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Background: The management of ventricular septal defect (VSD) alongside mitral regurgitation (MR) in pediatric patients remains a contentious issue due to the intricacies of cardiac surgery and the need to minimize ischemic time. Despite observations of MR regression following VSD closure, definitive guidelines for this patient subset are lacking, particularly concerning the management of the subgroup of patients with moderate MR. The objective of the study is to explore the factors influencing the choice between surgical intervention and conservative management for the mitral valve (MV) in VSD patients with moderate MR. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study from January 2000 to December 2015, we analyzed management trends and focused on 53 patients with both VSD and moderate MR. This cohort was subdivided into four groups: first by their MV pathology, and then stratified by the receipt of intervention towards the diseased MV. Our primary goal was to identify correlations, especially concerning surgical outcomes such as mortality and need for re-operation. Statistical significance is determined when the P value is lower than 0.05. Results: There were no notable differences in preoperative variables across four cohort groups, apart from the cross-clamp duration which was longest in Group B intervention. Outcome analysis showed survival rates that were higher in cohort groups that underwent intervention toward the disease MV regardless of existing MV morphology, although results were not statistically significant. Cox model analysis found no correlation between the cohort groups and postoperative outcomes, but cross-clamp duration significantly correlated with mortality. Conclusions: In cases of VSD with moderate MR with associated pathologies of the valvular apparatus, opting for MV repair (MVr) appears to improve survival outcomes without significantly increasing postoperative morbidity. Similarly, for patients with moderate MR and isolated annular dilatation, surgical MVr is observed to have better survival trend compared to the control group.

This article reviews the highlights of pertinent literature of interest to the congenital cardiac anesthesiologist published in 2023. After a search of the US National Library of Medicine PubMed database, several topics emerged where significant contributions were made in 2023. The authors of this article considered the following topics noteworthy to be included in this review: (1) advancements in percutaneous mechanical support in children with congenital heart disease, (2) children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease, (3) dexmedetomidine in pediatric cardiac surgery, and (4) recommendations for pediatric heart surgery in the United States: Implications for pediatric cardiac anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of ventricular septal defect (VSD) alongside mitral regurgitation (MR) in pediatric patients remains a contentious issue due to the intricacies of cardiac surgery and the need to minimize ischemic time. Despite observations of MR regression following VSD closure, definitive guidelines for this patient subset are lacking, particularly concerning the management of the subgroup of patients with moderate MR. The objective of the study is to explore the factors influencing the choice between surgical intervention and conservative management for the mitral valve (MV) in VSD patients with moderate MR. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study from January 2000 to December 2015, we analyzed management trends and focused on 53 patients with both VSD and moderate MR. This cohort was subdivided into four groups: first by their MV pathology, and then stratified by the receipt of intervention towards the diseased MV. Our primary goal was to identify correlations, especially concerning surgical outcomes such as mortality and need for re-operation. Statistical significance is determined when the P value is lower than 0.05. Results: There were no notable differences in preoperative variables across four cohort groups, apart from the cross-clamp duration which was longest in Group B intervention. Outcome analysis showed survival rates that were higher in cohort groups that underwent intervention toward the disease MV regardless of existing MV morphology, although results were not statistically significant. Cox model analysis found no correlation between the cohort groups and postoperative outcomes, but cross-clamp duration significantly correlated with mortality. Conclusions: In cases of VSD with moderate MR with associated pathologies of the valvular apparatus, opting for MV repair (MVr) appears to improve survival outcomes without significantly increasing postoperative morbidity. Similarly, for patients with moderate MR and isolated annular dilatation, surgical MVr is observed to have better survival trend compared to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 35 patients with various congenital heart defects who underwent pulmonary artery banding (PAB) between January 2018 and September 2023. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes of PAB and discuss its application in a staged approach for these patients. Material and Methods: The median age at PAB was 5 months (range: 2 to 20 months) with a median weight of 5.2 kg (range: 3 to 9 kg). Results: The hospital and total mortality rates were 11.4% (4). The median intensive care unit stay was 2 days (range: 1 to 22 days), and the median hospital stay was 5 days (range: 5 to 36 days). The second stage (either total correction or cavapulmonary anastomosis) was achieved in 40% (14/35) of patients at a median age of 15 months. The mean interval to repair was 8 months, with 12 out of 14 patients undergoing complete biventricular repair. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that PAB could be performed with acceptable outcomes, serving as a viable palliative measure for neonates and extremely small infants who are at high risk for cardiopulmonary bypass. Our study results exhibit a comparable trend to previously reported findings, emphasizing the importance of PAB in managing congenital heart malformations characterized by increased pulmonary blood flow. While the effectiveness of PAB has been validated in our study, future investigations could delve into refining surgical protocols, optimizing band adjustment techniques, and exploring potential preventive measures for common postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is essential for the conduct of open-heart procedures. While lifesaving, CPB can be associated with significant end-organ injuries believed to result from inflammatory responses triggered by the extracorporeal surfaces encountering cellular elements in the blood stream. In this review, we discuss the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the potential for Tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, in mitigating these effects. We compare the inflammatory responses in CPB and cytokine storm, a clinical condition in which Tocilizumab has been effectively implemented. Finally, we examine why corticosteroids, used to reduce the morbidity of CPB, may not effectively reduce IL-6 levels., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Stress caused by cardioplegic ischemic arrest was shown to alter the expression levels of heat shock proteins (Hsp), but little is known about their effects, particularly on pediatric hearts. This study aimed to investigate whether myocardial cellular stress and apoptotic response changes due to different cardioplegia (CP) solutions during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants and to determine their influence on surgical/clinical outcomes. Therefore, twenty-seven infants for surgical closure of ventricular septal defect were randomly assigned to a CP solution: normothermic blood (BCP), delNido (dNCP), and Custodiol (CCP). Hsp levels and apoptosis were determined by immunoblotting in cardiac tissue from the right atrium before and after CP, and their correlations with cardiac parameters were evaluated. No significant change was observed in Hsp27 levels. Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 levels decreased significantly in the BCP-group but increased markedly in the CCP-group. Decreased Hsp60 and increased Hsp70 expression were detected in dNCP-group. Importantly, apoptosis was not observed in dNCP- and CCP-groups, whereas marked increases in cleaved caspase-3 and -8 were determined after BCP. Serum cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I), myocardial injury marker, was markedly lower in the BCP- and dNCP-groups than CCP. Additionally, Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 levels were positively correlated with aortic cross-clamp time, total perfusion time, and cTn-I release. Our findings show that dNCP provides the most effective myocardial preservation in pediatric open-heart surgery and indicate that an increase in Hsp70 expression may be associated with a cardioprotective effect, while an increase in Hsp60 and Hsp90 levels may be an indicator of myocardial damage during CPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We report the early and long-term results of the strategies and surgical methods used in our center to treat pediatric patients who underwent surgical intervention to correct Ebstein anomaly (EA) in our center.Materials and Methods: In our study, a consecutive sample of 29 patients who underwent surgery for EA between February 2011 and February 2020 in our center were evaluated retrospectively.Results: The 29 patients underwent a total of 40 operations. Univentricular repair was performed in 5 (17.2%), 1.5 ventricular repair in 5 (17.2%), and biventricular repair in the remaining 19 (65.5%) patients. Cone reconstruction (CR) was performed in eight (27.5%), non-Cone tricuspid valve (TV) repair technique in five (17.2%), ring annuloplasty in two (6.9%), and TV replacement in two patients (6.9%) who had undergone biventricular repair. In two patients (6.9%), only close an atrial septal defect. Two (6.9%) patients underwent a second operation for advanced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in the early period. None of the 15 patients who underwent CR and TV plasty had moderate or advanced TR before discharge. Early mortality was seen in 1 (3.4%) patient. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 48.4±27.6 months. Three (10.7%) of the patients who were discharged after their first operation later underwent a second operation for TV regurgitation in the long term. No mortality was observed in any patient during long-term follow-up.Conclusion: Surgical treatment of EA is difficult, but its overall results are good. The anatomical repair rate is lower in neonatal and infant patients requiring surgery, but most of these patients underwent biventricular repair. Our long-term results demonstrated an acceptable survival rate, low mortality in the early postoperative period, and low incidence of re-intervention and morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of thyroid hormone levels on the prognosis of patients who underwent congenital heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. A total of 40 children who underwent congenital heart surgery were enrolled to this prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of postoperative low cardiac output state. Plasma free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone levels were measured preoperatively and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Postoperative low cardiac output state was observed in five patients (12.5 %). Preoperative free thyroxine levels were significantly higher in the low cardiac output state group (p=0.021). Postoperative free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels were significantly lower, and lactate levels, inotropic index were significantly higher in the low cardiac output state group. Duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, operation and cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly higher in the low cardiac output state group. Four patients (10 %) died in the early postoperative period, and all of them were in the low cardiac output state group. Our findings showed that the occurrence of low cardiac output state after congenital heart surgery was associated with the high levels of preoperative free thyroxine and the reduction in percentage of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels at the 24th and 48th hours postoperatively. [Med-Science 2019; 8(2.000): 395-400]

Cinematic rendering (CR) is based on a new algorithm that creates a photo-realistic three-dimensional (3D) picture from cross-sectional images. Previous studies have shown its positive impact on preoperative planning. To date, CR presentation has only been possible on 2D screens which limited natural 3D perception. To depict CR-hearts spatially, we used mixed-reality technology and mapped corresponding hearts as holograms in 3D space. Our aim was to assess the benefits of CR-holograms in the preoperative planning of cardiac surgery. Including 3D prints allowed a direct comparison of two spatially resolved display methods. Twenty-six patients were recruited between February and September 2019. CT or MRI was used to visualize the patient's heart preoperatively. The surgeon was shown the anatomy in cross-sections on a 2D screen, followed by spatial representations as a 3D print and as a high-resolution hologram. The holographic representation was carried out using mixed-reality glasses (HoloLens®). To create the 3D prints, corresponding structures were segmented to create STL files which were printed out of resin. In 22 questions, divided in 5 categories (3D-imaging effect, representation of pathology, structure resolution, cost/benefit ratio, influence on surgery), the surgeons compared each spatial representation with the 2D method, using a five-level Likert scale. The surgical preparation time was assessed by comparing retrospectively matched patient pairs, using a paired t-test. CR-holograms surpassed 2D-monitor imaging in all categories. CR-holograms were superior to 3D prints in all categories (mean Likert scale 4.4 ± 1.0 vs. 3.7 ± 1.3, P < 0.05). Compared to 3D prints it especially improved the depth perception (4.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.7 ± 1.2) and the representation of the pathology (4.4 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.2). 3D imaging reduced the intraoperative preparation time (n = 24, 59 ± 23 min vs. 73 ± 43 min, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of an extremely photo-realistic presentation via cinematic rendering and the spatial presentation in 3D space via mixed-reality technology allows a previously unattained level of comprehension of anatomy and pathology in preoperative planning.

Objectives: In the previous study we demonstrated that normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (N-CPB, ≥35°C) provided better early clinical outcomes compared to mild/moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (H-CPB, 28–34°C) for congenital heart surgery. In this follow-up study we compare early neurodevelopmental outcomes 2–3 years post-surgery.Methods: In this retrospective, non-randomized observational study, the medical notes of children from our previous cohort were reviewed after 2–3 years. Demographic and neurodevelopmental outcomes were tabulated to enable blinded statistical analysis comparing outcomes between N-CPB and H-CPB surgery for congenital heart defects. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to identify any differences in outcomes after adjustment for confounders.Results: Ninety-five children who underwent H-CPB (n = 50) or N-CPB (n = 45) were included. The proportions of patients with one or more adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes 2–3 years later were 14/50 (28.0%) in the H-CPB group and 11/45 (24.4%) in N-CPB, which was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.47). The two CPB groups were balanced for demographic and surgical risk factors, with the exception of genetic conditions. A higher incidence of H-CPB patients acquired learning difficulties [23.1% compared to 2.56% for N-CPB (p = 0.014)] and neurological deficits [30.8% compared to 7.69% for N-CPB (p = 0.019)], but these differences were not robust to adjustment for genetic syndromes.Conclusions: Our study did not reveal any significant differences in early neurodevelopmental outcomes between H-CPB or N-CPB surgery for congenital heart defects. The most important factor in predicting outcomes was, as expected, the presence of a genetic syndrome. We found no evidence that CPB temperature affects early neurodevelopmental outcomes.

