ABSTRACT
@#Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of valved homograft conduits (VHC) used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in Fuwai Hospital in recent 13 years, and explore the factors influencing the long-term durability of VHC. Methods Clinical data of patients using VHC for RVOT reconstruction in Fuwai Hospital from November 2007 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate survival, VHC reintervention and VHC dysfunction. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for VHC dysfunction. Results Finally 251 patients were enrolled, including 145 males and 106 females. The median age at surgery was 6.0 (0.3-67.0) years. Early death occurred in 5 (2.0%) patients. The follow-up was available for 239 (95.2%) patients, with the follow-up time of 0.3-160.0 (61.3±45.4) months. Five patients died during the follow-up, and the 1-year, 6-year, and 13-year survival rates were 96.6%, 95.5% and 95.5%, respectively. Eight patients received VHC reintervention during the follow-up, and freedom rates from VHC reintervention were 100.0%, 97.1% and 82.4% at 1 year, 6 years and 13 years, respectively. A total of 226 patients were followed up by echocardiography after discharge, with the follow-up time of 0.2-138.0 (48.5±40.5) months. During the follow-up, 46 (20.4%) patients developed VHC dysfunction, and freedom rates from VHC dysfunction at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years were 92.6%, 79.6% and 59.3%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age<6 years and VHC diameter<19 mm were risk factors for VHC dysfunction (P=0.029, 0.026), but multivariate regression analysis only indicated that age<6 years was an independent risk factor for VHC dysfunction (P=0.034). Conclusion The early and late outcomes of VHC used for RVOT reconstruction are satisfactory, and the long-term durability of VHC is also optimal. In addition, age<6 years is an independent risk factor for VHC dysfunction.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To compare the long-term durability of valved homograft conduit (VHC) in patients with Ross and non-Ross right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction. Methods Patients who underwent RVOT reconstruction using VHC in Fuwai Hospital from January 2008 to October 2020 were retrospectively included. Patients who received Ross RVOT reconstruction were allocated to a Ross group and patients who received non-Ross RVOT reconstruction were allocated to a non-Ross group. The survival and reintervention-free rates of the two groups were evaluated with the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test. The propensity score matching analysis was performed on the patients who completed ultrasound follow-up in the two groups, and the VHC dysfunction-free rate was compared between the two groups. Results A total of 243 patients were enrolled, including 142 males and 101 females, with a median age of 6 years (4 months to 56 years). There were 77 patients in the ROSS group and 166 patients (168 operations) in the non-ROSS group. The cardiopulmonary bypass time in the Ross group was shorter than that in the non-Ross group (175.4±45.6 min vs. 200.1±83.5 min, P=0.003). Five patients in the non-Ross group died early after the operation. The follow-up was available in 231 patients (93.1%), with the average follow-up time of 61.7±44.4 months. During the follow-up, 5 patients in the non-Ross group died. The 12-year survival rate was 100.0% in the Ross group and 93.2% in the non-Ross group (log-rank, P=0.026). In addition, 1 patient in the Ross group and 7 patients in the non-Ross group received VHC reintervention. There was no significant difference in the reintervention-free rate between the two groups (log-rank, P=0.096). Among the 73 patients in the Ross group and 147 patients in non-Ross group who were followed up by ultrasound after discharge, 45 patients (20.5%) developed VHC dysfunction. Before matching, the long-term durability of VHC in the Ross group was better than that in non-Ross group (10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate: 66.6% vs. 37.1%, log-rank, P=0.025). After the propensity score matching, 64 patients included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the long-term durability of VHC between the two groups (10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate: 76.3% vs. 43.0%, log-rank, P=0.065). In the subgroup analysis, the 10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate in the Ross group was higher than that in the non-Ross group (71.0% vs. 20.0%, log-rank, P=0.032) among patients aged<6 years at surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the 10-year VHC dysfunction-free rate between the two groups (53.7% vs. 56.7%, log-rank, P=0.218) among patients aged ≥6 years at surgery. Conclusion After the propensity score matching analysis, the long-term durability of VHC has no significant difference between the Ross group and non-Ross group. The long-term durability of VHC after Ross surgery is superior to that of non-Ross surgery in patients aged<6 years at surgery.
