patients were followed up for 34-199 (100.1±57.4) months. During the follow-up, mechanical prosthesis dysfunction occurred in 3 patients, 2 of whom received secondary TVR. One patient died during the follow-up.ConclusionThe bioprosthesis is the first choice for TVR in children. Some long-term complications may occur after TVR, and close follow-up and timely intervention are needed.
Abstract： Objective?To evaluate clinical experiences and long-term outcome of morphologic left ventricle （mLV） retraining for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries （cCTGA）. Methods From May 2005 to May 2011, 24 patients with cCTGA anomaly underwent left ventricle retraining by means of pulmonary artery banding in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 13 males and 11 females with their age of 0.17-22.00 （3.73±4.35） years and body weight of 5.10-61.00（15.71±10.95）kg. Major concomitant malformations included tricuspid valve insufficiency （TR）in 23 patients （mild in 11 patients, moderate in 7 patients, severe in 5 patients）, restrictive ventricular septal defect in 18 patients, atrial septal defect in 5 patients, patent foramen ovale in 5 patients, patent ductus arteriosus in 4 patients, mild pulmonary stenosis in 5 patients, and aortic coarctation in 1 patient. All the patients were preoperatively diagnosed by echocardiography, cardiovascular angiography or cardiac catheterization. The mLV end diastolic diameter （mLVEDD） was 8-32（21.56±6.60）mm, posterior wall thickness of mLV was 2-7 （4.29±1.52）mm , mLV to morphologic right ventricle （mRV） pressure ratio （mLV/mRV） was 0.12-0.65 （0.41±0.12）. Pulmonary artery banding operation was performed through upper partial sternotomy or median sternotomy without circulatory arrest. Results The mLV/mRV pressure ratio reached to 0.57-0.93 （0.76±0.10） under direct pressure monitoring after surgery. There was no in-hospital death in this group. Echocardiography before discharge showed that the structure and function of the two ventricles were good, the interventricular septum moved partially towards mRV, mLVEDD was increased slightly, and there was a tendency of reduced TR. Postoperative follows-up was from 1 to 35 months, and there was no late death during follow-up. All the patients were in good general condition with stable vital signs and New York Heart Association （NYHA） classⅠ-Ⅱ. The mLVEDD was 14-40 （26.17±7.11） mm, posterior wall thickness of mLV was 4-9 （4.95±1.44）mm, mLV/mRV pressure ratio was 0.52-0.98 （0.72±0.16） , and TR was significantly decreased. Fourteen patients successfully underwent staged complete double-switch procedure. Conclusion Left ventricle retraining is a safe and effective method to train mLV for cCTGA patients. Pressure load and posterior wall thickness of mLV are increased, mLV cavity is dilated, and TR is significantly reduced after the surgery.
Objective To analyze pathologic features and surgical procedures for patients with unroofed coronary sinus syndrome (UCSS) associated with endocardial cushion defect (ECD). Methods The clinical data of 44 patients with UCSS and ECD from May 1998 to July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 males and 26 females with a mean age of 10.4±12.1 years (range: 5.0 months to 44.0 years) and mean weight of 25.2±20.9 kg (range 5.2-80.0 kg). According to the Kirklin and Barratt-Boyes classification, 28 patients were categorized into type Ⅰ, 5 typeⅡ , 4 type Ⅲ and 7 type Ⅳ. Among them 25 patients suffered partial ECD, 10 complete ECD, 9 transitional ECD, and 27 were associated with single atrium, 34 involved persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), and in 27 of the 34 patients PLSVC directly drained into the left atrium (LA). Among the 44 patients, 1 patient associated with complex anomalies underwent palliative operation, and other cardiac malformations were corrected simultaneously by surgical correction. PLSVC was ligated in 2 patients, and the intracardiac tunnels or baffles to drain PLSVC to right atrium (RA) were reconstructed in 25 patients. The associated cardiac lesions were corrected concomitantly. Results In-hospital death occurred in 2 patients, among whom 1 died of low cardiac output syndrome on postoperative day 8 and the other pulmonary infection on postoperative day 21. Thirty-one were followed up from 1 month to 10 years, and there was no death or severe complications. Conclusion When ECD is associated with PLSVC and a single atrium, UCSS may develop. Repair according to the type of UCSS is effective.
We reported a case of a six-year-old boy diagnosed of single ventricle, pulmonary atresia and interrupted inferior vena cava. After modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and bidirectional Glenn procedure, he received the Fontan procedure. The Fontan procedure was done through a unilateral thoracotomy, using an autologous pericardial conduit to connect hepatic vein and azygos vein. The result of short-term follow-up was satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo analyze the surgical results of patients with supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) in a single pediatric cardiac center.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 98 pediatric patients with supracardiac TAPVC receiving surgical repair from 2014 to 2019 in our center. There were 64 males and 34 females with a median surgical age of 3.0 (1.5, 7.0) months and a median weight of 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) kg. Twenty-three (23.5%) patients had preoperative pulmonary vein obstruction. Ninety-two (93.9%) patients received conventional surgical repair, while six (6.1%) patients were treated with the sutureless technique. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 26.50 (5.75, 44.25) months. There were 9 (9.2%) deaths. Lower weight at the time of repair (P=0.013) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.007) were associated with mortality. Postoperative pulmonary vein obstruction was observed in 8 (8.2%) patients. Associated risk factors for postoperative pulmonary vein obstruction included lower weight at the time of repair (P=0.042) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.002).ConclusionSurgical repair of supracardiac TAPVC has achieved satisfactory results in our center. Risk factors such as lower weight at the time of repair and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time are associated with a poor prognosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the mid- and long-term outcomes of different surgical techniques for subaortic stenosis.MethodsThe clinical data of 75 patients with subaortic stenosis who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 2008 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 48 males and 27 females, with a median age of 72 (48, 132) months and mean weight of 21.35±15.82 kg. There were 40 (53.3%) patients combined with aortic regurgitation; 38 (50.7%) patients were the first time and 37 patients were the second time to receive the operation. According to the surgical techniques, 75 patients were divided into two groups: a group A (40 patients with simple subaortic membrane resection) and a group B (35 patients with subaortic membrane and muscle resection or modified Konno procedure).ResultsTwo (2.67%) patients died in hospital. There was one late death in the group B. The average preoperative and postoperative pressure gradient of all patients was 69.96±42.02 mm Hg and 7.44±12.45 mm Hg, respectively. All patients were followed up for 51 (12, 120) months. Pressure gradient at follow-up in the group A and the group B was 8.83±14.52 mm Hg and 5.86±9.53 mm Hg, respectively with no statistical difference (P=0.294). Four patients in the group A and 2 patients in the group B needed reintervention. However, there was no statistical difference in the long-term reintervention rate between the two groups (P=0.480).ConclusionFor the different degree of lesions in the left ventricular outflow tract, our management strategy is feasible. Although there is no statistical difference between two the groups in the long-term reintervention rate after simple valvular membrane resection, prolonged follow-up is necessary to examine the long-term outcomes of different surgical techniques.