Minimal Right Vertical Infra-axillary Incision for Repair of Congenital Heart Defects.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the surgical results of a diverse array of congenital heart defects through minimal right vertical infra-axillary incision (RVIAI). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients using minimal RVIAI for congenital heart defects between 2015 and 2019. The study included 1672 patients and minimal RVIAI was used for 13 primary procedures. The incision was 2.0 to 4.0 cm in all patients. RESULTS: Median age was 2.3 years (range, 0.2-6.0 years) and median weight was 12.5 kg (range, 5.0-34.0 kg). There were no in-hospital deaths or conversions to median sternotomy. Five patients underwent early reoperations (0.3%; 3 had postoperative bleeding, 1 had coarctation of ascending aorta owing to cannulation, and 1 had a major residual shunt). Other postoperative complications included a trivial residual shunt in 16 patients (1.0%), pleural effusion in 3 (0.2%), and wound infection in 4 (0.2%). Median follow-up was 3.2 years (range, 0.2-4.9 years). There were no late deaths or late reoperations. During follow-up, no surgery-related thoracic deformity or breast asymmetry was noted. One patient had mild scoliosis. We randomly chose 100 patients to complete a questionnaire regarding patient satisfaction with minimal RVIAI. Results showed that all patients and their parents were satisfied with the cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal RVIAI can be safely performed for a wide range of congenital heart defects with excellent cosmetic results. It may serve as a good alternative to median sternotomy, especially for young female patients.

Single leaflet reconstruction in paediatric aortic regurgitation using the Ozaki procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve repair in children is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to analyse the surgical results of children with aortic regurgitation who underwent single leaflet reconstruction using the Ozaki procedure in our medical centre. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of nine children with aortic regurgitation who received single leaflet reconstruction from May 2017 to September 2019. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare the data at different time points. RESULTS: The median surgical age was 4.7 (3.5, 6.4) years. Eight patients were pre-operatively diagnosed with severe aortic regurgitation, while one had moderate regurgitation. The left ventricles were significantly enlarged, with an average z-score of 3.8. Single leaflet reconstruction was carried out using glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium under the standard Ozaki procedure. The median follow-up was 22 (14, 33) months. There was no post-operative death or re-intervention. One patient had moderate or more aortic regurgitation during the follow-up. The average degree of aortic regurgitation was mild, and the average z-score of the left ventricle decreased to -0.2 in the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Single leaflet reconstruction using the Ozaki procedure was an effective surgical method for treating children with aortic regurgitation in our centre with satisfactory short-term results.

Clinical Outcome of Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Intramural Coronary Artery.

To review the early and intermediate outcomes of patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and intramural coronary artery (IMCA) who underwent arterial switch operation (ASO) at our center. Among 450 patients with TGA who underwent an ASO between 2010 and 2018, 26 (5.8%) patients were identified with IMCA. The left coronary artery was intramural in 21 of 26 patients. We adopted coronary transfer using double coronary buttons with unroofed intramural course for all 26 patients. Early mortality for patients with IMCA was 3 of 26 (11.5%) compared with 10 of 424 (2.4%) for those without IMCA (p = 0.007). Six patients suffered major adverse events, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in 3 patients, delayed sternal closure in 6 patients. The follow-up was available for all 23 survivors, with the mean follow-up period of 73.5 ± 28.7 months. There was no late death and reinterventions, and all patients were asymptomatic at last follow-up. One patient exhibited moderate neopulmonary regurgitation, and 1 patient presented with distal stenosis of the right pulmonary artery. Coronary transfer using double coronary buttons with unroofed intramural course was a good option for patients with TGA and IMCA. With this technique, ASO could be performed with optimal early and intermediate outcomes.

