ObjectiveTo summarize the relationship between preoperative duration of mechanical ventilation and prognosis in patients with ventricular septal defect. MethodsThe clinical data of patients with ventricular septal defect requiring ventilator support preoperatively and undergoing surgical treatment in our hospital from May 2009 to May 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the duration of preoperative ventilation, the patients were divided into three groups: a group A (0-47 hours), a group B (48-96 hours), and a group C (>96 hours). Each group's postoperative recovery, complications, and medical costs were analyzed. Results Finally 272 patients were enrolled, including 154 males and 118 females, with a median surgical age of 2 (1, 4) months. There were 43 patients in the group A, 75 patients in the group B, and 154 patients in the group C. Early death occured in 3 (1.3%) patients, all in the group C. No statistical difference in mortality was found among the three groups (P=0.734). The mean postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation in the three groups was 158.6±133.5 hours, 101.2±56.1 hours, and 133.1±97.9 hours, respectively. The group B had significantly shorter duration than the other two groups (P<0.05). The mean postoperative hospital stay in the three groups was 17.5±9.9 days, 13.5±5.8 days, and 16.5±10.8 days, respectively. Postoperative hospital stay in the group B was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). The mean total in-hospital cost in the three groups were 89 000±34 000 yuan, 87 000±21 000 yuan, and 109 000±41 000 yuan, respectively. The costs in the group C were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P≤0.001). ConclusionPrompt surgical repair is necessary for patients with ventricular septal defects requiring ventilator support preoperatively. However, attention should be paid to surgical timing. Preoperative duration of mechanical ventilation is associated with better surgical outcomes within 48-96 hours than 0-47 hours or >96 hours.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of additional tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TVP) and isolated closure for atrial septal defect (ASD) with moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). MethodsClinical data of the patients diagnosed with ASD combined with secondary moderate to severe TR and treated in our hospital from January 2009 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a TVP group and a non-TVP group based on whether TVP was performed simultaneously. The baseline data of two groups were matched with a ratio of 1∶1 propensity score. ResultsA total of 32 pairs from 257 patients were successfully matched. In the TVP group, there were 24 females and 8 males with an average age of 44.0±13.1 years. In the non-TVP group, there were 28 females and 4 males with an average age of 44.5±11.6 years. The TR area and estimated pulmonary artery pressure in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with preoperation (all P<0.001). The TR area (P=0.001) and the estimated pulmonary artery pressure (P=0.002) were decreased more significantly in the TVP group than those in the non-TVP group. Linear regression analysis showed that age and preoperative TR area had a positive correlation with TR area at follow-up (β=0.045 and 0.259, respectively, both P<0.05), while additional TVP had a negative correlation (β=–1.542, P=0.001). ConclusionAdditional TVP can significantly reduce the TR area and pulmonary artery pressure, and elderly patients with severe TR before surgery should actively receive TVP.
Objective To summarize the surgical treatment experience in neonates with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH). Methods The neonates with CoA and AAH who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The postoperative complications, long-term survival rate, and freedom from aortic reobstruction were analyzed. Patients undergoing extended end-to-end anastomosis were allocated into an extended end-to-end group, those undergoing extended end-to-side anastomosis into an extended end-to-side group, and those undergoing pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty into a patch aortoplasty group.Results Finally 44 patients were enrolled, including 37 males and 7 females, aged 5.00-30.00 (19.34±7.61) days and weighted 2.00-4.50 (3.30±0.60) kg. There were 19 patients of extended end-to-end anastomosis, 19 patients of extended end-to-side anastomosis, and 6 patients of pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty. The mean values of the Z scores of the proximal, distal, and isthmus of the aortic arch were –2.91±1.52, –3.40±1.30, and –4.04±1.98, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 45.6±3.7 months. There were 2 early deaths and no late deaths. Aortic reobstruction occurred in 8 patients, and 3 patients underwent reoperation intervention. The 5-year rate of freedom from reobstruction was 78.8%. The Cox multivariable regression analysis showed that the related factors for postoperative reobstruction were the Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch (HR=0.152, 95%CI 0.038-0.601, P=0.007) and the postoperative left main bronchus compression (HR=15.261, 95%CI 1.104-210.978, P=0.042). Conclusion Three surgical procedures for neonates with CoA and AAH are safe and effective, but the aortic reobstruction rate in long term is not low. The smaller Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch and the postoperative left main bronchus compression are risk factors for long-term aortic reobstruction.
ObjectiveTo compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on the patients who were diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) and underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between January 2010 and December 2020. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: the whole pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection group (pericardial tube group), and the patch expansion right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection group (patch expansion group). The patients' general clinical data and cardiopulmonary bypass data were documented, and the cardiac CT data obtained before and after the surgery were compared with the clinical and imaging data. ResultsFinally 51 patients were collected, including 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. There were 19 patients in the pericardial tube group, with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, and 32 patients in the patch expansion group with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter, McGoon index, and Nakata index were significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group required a longer occlusion time (P<0.001). The rate of reoperation was high, with 72.5% of patients requiring further surgery. Specifically, 26 (81.3%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.2%) patients in the pericardial tube group finally completed radical resection. There was no statistical difference observed in the long-term cure rate or mortality between the two groups. Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, the use of patch expansion or pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection as the initial palliative treatment strategy can promote the development of pulmonary vessels and provide a favorable basis for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to pericardial tube, patch expanded right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection is a simpler procedure to perform and retains some of the intrinsic pulmonary artery development potential, thus making it a preferred procedure.