Though the 10 year survival rate of Fontan procedure has increased from 69% in 1990 to 85% in 2006. Recently researchers have strived to improve the longterm outcome of this procedure and have made great achievements. They found that among the ten items of standard, the limits associated with age, anomalous systemic or pulmonary venous drainage, sinus rhythm, ratio of pulmonary artery/aorta should be relaxed. New operative designs such as extracardiac lateral tunnel Fontan and new types of HemiFontan procedure using shortened extracorporeal circulation may help to decrease the postoperative complications. Standardized postoperative therapeutic plan after Fontan procedure may decrease the duration of chest drainage，shorten the inpatient days and also avoid longterm treatment. However, longterm followup after Fontan procedure showed that the incidence rate and risk of longterm postoperative complications were still high. This article was directed to review the researches about Fontan on operative indications, optimizing the operative strategies, modifying the postoperative monitoring techniques and longterm follow-up.
Objective To investigate the value and significance of the changes of plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide（BNP） in evaluating ventricle performance of functional single ventricle after total cavopulmonary connection （TCPC）. Methods We studied 11 patients with functional single ventricle undergone TCPC procedure after 2.1 years, who were followed-up at our ward between April 2004 and November 2004, 7 of them were males and 4 of them were females （TCPC group）. The clinical heart function of patients was scored according to the modified scoring system described by Ross. We obtained 3ml blood samples from the extremital vein of all subjects. Blood was collected into chilled tubes containing EDTA and aprotinin （4.5mg and 1 500u/ml blood, respectively）. The blood samples were promptly centrifuged （-4℃, 3 000r/min for 10 min） and the plasma was separated. BNP concentration was determined using immunoradiometric assay kits. Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） examination was undertaken in 6 patients of TCPC group to analyse the relative factors with the change of BNP. Control group included 9 healthy children. Results （1） Median plasma BNP level for TCPC group and control group was 400pg/ ml （IQR200-690） and 110 pg/ml （IQR90-190）, respectively. There was a significant difference in plasma BNP between them （P=0. 003）. （2） The results of the index of heart function of TCPC group determined by MRI were 65. 76±8. 65 ml/m2 in end-diastolic volume index, 31. 90±6. 36ml/m2 in end-systolic volume index, 39.09±11.76ml/m2 in stroke volume index, 0. 52± 0. 06 in ejection fraction（EF）, 2.38±0.58L/min·m2 in cardiac index （CI）, 103.49±21.57g/m2 in mass index and 1.57±0.24 in mass/EDV. （3） The plasma BNP level for TCPC group was significant correlation with operation ages（r=0.632, P=0.041 ）. There was no correlation between plasma BNP level with EF, CI, score of Ross, gender, ages, percutaneous oxygen saturation（SpO2） and the type of dominant ventricle, respectively. Conclusions Raised concentration of plasma BNP in patients 2 years after undertaken TCPC procedure indicates that nervous-endosecretory system is still under stress condition. This pattern suggests that neurohormonal activation is primarily related to the altered postoperative physiology. the significance of BNP in patients of functional single ventricle after undertaken TCPC is different from tat in biventricular physiology patiens. The plasma BNP level could not be correctly evaluated the cardiac function after TCPC operation.