ABSTRACT
A 35-year-old man was followed up for systemic lupus erythematous with antiphospholipid antibody-positive. He underwent an echocardiogram for a closer examination of his heart murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a calcified mass of 30 mm in diameter in the right ventricular outflow tract. Surgery was performed through an upper hemi-sternotomy. After establishment of beating-heart cardiopulmonary bypass, the pulmonary trunk was opened with a longitudinal incision. The highly calcified mass was located immediately below the pulmonary valve. We exfoliated the mass from the right ventricle, and resected it en bloc during short-term cardiac arrest. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was a calcified amorphous tumor. The patient was discharged from our hospital on postoperative day 12．No tumor recurrence was observed 9 months after the surgery.
ABSTRACT
A 46-year-old man had a 3-week history of persistent cough. Chest radiography showed a mass in the left pulmonary hilum and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed an infiltrative mass extending from the main pulmonary trunk to the left hilar region into the lung. He was referred to our hospital for multidisciplinary treatments. Echocardiography showed that the proximal side of the tumor reached the pulmonary valve. CT revealed that the heterogeneous low-density tumor extended from the main pulmonary trunk to the left and right pulmonary arteries, and the left side of the tumor extended beyond the left pulmonary hilum into the left lung. A mass shadow of 54 mm in length was also seen in the lower lobe of the left lung along the pulmonary artery. Although the left bronchus was compressed by the tumor, there was no obvious intratracheal invasion. Direct invasion to the descending thoracic aorta was suspected. He underwent the resection of the main pulmonary trunk and the left pulmonary artery along with the tumor concomitant with total left pneumonectomy. Reconstruction of the pulmonary artery and right ventricular outflow tract were performed as follows: The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed by using a semilunar shaped bovine pericardial patch. The pulmonary artery was replaced by using a composite graft with a Dacron tube graft and an aortic bio-prosthesis. He was discharged on the 22nd postoperative day. The pathological diagnosis of the tumor was pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. Although there are various reconstruction methods for pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma depending on the affected site, reconstruction of the pulmonary artery and the right ventricular outflow tract by using a composite graft are considered to be a useful method.
ABSTRACT
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited clinical-electrocardiographic arrhythmic entity with an autosomal dominant genetic pattern of inheritance or de novo variant. The syndrome has low worldwide prevalence, but is endemic in Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Philippines and Japan). The BrS is a subtle structural heart disease (SHD), and the diagnosis is only possible when the so-called type 1 Brugada ECG pattern is spontaneously present or induced for example with fever. Repolarization-depolarization disturbances in BrS patients can be caused by genetic mutations, abnormal neural crest cell migration, low expression of connexin-43 gap junction protein, or connexome disturbances. A recent autopsy study revealed increase in biventricular collagen with myocardial fibrosis when compared with control subjects although the main affected cardiac territory is the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). In this location, there is abnormally low expression of significant connexin-43 gap junction responsible for the electro-vectorcardiographic manifestations of terminal QRS conduction delay in the right standard precordial leads (V1-V2), high right precordial leads (V1H-V2H), as well as in the unipolar aVR lead ("the forgotten lead"). Based on their location, these leads reflect the electrical activity of the RVOT.