Transposition of the Great Arteries, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Pulmonary Stenosis: Modified REV versus Rastelli.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the results of the modified réparation à l'ètage ventriculaire (REV) and the Rastelli operation for the treatment of transposition of the great arteries (TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and pulmonary stenosis (PS). Records of 38 patients who underwent the modified REV (n = 16) or the Rastelli operation (n = 22) for the treatment of TGA, VSD, and PS between 2010 and 2019 were reviewed. The median age was 2.2 years (range 0.6-8.0 years) and the median weight was 11.3 kg (range 6.4-22.0 kg). No in-hospital death occurred and there were 4 early reoperations (two in each group). Overall survival at 10 years was 97.4% (100% in Modified REV group and 95.5% in Rastelli group, P = 0.39). Freedom from left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) reoperation was 100% in both groups. Freedom from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reoperation was 100% in Modified REV group and 75.4% in Rastelli group (P = 0.073). Event-free survival was 100% in Modified REV group and 72.0% in Rastelli group (P = 0.048). The most recent echocardiography showed that LVOT peak gradient was less than 10 mmHg in all patients. In Modified REV group, 30.8% of patients (4/13) had either RVOT obstruction (RVOT peak gradient more than 40 mmHg) or moderate or severe pulmonary insufficiency, while conduit stenosis (peak gradient more than 40 mmHg) was found in 25.0% of patients (3/12) in Rastelli group. The modified REV and the Rastelli operation provide satisfactory early results, as well as long-term survival and LVOT performance. However, the modified REV has better RVOT performance.

Doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect closure through tricuspid approach: a clinical analysis.

BACKGROUND: The research was to introduce the experience of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect (DCVSD) repaired through tricuspid approach. METHODS: From January, 2015 to September, 2019, 86 consecutive DCVSD paediatrics underwent repair via right subaxillary vertical incision (RAVI) through tricuspid approach. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: The age and weight at operation were 28.1 ± 18.5 (range: 7-101) months and 12.2 ± 4.2 (6-26.5) kg. There were two patients combined with discrete subaortic membrane, two patients with patent ductus arteriosus, one patient with atrial septal defect, and two patients with abnormal muscle bundle in right ventricular outflow tract. The mean size of ventricular septal defect was 7.0 ± 2.4 (3-13) mm. The defect was repaired with a piece of Dacron patch in 68 patients or directly with 1-2 pledgetted polypropylene sutures in 18 patients. The cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time were 46.2 ± 13.3 (23-101) minutes and 29.2 ± 11.5 (12-84) minutes. After 3.1 ± 2.4 (0-14) hours' ventilator assist and 23.2 ± 32.1 (0-264) hours' ICU stay, all patients were discharged safely. At the latest follow-up (27.9 ± 14.6 months), echocardiography showed trivial residual shunt in two patients. There was no malignant arrhythmia occurred and there was no chest deformity or asymmetrical development of the breast was found. CONCLUSIONS: DCVSD repaired via right subaxillary vertical incision through tricuspid approach was safe and feasible, providing a feasible alternative to median sternotomy, and it can be performed with favourable cosmetic results.

Surgical management of unroofed coronary sinus syndrome: A 20-year-single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Unroofed coronary sinus syndrome (UCSS) is rare and often associated with the left superior vena cava (LSVC). We report our experience of the clinical features, diagnosis, associated anomalies, surgical procedures, and late outcomes of UCSS during a 20-year period. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine patients with UCSS were treated surgically and followed up between May 1998 and May 2019. UCSS was confirmed by preoperative echocardiography or computerized tomography (CT) scan in 97 patients and by the surgeons intraoperatively in 62 cases, and 100 cases were associated with LSVC. Among these patients, eight cases underwent ligation, and the intracardiac tunnel or baffle was reconstructed in 71 cases to ensure drainage of the LSVC into the right atrium (RA), and the extracardiac procedure was to lead the LSVC into the RA in three patients. Coronary sinus opening was diverted to the RA by the atrial septal patch in three cases. Thirteen patients underwent the reroof procedures, and two patients had untreated LSVC. The associated cardiac lesions were corrected concomitantly. RESULTS: There were five in-hospital deaths. Follow-up of 143 patients of early survivors was done, and no deaths were reported. No serious complications were observed, with the exception of avulsion of the internal tunnel patch in one patient. CONCLUSION: UCSS is often misdiagnosed during preoperative evaluation of congenital heart diseases. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography remains the most important method in the diagnosis of UCSS. We adopted multiple surgical approaches to manage the different types of UCSS with LSVC with good results.

