Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect Using KONAR-MF™: A Multicenter Experience.

Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PmVSD) is an established procedure. However, the occurrence of complete heart block limits its scope. The newer KONAR-MF™ occluder has specific design characteristics that may improve the safety of PmVSD closure. The objective of the study was to describe the efficacy and mid-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of PmVSD using KONAR-MF™. The study was conducted prospectively in 3 Indian centers (January 2018-December 2022). PmVSD closure was done by both antegrade and retrograde methods, and patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and annually after that. 121 out of 123 patients were included with the following characteristics: median age 4.4 (0.18-40) years; weight 15 (2.1-88) kg; mean Qp/Qs ratio 1.87 ± 0.52 and pulmonary artery mean pressure: 22 ± 6.9 mmHg. The procedure was successful in all but 3; the device was removed due to significant residual shunt (n = 2) and new development of aortic regurgitation (AR) (≥ mild) in 1. The median defect size was 5.2 (2.5-12) mm. Device sizes from 6/4 to 14/12 were deployed (median fluoroscopy time 13.3 min; range 3.6-47.8). Shunt occlusion rates were 90%-Immediate, 95%-pre-discharge, and 97%-1 month, with no instances of complete heart block after the procedure and during follow-up. Six had new onset AR (mild: 2, trivial 4), and one had increased tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were well during follow-up (median: 20 months; range: 6-46). The new KONAR-MF™ occluder appears to be a promising and safe alternative for the closure of the PmVSD; further long-term follow is merited.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric cardiac services in India.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted pediatric cardiac services across the globe. Limited data are available on the impact of COVID.19 on pediatric cardiac care in India. AIMS: The aims are to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the care of children with heart disease in India in terms of number of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, catheter-based interventions, and cardiac surgeries. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective, multicentric, observational study. METHODS: We collected monthly data on the number and characteristics of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, catheter-based interventions, and cardiac surgeries and major hospital statistics, over a period of 5 months (April to August 2020), which coincided with the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India and compared it with data from the corresponding months in 2019. RESULTS: The outpatient visits across the 24 participating pediatric cardiac centers decreased by 74.5% in 2020 (n = 13,878) as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (n = 54,213). The reduction in the number of hospitalizations, cardiac surgeries, and catheterization procedures was 66.8%, 73.0%, and 74.3%, respectively. The reduction in hospitalization was relatively less pronounced among neonates as compared to infants/children (47.6% vs. 70.1% reduction) and for emergency surgeries as compared to elective indications (27.8% vs. 79.2%). The overall in-hospital mortality was higher in 2020 (8.1%) as compared to 2019 (4.8%), with a higher postoperative mortality (9.1% vs. 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The current COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the delivery of pediatric cardiac care across India with two-third reduction in hospitalizations and cardiac surgeries. In an already resource-constrained environment, the impact of such a massive reduction in the number of surgeries could be significant over the coming years. These findings may prove useful in formulating strategy to manage subsequent waves of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Early multicenter experience of Melody valve implantation in India.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter valves provide a safe and effective alternative to surgery for treating dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tracts (RVOTs). We present our early multicenter experience of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) using Melody valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN). METHODS: Patients with stenosed conduits or degenerated bioprosthetic valves in RVOT with combined stenosis and regurgitation were evaluated for suitability of Melody valve implantation. After undergoing an initial structured training, PPVI using Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) was guided by an approved proctor. Conduits were serially dilated and prestented with careful coronary interrogation, and bioprosthetic valves were dilated with high-pressure balloons. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was performed at 6 monthly intervals. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (three females) aged 23.1 ± 9.5 years in NYHA Class II-III underwent Melody TPV implantation in four Indian centers. The underlying anatomy comprised surgically implanted bioprosthetic valves for pulmonary regurgitation (n= 5), conduit repair for pulmonary atresia (n = 4), Rastelli repair (n = 3), truncus (n = 1), and Ross procedure (n = 2). Twelve patients had more than one previous surgery. Doppler gradient decreased from 74.2 ± 21.5 mmHg to 10.2 ± 4.5 mmHg after the PPVI. At a median follow-up of 14 months (1-39 months), all the patients were in NYHA Class I with echocardiographic gradients of 8 ± 5.7 mmHg with no evidence of pulmonary regurgitation. There were no major procedural adverse events or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Our early experience shows encouraging results of the PPVI program in India with proctored case selection and meticulous planning. It also confirms the safety and efficacy of Melody TPV for treating dysfunctional RVOT in postoperative patients.

Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure with their outcomes: A single center experience.

