Anesthesia management with single injection paravertebral block for aorta coarctation in infant.

BACKGROUND: Thoracotomy causes severe pain in the postoperative period. Perioperative thoracic paravertebral block reduces pain score and may improve outcome after pediatric cardiac surgery. This prospective study was designed for the efficacy and duration of a single level, single injection ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for fifteen infants undergoing aortic coarctation repair. METHODS: After approval of the ethical committee and the relatives of the patients, 15 infants who had undergone thoracotomy were enrolled in the study. The patients received 0.5 ml·kg(-1) a bolus 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 1 : 200 000 at T5-6 level after standard general anesthesia induction. Anesthesia depth with Index of Consciousness (IOC) and tissue oxygen saturation with cerebral (rSO2-C) and somatic thoracodorsal (rSO2-S) were monitored. Intraoperative hemodynamic and postoperative hemodynamic and pain scores were evaluated for 24 h after surgery. Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) score was utilized to measure postoperative pain in the intensive care unit. Rescue 0.05 mg·kg(-1) IV morphine was applied to patients in whom FLACC was >3. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 4.5 (1-11) months, and the median intraoperative endtidal isoflurane concentration was 0.6% (0.3-0.8). The amount of remifentanil used intraoperatively was 4.5 (2.5-14) µg·kg(-) (1) ·h(-1). Intraoperative heart rate and blood pressure values significantly decreased compared with values detected at 5th, 10th, and 15th min after TPVB application, after incision prior and after cross-clamp (P < 0.01). The median time of first dose of morphine application after block was 320 (185-430) min. The median morphine consumption in 24 h was 0.16 (0.09-0.4) mg·kg(-1). The median length of postoperative intensive care unit and in-hospital stay times was 23 (1-67) h and 4 (1-10) days, respectively. CONCLUSION: We believe that TPVB, as part of a balanced anesthetic and analgesic regime, provides effective pain relief in patients undergoing aortic coarctation repair.

Use of pumpless extracorporeal lung assist as rescue therapy in adolescent with cystic fibrosis.

There is abundant evidence that artificial ventilation can aggravate pre-existing lung disease, which may contribute to morbidity and mortality. This is especially true for patients with air leakages. This case report describes the use of a pumpless extracorporeal lung assist as a rescue therapy to provide time to heal during the mechanical ventilation of a 16-year-old with cystic fibrosis who could not be managed via conventional means.

Coronary artery fistula between left coronary artery and coronary sinus in newborn.

Aneurysmal circumflex coronary artery fistula connected to the coronary sinus is a rare clinical entity that usually remains asymptomatic until later in life. The timing of surgical treatment for asymptomatic patients is crucial. The decision to leave or exclude the aneurysmatic coronary artery following ligation of the fistula is controversial. Herein, we report the successful management of a coronary fistula between the circumflex artery and the coronary sinus without using cardiopulmonary bypass during the newborn period.

Early initiation of peritoneal dialysis after arterial switch operations in newborn patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We investigated the clinical outcome of early initiated peritoneal dialysis (PD) use in our newborn patients who underwent arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and had routine intraoperative PD catheter implantation. We determined the risk factors for PD, factors associated with prolonged PD, morbidity, and mortality. The aim of the present study was to describe our experience of using PD in this patient cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty two patients who were diagnosed with TGA and TGA-ventricular septal defect (VSD) and who had undergone TGA correction operation in Baskent University, Istanbul Medical Research and Training Hospital between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively investigated. All the patients were under 30 days old. PD catheters were routinely implanted intraoperatively at the end of the operation. PD was initiated in transient renal insufficiency. In the absence of oliguria and increased creatinine level, PD was established in the presence of one of the following: clinical signs of fluid overload, hyperkalemia (>5 mEq/L), persistent metabolic acidosis, lactate level above 8 mmol/L or low cardiac output syndrome. The patients were divided into two groups according to the need for postoperative PD (PD group and non-PD group). PD was initiated in 32 (39%) patients after the operation, whereas 50 (61%) patients did not need dialysis. The clinical outcomes and perioperative data of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The demographics in the two groups were similar. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the PD group [non-PD group, 175.24 ± 32.39 min; PD group, 196.22 ± 44.04 min (p < 0.05)]. Coronary anomaly was found to be higher in the PD group [non-PD group, n = 2 patients (4.0%); PD group, n = 7 patients (21.9%); p < 0.05]. There was more need for PD in TGA + VSD patients [simple TGA patients, n = 14; TGA + VSD patients, n = 18 (p < 0.05)]. PD rate was higher in patients whose sterna were left open at the end of the operation (p < 0.05). The ventilator time [non-PD group, 4.04 ± 1.51 days; PD group, 8.12 ± 5.21 days (p < 0.01)], intensive care unit stay time [non-PD group, 7.98 ± 5.80 days; PD group, 15.93 ± 18.31 days (p < 0.01)], and hospital stay time were significantly longer in the PD group [non-PD group, 14.98 ± 10.14 days; PD group, 22.84 ± 20.87 days (p < 0.01)]. CONCLUSION: We advocate routine implantation of PD catheters to patients with TGA-VSD, coronary artery anomaly, and open sternum in which we have determined high rate of postoperative PD need.