Outcomes of management of major aortopulmonary collaterals for pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between long-term survival and different management of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries in patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. METHODS: From November, 2009 to October, 2018, a total of 98 consecutive patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, and hypoplastic pulmonary arteries treated with modified Blalock-Taussig shunt or right ventricle-pulmonary artery connection were included. Fifty-five patients who received occlusion or ligation of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries during or after palliative procedure were occlusion group, and the other 43 patients were no occlusion group. The early and late outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 30.9 months in no occlusion group and 49.8 months in the occlusion group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that only no occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries was predictive of total mortality (Hazard Ratio: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.27 to 15.42, p = 0.02). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed that patients without occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries demonstrated worse survival as compared with the occlusion group (p = 0.013). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves of patients who underwent different palliative procedures showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries when a primary repair is not feasible, those without occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries have a higher risk of death following an initial palliative procedure compared with patients who underwent occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. The occlusion of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries is not associated with a higher rate of complete repair or better improvement of pulmonary artery growth.

Translocation of aberrant left subclavian artery and resection of Kommerell diverticulum during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of the translocation of the aberrant left subclavian artery (LSCA) and resection of the Kommerell diverticulum during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies for paediatric patients who had a right-sided aortic arch. METHODS: A retrospective review of paediatric patients who were diagnosed right-sided aortic arch, aberrant LSCA, Kommerell diverticulum and intracardiac anomalies between 2015 and 2019 was conducted. Patients who underwent translocation of the aberrant LSCA, diverticulum resection and concomitant intracardiac repair were included. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent translocation of aberrant LSCA, diverticulum resection, ligamentum division and concomitant repair of the associated intracardiac anomalies. All patients were male. The median age was 1.3 years (range 0.4-5.5 years) and the median weight was 10.0 kg (range 6.1-21.0 kg). The most commonly combined intracardiac anomaly was a ventricular septal defect. Seven patients (87.5%) had preoperative respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. There was no early mortality and no postoperative complications. During the median follow-up of 23 months (range 4-43 months), no patient had residual respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. A postoperative computed tomography scan was performed in 3 patients, all of which showed patent LSCA-left carotid artery anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Translocation of the aberrant LSCA and resection of the Kommerell diverticulum can be safely performed during the concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies for paediatric patients. This approach could eliminate residual respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, and prevent reintervention in the future.

Repair of anomalous right upper pulmonary venous connection with extracardiac tunnel using pedicled autologous pericardium.

We introduce a new surgical technique where an extracardiac tunnel is created using pedicled autologous pericardium in an 8-month-old boy who was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect and anomalous connection of the right superior pulmonary vein to the superior vena cava.

Outcome of modified réparation à l'ètage ventriculaire (REV) based on anatomical characteristics for the anomalous ventriculoarterial connection with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of the modified réparation à l'étage ventriculaire (REV) based on the individual anatomical and pathological findings of the patients with an anomalous ventriculo-arterial connection with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. METHODS: We reviewed a series of 24 patients who underwent modified REV between 2005 and 2019. Surgical indications included ventricles and atrioventricular valves suitable for biventricular repair, severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (peak gradient >30 mmHg), unrestrictive subaortic VSD and coronary arteries not suitable for reimplantation. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 7.0 ± 4.2 years (range 0.5-14.1 years). Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that overall survival was 100% and freedom from any reoperation was 93.3% ± 6.4%. Longitudinal analyses of the available postoperative echocardiographic data showed that the left ventricular outflow tract peak gradient was less than 10 mmHg in all patients (15/15) and the left ventricular ejection fraction was more than 50% in 93.3% of patients (14/15). The right ventricular outflow tract peak gradient was less than 40 mmHg in 73.3% of patients (11/15). CONCLUSIONS: The REV remains an option for selected patients despite the increasing use in recent years of the Nikaidoh procedure and its modifications. The surgical strategy needs to be determined by the specific anatomical and pathological findings of the patient. The modified REV had excellent long-term survival and freedom from reoperation for the treatment of anomalous ventriculo-arterial connection with VSD and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The long-term performance of the reconstructed left ventricular outflow tract and right ventricular outflow tract is satisfactory.

Hepatic to azygos connection by autologous pericardial roll for Fontan completion.

Techniques for performing the Fontan completion procedure after Kawashima procedure have developed in recent years. This paper presents a case in which we performed an off-pump hepatic-to-azygos connection by autologous pericardial roll via thoracotomy as a modified Fontan completion. The operation wound was limited, and the short-term follow-up was satisfactory. Notably, it was found that the autologous pericardium might require a shorter period of anticoagulation treatment than what is needed for artificial prosthetic materials.