• In a non pre-selected cohort, percutanous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) could be performed in 80/382 patients (20.9%). • A large right ventricular outflow tract, small patient size, and coronary compression were the major obstacles. • Future device developments may expand the indication pool for PPVI. Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) numbers are rising but are still minor compared to surgery due to several contraindications. We sought to analyze the impact of PPVI compared to standard surgery in an unselected cohort with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Reasons for PPVI failure and possible contraindications were explored. Between 2010 and 2015 all consecutive patients who underwent surgery or intervention for a dysfunctional RVOT were investigated. A total of 382 cases was identified – 246 patients underwent successful valve insertion: 166 surgeries (166/246 = 67.4%) with 55/166 homografts (33.1%), 106 Contegra® grafts (63.8%), 5 Hancock valves (3.0%). Overall, 70/246 patients presented a priori with an enlarged RVOT > 28 mm (28.5%) not appropriate for PPVI and 14/246 (5.7%) had additional defects necessitating surgery. Some 31/246 patients had surgery for initial repair of congenital defects or were too small (<20 kg) for PPVI (12.6%). 80 underwent successful PPVI (32.5% of 246 valves implanted) [51 Edwards Sapien® valves (63.7%), 29 Melody valves (36.3%)]. The RVOT was too large for PPVI in 22/246 patients (8.9%). A total 20/246 patients (8.1%) showed coronary compression after balloon interrogation. In 4/246 patients PPVI was not possible due to technical issues (1.4%). PPVI could be performed successfully in 80/382 patients (20.9%). An enlarged RVOT, small patient size, and coronary compression were the major obstacles for interventional management. Future developments for larger RVOTs and smaller body weight may expand the indication for PPVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transfusion of blood and blood products may be unavoidable in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the factors and risks associated with transfusion of blood and blood products in these patients. Method: Preoperative demographic data, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and operation times were recorded. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values were recorded at the beginning, during and at the end of CPB. The lowest body temperature during CPB, intraoperative consumptions of crystalloid, colloid, blood, blood products were recorded. The consumption of blood and blood products, length of stay intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and mortality were recorded during the postoperative period. Results: Eighty-three children were included in the study. Intraoperative transfusion of erythrocyte suspension (ES) was more frequently applied in patients with RACHS1: 3 when compared with the patients with RACHS1: 2 (p=0.009). A negative correlation was detected between age and postoperative ES, total erythrocyte and total fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions during intraoperative, and postoperative periods. A a positive correlation was determined between CPB duration and intraoperative erythrocyte and FFP, postoperative erythrocyte, FFP, cryoprecipitate, total erythrocyte and total FFP consumptions. The intraoperative ES and FFP consumptions, the postoperative cryoprecipitate consumptions were higher in cyanotic children (ES p=0.002; FFP p=0.002, cryoprecipitate p=0.026) when compared with acyanotic children. Fifteen patients died. Postoperative ES and FFP, total erythrocyte and FFP consumptions were higher in the deceased patients (total ES p=0.001, total FFP p=0.003). Conclusion: A correlation was detected between intraoperative, and postoperative transfusion rates, age, RACHS1 scores, body temperatures of the patients, duration of CPB, and presence of cyanosis in children undergoing open heart surgery. Higher rates of ES and FFP transfusions were detected in exited patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the tetralogy of Fallot, a wide spectrum of cardiac anomalies, dynamic physiological changes including the effects of anesthetic agents, type of surgical intervention (palliative intervention or correction operation) to be performed and non-cardiac malformations complicate intraoperative management. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate perioperative anesthesia management in 40 pediatric patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot surgery in our hospital. Method: Forty patients who underwent tetralogy of Fallot surgery between October 2016-September 2018 in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Twenty-five patients were cyanotic and 15 patients were acyanotic. There was no statistically significant difference between these patients in terms of cardiopulmonary bypass, crossclamping and operation time and consumption of fluid, transfusion of blood and blood products. Any difference between patients as for postoperative extubation time, intensive care unit, and hospital stay times. Similarly, patients with and without multiple aortopulmonary collaterals were compared and no statistically significant difference was found between them. Hypercyanotic spell attack was observed in 6 patients during anesthesia induction, and 3 patients died during the postoperative period. Conclusion: Preoperative cardiac anomaly should be defined when planning cardiac repair operations of tetralogy of Fallot patients. Appropriate anesthesia, surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass management should be provided by taking into consideration the intraoperative anesthesia management, the comorbidities and the prevalent post-operative problems in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

مقدمه: یکی از مشکلات مهم جراحی قلب اطفال، خونریزی پس از بای‌پاس قلبی- ریوی است و تزریق پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده (FFP یا Fresh frozen plasma) جهت جبران خون از دست رفته و پیش‌گیری از اختلالات انعقادی، به طور معمول اولین اقدامی است که برای بیمار انجام می‌گیرد، اما برخی مطالعات نشان داده است تزریق فیبرینوژن و آلبومین می‌تواند در جبران خون از دست رفته و پیش‌گیری از اختلالات انعقادی مؤثر باشد. از این رو، مطالعه‌ی حاضر با هدف تعیین تأثیر ترکیب فیبرینوژن سنتتیک و آلبومین با پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده، در پیش‌گیری از اختلالات انعقادی در جراحی قلب اطفال بستری در بیمارستان چمران اصفهان طی سال 1393 انجام شد. روش‌ها: طی یک مطالعه‌ی کارآزمایی بالینی، 90 بیمار دارای معیارهای ورود به مطالعه به روش تصادفی‌سازی بلوکی در دو گروه تقسیم شدند. گروه اول، تحت تزریق پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده و گروه دوم تحت تزریق فیبرینوژن سنتتیک و آلبومین قرار گرفتند. قبل و بعد از عمل در تمام بیماران، مقدار پلاکت (Plt یا Platelet)، زمان پروترومبین (PT یا Prothrombin time)، زمان ترومبوپلاستین نسبی (PTT یا Partial thromboplastin time)، زمان انعقاد فعال (ACT یا Activated clotting time)، گازهای خون شریانی (ABG یا Arterial blood gas)، هموگلوبین (Hb یا Hemoglobin) و سطح فیبرینوژن خون بررسی و مقایسه شد. یافته‌ها: بررسی سطح هموگلوبین بیماران در قبل از عمل در دو گروه دریافت کننده‌ی پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده و فیبرینوژن و آلبومین، به ترتیب 9/1 ± 6/10 و 3/3 ± 9/11 (290/0 = P)، در یک ساعت بعد از عمل 2/2 ± 9/12 و 3/2 ± 3/12 و در 24 ساعت بعد از عمل 7/1 ± 9/12 و 6/2 ± 1/13 بود (750/0 = P) و تفاوت معنی‌داری بین دو گروه مشاهده نشد. همچنین، روند تغییرات سطح هموگلوبین بین دو گروه اختلاف معنی‌دار نداشت (690/0 = P). سطح فیبرینوژن در قبل از عمل در دو گروه متفاوت بود، اما در بعد از عمل اختلاف معنی‌داری بین دو گروه مشاهده نشد. نتیجه‌گیری: استفاده از ترکیب فیبرینوژن و آلبومین در بیماران تحت اعمال جراحی قلب حداقل به اندازه‌ی پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده از اختلالات انعقادی و میزان نیاز به تزریق پلاسمای تازه منجمد شده می‌کاهد. از این رو، استفاده از این ترکیب در کودکانی که تحت عمل جراحی قلبی قرار می‌گیرند، طبق نظر پزشک جراح و در صورت عدم وجود کنترا اندیکاسیون، توصیه می‌گردد.

