Objective To evaluate the application of three-dimensional printing technique in surgical treatments on complex congenital heart diseases. Methods Two patients were enrolled with complex congenital heart diseases. The computerized tomography data were used to build the 3D architecture of cardiac anomalies. The White-Jet-Process technique was used to print the models with 1∶1 ratio in size. The models were used to make the treatment strategy making, young surgeon training and operation simulation. Results The full color and hollowed-out cardiac models with 1∶1 ration in size were printed successfully. They were transected at the middle point of vertical axis, which was conveniently to explore the intracardiac anomalies. However, for patient 1, the model lost the atrial septal defect. Taking the two models as references, operation group held preoperative consultation, operation simulation, and finally, the operation plans were determined for the two patients. Both the two operation were carried out smoothly. Conclusion Although the limitations of 3D printing still exist in the application for congenital heart diseases, making the preoperative plan and operation simulation via 3D cardiac model could enhance the understanding of following operation and procedure details, which could improve the tacit cooperation among operation group members. Furthermore, operation results also could be improved potentially. Therefore, the cardiac 3D printing should be popularized in clinic in the future.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term clinical effect and risk factors of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) as a relief treatment for adult patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery (CCTGA).Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 47 adult patients with CCTGA who underwent tricuspid valve replacement in Fuwai Hospital between 2000 and 2017 year. There were 27 males and 20 females with operation age of 14–62 (38.8±13.5) years. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate or more tricuspid regurgitation in all patients. The basic data of patients before and during operation were recorded. Survival was followed up by telephone and ultrasound report.ResultsThe average follow-up time was 6.5±3.7 years. The 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rate or the incidence of heart transplant-free was 94.6%, 90.5% and 61.7%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the long-term right ventricular ejection fraction of most patients (>90%) was still greater than or equal to 40%. Increased preoperative right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVEDD) was a risk factor for death or heart transplantation (risk ratio 1∶11, P=0.04). The survival rate of patients with RVEDD (>60 mm) before operation was significantly reduced (P=0.032).ConclusionTVP is a feasible treatment for adult patients with CCTGA. The increase of preoperative RVEDD is a risk factor for long-term mortality.
ObjectiveTo summarize our experience of critical congenital heart diseases treatment system for the newborn and to report its surgical results.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical data of 97 neonates with congenital heart diseases who admitted to pediatric cardiac center from January 2019 to August 2020 in our hospital. The patients were divided into a prenatal and postnatal diagnosis and treatment integration group (integrated group, n=41), and a postnatal diagnosis and rapid admission by green channel group (non-integrated group, n=56).ResultsThe age of admission in the integrated group was younger than that in the non-integrated group (3.0 d vs. 11.0 d, P<0.001), and the weight was lighter (3.3±0.4 kg vs. 3.6±0.6 kg, P=0.006), operation age was younger (13.0 d vs. 17.5 d, P=0.004), proportion of palliative surgery was smaller (2.4% vs. 8.9%, P=0.396), time for ventilator assistance was longer (153.0 h vs. 65.0 h, P=0.020), hospital mortality was lower (0.0% vs. 7.1%, P=0.135). There was no significant difference in the follow-up (11.0 months vs. 12 months, P=1.000), out-of-hospital mortality (2.4% vs. 1.8%, P=1.000) and total mortality (2.4% vs. 8.9%, P=0.396) between the two groups.ConclusionPrenatal and postnatal diagnosis and treatment integration can significantly shorten the diagnosis and the hospitalization interval of newborn, that surgical intervention could be performed timely. It can reduce the risk of death before surgery but need longer time for recovery after surgery. Patients with postnatal diagnosis and admitted hospital through green channel also can get perfect results if surgical intervention is performed timely.
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.
Objective To modify the sewing technique of a hand-made bicuspid pulmonary valve using the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction for summarizing the short-term experience. Methods The patients with complex congenital heart diseases and concurrent contaminant pulmonary regurgitation that underwent right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction through the bicuspid pulmonary valve were enrolled. The postoperative artificial valve function and right ventricle function indexes were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were collected, including 10 males and 7 females, with an average age of 18.18 years and an average weight of 40.94 kg. Of 17 patients, 16 used valved conduit for the reconstruction of the right ventricle outflow tract with the size ranging from 18 to 24 mm. There was no patient requiring mechanical circulatory support and no in-hospital death. During the follow-up with a mean period of 12.89 months, only one vale dysfunction occurred without any complications and adverse events (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrium diameter, right ventricle diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area significantly decreased in contrast to those preoperatively (P<0.05). Conclusion Sewing the bicuspid pulmonary valve utilizing 0.1 mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene is a feasible, effective, and safe technique of right ventricle outflow tract reconstruction in the field of complex congenital heart diseases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the anesthesia management of transcatheter ultrasound-guided percutaneous interventional therapy for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease at a mobile surgical platform. Methods From March to July 2023, 13 patients in remote areas underwent interventional surgery on the mobile truck operating platform. The patients undergoing general anesthesia using non-tracheal intubation were collected. ResultsFinally, 8 patients received monitored anesthesia care (MAC) with local anesthesia-assisted sedation and analgesia drugs under the supervision of anesthesiologists (general anesthesia using non-tracheal intubation), due to the patients having difficulty cooperating with the surgery (young age, nervous mood, and crying), including 5 males and 3 females with an average age of 6.95±3.29 years and an average weight of 19.50±6.04 kg. There were 6 patients diagnosed with atrial septal defect, 1 patient with residual shunt after patent ductus arteriosus ligation, and 1 patient with severe pulmonary stenosis by transthoracic ultrasonography. The surgical process was smooth, analgesia was perfect, anesthesia and surgical effect were satisfactory, postoperative recovery was satisfactory, and there were no surgical or anesthesia complications. The anesthesia time was 41.53±8.62 min, the operation time was 39.88±8.52 min, and the recovery time was 41.50±14.56 min. Conclusion Transthoracic ultrasound-guided interventional surgery is a minimally invasive approach for congenital heart disease, offering the advantages of zero radiation exposure. Non-tracheal general anesthesia preserved spontaneous breathing can be safely and effectively administered to pediatric patients who cannot cooperate in mobile operating platform.
Objective To confirm the changes of pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation in children with unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction. Methods The clinical data of the infants with UAPA undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction in our hospital from February 19, 2019 to April 15, 2021 were analyzed. Changes in pulmonary artery pressure, neo pulmonary artery stenosis and reoperation were followed up. Results Finally 5 patients were collected, including 4 males and 1 female. The operation age ranged from 13 days to 2.7 years. Cardiac contrast-enhanced CT scans were performed in all children, and 2 patients underwent pulmonary vein wedge angiography to confirm the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography and intraoperative direct pulmonary arterial pressure measurement indicated that all 5 children had pulmonary hypertension, with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 31.3±16.0 mm Hg. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased immediately after pulmonary artery reconstruction to 16.8±4.2 mm Hg. The mean follow-up time was 18.9±4.7 months. All 5 patients survived during the follow-up period, and 1 patient had neo pulmonary artery stenosis or even occlusion and was re-operated. Conclusion Pulmonary artery reconstruction can effectively alleviate the pulmonary hypertension in children with UAPA. The patency of the neo pulmonary artery should be closely followed up after surgery, and re-pulmonary angioplasty should be performed if necessary.