Background: Transcatheter paravalvular leak (PVL) closure in recent times has emerged as a safe and effective alternate to redo-surgical repair. We sought to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of percutaneous PVL closure at our center. Methods and Results: A retrospective study from August 2012 to December 2019 of 19 patients who underwent 21 procedures for PVL closure. The mean age was 49.25 ± 14.72 years. The target valve was mitral in 11 (57%) and aortic in 7 (36%) cases. One (5%) patient had prosthetic valve in left atrioventricular valve with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries. Majority of the cohort presented with heart failure without hemolysis (89%), with most of them being in NYHA functional class III (57%) or class IV (21%). A procedural success of 85% was achieved. Post procedure severity of regurgitation reduced from severe in thirteen patients and moderate in six patients to moderate in two patients and mild in fourteen patients. Symptomatic improvement was observed in all cases who had successful closure with NYHA function class improving from 3 ± 0.64 to 1.6 ± 0.94. The mean follow-up duration was 21 ± 13 months (median 24 months). There was one (4.7%) mortality with cumulative survival from all-cause mortality of 95%. Conclusion: The results of percutaneous PVL closure appear encouraging in our series with modest number of patients and offers a promising alternative to redo-surgery in this high-risk cohort.

A systematic approach to epicardial echocardiography in pediatric cardiac surgery: An important but underutilized intraoperative tool.

Intraoperative echocardiography is an integral component of the peri-operative management of pediatric heart disease. It confirms the adequacy of surgery, identifies residual lesions, and can provide useful hemodynamic data. It, therefore, helps to decide on the need for revision of repair and guides the postoperative management strategy. Intraoperative echocardiography is done with the use of either an epicardial probe or a transesophageal probe. Epicardial echocardiography is a simple, useful modality and has the ability to perform imaging in cases where transesophageal echocardiography cannot be easily performed, for example, in low birth weight babies. We attempt to describe in detail the technique of epicardial echocardiography and the various views that we have found useful for a complete postsurgical evaluation. The limitations of the technique are also discussed in detail.

Isolated absent right pulmonary artery in an infant with 22q11 deletion.

DiGeorge syndrome is a rare spectrum of disorder affecting structures derived from third and fourth pharyngeal pouches characterised by aplasia or hypoplasia of thymus and parathyroid glands, and conotruncal anomalies. Presentation includes infants with hypocalcemic seizures, CHD, or recurrent infection. This case report illustrates a unique combination of proximal interruption of right pulmonary artery and aberrant right subclavian artery in a 3-month-old infant who was subsequently diagnosed as DiGeorge syndrome. This constellation of vascular anomalies in an infant with DiGeorge syndrome has not been previously reported in the literature.

Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hypocalcemia-Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Pediatric Population.

Background Hypocalcemia is a rare reversible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatric population. Myocarditis is another more frequent cause of cardiomyopathy with overlapping presenting features. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a vital modality capable of tissue characterization for the evaluation of cardiomyopathy. The present study is the first attempt to determine if any specific characteristics on CMR exist in patients with hypocalcemic dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods A retrospective analysis of 10 cases of hypocalcemic dilated cardiomyopathy (August 2012-August 2019), among which CMRI of nine patients were analyzed. Patients were categorized in to three categories; category 1 defined as absence of edema and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), category 2 having edema only, and category 3 with presence of both edema and LGE. A diagnosis of myocarditis was considered if both edema and LGE were present. Results The mean age of the cohort was 5.5 ± 3.3 months. The mean ejection fraction of the cohort was 20.5 ± 6.85% that improved significantly to 35.22 ± 9.3% at the time of discharge. Five of nine patients had no edema or LGE (category 1), whereas two patients each were categorized into category 2 and 3. All cases in category 1 had normalized ventricular function on follow-up. One patient in category 2 had normal ejection fraction and one was lost to follow-up. Out of the two patients in category 3, there was one mortality and another was lost to follow-up. Of the six patients at follow-up (19 ± 11.0 months), the mean left ventricle ejection fraction improved to 56.5 ± 6.1%. Conclusion Hypocalcemic dilated cardiomyopathy has a favorable outcome on rapid initiation of treatment. CMR can be utilized for further prognostication of these patients. Absence of edema and LGE predicts a good outcome, whereas presence of LGE and/or edema either indicates a worse prognosis or an underlying coexistent myocarditis warranting an early myocardial biopsy.

Double outlet of both ventricles: morphological, echocardiographic and surgical considerations.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the morphology, echocardiographic features and surgical management of the entity appropriately described as 'double outlet of both ventricles'. METHODS: Seven patients (5 males, age 0.5-7.5 months) were diagnosed to have a unique form of subarterial ventricular septal defect (VSD) and ventriculo-arterial connection, where a muscular outlet septum straddled the crest of the ventricular septum in a cruciate manner, such that both great arteries were equally committed to both ventricles. Diagnosis was established by echocardiography, with 6 patients submitted to surgical repair by means of intracardiac routing of the left ventricle to the aorta using 2 patches. RESULTS: Surgical repair was successful in all 6 patients in whom it was attempted. In addition, 1 patient underwent concomitant repair of aortic coarctation, and 2 had closure of multiple VSDs. We lost 1 patient to follow-up after diagnosis. Follow-up with a range from 3 months to 8 years in the remaining patients revealed all to be clinically well with satisfactory growth of both outflow tracts. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a series of patients with the ventriculo-arterial connection best described as 'double outlet of both ventricles'. Diagnosis is readily established by echocardiography. Good early and midterm results can be expected subsequent to surgical repair using 2 patches for interventricular septation.

