Factors associated with perioperative mortality in children and adolescents operated for tetralogy of Fallot: A sub-Saharan experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with tetralogy of Fallot are now surviving to adulthood with timely surgical intervention. However, many patients in low-income countries have no access to surgical intervention. This paper reports the surgical access and perioperative mortality in a sub-Saharan center that was mainly dependent on visiting teams. METHODS: We reviewed records of patients operated from January 2009 to December 2014. We examined perioperative outcomes, primarily focusing on factors associated with perioperative mortality. RESULTS: During this period, 62 patients underwent surgery. Fifty-seven (91.9%) underwent primary repair, while 5 (6.5%) underwent palliative shunt surgery. Of the five patients with shunt surgery, four ultimately underwent total repair. Eight (12.9%) patients died during the perioperative period. Factors associated with perioperative mortality include repeated preoperative phlebotomy procedures (P < .001), repeated runs and long cardiopulmonary bypass time (P < .001), and aortic cross-clamp time (P < .001), narrow pulmonary artery (PA) valve annulus diameter (P = .022), narrow distal main PA diameter (P = .039), narrow left branch PA diameter (P = .049), and narrow right PA diameter (P = .039). Of these factors, cardiopulmonary bypass time/aortic cross-clamp time and pulmonary valve annulus diameter less than three SD were independently associated with perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: In this series of consecutive patients operated by a variety of humanitarian surgical teams, cardiopulmonary bypass time/aortic cross-clamp time, and pulmonary valve annulus diameter less than three SD were independently associated with perioperative mortality risk. As some of these factors are modifiable, we suggest that they should be considered during patient selection and at the time of surgical intervention.

Humanitarian Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa: Can We Reshape the Model?

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, humanitarian cardiology and cardiac surgery have shifted toward sending short-term surgical and catheter missions to treat patients. Although this model has been shown to be effective in bringing cardiovascular care to the patients' environment, its effectiveness in creating sustainable service is questioned. This study reports the barriers to contribution of missions to effective skill transfer and possible improvements needed in the future, from the perspective of both the local and overseas teams. METHODS: We reviewed the mission-based activities in the Children's Heart Fund Cardiac Center in the past six years. We distributed questionnaires to the local surgeons and the lead surgeons of the overseas teams. RESULTS: Twenty-six missions visited the center 57 times. There were 371 operating days and 605 surgical procedures. Of the procedures performed, 498 were open-heart surgeries. Of the operations, 360 were congenital cases and 204 were rheumatic. Six local surgeons and 18 overseas surgeons responded. Both groups agree the current model of collaboration is not optimal for effective skill transfer. The local surgeons suggested deeper involvement of the universities, governmental institutions, defined training goals and time frame, and communication among the overseas teams themselves as remedies in the future. Majority of the overseas surgeons agree that networking and regular communication among the missions themselves are needed. Some reflected that it would be convenient if the local surgeons are trained by one or two frequently visiting surgeons in their early years and later exposed to multiple teams if needed. CONCLUSION: The current model of collaboration has brought cardiac care to patients having cardiac diseases. However, the model appears to be suboptimal for skill transfer. The model needs to be reshaped to achieve this complex goal.

Percutaneous recanalization of totally occluded coarctation of the aorta in children using Brockenbrough needle and covered stents.

Percutaneous treatment of totally occluded coarctation of the aorta has been reported predominantly in adults. The success and challenges of this procedure in children is reported in few patients. We report an outcome of percutaneous treatment of three children with completely occluded coarctation of the aorta. The age range was 9-14 years. All the patients had upper limb hypertension. One case had severe left ventricular dysfunction. In all cases, a pediatric Brockenbrough needle and a covered stent were implanted. Recanalization and implantation of a covered stent was successful in all patients. One of these patients developed transient postcoarctectomy syndrome. Percutaneous recanalization of totally occluded coarctation of the aorta using Brockenbrough needle and a covered stent in children is feasible and effective.