Objective To evaluate early results of valved bovine jugular vein patch for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract （RVOT）.?Methods From May 2009 to March 2010， a total of 60 patients with complex congenital heart diseases underwent reconstruction of RVOT with valved bovine jugular vein patch in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital. There were 42 males and 18 females with their mean age of 6.2±8.9 years （ranging from 5 months to 33 years） and mean body weight of 27.5±24.0 kg， and 34 patients were less than 1 year. Preoperative clinical diagnosis included tetralogy of Fallot （n=38） and double outlet of right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis （n=22）. All the patients underwent one-stage surgical repair. Before operation， 4 patients underwent catheter intervention for their major aortopulmonary collaterals. The diameters of pulmonary arterial ring of all the patients were 2 standard deviation less than normal range， and trans-annular patch was chosen for RVOT reconstruction. All the patients were postoperatively followed up for 18 to 26 months （mean 21.2±4.6 months）.?Results There was no in-hospital death. And no second surgical intervention was needed for conspicuous RVOT stenosis or pulmonary regurgitation. Three patients needed reintubation for lung edema after extubation as a result of major aortopulmonary collaterals. Four patients underwent reexploration for postoperative bleeding. And all the other patients were discharged uneventfully. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 84.0±22.0 min， and mean aortic cross-clamping time was 42.0±12.0 min. Mean RVOT gradient right after surgery was 18.0±4.5 mm Hg， which was not statistically different from mean RVOT gradient of 19.2±5.4 mm Hg measured by transthoracic echocardiography at their last postoperative follow-up（P＞0.05）. The degree of pulmonary regurgitation right after surgery was trivial in 32 patients（1＋）， mild in 28 patients（2＋）， which were not statistically different from the degree of pulmonary regurgitation at their last postoperative follow-up: trivial in 28 patients （1＋）， mild in 27 patients（2＋）， and moderate in 5 patients（3＋）. Calcification was not observed on the valved bovine jugular vein patch and valve cusp， and the valve cusp motioned well. No thrombosis or endocarditis was observed on the valved bovine jugular vein.?Conclusions For patients with tetralogy of Fallot or double outlet of right ventricle （DORV） and pulmonary stenosis， valved bovine jugular vein patch is a good choice for trans-annular reconstruction of RVOT. There is no severe postoperative complication related to bovine jugular vein， the RVOT pressure gradient does not increase significantly， and anti-regurgitation result is satisfactory in short-term follow-up. Further follow-up is required to evaluate its long-term outcome.
Objective To summarize clinical experience of a single stage surgical approach on patients with TaussigBing anomaly combined with side by side relationship of great arteries. Methods From May 2000 to Sep. 2007, 26 patients (age 3.1±2.2 months) with TaussigBing anomaly with side by side great arteries underwent the single stage operation, including arterial switch operation (n=25), and Kawashima operation (n=1). Aortic arch obstruction was present in 13 patients. The corrections of aortic arch obstruction included descending aorta end to end anastomosis to aortic arch or end to side anastomosis to ascending aorta. Results The hospital mortality rate was 11.5% (3/26). There was no operative death in continuous 15 patients after Jun. 2005. 21 patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years. The patients’ growth and development were improved obviously. The sizes of the hearts were smaller than those before operations. The pulmonary blood flow was decreased obviously. Two patients required re-operations because of supravalvular pulmonary stenosis. Conclusion Taussig-Bing anomaly with side by side great arteries has complex anatomical characters. In order to improve the operative outcomes, the optimized operative strategies should be considered in according with different anatomies.
Objective To optimize the surgical strategies and managements of doubleoutlet right ventricle(DORV)with atrioventricular discordance, the anatomic features, the surgical managements and results were reviewed. Methods From September 1990 to August 2004, 7 cases of DORV with atrioventricular discordance received surgical therapy. The age ranged from 3 years to 7 years. Surgical managements included: ventricular septal defect (VSD )repair and homograft connected the morphologic left ventricle with pulmonary artery in 3 cases, double-switch in 2 cases, modified Fontan in 2 cases. Results The early mortality rate was 14.3% (1/7). The death was because by Homograft infection 2 months after repair. Complete atrioventricular block occurred in one case who received permanent pacemaker later. Obstruction of superior vena cava return and pericardial effusion occurred in one Fontan case who was recovered at the time of discharge. The time of ICU stay was shortest in double-switch patients in 6 days postoperation. Conclusion Double-switch operation is the first choice in correction of DORV with atrioventricular discordance, especially in patients with right ventricular disfunction or tricuspidal regurgitation. If the heart can not be corrected because of combined complicated malformations, the strategy of one ventricular repair can be chosen.
