Treatment and prognosis of 826 infants with critical congenital heart disease: a single center retrospective study / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To analyze the current status of clinical treatment and factors influencing postoperative mortality in infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in China, optimize the perioperative management of CCHD, and provide a new scientific basis for clinical decision-making for the optimal management of these patients. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study. Infants diagnosed with CCHD in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 (aged 0-1 years at admission) were enrolled. General clinical information, inpatient treatment information, prognosis and complications were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors of postoperative death in infants with CCHD. Results: A total of 826 infants with CCHD were included, including 556 males (67.3%) and the age at first admission was 51.0 (5.0,178.3) days. 264 (32.0%) cases were tetralogy of Fallot and 137 (16.6%) cases were total anomalous pulmonary venous return. 195 cases (23.6%) were diagnosed prenatally. 196 cases (23.7%) were treated with prostaglandin. The preoperative invasive ventilation time was 0 (0, 0) hour, and the postoperative invasive ventilation time was 95.0 (26.0, 151.8) hours. A total of 668 cases (80.9%) underwent surgical treatment. The age was 100.5 (20.0, 218.0) days during operation and the operation time was 190.0 (155.0, 240.0) hours. Sixty-two cases (7.5%) received medical treatment, and 96 cases (11.6%) gave up treatment. A total of 675 cases (81.7%) were discharged with improvement, 96 cases (11.6%) were discharged after giving up treatment, 55 cases (6.7%) died and 109 cases (13.2%) were readmitted within one year. Complications occurred in 565 (68.6%) cases, including pneumonia in 334 cases (40.4%) and cardiac arrhythmias in 182 cases (22.0%). Multifactorial analysis showed that delayed chest closure (OR=49.775, 95%CI 3.291-752.922, P=0.005), prolonged post-operative invasive ventilator ventilation (OR=1.003, 95%CI 1.000-1.005, P=0.038) and cardiac hypoplasia syndrome (OR=272.658, 95%CI 37.861-1 963.589, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for mortality in CCHD infants post-operation. Conclusions: Tetralogy of Fallot and total anomalous pulmonary venous return account for the majority of infants with CCHD. The proportion of infants diagnosed prenatally was less than 1/4. The majority CCHD infants received surgical treatment. The main complications are pneumonia and arrhythmia. Delayed chest closure, prolonged postoperative invasive ventilator ventilation and low cardiac output syndrome are the independent risk factors for postoperative death in infants with CCHD.

Clinical study of neonatal cardiac output measurement methods / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess agreement between the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) and conventional echocardiography (ECHO) in the measurement of cardiac output in newborn infants, investigate the accuracy and clinical utility of the USCOM in healthy neonates. To explore a more convenient, faster, more accurate hemodynamic monitoring method, for improving the outcome of the critically ill neonates.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From October 1(st), 2011 to March 31(st), 2012, a total of 49 infants were included, 20 were term infants, 29 were preterm infants. Cardiac outputs were measured by both ultrasonic cardiac output monitor and echocardiography in all the infants, 60 times measurements were done in both the term infants the preterm infants. The cardiac output of the left and right ventricles, heart rate, diameter and velocity time integral of the aortic valve and pulmonary artery valve of each infant were recorded. The consistency of two methods was analyzed as described by Bland-Altman.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Term the term infant group includea 20 term infants, 11 were male and 9 were female, the mean gestational age were (38.1 ± 0.56) weeks, mean age were (2 ± 1) days, mean weight were (3.2 ± 0.29) kg, mean Apgar score were 10. The mean left ventricular output measured by Echo was (242.3 ± 38.9) ml/(kg·min), measured by USCOM was (211.7 ± 38.5) ml/(kg·min); The mean right ventricular output measured by ECHO was (318.9 ± 47.0) ml/(kg·min), measured by USCOM was (340.7 ± 76) ml/(kg·min). Agreement between Echo and USCOM for left ventricular output (LVO) was (bias, ± limits of agreement, mean % error): (30.6 ± 51.1) ml/(kg·min), 21%, and for right ventricular output (RVO): (-21.8 ± 105) ml/(kg·min), 33.2%. The diameter of the aortic valve and pulmonary artery valve measured by conventional echocardiography were significantly larger than that estimated by ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (P < 0.001). The velocity time integral of the pulmonary artery valve measured by ultrasonic cardiac output monitor were significantly larger than measured by conventional echocardiography (P < 0.001). The heart rate, velocity time integral of the aortic valve measured by two methods had no significant differences (P > 0.05). The preterm neonates group included 29 preterm infants, 18 were male and 11 were female, the mean gestational age were (32.6 ± 2.8) weeks, mean age were (2 ± 1) days, mean weight were (1.88 ± 0.57) kg. All the infants were diagnosis as preterm infant, low birth weight. The mean left ventricular output measured by ECHO was (259.8 ± 70) ml/(kg·min), measured by USCOM was (235.6 ± 61.8) ml/(kg·min), the mean right ventricular output measured by ECHO was (318.9 ± 47.0) ml/(kg·min), measured by USCOM was (340.7 ± 76) ml/(kg·min). Agreement between Echo and USCOM for left ventricular output (LVO) was (bias, ± limits of agreement, mean % error): (24.1 ± 71.2) ml/(kg·min), 27.4%, and for right ventricular output (RVO): (-29.5 ± 192.9) ml/(kg·min), 51.8%. The diameter of the aortic valve and pulmonary artery valve measured by conventional echocardiography were significantly larger than estimated by ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (P < 0.001). The velocity time integral of the pulmonary artery valve measured by USCOM were significantly larger than that measured by conventional echocardiography (P < 0.001). The heart rate, velocity time integral of the aortic valve measured by two methods had no significant differences (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Agreement between USCOM and conventional ECHO in the LVO measurement is acceptable, both in the term group and the preterm group. LVO measurement measured by USCOM is recommended. The accuracy and clinical utility of the USCOM in neonates is acceptable. USCOM is a convenient, fast and accurate hemodynamic monitoring method in neonates. While the agreement between USCOM and conventional ECHO in the RVO measurement is poor, especially in the preterm group, the results of the RVO cannot be considered interchangeable in the two methods.</p>