A síndrome de Brugada (SBr) é uma entidade arrítmica clínico-eletrocardiográfica hereditária com padrão genético autossômico dominante de herança ou variante de novo. A síndrome tem baixa prevalência mundial, porém sendo endêmica no Sudeste Asiático (Tailândia, Filipinas e Japão). A SBr é uma doença cardíaca minimamente estrutural, sendo o diagnóstico só possível na presença do chamado padrão ECG de Brugada tipo 1 espontâneo ou induzido, por exemplo, a febre. Os distúrbios de repolarização-despolarização em pacientes com SBr podem ser causados por mutações genéticas responsáveis pela migração anormal de células da crista neural, baixa expressão "gap junctions" conexina-43 ou distúrbios do conexoma. Um estudo recente de autópsia revelou aumento do colágeno biventricular com fibrose miocárdica quando comparado aos controles, embora o principal território cardíaco afetado seja a via de saída do ventrículo direito (VSVD). Nessa área, há menor expressão da conexina-43, o que se traduz no ECG-VCG por atraso final de condução do QRS nas derivações precordiais direitas (V1-V2), precordiais direitas altas (V1H-V2H), bem como na derivação unipolar aVR ("a derivação esquecida"). Com base em sua localização, esses eletrodos refletem a atividade elétrica da VSVD
ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
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
A 75-year-old man with a heart murmur and fatigability was referred to our hospital. We diagnosed unruptured giant right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm that obstructed the right ventricular outflow tract by echocardiography (UCG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The right ventricle was dilated and its ejection fraction was decreased to 9.3% by MRI. Successful surgical repair involved the right sinus of Valsalva plasty using a bovine pericardial patch and resection of the aneurysm through only a right ventricular outflow incision. His postoperative course was uneventful.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a rare heart-muscle disorder characterized by progressive replacement of right ventricular myocardium by fibrofatty tissue. Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is also rare congenital cardiomyopathy, characterized by an arrest in intrauterine endomyocardial morphogenesis. We present an extremely rare patient who presented with incessant ventricular tachycardia and who had both of these two cardiomyopathies at the same time.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Las taquicardias ventriculares de larga duración o incesantes pueden causar insuficiencia cardíaca, disfunción del ventrículo izquierdo y cardiomiopatía, cuadros que revierten una vez resueltas las arritmias. Se trata de un diagnóstico de exclusión: puede existir una cardiopatía de base que empeora con la taquicardia y debe precisarse si la arritmia lleva a la cardiomiopatía (puede existir un subregistro) o viceversa. Se presenta un paciente con taquicardia incesante del tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho, de larga evolución, con repercusión hemodinámica, cardiomiopatía dilatada y disfunción grave del ventrículo izquierdo, rebelde a fármacos antiarrítmicos y con dos ablaciones fallidas, pendiente de biopsia endomiocárdica y nueva ablación de su taquicardia. Se discuten algunas pistas para diferenciar las arritmias del tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho, en sus variantes benignas (las más frecuentes) y malignas. Algunas pistas para diferenciarlas son: la duración del complejo QRS, el intervalo de acoplamiento de la extrasístole y la frecuencia de la taquicardia.
ABSTRACT Long-lasting or incessant ventricular tachycardias may cause heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, and cardiomyopathy; conditions that reverse once the arrhythmias have been solved. This is a diagnosis of exclusion: there may be a basic heart disease that worsens with the tachycardia and it must be clarified whether the arrhythmia leads to cardiomyopathy (there may be an underregistration) or vice versa. A patient with incessant right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia, with long evolution, hemodynamic repercussion, dilated cardiomyopathy and severe dysfunction of the left ventricle, refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and with two failed ablations, pending endomyocardial biopsy and new ablation of his tachycardia is presented. Some clues to differentiate right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias, in their benign (most frequent) and malignant variants, are discussed. Some clues to differentiate them are: the duration of the QRS complex, the coupling interval of premature contractions and the heart rate of the tachycardia.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, CardiacABSTRACT
RESUMEN El sistema Purkinje y el tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho tienen un papel trascendente en relación con las arritmias ventriculares malignas (taquicardia y fibrilación ventriculares, torsión de puntas) y con la muerte súbita cardíaca. Se discuten su fisiopatología, participación en el origen (extrasístoles desencadenantes) y mantenimiento de estas arritmias, y las posibilidades ablativas para disminuir las recurrencias y los episodios de tormenta eléctrica. Se expone el diagnóstico diferencial entre variantes benignas y malignas de la taquicardia ventricular relacionada con el tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho y la relación entre factores genéticos, estructurales, electroanatómicos y funcionales (inflamación, fibrosis), con los eventos clínicos y la vulnerabilidad a las arritmias. Se necesita reclasificar algunas de estas enfermedades, vistas ahora en su carácter orgánico-funcional (síndrome de Brugada, por ejemplo), lo cual implica cambios revolucionarios en algunos conceptos clásicos y una nueva visión en cuanto a la estratificación de riesgo y la conducta terapéutica.