Objective To evaluate the right ventricular function of the patients 2 years after surgery by ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP). Method We finally identified 36 patients required MVR with tricuspid valve annular dilation concomitant merely mild tricuspid regurgitaion (TR) based on preoperative UCG in our hospital between April and November 2012 year. All patients were randomly divided into two groups by digital table including a tricuspid annuloplasty group (a TAP group, n=18, 7 males and 11 females at age of 45.67±12.49 years) and a no-tricuspid annuloplasty group (a NTAP group, n=18, 6 males and 12 females at age of 45.44±10.48 years). General clinical data and extracorporeal circulation data were recorded. UCG evaluation was practiced preoperation, alone with 1 week, 6 months, and 2 years after surgery. Results Two years postoperative maximal long-axis of RA (RAmla), mid-RA minor distance (RAmmd), right ventricle dimension-1(RVD1) , right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), 3D RV end-systolic volume (3DRVESV), tricuspid valve annular end-diastolic dimension (TVAEDD), tricuspid valve annular end-systolic dimension (TVAESD) of patients were all smaller in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group. Yet right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), percent shorting of tricuspid valve annulus (PSTVA) were greater in the TAP group than those in the NTAP group, although there was no statistical difference between the two groups in two years postoperative 3D RV end-diastolic volume (3DRVEDV). The patients in the TAP group had a superior trend than that of the NTAP group. Moreover, the patients' TR constituent ratio in the TAP group was much better than that of the NTAP group in 2 year after operation. Conclusions Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty for patients with tricuspid valve annulus dilation and mild TR underwent MVR is favorable for the recovery of their 2 years postoperative function of tricuspid valve and right ventricle. It is benefit to reduce patient's long term postoperative TR residues and exacerbation.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 3-dimensional printing model (3DPM) aiding decision making and surgery rehearsal for the treatment of double outlet right ventricle (DORV) with non-committed ventricular septal defect (NC-VSD). Methods From January 1st, 2012 through December 30th, 2014, 12 patients with DORV and NC-VSD were operated with the aid of “3DPM guidance” to do decision making and surgical technique rehearsal preoperatively. There were 9 males and 3 females at age of 2.9±2.2 years. The “3DPM guidance” consisted of step by step procedures: computerized tomography (CT) scan for the patients, CT based 3DPM rendering, 3DPM exploration, decision making, and surgery rehearsal. During surgery rehearsal, surgeons did patch designing, VSD enlargement planning, muscle bundle resection etc. Eight out of the twelve patients underwent biventricular repair, 4 patients underwent single ventricle repair. Six of the eight biventricular repair patients had intra-ventricular baffle repair, 1 patient had intra-ventricular baffle repair and arterial switch procedure, 1 had modified Nikaidoh procedure. VSD enlargement was performed in all the patients in biventricular repair group. The reasons not to do a biventricular repair included very restrictive VSD, tricuspid attachments across the sub-aortic passway. Results The operation findings correlated well with the 3DPM in all the cases. There was no hospital death, no major complication. One patient had a mild sub-aortic stenosis and he was under close follow-up. There was no late death and reoperation. Surgeons involved were satisfied with the “3DPM guidance”. Conclusions 3-D printing model is an excellent way to help decision making for DORV with NC-VSD and can provide surgery simulation which decrease complication rate and help achieve good outcomes.
Heart diseases seriously threaten people's health. More and more functional evaluation of cardiac right ventricle has been considered in the clinical diagnosis in addition to the classical functional evaluation of cardiac left ventricle. It is very important to evaluate the functional parameters of right ventricle in clinical heart disease diagnosis, especially when the ejection fraction of left ventricle is very low. Right ventricular segmentation is needed for the functional evaluation. However, right ventricular segmentation has been difficult due to its thin myocardium, complex structure and significant individual variability. Cine cardiac magnetic resonance image is a golden standard in clinical functional evaluation of cardiac ventricle. In the present paper, we summarize the classic segmentation approaches, evaluation methods and their development, which can help the researchers in the related field have a quick and basic understanding to the right ventricle segmentation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the outcomes of complicated congenital heart diseases (CCHD) patients accepting multiple (>2) re-sternotomy operations.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 146 patients undergoing multiple cardiac re-sternotomy operations between 2015 and 2019 in our center. There were 95 males and 51 females with an age of 4.3 (3.1-6.8) years and a weight of 15.3 (13.4-19.0) kg at last operation.ResultsThe top three cardiac malformations were pulmonary atresia (n=51, 34.9%), double outflow of right ventricle (n=36, 24.7%) and functional single ventricle (n=36, 24.7%). A total of 457 sternotomy procedures were performed, with 129 (88.3%) patients undergoing three times of operations and 17 (11.7%) patients undergoing more than three times. Fifty-two (35.6%) patients received bi-ventricular repair, 63 (43.1%) patients received Fontan-type procedures, and 31 (21.2%) patients underwent palliative procedures. Ten (6.8%) patients experienced major accidents during sternotomy, including 7 (4.8%) patients of urgent femoral artery and venous bypass. Eleven (7.5%) patients died with 10 (6.8%) deaths before discharge. The follow-up time was 20.0 (5.8-40.1) months, and 1 patient died during the follow-up. The number of operations was an independent risk factor for the death after operation.ConclusionSeries operations of Fontan in functional single ventricle, repeated stenosis of pulmonary artery or conduit of right ventricular outflow tract post bi-ventricular repair are the major causes for the reoperation. Multiple operations are a huge challenge for CCHD treatment, which should be avoided.