Effectiveness of Bidirectional Glenn Shunt Placement for Palliation in Complex Congenitally Corrected Transposed Great Arteries.

Surgery for complex congenitally corrected transposed great arteries is one of the greatest challenges in cardiovascular surgery. We report our experience with bidirectional Glenn shunt placement as a palliative procedure for complex congenitally corrected transposition. We retrospectively identified 50 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with congenitally corrected transposition accompanied by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and ventricular septal defect and who had then undergone palliative bidirectional Glenn shunt placement at our institution from January 2005 through December 2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to subsequent surgeries: Fontan completion (total cavopulmonary connection, 13 patients) (group 1), anatomic repair (hemi-Mustard and Rastelli procedures without Glenn takedown, 11 patients) (group 2), and prolonged palliation (no further surgery, 26 patients) (group 3). After shunt placement, no patient died or had ventricular dysfunction. Overall, mean oxygen saturation increased significantly from 79.5% ± 13.5% preoperatively to 94.1% ± 7.3% (P <0.001). The median time from shunt placement to Fontan completion and anatomic repair, respectively, was 2.1 years (range, 1.6-5.2 yr) and 1.1 years (range, 0.6-2.4 yr). Only 2 late deaths occurred, both in group 1. In group 3, time from shunt placement to latest follow-up was 4.5 years (range, 2.3-8 yr). At latest follow-up, mean oxygen saturation was 91.6% ± 10.3%, and no patients had impaired ventricular function. Bidirectional Glenn shunt placement as an optional palliative procedure for complex congenitally corrected transposition has favorable outcomes. Later, patients can feasibly be treated by Fontan completion or anatomic repair. Use of a bidirectional Glenn shunt for open-ended palliation is also acceptable.

Modified Single Repair Technique for Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

There were controversies about the priority of modified single patch (MSP) technique compared with two-patch (TP) technique for patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD). From 2002 to 2013, patients who diagnosed as balanced CAVSD in our institution were retrospectively included. Patients with unbalanced ventricles or associated anomalies were excluded. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and the secondary endpoint consist of left atrioventricular dysfunction or left atrioventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). A total of 74 patients underwent MSP repair and 102 patients underwent TP repair. After 1:1 propensity matching, there were 46 Rastelli type A CAVSD patients in each group. Patients in MSP group had shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time [median (interquartile range) 73.5 (65.5-95.0) versus 105.0 (88.8-130.0) min, P < 0.001] and aortic cross-clamp time [105.5 (90.0-128.0) versus 143.0 (122.0-184.0) min, P < 0.001]. In total, the primary endpoint occurred in 12 patients, including 2/46 (4.3%) in MSP group and 10/46 (21.7%) in TP group. That 1-year, 3-year, 5-year survival rate can be calculated as 95.6%, 95.6%, 95.6% in MSP group and 92.6%, 80.4%, 78.2% in TP group, P = 0.015. No significant statistical difference found for the secondary endpoints that 7/46 (15.2%) patients occurred moderate or severe LAVVR in MSP group versus 11/46 (23.9%) patients in TP group, P = 0.293. No LVOTO occurred in both groups. Besides the simplicity of technique, MSP technique may be safer.

Quantitative assessment of technical performance during hands-on surgical training of the arterial switch operation using 3-dimensional printed heart models.

OBJECTIVE: Data supporting the use of hands-on simulation in congenital heart surgery are promising but primarily qualitative. This study aimed to demonstrate if there was an objective improvement in time and technical performance of the arterial switch procedure on 3-dimensional printed heart models by surgeons using a validated assessment method. METHODS: A total of 30 surgeons of varying experience performed the arterial switch procedure twice on 3-dimensional printed models with transposition of the great arteries during the Hands-on Surgical Training courses. Surgeons' performances were recorded and retrospectively assessed for both time and performance using the Hands-on Surgical Training-Congenital Heart Surgery tool, a validated procedure-specific assessment tool for the arterial switch. RESULTS: A total of 60 videos were scored. Eighty percent of surgeons (24/30) had improved from their first attempt. The mean total score of the first attempt performance compared with the second was 103 and 120, respectively, with a mean difference in score of 17 (95% confidence interval, 10-24). All surgeons were statistically significantly quicker in their second attempt. The mean time for the first attempt compared with the second was 1 hour, 28 minutes, 4 seconds and 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 45 seconds, respectively, with a mean difference of 0 hours, 22 minutes, 19 seconds (95% confidence interval, 0 hours, 15 minutes, 22 seconds to 0 hours, 25 minutes, 34 seconds). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate an objective improvement in time and technical performance of the arterial switch procedure on 3-dimensional printed heart models. This supports the evidence that simulation in the form of deliberate practice with constructive, objective feedback is fundamental in the training of future congenital heart surgeons. These simulations and assessments should be incorporated to create structured, standardized training curricula within congenital heart surgery.

