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Background For neonates with atrioventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction including coarctation of the aorta, we sought to determine whether a difference in outcomes exists after a primary neonatal versus staged surgical repair (neonatal arch repair with delayed intracardiac repair). Methods This retrospective cohort study included consecutive neonates with atrioventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction who underwent cardiac surgery before 28 days of age at six centers from 1990 to 2009. Characteristics and outcomes between patients undergoing neonatal versus staged repair were compared. Results Of 66 study patients, 31 (47%) underwent primary neonatal repair and 35 (53%) underwent staged repair. At baseline echocardiogram, a greater percentage of neonatal repair patients had relative unbalanced ventricular size (56% versus 35%, p = 0.02). There were no other differences in demographic characteristics, cardiac anatomical or functional details, or surgical technique. Those undergoing neonatal repair tended to be more likely to have at least moderate left atrioventricular valve regurgitation early after repair (42% versus 19%, p = 0.05) and to have at least one major in-hospital complication (42% versus 20%, p = 0.06). After the initial cardiac operation, compared with the neonatal repair group, patients undergoing staged repair had greater survival (87% versus 57% at 6 years, log-rank p = 0.02) and freedom from the first unplanned cardiac reoperation (69% versus 45% at 6 years, log-rank p = 0.005). Conclusions For neonates with atrioventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction, when compared with neonatal repair, a staged approach was associated with improved survival and lower morbidity.

Background A continuous-flow "adult" ventricular assist device (VAD) was modified to support infants and children waiting for heart transplantation. Methods A centrifugal VAD, designed to flow at 1.5 to 8 L/min, was used as a bridge to transplantation in pediatric patients. In smaller children and infants, a modified recirculation shunt permitted lower flow ranges. In hypoxic patients, an oxygenator was spliced into the circuit. Results From 2010 to 2015, the VAD was placed in 13 consecutive patients. Age ranged from 0.9 to 16 years (median, 7 years). Body surface area (BSA) ranged from 0.4 to 2.1 m 2 (median, 0.8 m 2 ). Ten patients had a BSA less than 1.0 m 2 . Four patients were receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before VAD. Three patients had single-ventricle physiology. Five patients had a recirculation shunt and 3 underwent insertion of an oxygenator. Median time on the VAD was 20 days (range, 2–140 days). In patients with a recirculation shunt, mean patient flow was 1.5 L/min (mean flow/BSA, 2.7 L/min/m 2 ), with mean total VAD flow of 3.4 L/min. Twelve patients underwent transplantation, and 1 patient underwent VAD explantation. All patients survived and were discharged at a median of 26 days (range, 17–83 days) after transplantation. Three patients experienced major bleeding events. There were 2 cerebrovascular accidents. VAD mortality dropped from 33% (3 of 9) during 2007 to 2010 to 0% (0 of 13) between 2011 and 2015 ( p = 0.05). Wait-list mortality dropped from 10% (5 of 52) to 4% (4 of 91) for these periods ( p = 0.29). Conclusions The centrifugal VAD successfully supported pediatric patients awaiting heart transplantation. The modified recirculation shunt facilitated the successful support of patients in whom optimal flows were substantially lower than those recommended by the manufacturer. The design allows placement of an in-line oxygenator. Compared with pulsatile devices, use of this VAD was associated with a trend toward decreased mortality associated with VAD use.

Background Surgical techniques for repair of supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) include McGoon's one-patch, Doty's two-patch, and Brom's three-patch method. In this review we evaluated mid-term clinical outcomes of these techniques at our institution. Methods Our cardiac surgery database identified patients with SVAS repair from 1990 to 2008. Follow-up records, reintervention and reoperation data, and most recent echocardiograms were obtained. Results From 1990 to 2008, 20 patients (70% male) underwent surgery for SVAS. Mean age was 3.6 ± 5.6 years. In chronological sequence, 8 patients had single-patch aortoplasty, 4 had the Doty procedure, and 8 received Brom's symmetric three-patch aortoplasty. Of the Brom patients, 6 had Williams syndrome. Aortic cross-clamp times were 40.1 ± 13.6 minutes (one-patch), 60.3 ± 38.8 minutes (Doty), and 104 ± 20.5 minutes (Brom). Perioperative mortality was 5.0% (1 patient in one-patch group). Mean postoperative length of stay was 10 ± 10.6 days. Follow-up data were available for all survivors (mean follow-up, 6.3 ± 6.0 years; range, 6 months to 16 years). There were no late deaths. Follow-up echocardiograms revealed a peak Doppler gradient across the aortic outflow tract of 33 ± 18.0 mm Hg (one-patch), 10 ± 1 mm Hg (Doty), and 18 ± 12 mm Hg (Brom). All patients in the Doty and Brom groups had less than moderate aortic insufficiency. Reoperations were required in 5 of 8 one-patch patients (62%) for residual aortic stenosis (n = 3), aortic insufficiency (n = 1), and subvalvar stenosis (n = 1). No Doty or Brom patient has required aortic reoperations, which was nearly statistically associated with freedom from reoperation ( p = 0.06). Subvalvar stenosis was the only risk factor associated with reoperation ( p = 0.0028). Conclusions Despite a longer cross-clamp time, SVAS repair by Doty or Brom aortoplasty restores normal hemodynamics and reduces the need for reoperation when compared with the classic one-patch technique. Our current preference for SVAS repair is the Brom three-patch symmetric aortoplasty.

Background Patients with failing Fontan circulation are at high risk for complications after heart transplantation (HTx) because of multiple prior operations, elevated panel reactive antibody, hepatic dysfunction, coagulopathy, protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), and poor nutrition. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the outcome of HTx for these patients, including those who are status post-Fontan conversion. Methods Of 206 heart transplants at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago from 1990 to 2012, 22 patients had a failing Fontan. Median age at HTx was 12.2 years, median interval from initial Fontan to HTx was 7.1 years. Potential preoperative risk factors included PLE (n = 15), mechanical ventilation (n = 8), prior Fontan conversion (n = 7), renal failure (n = 3), and plastic bronchitis (n = 2) Median number of prior operations was 3. Donor branch pulmonary arteries were used in 17 patients. Results There were 5 early deaths (23%), due to graft failure (1), pulmonary hypertension (1), and infection (3). There were 3 late deaths (13%) at 1, 5, and 8 years. Two of 3 patients with preoperative renal failure died. Survivors who had preoperative PLE (n = 11) and preoperative plastic bronchitis (n = 2) experienced complete resolution of these pathological conditions after heart transplantation. Median length of stay was 30 days. Five of 7 Fontan conversion patients survived, and 6 of 8 preoperative ventilator-dependent patients survived. One-, 5-, and 10-year survival was 77%, 66%, and 45%, respectively. Conclusions The operative mortality of HTx for patients with a failing Fontan is high. Using the donor branch pulmonary arteries greatly facilitated the transplant. Because infection caused the majority of early deaths, lower intensity initial immunosuppression may be warranted. Transplantation was successful in treating PLE in all survivors. Prior Fontan conversion was not a risk factor. Preoperative mechanical ventilation was not a risk factor. Preoperative renal failure may be a relative contraindication. Earlier referral of failing Fontan patients may improve results.

Pseudoaneurysm formation is a dangerous, but uncommon, complication after the Ross procedure. We describe a patient in whom two pseudoaneurysms formed at the proximal suture line of the pulmonary autograft. These were successfully treated percutaneously, one by placement of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (AGA Medical, Golden Valley, MN), and the other with coil embolization.