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a complex cardiac malformation with many anatomic variations and various approaches for surgical repair. DORV is mainly defined as the congenital heart disease with ventriculoarterial connection in which both pulmonary artery and aorta arising primarily (>50%) from the right ventricle, associated with continuity or discontinuity between the aorta and mitral valve. DORV can be subclassified by various ways. Now subclassification is usually performed according to the relationship between the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and the great arteries. Various approaches for surgical repair of DORV ranging from single ventricle palliation to biventricular repair are reported from many centers. However, the high-grade guideline of surgical management of DORV is still absent. Hence, we developed the Chinese expert consensus on DORV as the evidence for surgical strategies.
ObjectiveTo explore the appropriate method of biventricular repair and analyze the risk factors for reoperation, by summarizing the 15-year treatment experience of biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle with non-committed ventricular septal defect (DORVncVSD).MethodsClinical data of 162 consecutive patients with DORVncVSD who had biventricular repair from 2005 to 2019 in our center were retrospectively analyzed. The children were divided into two groups according to the path of intracardiac tunnel: 110 patients with ventricular septal defect rerouted to the aorta were recruited into a group A (75 males and 35 females aged 3.6±3.2 years); 52 patients with ventricular septal defect rerouted to the pulmonary artery were into a group B (30 males and 22 females aged 2.8±2.7 years). In order to establish a smooth intracardiac tunnel, enlargement of VSD, the resection of conus muscle and the transfer of tricuspid tendon or papillary muscle, etc were performed at the same time.ResultsIn the patients with biventricular repair, there were 9 (5.6%) early deaths and 6 (3.7%) early intracardiac baffle obstructions. During the follow-up of 7.5±7.0 years, and 8 (4.9%) late deaths occurred. The 1-year, 5-year, 10-year and 15-year survival rates of the group A were 92.7%, 91.1%, 91.1%, 85.4%, respectively and those of the group B were 92.2%, 85.2%, 85.2%, 85.2%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.560). The follow-up results showed that 10 (6.2%) patients had late-onset intracardiac tunnel obstruction, and 8 patients underwent reoperation. There were more late-onset intracardiac tunnel obstruction patients and overall intracardiac tunnel obstruction patients in the group A than those in the group B (9 patients vs. 1 patient, P=0.017; 15 patients vs. 1 patient, P=0.001). No significant difference of early mortality and late mortality was noted for the group A (P=0.386) and the group B (P=0.223). Also it was noted that performing tricuspid valve operation at the same time in the group A had a significant impact to reduce the occurrence rate of intracardiac obstruction (1/46 vs. 15/64, P=0.004), without any tricuspid regurgitation or stenosis. The reoperation rate of patients with Rastelli after right ventricular outflow tract lesions was significantly higher than that of REV surgery and double root replacement surgery (5/14 vs. 0/38, P<0.001).ConclusionThe effect of biventricular repair for DORVncVSD is satisfactory. And concomitant tricuspid procedures can help reduce the occurrence of intracardiac obstructions. Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract with biological valved conduit is a risk factor for reoperation.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience and lessons of right ventricular decompression in children with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) and to reflect on the strategies of right ventricular decompression.MethodsThe clinical data of 12 children with PA/IVS who underwent right ventricular decompression in our hospital from March 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 males and 2 females with a median age at the time of surgery was 5 d (range, 1-627 d). Correlation analysis between the pulmonary valve transvalvular pressure gradient and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves after decompression was performed.ResultsOne patient died of refractory hypoxemia due to circulatory shunt postoperatively and family members gave up treatment. There were 2 (16.67%) patients received postoperative intervention. The pulmonary transvalvular gradient after decompression was 31.95±21.75 mm Hg. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was found in 7 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and massive in 1 patient. The median time of mechanical ventilation was 30.50 h (range, 6.00-270.50 h), and the average duration of ICU stay was 164.06±87.74 h. The average postoperative follow-up time was 354.82±331.37 d. At the last follow-up, the average Z score of tricuspid valves was 1.32±0.71, the median pressure gradient between right ventricle and main pulmonary artery was 41.75 mm Hg (range, 21-146 mm Hg) and the average percutaneous oxygen saturation was 92.78%±3.73%. Two children underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvoplasty at 6 and 10 months after surgery, respectively, with the rate of reintervention-free of 81.8%. There was no significant correlation between pulmonary transvalvular gradients after decompression and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves (r=–0.506, P=0.201).ConclusionFor children with PA/IVS, the simple pursuit of adequate decompression during right ventricular decompression may lead to severe pulmonary dysfunction, increase the risk of ineffective circular shunt, and induce refractory hypoxemia. The staged decompression can ensure the safety and effectiveness for initial surgery and reduce the risk of postoperative death.