Angiotensin Receptor and Neprylisin Inhibitor: A new drug in pediatric cardiologist's armamentarium.

Heart failure due to congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies is a significant burden in the pediatric population. Pharmacological strategies for the management of pediatric heart failure are largely based on the extrapolation of adult data and Delphi process based on expert opinion. There are differences in the etiology, clinical course, and outcome of pediatric heart failure as compared to adult, thus the results of adult heart failure trials cannot be simply extrapolated to pediatric patients. There have been a lot of newer drugs for adults with heart failure, but there is a void for pediatric population with heart failure due to many reasons. Early results of multi-centric randomized control PANORAMA HF Trial and subsequent Food and Drug Administration approval for Angiotensin Receptor and Neprylisin Inhibitor (Sacubitril / Valsartan) for pediatric patients have tried to fill in this void and paved the way for a newer class of drugs for heart failure with proven benefits in pediatric patients.

Unusual combination of three types of interatrial communications in a child.

An unusual combination of three types of interatrial communications - coronary sinus defect, primum defect, and secundum defect - occurring together in a 3-year-old child is presented.

Multiple diffuse coronary cameral fistulas from the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery to both the right and left ventricle associated with left ventricular noncompaction: A rare combination.

Diffuse and multiple coronary cameral fistulas are very rare and with very few case reports of its association with left ventricular noncompaction are published. Here, we report a 6-year-old child of multiple diffuse coronary cameral fistulas to both the right and left ventricle in association with the left ventricular noncompaction. A possible common embryological link between the two uncommon entities is also discussed.

Non-obstructive membrane of left atrial appendage orifice: first paediatric report.

Left atrial appendage membrane is a rare anomaly. Its implications on clinical course are unknown. We report the first paediatric case in association with a congenital heart disease.

Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Through Limited Left Anterolateral Thoracotomy: An Alternative to Repeat Sternotomy.

We report two patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot who underwent pulmonary valve replacement through a limited left anterolateral thoracotomy. We describe the technique in detail. Both patients were at risk of cardiac injury during repeat sternotomy. This approach reliably avoids the risk of cardiac injury during repeat sternotomy and appears to be safe, simple, and reproducible.

Indian Guidelines for Indications and Timing of Intervention for Common Congenital Heart Diseases: Revised and Updated Consensus Statement of the Working Group on Management of Congenital Heart Diseases. Abridged Secondary Publication.

JUSTIFICATION: A number of guidelines are available for management of congenital heart diseases from infancy to adult life. However, these guidelines are for patients living in high income countries. Separate guidelines, applicable to Indian children, are required when recommending an intervention for congenital heart diseases, as often these patients present late in the course of the disease and may have co-existing morbidities and malnutrition. PROCESS: Guidelines emerged following expert deliberations at the National Consensus Meeting on Management of Congenital Heart Diseases in India, held on 10th and 11th of August 2018 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The meeting was supported by Children's HeartLink, a non-governmental organization based in Minnesota, USA. OBJECTIVES: To frame evidence based guidelines for (i) indications and optimal timing of intervention in common congenital heart diseases; (ii) follow-up protocols for patients who have undergone cardiac surgery/catheter interventions for congenital heart diseases. RECOMMENDATIONS: Evidence based recommendations are provided for indications and timing of intervention in common congenital heart diseases, including left-to-right shunts (atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and others), obstructive lesions (pulmonary stenosis, aortic stenosis and coarctation of aorta) and cyanotic congenital heart diseases (tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, univentricular hearts, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, Ebstein anomaly and others). In addition, protocols for follow-up of post surgical patients are also described, disease wise.

Atypical Left Ventricular Myxoma: Unusual Echocardiographic and Histopathological Features.

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors and are typically attached to the interatrial septum. Left ventricular myxomas are exceedingly rare and presentation in children is all the more uncommon. We report a case of left ventricular myxoma with very atypical cystic appearance raising an initial suspicion of a hydatid cyst. Subsequently, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was done, which ruled out the diagnosis of hydatid cyst. Complete surgical excision was done through transaortic and transmitral route. Histopathological examination revealed it to be a cardiac myxoma with vascular proliferation, which on echocardiography had appeared as a polycystic lesion. This is a very unusual histopathological presentation of cardiac myxoma.