Analysis of the difference of risk factors between each stage of necrotizing enterocolitis / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To discuss the differences of the risk factors between Bell Stage Ⅰ and Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC),in order to provide theoretical basis for better preventing and treating NEC of each stages.Methods Eighty seven NEC neonates'references from 2009 to 2011 were all analyzed retrospectively to find out relative risk factors.They were divided into 2 groups according to Bell stage:stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ.Twenty four items were compared between the 2 groups,including perinatal factors,feeding methods,complications,RBC perfusion,etc,using SPSS 17.0 software to make single factor analysis,for the sake of finding out relative risk factors.Results The comparison of gestational age,birth weight,onset age,and onset weight between 2 groups has no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05).The mortality of stage Ⅱ / Ⅲ was higher than stage Ⅰ (P ＜ 0.05).Seven of 24 items have statistical difference in the comparison (P ＜ 0.05),including:Gestational diabetes mellitus,amniotic fluid disorders,respiratory failure,hypothyroid,anemia,sepsis,RBC perfusion,indicating that these items may correlate to incidence and severity of NEC.Conclusions Gestational diabetes mellitus,amniotic fluid disorders,respiratory failure,hypothyroid,anemia,sepsis,RBC perfusion are risk factors that influence the severity of NEC.

Incidence and short-term outcome of physiologic bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence and short-term outcome of very preterm infants with physiologic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Methods Data of very preterm infants with gestational age of no more than 32 weeks admitted into Guangdong General Hospital between Mar.2011 and Feb.2012 were prospectively collected.Oxygen withdrawing test was performed in these infants at postmenstrual age of 36 weeks.Infants who failed to pass the test or who were ventilated were diagnosed as physiologic BPD.Results Sixty-six infants were admitted,of whom 6 were excluded for more than 36 weeks of postmenstrual age at admission.Eighteen infants(30.0％) were diagnosed as classic BPD.Among them,at testing time point,4 cases did not need supplemental oxygen,13 cases needed oxygen sup-plementation and 1 case needed mechanical ventilation.Thirteen infants underwent oxygen withdrawing test and 6 cases passed.Eight cases (13.3％) were diagnosed as physiologic BPD.The incidences of apnea or bradycardia were of no differences between infants passing or failing to pass oxygen withdrawing test.All infants survived to discharge without supplemental oxygen.Conclusions The incidence of infants with physiologic BPD is significantly lower than that with classic BPD.Restrictive saturation of percutaneous oxygen can decrease the incidence of infants with supplemental oxygen,with no more adverse events.More research are needed on physiologic BPD.

Accuracy of the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in healthy term neonates during postnatal circulatory adaptation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Echocardiography is regarded as a gold standard for measuring hemodynamic values. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a new method for measuring hemodynamics and could provide non-invasive point of care guidance. So far, there are no published USCOM reference values for neonates, nor has USCOM's accuracy been established in this population. We aimed to determine the accuracy and clinical utility of the USCOM in healthy neonates relative to published echocardiographic data, to establish normal hemodynamic parameters that it measures, and to assess the possible role of USCOM as an alternative to echocardiography as a trend monitor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Right and left heart hemodynamics of 90 normal neonates were measured during circulatory adaptation over the first three days of life using the USCOM and automated oscillotonometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Heart rate showed a significant decline from days one to three, from 126 to 120 (P < 0.001). Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures all increased significantly from 66 to 71 mmHg, 33 to 38 mmHg and 44 to 49 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001 in each case). Right ventricular cardiac index (RV-CI) showed no change with a mean of 5.07 L × min(-1) × m(-2). Left ventricular cardiac index (LV-CI) declined from 3.43 to 3.00 L × min(-1) × m(-2) (P < 0.001). RV-CI exceeded LV-CI on all three days by a mean of 61%. The systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), based on LV-CI, increased significantly over the three days from 1083 to 1403 dyne × sec × cm(-5) × m(2) (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Normal neonatal hemodynamic values, as indicated by USCOM, were established. LV-CI measurement showed excellent agreement with published echocardiographic studies. RV-CI was constant and exceeded LV-CI for all three days of this study. It may be falsely high due to flow velocity measurement errors arising from the pulmonary branch arteries, and may represent a limitation of the USCOM method. The progressive rise of arterial pressure and SVRI despite a declining LV-CI may indicate functional closure of the ductus arteriosus, with the greatest change occurring within the first 24 hours. Evidence of closure of the foramen ovale was not observed.</p>