ABSTRACT The Purkinje system and the right ventricular outflow tract play a pivotal role in relation to malignant ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, torsades de pointes) and sudden cardiac death. Details such as their pathophysiology, origin involvement (triggering extrasystoles) maintenance of such arrhythmias, and ablative possibilities to reduce recurrences and electrical storm events are discussed herein. The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ventricular tachycardia related to the right ventricular outflow tract, and the relationship between genetic, structural, electroanatomical and functional factors (inflammation, fibrosis) with clinical events and vulnerability to arrhythmias are presented. Some of these diseases need to be reclassified as they are now seen in their organic-functional character (Brugada syndrome, for example), and this implies radical changes in some classical concepts as well as a new perspective on risk stratification and therapeutic management.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Atrial Premature ComplexesABSTRACT
@#Objective To summarize the experience of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with self-made single-valve conduit for the treatment of complex congenital heart disease, and to explore the key points of operation, and to evaluate the short-term and medium-term results of the treatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 65 patients with complex congenital heart disease treated by self-made single-valve conduit from January 2006 to June 2018. There were 42 males and 23 females aged 5-23 (9.9±4.2) years with weight 15-65 (26.2±9.9) kg. There were 19 patients with single valve artificial blood vessel (an artificial vascular group), and 46 patients with single valve bovine pericardium tube (a bovine pericardial tube group). There were 48 patients of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with pulmonary atresia (PA), 10 patients of corrective transposition of great artery with pulmonary artery stenosis, 5 patients of tetralogy of Fallot with single coronary artery malformation, 2 patients of double outlet of right ventricle with pulmonary artery stenosis and single coronary artery malformation. Results Two patients died early after operation, both of them were VSD/PA patients who underwent radical treatment of extravascular prosthesis. The right ventricular outflow tract pressure difference was 13-37 (25.2±4.9) mm Hg in the artificial vascular group and 5-23 (10.5±3.3) mm Hg in the bovine pericardial tube group. No obvious reflux was found at discharge. The patients were followed up for 8 months to 13 years. One patient was lost. During the follow-up period, there were 5 patients of moderate tricuspid regurgitation, 32 patients of moderate intraductal regurgitation, 7 patients of severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 11 patients of moderate obstruction and 25 patients of mild obstruction. There was no late death. Heart function classification of all patients was in New York Heart Association classⅠtoⅡ. Conclusion The self-made single-valve conduit used to reconstruct right ventricular outflow tract shows good clinical effect. Using bovine pericardium tube has less pressure difference of outflow tract in comparison with artificial blood vessel. Bovine pericardium tube is more recommended for young and low weight patients.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
RESUMEN Introducción: El manejo inicial de pacientes con tetralogía de Fallot (TOF) asociado a una anatomía desfavorable y flujo vascular pulmonar significativamente reducido es controversial y continúa siendo un desafío clínico. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, retrospectivo, observacional. Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos (neonatos y lactantes menores) con diagnóstico de TOF asistidos en cuatro centros diferentes de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina, que recibieron stent en tracto de salida de ventrículo derecho (TSVD) como abordaje inicial de su cardiopatía congénita. La indicación de intervención paliativa inicial fue consensuada en reunión del equipo cardiovascular en cada centro participante. Una anatomía compleja (ramas pulmonares con Z score ≤ -2,5), presentación en shock cardiogénico o en crisis de cianosis, bajo peso o comorbilidades significativas (enterocolitis necrotizante, prematurez, insuficiencia renal, convulsiones) inclinaron la decisión hacia un abordaje percutáneo inicial. Resultados: Entre agosto de 2017 hasta mayo de 2018, 6 pacientes con TOF sintomáticos recibieron stent en TSVD. La edad media fue 39,3 días (9-87), el peso medio fue 3,60 kg (2,2-5,4) y el 66% eran de sexo femenino. Los stents utilizados fueron coronarios o periféricos con un diámetro que varió entre 4,0 y 6,0 mm. La saturación periférica previa a la colocación del stent fue de 66,4% (42-77) incrementado a 90,6% (86-96) previo al alta (p < 0,001). No se registraron complicaciones durante la intervención. El tiempo de internación fue de 7 días (1-13) y el tiempo de seguimiento fue de 106,8 días (4-292). No hubo mortalidad a los 30 días. Conclusión: El implante de stent en TSVD en pacientes con TOF y anatomía desfavorable es una opción razonable en neonatos y lactantes menores como alternativa a la realización de una anastomosis de Blalock-Taussig modificada o corrección primaria inicial.