Objective Complex congenital heart defects are sometimes treated by Fontan palliation for various reasons. However, the middle- and long-term prognosis of single-ventricle repair is worse than that of two-ventricle repair. In this study we reported the results of biventricular conversion in these challenging patients initially palliated towards single-ventricle repair. Methods Eight patients underwent biventricular repair conversion from prior bidirectional Glenn shunt palliation in our hospital between October 2013 and March 2016. The median age in bidirectional Glenn shunt was 2.6 years (range, 1.0 to 5.9 years) and in biventricular repair conversion was 6.6 years (range, 4.5 to 11.1 years). Three patients suffered complete transposition of great arteries combined with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, three double outlet right ventricle and non-committed ventricular septal defect combined with pulmonary stenosis or atresia, one double outlet right ventricle combined with complete ativentricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis and one Tetralogy of Fallot. Results Bidirectional Glenn shunt was taken down and superior vena cava was reconnected to the right atrium in all patients. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time was 275.6±107.1 min and 165.9±63.6 min, respectively. Mean length of hospital stay and ICU stay were 33.6±23.0 d and 20.3±21.0 d, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 1.4±0.7 years, there was no mortality and reoperation. No patients presented with sinoatrial node dysfunction and superior vena cava anastomotic stenosis. According to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, all patients were classified asⅠ-Ⅱ. Conclusion Biventricular repair conversion can be safely performed with favorable mortality and morbidity in specific patients palliated towards single-ventricle repair. Further follow-up is needed to investigate the long-term outcomes.
Objective To analyze the feasibility of bidirectional Glenn procedure (BDG) in treatment of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Methods From December 2004 to December 2015, 42 ACHD patients received BDG in our hospital. There were 23 males and 19 females with a mean age of 24.6±8.5 years (range: 18 to 49 years). There were functional single ventricle (FSV) in 14 patients, Ebstein’s anomaly in 11, corrected transposition of great arteries in 7, transposition of great arteries in 5, double outlet of right ventricle in 3 and tricuspid atresia in 2. Twenty patients suffered moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR). Half of the patients were operated upon with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the others with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Thirty-four patients underwent unilateral BDG shunt and eight bilateral BDG shunts. Concomitant procedures included correction of Ebstein’s anomaly (7 patients), atrioventricular valve replacement (7), atrial septostomy (3), ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (3), ligation of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (2), correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (1) and mitral valve repair (1). Results The early operative mortality was 9.5% (4/42). FSV and moderate or severe AVVR were risk factors for BDG in ACHD. Early postoperative oxygen saturation increased from 78.8%±11.2% to 89.3%±6.6% (P<0.05). The follow-up time was 6-132 (41.4±33.1) months. There was no death. The heart function improved (2.7±0.5 vs. 1.9±0.4, P<0.05). Conclusion The BDG shunt can be applied to ACHD. Although the early mortality is relatively high, the middle- and long-term results are satisfactory. The oxygen saturation increases and the heart function improves. The life quality of patients will also improve. FSV and moderate or severe AVVR are risk factors for BDG in ACHD.
Objective To explore the surgical management method and outcome of functional univentricular heart with total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (UVH-TAPVD). Methods We reviewed the surgical procedures and results for 44 UVH-TAPVD patients in our hospital between the year 2010 and 2016. There were 34 males and 10 females. The age of the patients was 312 (77-4 220) d when they accepted the first surgical treatment. Results There were 8 deaths in stage Ⅰ palliation, 1 death in stage Ⅱ palliation and 5 deaths during the follow-up. The overall survival rate was 68.2% (30/44). Glenn operation was undertaken in 34 patients with 5 deaths. Fontan operation was undertaken in 9 patients with 2 deaths. Conclusion Surgical strategies for UVH-TAPVD should be planned according to different anatomical and pathophysiological conditions in different patients. Staged palliations can reduce mortality and morbidity. But pulmonary venous obstruction and heterotaxy syndrome are still risk factors for these patients.
The single ventricular circulation is notable for coexisting systemic venous hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypotension. The use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices is a viable therapeutic treatment option for patients with congestive heart failure. Ventricular assisted devices, cavopulmonary assisted devices, and total artificial heart pumps continue to gain acceptance as viable treatment strategies for single ventricular physiology patients as bridge-to transplantation, bridge-to-recovery, and longer-term circulatory support alternatives. Patients with single ventricular physiology had the lower survival rates compared with those with biventricular circulation. We present a review of the current and future MCS devices for patients with univentricular circulations.