Airway obstruction caused by large blood vessel anomalies: assessment by flexible bronchoscopy / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of flexible bronchoscopy in congenital great vessel diseases complicated with airway compression.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The medical records of patients with great vessels abnormalities who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from October 2005 to June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed; 34 cases were diagnosed as airway compression by flexible bronchoscopy, 10 cases as vascular ring, 24 cases as aortal arch obstruction. The age of the patients was 6 d - 11 m, body weight 2.2 - 8.7 kg [(4.6 +/- 1.4) kg]. Recorded airway abnormalities detected by bronchoscopy and CT, cardiac vascular defects and airway compression were consistent with the findings on operation. The relation between the airway compression and cardiac vascular abnormalities, treatment of the airway compression and outcome were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Bronchoscopic assessment was successfully performed in NICU or operating room for all the patients. (1) Initial presentation of the 34 cases were tachypnea, stridor, refractory lung infection and prolonged mechanical ventilation. (2) Extrinsic compression was found in all the 10 cases with vascular ring by bronchoscopy initially which indicated vascular ring, airway compression was mainly of lower part of trachea. Diagnosis of 9 cases was consistent with CT diagnosis and in 1 case the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery; among these cases, 7 had congenital tracheal stenosis. (3) In the 24 cases with aortic obstructive lesion, 5 were detected to have tracheal stenosis by CT before correction of vascular abnormality, among whom one case was indicated to have tracheal stenosis by bronchoscopy, the other 19 cases were found with airway compression by bronchoscopy during or after vascular correction. Among the 24 cases, 21 had left main bronchial stenosis, 2 had congenital tracheal stenosis. Airway compression diagnosed by bronchoscopy agreed with the findings of CT. Two cases developed transient decrease of oxygen saturation, 5 cases developed transient tachycardia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Flexible bronchoscopy plays an important role in assessment of the airway compression complicated with great vessel abnormalities. Bronchoscopy is an accurate, convenient, safe and rapid way for airway assessment, but further examination of the peripheral structure and vascular malformation need combined examination with CT.</p>

Evaluation of Diagnosis and Preoperative Management of 53 Cases with Interrupted Aortic Arch in Infancy / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To evaluate diagnosis and preoperative management of cases with interrupted aortic arch(IAA)in infancy.Methods Fifty-three infants who were admitted to our hospital from Jan.2001 to Nov.2007 were involved.Clinical data,findings of echocardiogram(Echo),spiral CT,MRI,angiocardiography,preoperative management,surgical repair and postoperative outcome were analyzed retrospectively.Results There were 38 boys and 15 girls,weighted 2.18-10.0(4.32?1.60)kg,aged 1 day to 12(3.05?3.53)months,of which 50.94% were neonates.Symptoms at presentation were 90.57% with tachypnea and 83.02% with difficulty in feeding.Eighty three point zero two percentage cases had different degree of congestive heart failure,37.74% of which were in grade Ⅲ heart function.All cases had weakened femoral pulse.All cases were performed Echo,38 cases of them diagnosed as IAA,6 cases as IAA or severe coarctation of aorta(CoA);they were diagnosed as IAA by CT,and 9 as severe CoA who were diagnosed as IAA via CT or operation.Thirty-three cases were performed CT,of which 15 underwent surgical repair,cardiovascular abnormalities revealed by CT were the same as those in surgical findings.Three cases were taken MRI,and 7 cases were performed angiocardiography.According to the results of Echo,CT,MRI,angiocardiography and surgical findings,35 cases were type A,15 cases were type B and 3 cases were type C.Preoperative treatment included maintaining patent ductus areriosis,management of heart failure and supportive treatment.After proper preoperative management of medication,most cases with congestive heart failure were improved.Twenty-six cases underwent surgical repair,16 survived,10 died du-ring perioperative stage.Main cause of death was severe low cardiac output.Conclusions Value of Echo in diagnosis of IAA is limi-ted.Combination of Echo with CT or MRI is a convenient and safe way to diagnose IAA,it can replace the traditional method of Echo combined with angiocardiography.Proper preoperative management is helpful to patients with IAA to pass to surgical repair,and makes for successful operation.