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OBJECTIVES@#Due to the lack of large-sized pulmonary valved conduit products in clinical practice, hand-sewn expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) valved conduit has been used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in many heart centers around the world. This study aims to summarize the early results of the ePTFE valved conduit and the sewing technology of the conduit in combination with the latest progress, and to provide a reference for the application of ePTFE valved conduit.@*METHODS@#A total of 21 patients using ePTFE valved conduit for RVOT reconstruction in the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from October 2018 to October 2020 were prospectively enrolled in this study. The age at the implantation of the conduit was 4.3 to 43.8 (median 15.1) years old, with weight of (38.9±4.1) kg. In this cohort, 14 patients underwent re-reconstruction of RVOT, including 12 patients with pulmonary regurgitation at 6.3 to 31.0 (median 13.8) years after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair, and 2 patients with failed bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC). Seven patients underwent Ross operations. Among them, 3 were for aortic valve stenosis, 2 were for aortic regurgitation, and 2 were for both stenosis and regurgitation. The ePTFE valved conduits were standard hand-sewn during the surgery. The 3 leaflets were equal in size with arc-shaped lower edge of the valve sinus. The free edge of the valve leaflets was straight with the length of about 1 mm longer than the diameter. The height of the valve sinus was 4/5 of the diameter. The junction of the valve leaflet was 3/4 of the height of the sinus. The designed leaflets were then continuous non-penetrating sutured into the inner surface of Gore-Tex vessel to make a valved conduit. Valved conduits with diameter of 18, 20, and 22 mm were used in 2, 9, and 10 cases, respectively. The surgical results, postoperative recovery time, and serious complications were summarized, and the changes of postoperative cardiac function status and hemodynamic status of the conduits were investigated.@*RESULTS@#During the implantation of ePTFE valved conduit for RVOT reconstruction, 2 patients underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement with Ross operation, 2 patients with pulmonary regurgitation with repaired TOF underwent left and right pulmonary artery angioplasty, and 1 patient with failed BJVC underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty. The cardiopulmonary bypassing time for patients underwent re-reconstruction of RVOT was (130.9±16.9) min, with aorta clamping for 1 patient to repair the residual defect of the ventricular septum. The cardiopulmonary bypassing and aorta clamping time for Ross operation were (242.7±20.6) min and (145.6±10.5) min, respectively. The duration of postoperative ventilator assistance, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay were 3.5 h to 7.7 d (median 17.1 h),11.2 h to 29.5 d (median 1.9 d), and 6.0 to 56.0 (median 13.0) d, respectively. All patients survived after discharge from hospital. The follow-up rate after discharge was 100% with median time at 15.0 (13.0 to 39.0) months. No death happened during the follow-up. One patient underwent stent implantation due to right coronary stenosis 2 months after Ross operation. One patient underwent balloon dilation due to right pulmonary artery ostium stenosis 1 year after re-reconstruction of RVOT. The cardiac function of all patients recovered to NYHA class I 6 months after operation. The peak pressure gradient across the valve measured by transthoracic echocardiography before discharge was (9.4±2.6) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and (18.3±6.1) mmHg at the last follow-up. There was no significant increase in the gradient during the follow-up (P=0.134). No patient suffered from mild or more pulmonary regurgitation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Hand-sewn ePTFE valved conduit is feasible for RVOT reconstruction. It is a promising material for RVOT reconstruction which can effectively meet clinical need. In our experience, the ePTFE valved conduit is simple to manufacture with satisfactory early outcomes.In the application of ePTFE valved conduit, attention should be paid to implantation indications and postoperative anticoagulation management, especially to the preparation details of the valved conduit, to obtain better function and durability of the conduit after implantation.
