Objective To study the inflammation response and the biocompatibil ity of valved bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC) and valved bovine jugular vein patch (VBJV-P) in treating complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods From December 2007 to March 2008, 16 patients with complex CHD were treated. Of 16 patients, 6 underwent conjunction right ventricular to pulmonary artery with BJVC and broaden right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) with VBJV-P (BJVC group), and 10 underwent broaden RVOT with self pericardial patch (control group). In BJVC group, there were 3 males and 3 females, aging (5.6 ± 3.6) years, and including 1 case of type I truncus arteriosus, 1 case of type I truncus arteriosus with ventricular septal defect and patent foramen ovale, 1 case of congenital pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and patent arterial duct, and 3 cases of Fallot’s tetrad. In control group, there were 5 males and 5 females, aging(4.3 ± 3.1) years, all being Fallot’s tetrad. The periphery vein blood of the two groups was collected during operation and after operation, and the levels of cytokine were detected with ELISA method. Meanwhile the cl inical data of the two groups were collected. Results There were no significant differences at levels of TNF-α and IL-6 between BJVC group and control group 1 week after operation (P gt; 0.05), and there was significant difference at level of IL-10 [(25.7 ± 5.0) pg/mL vs (19.5 ± 4.7) pg/ mL, P lt; 0.05]. There were no significant differences at levels of IL-6 and IL-10 within groups both in control group and in BJVC group (P gt; 0.05) between 1 week after operation and the anesthesia inducing period. And there was significant difference at level of TNF-α in BJVC group [(77.0 ± 1.6) pg/mL vs (82.9 ± 1.3) pg/mL, P lt; 0.05] and in control group [(78.6 ± 3.4) pg/mL vs (83.1 ± 1.9) pg/mL, P lt; 0.05] between 1 week after operation and the anesthesia inducing period. There were no statistically significant differences (P gt; 0.05) in leukocyte count and body temperature between BJVC group and control group. The X-ray films showed no abnormal ity in BJVC group and control group before operation and after operation. No hepatic and renal dysfunction occurred in control group; and 2 patients had hepatic dysfunction, which may be caused by antibiotics. Conclusion BJVC has a good biocompatibil ity in treating complexty CHD.
Objective To explore the feasibility and efficacy in therapy of pectus excavatum using novel modified Nuss procedure after congenital heart disease (CHD) operation. Methods Thirty-six children (including 22 males and 14 females with an average age of 4.5±2.2 years ranging 2.8-18.0 years) with pectus excavatum after CHD operation from January 2011 to March 2015 were selected as an observation group. Thirty-eight pectus excavatum children (including 24 males and 14 females with an average age of 4.0±2.5 years ranging 2.8-20.0 years) without CHD from July to September 2013 were selected as a control group. The novel modified Nuss procedure was performed on the patients in both groups. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay as well as postoperative complications between two groups were reviewed and analyzed. Results In the observation group, the operation time was 50-72 (60.50±3.60) min and hospital stay was 4-6 (4.41±0.80) d. Meanwhile, the intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 (5.82±0.35) ml. In the control group, the operation time was 12-45 (20.15±0.68) min, hospital stay was 4-7 (4.61±0.63) d and the intraoperative blood loss was 3-8 (4.62±0.28) ml. The operation time was significantly longer in the observation group than that in the control group (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss or hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). No cardiac rupture happened in the two groups. Conclusion The novel modified Nuss procedure is safe and feasible for pectus excavatum after CHD operation with optimal outcomes.
ObjectiveTo compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
Objective To examine the influence of hormonal fluctuations on the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from fertile women diagnosed with congenital heart disease at the Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, between January 1, 2015, and July 30, 2019. Initially, patients were categorized into groups based on serum progesterone levels: a low progesterone group (n=31) and a high progesterone group (n=153). Furthermore, based on serum estrogen levels, they were divided into a low estrogen group (n=10), a medium estrogen group (n=32), and a high estrogen group (n=118) for comparative analysis. A control group (n=24) consisted of patients who received progesterone injections before their menstrual period. Results We finally included 184 patients. The patients’ average age was 27.6±5.7 years, with 142 (77.17%) presenting with complex congenital heart conditions. There were statistically significant differences in total postoperative standard thoracic drainage volume and postoperative albumin level between the high and low progesterone groups (P<0.05), while other perioperative outcome indicators showed no statistical differences (P>0.05). Among the different serum estrogen level groups, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative blood urea nitrogen levels, total postoperative standard thoracic drainage volume, and hospital stay (P<0.05), while other perioperative outcome indicators showed no statistical differences (P>0.05). ConclusionConsidering the overall clinical significance, the physiological changes in sex hormone levels appear to have a negligible effect on the perioperative outcomes of fertile women with congenital heart disease.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the "key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method" on the safety and efficacy of echocardiography-guided percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). MethodsPatients who underwent echocardiography-guided percutaneous PDA closure at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, with complete clinical data, between January 2016 and December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a study group (procedure performed using both "key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method") and a control group (procedures performed without these methods). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied for 1∶1 matching between the two groups. The primary endpoint was procedure success at 30 days after procedure. Secondary endpoints included intraoperative echocardiography localization success, major and minor complication at 6 months after procedure, and days of hospital stay. Results A total of 273 patients were included, among which 141 were in the study group and 132 in the control group. Before PSM, all patients achieved procedure success. After PSM, 77 matched pairs (154 patients) were analyzed. The study group demonstrated a significantly higher intraoperative echocardiography localization success rate (98.70% vs. 50.64%, P<0.001) and shorter hospitalization duration at (4.10±1.98) d vs. (5.01±2.16) d (P=0.007). The 6-month minor complication rate was lower in the study group (0.00% vs. 6.49%, P=0.058). All patients were successfully discharged, with no cases of device embolization, infective endocarditis, or death observed during follow-up.Conclusion "Key anatomical structure detection method" and "working length marking method" are effective echocardiography-guided adjunctive methods that enhance the safety and efficacy of PDA closure. These approaches deserve further validation in prospective multicenter studies in the future.