Surgical Outcomes of Anatomical Repair for Congenitally Corrected Transposed Great Arteries.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of anatomical repair for patients with congenitally corrected transposed great arteries remain unclear and the indications for different procedures are poorly understood. METHODS: From January 2005 to February 2016, consecutive corrected transposition patients who underwent anatomical repair at the current institution were enrolled in this retrospective study. Varied types of anatomical repair were individually customised. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were included. Fifty-one (51) and 35 patients presented with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and cardiac malposition, respectively. Thirty-nine (39) patients presented with moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Thirty-four (34), 19, and 32 patients underwent Senning arterial switch operations, Senning-Rastelli, and hemi-Mustard-Rastelli-bidirectional Glenn, respectively. Early after repair, there were five in-hospital deaths and nine re-operations. During 4.6 years (range, 0.5-10.3) of follow-up, seven late deaths were documented. Estimated overall survival rate after anatomical repair was 89.3%, 85.0%, and 85.0% at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years, respectively. Instead of Senning-Rastelli, most (75.0%) early left ventricular dysfunctions were noted in patients who underwent Senning arterial switch procedures. However, all the late left ventricular dysfunctions were found in patients who underwent previous left ventricular retraining. In patients with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, the hemi-Mustard-Rastelli-bidirectional Glenn shunt provided a lower early mortality (0% vs 15.8%, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Favourable outcomes can be achieved for anatomical repair of corrected transposition. Left ventricular dysfunction was a significant postoperative issue. Hemi-Mustard-bidirectional Glenn-Rastelli procedure may provide benefits for patients with associated left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and cardiac malposition. Each procedure has its own advantages in varied anatomy.

Mid-Term Outcome for Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery.

BACKGROUND: This study is a single-centre experience with surgical intervention of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent ALCAPA repair between November 1991 and October 2017. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients with a median age of 36 months underwent ALCAPA repair. The median follow-up period was 3.5 years. Overall, 114 (82.6%) patients received coronary reimplantation, 21 (15.2%) underwent Takeuchi repair, and three (2.1%) were treated by closure of the ALCAPA plus coronary artery bypass graft. Concomitant mitral repair was performed in 50 patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Three (2.1%) patients died in hospital. Three (2.1%) patients needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Seven (5.0%) patients needed delayed sternal closure. In patients with decreased preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (<50%), the LVEF significantly improved from 25% to 33% at discharge (p = 0.001). The percentage of more than moderately significant MR decreased from 36.2% to 5.2% (p = 0.02). There was no late mortality. Two patients needed reoperation because of baffle leaks after Takeuchi repair. Three patients had severe MR. All patients had normal LVEF at last follow-up. The median normalisation time of left ventricular function was 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term and mid-term outcomes of surgical treatment for ALCAPA patients were excellent. The concomitant mitral valve repair did not increase the perioperative risk but had satisfactory mid-term outcomes. Normalisation of left ventricular function is expected within the first 6 months.

Safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid in paediatric cardiac surgery: study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: An initial retrospective study suggested that tranexamic acid (TXA) administration increased the incidence of seizures in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the efficacy of TXA in paediatric cardiac surgery remains unclear owing to the small sample sizes of the studies. Therefore, this study will investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We hypothesised that TXA may increase the incidence of postoperative seizures with no effect on postoperative allogeneic transfusion in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The pragmatic study will provide important implications for paediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This will be a single-centre prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial. The plan is to enrol in the study 2090 paediatric patients aged 31 days to 7 years who will be undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). All eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the TXA or placebo group by using a Web-based randomisation service in a 1:1 ratio. The primary safety end point will be postoperative seizures until hospital discharge, and the primary efficacy end point will be the volume of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after termination of CPB. All patients will be followed up for 1 year postdischarge. All data will be analysed in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (No 20191195). Written informed consent will be obtained from the parents/legal guardian of each patient because all participants will be <18 years of age. The results of the trial will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR1900024131).