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Adolescent , Animals , Cattle , Humans , Infant , Constriction, Pathologic/surgery , Heart Valve Prosthesis/adverse effects , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Polytetrafluoroethylene , Prosthesis Design , Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Ventricular Outflow Obstruction/surgeryABSTRACT
Introduction: Tetralogy of Fallot requiring transannular repair of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) are exposed to free pulmonary insufficiency and hence inevitable right ventricular dysfunction. This study analyzes the function and structure of untreated autologous pericardium monocusp used to create a competent pulmonary valve. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 52 cases operated between December 2006 and December 2012. Untreated autologous pericardium was used for creating a competent pulmonary valve following a transannular patch. They are followed for functional and structural assessment of the pulmonary valve by echocardiography. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18 fluorodeoxyglucose was performed in two cases for profiling the pulmonary valve. Results: Median age was 10.5 years (1–38). The follow-up was complete for 42 (80.76%) patients for 3 years and 25 (48.07%) patients for 5 years. The RVOT gradient was 42 mmHg (16–96) in the year of surgery, which reduced to 26 mmHg (10–58) and pulmonary insufficiency that was present in 8.3% of patients in 1st year was witnessed in 22.7% in the 5th year of follow-up. The monocusp patch was successful in creating a competent valve while maintaining its structure at 3 years; however, it became distorted and retracted at 5 years of follow-up. There was no calcification in any of the patients. PET-computed tomography confirmed the uptake of glucose by monocusp at 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion: The untreated autologous pericardium functioned well when it was used to create a competent pulmonary valve at short term and midterm. Although it changed in its structure; there was no calcification at 5 years of follow-up.
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@#Objective To evaluate the early- and mid-term outcomes of surgical repair of persistent truncus arteriosus in children in a single institution of China. Methods The clinical data of 27 consecutive patients with persistent truncus arteriosus undergoing surgical repair in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from November 2009 to May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 14 males and 13 females. Median age was 3.0 months (range: 13 days -11 years), of whom 10 (37.0%) were older than 6 months. Results There were three early deaths with a mortality of 11.1%. The main complications included VSD partial repair in 2 patients, complete atrioventricular block in one patient. The mean follow-up time was 24.5±19.3 months (range: 1–76 months). There were three late deaths, and two patients lost follow. Echocardiology showed seven patients of right heart outflow tract obstruction, including three in pulmonary artery trunk, and four of pulmonary artery branches. One patient showed moderate aortic valve regurgitation. None required re-intervention during the follow-up. Survival estimates for the entire cohort following surgery were both 76.1% (95%CI 59.2% to 92.9%) at 1 year and 5 years. Conclusion The surgical repair of persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA) remains challenges. The early- and mid-term outcomes of surgical repair of persistent truncus arteriosus are acceptable. For older children with severe pulmonary artery hypertension and/or trunk valve regurgitation, the risk of death is still higher. Some children have the higher risk of late right heart obstructive lesions.
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Objective To compare the mid-term outcomes of valved bovine jugular vein conduit and autologous pericardium conduit in reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract. Methods Eighteen congenital heart disease patients were implanted with external conduits (included 11 valved bovine jugular vein conduits and 7 autologous pericardium conduits) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction between May 2013 and Jul. 2016. There were 11 males and 7 females at age of 2-16 (5.22±4.12) years. Preoperative clinical diagnoses included pulmonary artery atresia with ventricular septal defect (n＝7), double outlet of right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis (n＝4), persistent truncus arteriosus (n＝3), persistent truncus arteriosus with absence of right pulmonary artery (n＝1), corrected transposition of great arteries with pulmonary stenosis (n＝1), and transposition of great arteries with pulmonary stenosis (n＝2). The perioperative status was recorded. The cardiac ultrasound and computed tomography angiography (CTA) were used to evaluate the efficacy during 4-56 months of follow-up. Results There were no perioperative deaths in the bovine jugular vein conduit group, and 2 deaths in the autologous pericardium conduit group. One died of pulmonary hypertension crisis and the other died of low cardiac output syndrome. The ratio of right ventricular pressure to radial arterial pressure, duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) stay after surgery were significantly lower in the bovine jugular vein conduit group than those in the autologous pericardium conduit group (all P0.05). There were no significant differences in extracorporeal circulation time, aortic cross-clamping time, transvalvular gradient in right ventricular outflow tract, blood consumption or total hospitalization costs between the two groups (all P0.05). During follow-up, there were no deaths in the two groups, no reoperations in the bovine jugular vein conduit group, and 1 case received reoperation 2 years after surgery due to severe right ventricular dysfunction in the autologous pericardium conduit group. In the bovine jugular vein conduit group, the transvalvular gradients in right ventricular outflow tract at the last follow-up and before discharge were (22.91±7.31) mmHg (1 mmHg＝0.133 kPa) and (20.45±6.70) mmHg, respectively, and the difference was not significant (P0.05). In the autologous pericardium conduit group, the transvalvular gradient in right ventricular outflow tract was (29.20±18.09) mmHg at the last follow-up and (16.14±4.02) mmHg before discharge, and the difference was significant (P0.05). At the last follow-up after surgery, there were 8 cases of mild reflux and 3 cases of moderate reflux in the bovine jugular vein conduit group, and 1 case of mild reflux, 2 cases of moderate reflux and 2 cases of severe reflux in the autologous pericardium conduit group, and the difference between the two groups was significant (P0.05). Postoperative ultrasonography showed the thickened valve leaflets with good valve movement in the bovine jugular vein conduit. No calcification, thrombosis and infective endocarditis were found in the two groups. Postoperative cardiac CTA found that there was aneurysmal dilatation in 1 middle segment and 1 proximal anastomotic stoma of the bovine jugular vein conduit group, and no dilatation in the autologous pericardium conduit group. Conclusion Domestic valved bovine jugular vein conduit is suitable for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in patients with complex congenital heart malformations. Mid-term follow-up shows that bovine jugular vein conduit has good anti-reflux performance and no severe obstruction or calcification. It is obviously superior to autologous pericardium conduit. However, some bovine jugular vein conduits have aneurysmal dilatation in mid-term follow-up, which needs to be further improved.