ABSTRACT Background: The initial management of patients with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) associated with unfavorable anatomy and significantly reduced pulmonary blood flow is controversial and still a clinical challenge. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective and observational study in consecutive neonates and young infants with diagnosis of TOF treated at four different centers of the city of Cordoba, Argentina, who underwent RVOT stenting as the first approach to alleviate their congenital heart defect. The indication of a primary palliative intervention was decided by the cardiovascular surgery team in each participating center. An initial percutaneous approach was considered under the following circumstances: complex anatomy (pulmonary branches with Z score ≤-2.5), cardiogenic shock, cyanotic spells, low weight or significant comorbidities (necrotizing enterocolitis, prematurity, kidney dysfunction or convulsions). Results: From August 2017 to May 2018, 6 patients with symptomatic TOF underwent RVOT stenting. Mean age was 39.3 days (9-87), mean weight was 3.60 kg (2.2-5.4) and 66% were girls. Coronary or peripheral stents were used with diameter between 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm. Systemic arterial oxygen saturation was 66.4% (42-77) before the procedure and increased to 90.6% (86-96) before discharge (p<0.001) There were no complications during the procedure. Patients were hospitalized for an average of 7 days (1-13) and mean follow-up was 106.8 days (4-292). There were no deaths at 30 days. Conclusions: Right ventricular outflow tract stenting in patients with TOF and unfavorable anatomy is a reasonable option for neonates and young infants as an alternative to the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or initial primary corrective surgery.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
@#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.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the feasibility of animal model of the reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract in rats. Methods A total of 15 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction surgery. Before the operation, the collagen scaffolds were treated with g 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride chemistry (EDC), and seeded with human bone marrow stem cells (h-MSCs). Three days after the surgery, 3 rats were randomly sacrificed to evaluate the transmural resection of right ventricular outflow tract. One or 3 months later, other 3 rats at each timepoint were sacrificed, stained with Masson’s Trichrome to observe the degradation of scaffold. Furthermore, 4 weeks after the surgery, 4 rats were sacrificed and the hearts were sliced. Anti-human mitochondria staining was used to identify the survival of seeding cells. Results The transmural resection of right ventricular outflow tract was feasible in rats at an acceptable mortality (13.3%). After EDC treatment, the degradation rate of collagen scaffold was extended greatly. The seeding cells were detected by anti-mitochandria immunofluorescent staining in all patches 4 weeks after the operation. Conclusion Rat model of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction could be a stable, reliable and economical screening model for engineered heart tissue research.
ABSTRACT
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has diverse pathophysiological and clinical features, according to the extent and severity of the hypertrophy development. Hypertrophy mostly involves the left ventricle and sometimes causes a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Right ventricular involvement is less frequent, and even the severe form of a right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction by concurrent right ventricular hypertrophy in a patient with HCM is rare. We report a case of biventricular HCM with a clinically, morphologically, and hemodynamically significant RVOT obstruction, which had been treated successfully with surgical myectomy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic , Heart Ventricles , Hypertrophy , Hypertrophy, Right VentricularABSTRACT
@#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.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the effects of different right ventricular pacing sites on left ventricle systolic function in elderly patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS).Methods A total of 78 elderly patients with SSS were selected in our hospital from 2014 to 2016,and were divided into the right ventricular apical group (RVA group,40 cases) and right ventricular outflow tract group (RVOT group,38 cases) according to sites of right ventrieular pacing.The QRS duration,accumulative total right ventricular pacing percentage and left ventricle function indicators were compared between the two groups before operation and 3,9 months after operation.Results There was no statistically significant difference in QRS duration and left ventricle function indicators before operation between the two groups (P＞0.05).The QRS durations in the RVA group at 3,9 months after operation were longer than those in the RVOT group,there were statistically significant differences (P＜0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in accumulative total right ventricular pacing percentage at 9 months after operation between the two groups (P＞ 0.05).At 9 months after operation,the left ventricular ejection fraction in the RVOT group was higher than that in the RVA group,and the left ventricular end diastolic diameter was lower than that in the RVA group,there were statistically significant differences (P＜0.05).Conclusion The effects of RVOT pacing on left ventricle systolic function in elderly patients with SSS is superior to the RVA pacing.
ABSTRACT
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.