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a complex cardiac malformation with many anatomic variations and various approaches for surgical repair. DORV is mainly defined as the congenital heart disease with ventriculoarterial connection in which both pulmonary artery and aorta arising primarily (>50%) from the right ventricle, associated with continuity or discontinuity between the aorta and mitral valve. DORV can be subclassified by various ways. Now subclassification is usually performed according to the relationship between the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and the great arteries. Various approaches for surgical repair of DORV ranging from single ventricle palliation to biventricular repair are reported from many centers. However, the high-grade guideline of surgical management of DORV is still absent. Hence, we developed the Chinese expert consensus on DORV as the evidence for surgical strategies.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term clinical effect and risk factors of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) as a relief treatment for adult patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery (CCTGA).Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 47 adult patients with CCTGA who underwent tricuspid valve replacement in Fuwai Hospital between 2000 and 2017 year. There were 27 males and 20 females with operation age of 14–62 (38.8±13.5) years. Preoperative echocardiography showed moderate or more tricuspid regurgitation in all patients. The basic data of patients before and during operation were recorded. Survival was followed up by telephone and ultrasound report.ResultsThe average follow-up time was 6.5±3.7 years. The 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rate or the incidence of heart transplant-free was 94.6%, 90.5% and 61.7%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the long-term right ventricular ejection fraction of most patients (>90%) was still greater than or equal to 40%. Increased preoperative right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVEDD) was a risk factor for death or heart transplantation (risk ratio 1∶11, P=0.04). The survival rate of patients with RVEDD (>60 mm) before operation was significantly reduced (P=0.032).ConclusionTVP is a feasible treatment for adult patients with CCTGA. The increase of preoperative RVEDD is a risk factor for long-term mortality.
Unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital malformation resulting from the failed development or premature involution of the sixth aortic arch during embryogenesis, leading to a failure to establish a connection with the main pulmonary artery. Currently, there is a notable lack of consensus regarding the surgical management of UAPA in China. Drawing upon the latest clinical research, this consensus aims to summarize surgical approaches and techniques to improve the clinical management of UAPA patients and serve as a scientific reference for physicians specializing in pediatric cardiology and structural heart disease. This consensus aims to promote the standardization of UAPA diagnosis and treatment, thereby facilitating improved patient outcomes and long-term management, and stimulating the continuous development and innovation of surgical treatment for this condition in China.
Objective To summary the experience of extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) and study the operative indication, design, method, and therapeutic efficacy. Methods 29 patients of extracardiac conduit TCPC were reviewed:the average age was 10 years. Of them, there were 9 cases of tricuspid atresia, 9 double inlet ventricle with left ventricular type, 3 mitral atresia, 3 corrected transposition of the great arteries with anatomically right ventricular hypoplasia and 5 double outlet of right ventricle with left ventricular hypoplasia. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary bypass, 12 cases with heart arrested, and 17 without heart arrested. In them, 20 cases’ superior vena cava were anastomosed directly to the upper margin of right pulmonary artery, 9 cases deviated to the left side of right pulmonary artery to enlarge the stoma. For the inferior vena cava stoma, 22 cases’ anterior walls of right atrium were partially incised, and sutured to the posterior wall, then anastomosed with Gore-Tex blood vessel prostheses and connected to pulmonary trunk, and the other 7 cases’ bottom of right atrium was totally incised, the proximal was closed, and the distal was anastomosised with Gore-Tex blood vessel prostheses and connected to the lower margin of right pulmonary artery, deviated to the right sidedness. Results 5 died in the first 22 cases, and the next 7 cases all survive. All patients were followed up for 3 months to 10 years with no late death. Of them, 12 cases had low cardiac output syndrome, and 11 cases of chylothorax. Conclusions Compared with other types of Fontan operation, the extracardiac conduit TCPC has better long-term effects in older or grown-up children. Nevertheless, strict operative adoption, reasonable operative design, refined procedures, carefully observation and treatment are the key points of improving therapeutic efficacy.
Objective To recognize the risk factors of unplanned re-interventions within 30 days after pediatric cardiac surgery and evaluate the outcome of re-interventions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 202 children in Fuwai Hospital between January 1, 2015 and August 31, 2017. There were 115 males and 87 females at average age of 32.4 months with range of 3 days to 14 years. Results There were 202 children who underwent unplanned re-intervention during 30 days post-operation, including 54 re-adjustments of pulmonary blood flow, 34 re-corrections for residual cardiac abnormalities, 28 cardiopulmonary resuscitations, 38 for coagulation problems, 19 pericardial drainages, 11 palliative re-operations to deliver heart load and 6 diaphragmatic folds and 12 others. The mortality rate among children who underwent unplanned re-inventions after cardiac surgery was 10.9% (22/202). It was much higher than those free from re-interventions (0.7%). Time of mechanical ventilation was 284.3 (11–2 339) h, and mean ICU stay was 17.7 (1–154) d, significantly longer than those free from re-interventions at the same period. Conclusion Unplanned re-interventions after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with higher mortality rate and longer recovery time. Early identifying risk factors and re-intervention can reduce the complications and improve the prognosis.