Background: Corticosteroids have been administered prophylactically for more than 60 years in pediatric heart surgery, however, their use remains a matter of debate. There are three main indications for corticosteroid use in pediatric heart surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB): (1) to blunt the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) induced by the extracorporeal circuit; (2) to provide perioperative supplementation for presumed relative adrenal insufficiency; (3) for the presumed neuroprotective effect during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest operations. This review discusses the current evidence behind the use of corticosteroids in these three overlapping areas.Materials and Methods: We conducted a structured research of the literature using PubMed and MEDLINE databases to November 2017 and additional articles were identified by cross-referencing.Results: The evidence suggests that there is no correlation between the effect of corticosteroids on inflammation and their effect on clinical outcome. Due to the limitations of the available evidence, it remains unclear if corticosteroids have an impact on early post-operative outcomes or if there are any long-term effects. There is a limited understanding of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function during cardiac surgery in children. The neuroprotective effect of corticosteroids during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest surgery is controversial.Conclusions: The utility of steroid administration for pediatric heart surgery with the use of CPB remains a matter of debate. The effect on early and late outcomes requires clarification with a large multicenter randomized trial. More research into the understanding of the adrenal response to surgery in children and the effect of corticosteroids on brain injury is warranted.

Background: Asymmetry of the aortic valve leaflets has been known since Leonardo Da Vinci, but the relationship between size and shape and origin of the coronary arteries has never been examined. Our aim was to evaluate this anatomy in a population of pediatric patients using a cross-sectional study design., Methods: Consecutive pediatric patients with trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE), with or without trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), were included in our study. Exclusion criteria: (I) bicuspid aortic valve; (II) aortic valve stenosis; (III) hypoplasia of aortic valve annulus, or aortic root; (IV) truncal valve; (V) coronary artery atresia; (VI) previous surgery on aortic valve and/or coronary arteries. In pre-operative TTE and intra-operative TEE inter-commissural distance and length of aortic valve leaflets were measured in short axis view in the isovolumic phase of systole. Echocardiography investigations, anonymized and randomly coded, were independently reviewed by at least two readers. Echocardiography, angiography, cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and operative notes were reviewed to identify origin of coronary arteries., Results: Two hundred sixty-one pediatric patients were identified, 93 excluded per our criteria, leaving 168 patients, age 2.6±4.3 years, weight 12.87±17.34 kg, 128 (76%) with normal and 40 (24%) with abnormal coronary arteries. In TTE and TEE measurements the non-coronary leaflet had larger area (P<0.001), while the right and left had equal areas, but different shape, with the left leaflet longer (P<0.001) and narrower (P=0.005) than the right. With the major source of blood flow from the right coronary sinus, the non-coronary leaflet was still the longest. However, there was no statically significant difference between the size and shape previously observed between the right and left leaflets., Conclusions: Our study showed asymmetry of size and shape among aortic valve leaflets, and a relationship with coronary artery origin. The complex aortic root anatomy must be approximated to optimize function of any surgical repair. These findings also may prove useful in the pre-operative definition of coronary artery anatomy and in the recognition of coronary artery anomalies., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tp.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tp-23-369/coif). A.F.C. serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Translational Pediatrics from June 2023 to May 2025. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Translational Pediatrics. All rights reserved.)