Objective To explore current results after staged operations in patients with functional single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 129 patients with functional single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension undergoing pulmonary artery banding in our hospital between April 2008 and December 2015. There were 81 males and 48 females. There were 71 patients with double outlet of right ventricle, 17 patients with tricuspid atresia, 7 patients with transposition of great arteries, 33 patients with uni-ventricular heart, and one patient with complete atrio-ventricular septal defect. The surgical results, transition to Glenn procedure and subsequent transition to Fontan procedure were analyzed. Results The 129 patients underwent 159 operations of pulmonary artery banding totally. Hospital mortality was 4.7% (6/129). Nine patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty-seven (67.4%) patients underwent the second-stage Glenn procedure, and 43 patients(33.3%) underwent third-stage Fontan procedure. Two patients died after Glenn and 3 patients died after Fontan separately. There were 32 patients who accompanied with coarctation, interruption of aortic arch, heterotaxy, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection or atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation. Fifteen (46.9%) patients succeeded in transition to Glenn, and 6 (18.8%) patients succeeded in transition to Fontan. Fourteen patients developed obstruction of left ventricular outlet tract or bulbo-ventricular foramen. Conclusion Early pulmonary artery banding is an acceptable strategy for patients with single ventricle anomalies and pulmonary hypertension. Outcomes and results of subsequent Glenn and Fontan procedures are generally good. Accompanied complex anomalies are risk factors for lower ratio of transition to Glenn and Fontan procedure.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the surgical strategy and follow-up for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) in our heart center.MethodsFrom January 2008 to December 2018, 151 patients with PA/IVS were divided into two groups: a one-stage surgery group (26 patients), including 17 males and 9 females at an average age of 14.7±13.2 months, and a staged surgery group (125 patients) including 72 males and 53 females at an average age of 6.4±6.3 months. The clinical effectiveness of the two groups were analyzed.ResultsAll patients were followed up for 1-11 years. Eighteen patients died and 19 patients were lost to follow-up. The 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rate was 90.2%, 87.0%, and 85.2%, respectively. Two patients died in the one-stage surgery group. Twelve patients died after initial surgery, and 4 patients died after final operation in the staged surgery group. The Z value of tricuspid valve (P=0.013) and severe right ventricular dysplasia (P=0.025) were the risk factors of postoperative death in the patients with PA/IVS. Furthermore, 58 patients completed final operation, and the total number of the final operation (including one-stage radical surgery) accounted for 55.6% (84/151). Five patients accepted the re-operation intervention in the medium-term follow-up. The rest of the patients recovered well. Only 2 patients were classified as grade Ⅲ in cardiac function, and the rest patients were classified as gradeⅠ-Ⅱ.ConclusionAccording to the degree of right ventricular hypoplasia, the age at operation and the presence or absence of coronary artery malformation, the individualized surgical strategy could significantly improve the success rate of PA/IVS, and early completion of right ventricular decompression operation is conducive to improve the chance for biventricular repair.
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.
A 12-year-old girl with double outlet of right ventricle, complete atrioventricular septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, single atrium, inferior vena cava-hemiazygos vein drainage and left isomerism, who had undergone surgical left superior vena cava-pulmonary artery connection was referred to our hospital. Echocardiography revealed thickening, crimping and malalignment of common atrioventricular valve, moderate-to-severe regurgitation mainly from the left side and the main pulmonary artery was poorly developed. We preserved the autologous valve and used the 31# mechanical mitral valve which was sutured to mitral annulus. After the main pulmonary artery was transected, proximal end was sutured and a 20# Gore-tex artificial vessel was anastomosed to the distal end of the main pulmonary artery. We excised hepatic vein from the right atrium which was then anastomosed to another artificial vessel. Postoperative oxygen saturation was 95%-100%. Echocardiography and CT showed that the function of mechanical valve and heart was good before discharge. Common atrioventricular valvuloplasty is the preferred choice of the management of impaired valve. However, when dysfunction of valve is too severe and valvuloplasty is more likely to fail, the risk of barely performing a valvuloplasty will increase dramatically. On this condition, the mechanical valve replacement should be performed.