Delayed sternal closure after pediatric cardiac operations; single center experience: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Delayed sternal closure (DSC) after cardiac surgery is a therapeutic option in the treatment of the severely impaired heart in pediatric cardiac surgery. The results with the technique of DSC over a 4-year period are examined with regard to mortality and morbidity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of 38 patients who had undergone DSC among 1100 congenital cardiac operations. Indication of DSC, time to sternal closure, pre and post closure cardiopulmonary and metabolic status, mortality, rate of wound and bloodstream infections were recorded. RESULTS: The mean sternal closure time was 2.9 days. The mortality rate was 34.2% (n = 13). Twenty (52.6%) patients required prolonged antibiotic use due to postoperative infection. There was gram negative microorganism predominance. There were 4 (10.5%) patients with postoperative mediastinitis. Postoperative infection rate statistically increased with cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT), sternal closure time (SCT) and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time (p = 0.039;p = 0.01;p = 0.012). On the other hand, the mortality rate significantly increased with increased cross clamp time (CCT), SCT, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use (p = 0.017; p = 0.026; p = 0.03). Single ventricular physiology was found to be risk factor for mortality in delayed sternal closure (p < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Elective DSC does not reduce the morbidity. The prolonged sternal closure time is associated with increased rate of postoperative infection rate; therefore early closure is strongly advocated.

Valve-sparing replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch in a child with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

We describe a successful surgical treatment in a 2.5-year old boy with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, in whom we performed aortic arch and ascending aorta replacement with a valve-sparing operation (VSO) of the aortic root because of significant aortic insufficiency and dilation of the aortic root. We believe that VSO is ideal for treating young patients with aortic root aneurysm with normal or minimally diseased aortic cusps to avoid the disadvantages of prosthetic valve replacements.

Treatment of subaortic stenosis in hearts with single-ventricle physiology.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the patients who had had a Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) operation for single-ventricular physiology with the aorta originating from a hypoplastic ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the systemic ventricle. METHODS: Seven patients who were operated on between May 2007 and November 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients had been diagnosed with a transposed double-inlet left ventricle and triscuspid atresia, and had been waiting for a Fontan operation. Systemic outflow stenosis was defined echocardiographically as those with a gradient greater than 20 mmHg, and angiographically those with greater than 5 mmHg in the subaortic region. RESULTS: The mean age and weight of the patients was 15 ± 9.7 months and 8 ± 3.3 kg, respectively. The mean gradient between the systemic ventricle and the aorta was 35 ± 25 mmHg. This gradient decreased to 14.3 ± 4 mmHg postoperatively. The early hospital mortality was 14% (one patient). The mean extubation time and mean time in the intensive care unit (ICU) were 13 ± 7.3 hours and 2.2 ± 0.5 days, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 11 ± 2 months. No mortality and semi-lunar valve insufficiency were observed after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: One of the major problems that occur while waiting for a Fontan operation is systemic ventricular hypertrophy and deterioration in the compliance of the ventricle due to systemic ventricular outflow stenosis. When the disadvantages of outflow resection are encountered, a DKS proves to be a good alternative.

Midterm results of aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved homografts.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the midterm clinical results of aortic valve replacement with cryopreserved homografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aortic valve replacement was performed in 40 patients with cryopreserved homograft. The indications were aortic valve endocarditis in 20 patients (50%), truncus arteriosus in 6 patients (15%), and re-stenosis or regurtitation after aortic valve reconstruction in 14 (35%) patients. The valve sizes ranged from 10 to 27mm. A full root replacement technique was used for homograft replacement in all patients. RESULTS: The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 12.5% (5 patients). There were four late deaths. Only one of them was related to cardiac events. Overall mortality was 22.5%. Thirty-three patients were followed up for 67±26 months. Two patients needed reoperation due to aortic aneurysm caused by endocarditis. The mean transvalvular gradient significantly decreased after valve replacement (p<0.003). The last follow up showed that the 27 (82%) patients had a normal left ventricular function. CONCLUSION: Cryopreserved homografts are safe alternatives to mechanical valves that can be used when there are proper indications. Although it has a high perioperative mortality rate, cryopreserved homograft implantation is an alternative for valve replacement, particularly in younger patients and for complex surgical problems such as endocarditis that must be minimalized.