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@#Objective To evaluate possibility and reliability of the technique of artificial pulmonary valve reconstruction in right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 35 patients with artificial pulmonary valve reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction surgery in our hospital between February 2012 and December 2016. There were 35 patients with 19 males and 16 females at age of 10 years ranged 5 months to 42 years and body weight of 26 (8–62) kg. There were 21 patients with artificial moncusp valve, 6 patients with bicuspid technology, 8 patients with comprehensive forming method. Results Average extracorporeal circulation time was 75–251 (120±37) min. Aorta blocking time was 32–185 (72±28) min. ICU stay time was 14–225 (59±51) hours. Breathing machine auxiliary time was 6–68 (24±18) hours. There were 3 early postoperative deaths. There was no death during the long term following-up time. Thirty-two patients survived with heart function of class Ⅰ in 20 patients, class Ⅱ in 10 patients, class Ⅲ in 2 patients. Conclusion In right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using the technique of artificial pulmonary valve reconstruction in the operation, it can reduce early postoperative right ventricular volume load. To smooth out perioperative patients, the surgical technique is simple, cheap, safe, but long-term follow-up still needs further observation.
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Objective: To summarize the application and efficacy of fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: A total of 18 relevant patients received fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in our hospital from 2007-08 to 2012-12 were studied. The patients were at the mean age of (2.12±2.02) years with body weight ≥ (9.41±3.62) kg including 10 male. Echocardiography was followed-up at 1 month, 3-6 and ≥12 months post-operation. Results: All 18 patients had successful operation. 2 patients died at early post-operative stage including 1 with severe infection and respiratory failure, 1 with low cardiac output syndrome. 16 survivors had the average ICU stay time (140.2±124.5) h, mechanical ventilation (94.4±87.6) h, transcutaneous O2 saturation at quiet condition without O2 inhalation at (97.1±3.34) %. There were 3 patients lost contact during followed-up period and 13 received periodical examination. No obvious calcification was found in chest X-ray; echocardiography showed infrequent stenosis of right ventricular outflow tract, pulmonary valve ring and main pulmonary artery; left and right pulmonary artery stenosis at the second place. Conclusion: The safety and efficacy of fresh autologous pericardial tri-leaflet pulmonary artery conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction was fine for treating relevant patients, the mid and long term effect should be further observed.
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Objective To compare the two different ways of right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT) reconstruction at repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect,the direct RV-PA anastomosis and pericardial conduit to find the better way.Methods From Jun.2002 to Oct.2012,66 patients underwent pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect repair in our hospital,age at operation from 14 days to 272 months.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the way of RVOT reconstruction.Group 1:31 of them,using direct RV-PA anastomasis,Group 2:35 of them,using pericardial conduit.Paired t test was used to evaluate the growth of pulmonary arteries.Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier were used to calculate the postoperative mortality,reopemtion situation and survival time.Results There are 3 early hospital death in group 1 (9.7 ％),and 5 in group 2(14.3％),P =0.71.There is a significant difference between the two groups in restenosis rate of the RV-PA anastomasis and autologous pericardial conduit with pulmonary branch artery(Group 1:22.2％,Group 2:55.6％,P =0.01).The diameters of RV-PA anastomasis and the pulmonary artery branches in follow-up were significantly lager than the earlier diameters(P ＜ 0.05) in group 1.There is no growth on diameters of the pericardial conduit and pulmonary branches except the right pulmonary artery in follow-up in group 2.There is no significant difference between the two groups in later survival(P =0.30).Conclusion Both the direct anastomasis of RV-PA and pericardial conduit are available for RVOT reconstruction in pulmonary atresia with ventricular setal defect repair.There is lower incidence of RVOT and pulmonary stenosis and anastomosis absolutely has the ability for later growth in the former.