Left Superior Vena Cava Draining Into Left Atrium in Tetralogy of Fallot-Four Cases of a Rare Association.

Persistent left superior vena cava is a common congenital anomaly of the thoracic venous system. Left superior vena cava draining into left atrium is a malformation of sinus venosus and caval system. The anomaly may be a cause of unexplained hypoxia even in adults. It may give rise to various diagnostic and technical challenges during cardiac catheterization and open-heart surgery. It is often detected serendipitously during diagnostic workup. Isolated left superior vena cava opening into left atrium is very commonly associated with other congenital heart defects. But tetralogy of Fallot is very rarely associated with persistent left superior vena cava which drains into left atrium. We report four such cases who underwent surgical correction successfully.

Transcatheter closure of right pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula in an infant: technical consideration and possible closure techniques.

Congenital right pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula is rare cause of cyanosis. It is an abnormal fistulous connection between right pulmonary artery and left atrium representing a direct communication between a pulmonary artery and vein with absence of capillary network connecting between these two. Cardiovascular examination usually remains normal. High index of suspicion on clinical examination and subsequent transthoracic echocardiography is needed to suspect this entity. Bubble contrast echocardiography usually confirms the diagnosis. Cardiac catheterization is used as diagnostic as well as therapeutic modality. Cardiac catheterization is useful in classifying the fistula and helps in transcatheter closure by embolization devices. Choice of devices depends on type of fistula, vascular access, and presence of atrial communication. Here, we are reporting 8-month-old girl presenting with type 2 right pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula, which underwent successful transcatheter closure by 6 mm/4 mm duct occluder (Heart R, Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, China). Early closure in this young age will prevent complications of cyanosis. The technical consideration, possible access, and closure techniques are discussed in this young infant.

Abernethy malformation: Our experience from a tertiary cardiac care center and review of literature.

Abernethy malformation, also called as congenital extrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt, is a rare anomaly involving the portal venous system. Although rare, it is increasingly being reported and is important to diagnose given the adverse clinical consequences in untreated patients. It has myriad of clinical presentations, from being completely asymptomatic to causing hepatic carcinoma, hepatic encephalopathy, severe pulmonary hypertension, and diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. We describe our experience with five cases in a tertiary pediatric cardiac care center with Abernethy malformation, with review of literature and also discuss possible therapeutic implications.

Indian guidelines for indications and timing of intervention for common congenital heart diseases: Revised and updated consensus statement of the Working group on management of congenital heart diseases.

A number of guidelines are available for the management of congenital heart diseases (CHD) from infancy to adult life. However, these guidelines are for patients living in high-income countries. Separate guidelines, applicable to Indian children, are required when recommending an intervention for CHD, as often these patients present late in the course of the disease and may have coexisting morbidities and malnutrition. Guidelines emerged following expert deliberations at the National Consensus Meeting on Management of Congenital Heart Diseases in India, held on August 10 and 11, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The meeting was supported by Children's HeartLink, a nongovernmental organization based in Minnesota, USA. The aim of the study was to frame evidence-based guidelines for (i) indications and optimal timing of intervention in common CHD; (ii) follow-up protocols for patients who have undergone cardiac surgery/catheter interventions for CHD; and (iii) indications for use of pacemakers in children. Evidence-based recommendations are provided for indications and timing of intervention in common CHD, including left-to-right shunts (atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and others), obstructive lesions (pulmonary stenosis, aortic stenosis, and coarctation of aorta), and cyanotic CHD (tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, univentricular hearts, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, Ebstein's anomaly, and others). In addition, protocols for follow-up of postsurgical patients are also described, disease wise. Guidelines are also given on indications for implantation of permanent pacemakers in children.

Guidelines for the management of common congenital heart diseases in India: A consensus statement on indications and timing of intervention.

INTRODUCTION: A number of guidelines are available for management of congenital heart diseases from infancy to adult life. However, these guidelines are for patients living in high-income countries. Separate guidelines, applicable to Indian children, are required when recommending an intervention for congenital heart diseases, as often these patients present late in the course of the disease and may have co-existing morbidities and malnutrition. PROCESS: Guidelines emerged following expert deliberations at the National Consensus Meeting on Management of Congenital Heart Diseases in India, held on the 10th and 11th of August, 2018 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to frame evidence-based guidelines for (i) indications and optimal timing of intervention in common congenital heart diseases and (ii) follow-up protocols for patients who have undergone cardiac surgery/catheter interventions for congenital heart diseases. RECOMMENDATIONS: Evidence-based recommendations are provided for indications and timing of intervention in common congenital heart diseases, including left-to-right shunts, obstructive lesions, and cyanotic congenital heart diseases. In addition, protocols for follow-up of postsurgical patients are also described.