[Follow-up of our patients with transposition of the great arteries and arterial switch operation; comparison of simple and complex transposition cases]. / Arteriyel "switch" ameliyati yapilan büyük arter transpozisyonlu hastalarimizin izlemi; basit ve kompleks transpozisyon olgularinin karsilastirilmasi

OBJECTIVE: 1. Follow-up data of patients with simple transposition of great arteries (TGA) and TGA with ventricular septal defect (VSD), who had arterial switch operation (ASO) are compared. 2. Factors affecting mortality and morbidity after ASO are described. METHODS: Seventy-six patients, who had an ASO between April 2007 and August 2010 were studied retrospectively. The patients with intact ventricular septum (IVS) (n=36) were in Group 1, and those with VSD (n=40) in Group 2. The pre and postoperative clinical and echocardiographic variables and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes were compared among groups using Mann-Whitney U, Pearson correlation and logistic regression tests. RESULTS: The mean age at operation was 44.1 days, weight was 3.6±0.98 kg. Patients were followed for 15.5±11.21 months. The aortic cross-clamp (AoCC) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times were higher in patients with VSD (p=0.001, p=0.004). Patients in Group 1 had longer inotropic agent infusion (p=0.001). Length of stay in ICU was similar in two groups (p>0.05). There was no correlation between the length of stay in ICU and age, weight, CPB time, AoCC time. Aortic regurgitation was more frequent in Group 2 (p=0.02). During follow-up, 12 patients died (15.7%), and 8 patients had a revision operation (10.5%) (diaphragmatic plication in 4, pulmonary artery reconstruction in 1, recoarctation operation in 3 patients). Mortality was similar in groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Arterial switch operation provides anatomical correction in TGA. Appropriate timing and good perioperative planning facilitates low morbidity and mortality in patients with VSD as in patients with simple TGA.

Extension of coronary artery with double flap technique in a complicated arterial switch operation.

The increased distance between the coronary ostium and the reimplantation site poses technical challenges in older patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and complex coronary artery anomalies. In this report, we describe a technique for coronary artery reimplantation using a pedicle flap on the pulmonary artery (PA) to create a tunnel resulting in an extension of the coronary button.

Arterial switch and modified Konno procedure with detachment of the aortic root for transposition of the great arteries and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

The arterial switch operation for the transposition of the great arteries accompanied by a ventricular septal defect and posterior malalignment of the outlet septum is a surgical challenge. We describe a new surgical technique in 2 patients having this pathology. The surgical technique consists of the arterial switch operation and a modified Konno procedure through partial detachment of the semilunar valve of the right ventricle as in the Ross procedure.

A rare anatomic variation: a combination of anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery from the main pulmonary artery, ventricular septal defect, and aortic coarctation.

BACKGROUND: We present a rare case of an anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery (SA) from the pulmonary artery (PA) associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and aortic coarctation. CASE REPORT: Critical aortic coarctation and VSD were diagnosed in a neonate, and coarctation angioplasty was successfully performed. Severe cardiac failure developed after this procedure, however, and closure of the VSD was planned. RESULTS: The anomalous SA was diagnosed during the operation when the cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated. As the pulmonary blood flow decreased, a difference in pulse pressures between the right radial artery and the ascending aorta was noticed to be due to the subclavian steal phenomenon. The difference decreased from 60 mm Hg to 25 mm Hg following ligation of the SA at its origin from the PA. The patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day without any problems. CONCLUSION: An abnormal origin of the right SA from the main PA associated with VSD and aortic coarctation is a unique combination that, if unnoticed preoperatively, may create difficulties during the operation.

Intraatrial baffle repair of anomalous systemic venous return without hepatic venous drainage in heterotaxy syndrome.

A 7-month-old boy with heterotaxy syndrome had partial atrioventricular septal defect and interrupted inferior vena cava with hemiazygos continuation to a left superior vena cava. The left side of the common atrium receiving all the venous drainage was in connection with the left ventricle and the aorta. The small atrium and the proximity of the pulmonary and hepatic vein orifices precluded complete baffling. This report describes an intraatrial baffle repair of anomalous systemic venous return without hepatic venous drainage. This resulted in good oxygenation postoperatively, with oxygen saturation ranging from 93% to 98%.

Cutting balloon angioplasty of bilateral renal artery stenosis due to Takayasu arteritis in a 5-year-old child with midterm follow-up.

The aim of this report is to demonstrate the successful endovascular treatment of bilateral renal artery stenosis due to Takayasu arteritis by cutting balloon angioplasty in a 5-year-old child with mid-term follow-up.

Duplicate mitral valve in an infant with Shone's anomaly.

Duplication of mitral valve is a very rare anomaly. It is characterized by two independent mitral valve apparatuses (leaflets and annulus) and subvalvular apparatuses (chordae and papillary muscles) that function well by themselves. In this report, we present duplicate mitral valve with parachute chordal attachment and mitral stenosis in an infant. The patient was successfully treated with the reconstruction of the larger valve without any intervention to the smaller one.

Fenestration between the left atrial appendage and left superior vena cava in Kawashima operation.

The benefits of a baffle fenestration in essentially high-risk Fontan patients have been demonstrated. Described here is the use of a new fenestration between the left atrial appendage and the left superior vena cava after Kawashima operation in a patient with a double-outlet right ventricle with hypoplastic left ventricle, left atrial isomerism, bilateral superior vena cavae with no bridging vein, an interrupted inferior vena cava, and continuation of the hemiazygos vein to the left superior vena cava.