Through Tricuspid Closure for Doubly Committed Subarterial Ventricular Septal Defect with Right Vertical Subaxillary Mini-incision: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the right subaxillary vertical mini-incision (RAVI) used for the closure of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect (SAVSD) through tricuspid approach only. From June 2015 to September 2016, 32 SAVSD patients (mean age 2.4 ± 1.9 years, range 0.7-8 years) underwent surgical repair with either RAVI (incision length 3-4 cm) through tricuspid (group A, n = 16) or conventional median sternotomy incision through the main pulmonary artery approach (group B, n = 16). A retrospective 1:1 matched-pair analysis was performed with the group B matched for defect size, body weight, gender, patching, and operation year. The demographic characteristics in both groups were similar. No patient died and only 1 patient in group B needed reoperation for sternal infection. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and aortic cross-clamp time were 48.6 ± 12.6 min, 29.3 ± 8.5 min in the group A and 57.8 ± 14.1 min (p = 0.03), 34.3 ± 12.1 min ( p = 0.18) in the group B. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the ICU stay (17.8 ± 8.9 h in group A, 18.7 ± 9.5 h in group B, p = 0.79), mechanical ventilation support time (2.7 ± 1.7 h in group A, 3.6 ± 1.5 h in group B, p = 0.11), postoperative hospital stay (6.3 ± 1.5 days in group A, 7.4 ± 1.7 days in group B, p = 0.06), and chest tube drainage (6.4 ± 4.3 ml/kg in group A, 8.5 ± 3.8 ml/kg in group B, p = 0.16). No significant residual defects were found in both groups. The post-operation pressure gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was significantly different between the two groups with 4.6 ± 1.8 mmHg in group A and 10.0 ± 6.8 mmHg in group B (p = 0.004) even if no significant difference was found between both groups before operation. No arrhythmia was found after operation. All the patients or the parents (100%) in the group A were satisfied with the cosmetic results, while the number in B group was 7 (43.8%) in questionnaire. The RAVI through tricuspid approach to repair doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect is a safe and feasible procedure with better hemodynamic performance of RVOT and less CPB time because of keeping pulmonary artery intact comparing to conventional approach. More importantly, the RAVI through tricuspid approach can be performed with favorable cosmetic results.

Reoperation With Coronary Reimplantation After Takeuchi Repair of Bland-White-Garland Syndrome.

We present a 1-year-old boy with Bland-White-Garland syndrome (anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) who underwent coronary reimplantation. He had previously undergone a Takeuchi procedure at 7 months of age. He was hospitalized because the patency of the intrapulmonary tunnel to the left coronary could not be confirmed by routine computed tomography in an outpatient facility. The left coronary reimplantation was performed by extending the coronary artery with an autologous pulmonary artery wall. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient's left ventricular function had improved to a normal state at the 12-month follow-up visit.

Outcomes of Common Atrioventricular Valve Repair in Patients With Single-Ventricle Physiology　- Indication, Timing and Repair Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Common atrioventricular valve (CAVV) repair in patients with a single ventricle remains a great challenge and a refractory issue for pediatric cardiac surgeons. Methods and Results: From January 2007 to April 2018, 37 consecutive patients with a single ventricle who underwent CAVV repair were included in the study group. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the repair technique: patients in Group A were treated using the bivalvation technique, and patients in Group B underwent conventional repair techniques; baseline data were similar between groups. The inhospital and follow-up mortality were 5.4% (2/37) and 11.4% (4/35), respectively. After a follow-up of 65.5±29.3 months, the estimated 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 94.6%, 83.4%, and 77.0%, respectively. The rates of freedom from CAVV failure were 94.3%, 72.7%, and 62.9% after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the independent factors for CAVV repair failure were repair technique (P=0.004) and heterotaxy syndrome (P=0.003). A total of 30 patients (81.1%) completed total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC); 3 patients required re-intervention; 24 of 31 patients (77.4%) were in New York Heart Association classes II and I at the latest follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of CAVV repair in patients palliated by single-ventricular surgery are acceptable. The bivalvation technique is a simple and effective technique.