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Objective To summarize the outcomes of reconstructing right ventricular outflow tract with conical perucardial conduit in type Ⅲ pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD).Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 7 patients with type Ⅲ PA/VSD who underwent surgical repair in the Department of Cadiovascular Surgery,Guangdong Cardivascular Institute from January 2012 to August 2014.There were 3 males and 4 females at a median age of 2.5 years (range,1.4 to 10.8 years) and a mean weight of(11.4 ± 3.4) kg.All patients were underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with conical pericardial conduit.Results The mean bypass time was (132.7 ± 32.5) min,the mean aorta cross-clamping time was(71.9 ± 15.1) min.There was 1 patient with diaphragmatic paralysis and 1 patient with chylothorax,both of whom were underwent surgical intervention.There was 1 patient with postoperative pneumonia.The ventilation time was 17.8-356.9 hours.There was no in-hospital death.The mean ICU stays was 2.8-21.5 days and the mean hospital stays was 13-74 days.All patients were alive and no severe anoxia during follow-up.Conclusion The early outcomes of reconstructing right ventricular outflow tract with conical pericardial conduit in type Ⅲ PA/VSD was good.Preoperative evaluation of the pulmonary development and MAPCAs were helpful for making rational choice.
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Objective The results of repair for TOF with anomalous coronary artery(ACA) were studied to determine the incidence of coronary anomalies and evaluate surgical strategy choicesas well as postoperative outcomes.Methods From January 2008 to August 2014,1142 consecutive patients underwent repair of TOF including 44 patients with TOF and ACA:single coronary artery in 15,dual anterior descending coronary in 15,single left anterior descending coronary arising from the rightcoronary artery in 3 and the other ACA in 5.The median age was 5.7 years (range,1 month-27 years),and the median weight was 16.0 kg(range,4.5-51.0 kg).Surgical procedure was selected according to the extent of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction and distribution of the ACA.Results There was one operative death.No deaths during the follow-up period in the other 37 patients.Single patch techniquewasperformed in 15.RVOT residual obstruction detected in 7 who without transannular patch,and one need reoperation;Two patch technique was performed in 6,and 3 of them required an additional RV-PA(pulmonary artery) tube because of RVOT residual obstruction during the operation;Double oullet technique was in 6.No tube stenosis occurred in follow-up period time;PA translocation technique was in 11.The right PA stenosis was detected in 4;ACA was ligated and divided in 3,then RVOT reconstruction was performed.Conclusion The combination of ACA is not a contraindication to primary repair of TOF.But there are many anatomiacal variations of ACA,and the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis is low.So proper selection of surgical approach should be individualized based on the careful intraoperative identification of the distribution of the ACA as well as the location and degree of the RVOT obstruction.
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PURPOSE: This report reviews an 8-year treatment of pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and diminutive pulmonary arteries, comparing first palliative management schemes. METHODS: Between January 1989 and March 1997, patients had their pulmonary artery anatomy evaluated before any surgical managements. Twenty-two patients had diminutive pulmonary arteries(Nakata index<90). Clinical records, hemodynamic data, and cineangiograms were examined in these patients. RESULTS: The median age of patients were 14 months and the mean Nakata index were 54.7+/-18.2(24.3-88.9). The cases were classified into 3 different groups according to different first palliative strategies. Group I(n=18) was treated by a right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. Group II(n=2) was treated by unifocalization and Blalock-Taussig shunt, and Group III(n=2) by a central shunt. The mean Nakata index of Group I was 68.0+/-29.6 and Group II and III showed 71.9+/-13.1 and 41.0+/-13.1, respectively. The total correction was performed in 14 cases (77.8%) of Group I and in 1 case (50%) of Group II. Group Ihad 3 deaths. Coil embolization was performed in 6 cases before total correction, and balloon angioplasty was performed in 3 and 5 cases, before and after the total correction, respectively. After total correction, the peak systolic pressure ratio of the right ventricle to the aorta was 0.80+/-0.08 in 11 cases. 5 cases of those indicated that balloon angioplasty reduced the ratio from 0.89 to 0.78. CONCLUSION: These results of first palliative surgery on the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction compared favorably with previous reports of disease's history and survival after complete repair.