Although the median sternotomy has been the traditional approach for congenital heart surgery, young patients and their families often find the midline scar to be cosmetically unappealing. At our center, a right transverse axillary incision has become the standard approach for many congenital cardiac lesions because of its safety, versatility, and unsurpassed aesthetic result. We present our experience with the axillary approach for a diverse array of congenital defects. A retrospective review of patients receiving a right transverse axillary incision for congenital cardiac surgery between 2005 and 2016 was conducted. The right transverse axillary incision was performed in 358 patients for 24 unique procedures. Median age was 5 years (range 1 month-60 years) and 225 patients (63%) were female. Median weight was 17 kg (range 4-124 kg), with 19 patients (5%) weighing less than 6 kg. The most common lesions were atrial septal defects (n = 244, 68%) and ventricular septal defects (n = 72, 20%). As experience with this approach increased, other repairs included subvalvular aortic membrane resection (n = 10, 3%), tetralogy of Fallot repair (n = 7, 2%), ventricular assist device placement (n = 3, 1%), and mitral valve repair (n = 2, 1%). There were no intraoperative deaths or conversions to sternotomy. In-hospital complications included mortality (n = 1, 0.3%), reoperations for bleeding (n = 5, 1%), pneumothorax or pleural effusion (n = 6, 2%), and permanent pacemaker (n = 4, 1%). The right axillary incision allows a safe and effective repair for a broad range of congenital heart defects and is a potential new standard of care for many patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in a variety of indications worldwide. One of the most important subsets is postoperative congenital cardiac surgery cases unresponsive to conventional therapies. In this study, we present our ECMO experience in a single congenital cardiac surgery center. Methods: ECMO was used in a total of 34 postoperative congenital cardiac surgery cases, whose operations had been performed by the same congenital cardiac surgery team. Patients’ ages were between 3 days to 15 years. ECMO was used in four different indications; in case of unsuccessful weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (OR-ECMO), in low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS-ECMO), in refractory post cardiac arrest (CPR-ECMO) and in respiratory insufficiency after RSV infection (RSV-ECMO). Results: The follow-up period of patients ranged from 1 to 80 months, whereas ECMO duration ranged from 23 to 2218 hours. Six cases were OR-ECMO, 13 were LCOS-ECMO, 12 were CPR-ECMO and 3 were RSV-ECMO. Out of a total of 34 cases, 20 (58%) cases were weaned from ECMO. Two of the patients, who were able to be weaned from ECMO passed away in the hospital; however, the other 18 patients (52.9%) were discharged from the hospital without having any significant neurological deficits. The top survival rate (69%) and weaning from ECMO was in the LCOS-ECMO group and the worst weaning from ECMO support (33%) was in the RSV-ECMO. The worst survival rate (25%) was in the CPR-ECMO group. Sepsis and associated multiple organ dysfunction were observed as the major cause of mortality in these patients. The most common complications were bleeding and mechanical complications related to cannulation. Conclusions: ECMO may be required in postoperative congenital cardiac surgery cases in whom all other conventional therapies have failed. Indications, timing and maintenance of equipment are very important points in successful ECMO management. Increasing ECMO experience in the near future, will provide much decrease in mortality of congenital cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative mechanical ventilation is required in patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. However, the duration of mechanical ventilation may be extended as a result in some patients. Inflammation is a normal and expected process following surgery and the intensive care process. However, increased and prolonged inflammation increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as a new marker of inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between NLR and successful extubation in pediatric patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery with prolonged intubation. Methods: Pre-extubation blood samples were used for the baseline data. Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 24 hours of extubation for study purposes. Total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte count were recorded pre-extubation, and the NLR was calculated. Results: Ninety-nine patients who had undergone congenital heart surgery were classified. Statistically significant differences were observed with regard to the blood results for the two groups for WBC (P = 0.001), neutrophil count (P = 0.001), lymphocyte count (P = 0.003), and NLR (P = 0.001). Following multivariate logistic regression analysis, the NLR, WBC, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count remained significant predictors of successful extubation. Conclusions: The NLR was found to vary significantly in children in whom extubation failed compared to that in children in whom extubation was successful (following prolonged intubation) and was also predictive of successful extubation in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We reviewed all 64 articles ever published by The Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society (CHSS) Data Center to estimate the academic impact of these peer-reviewed articles., Materials and Methods: The Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society has performed research based on 12 Diagnostic Inception Cohorts. The first cohort (Transposition) began enrolling patients on January 1, 1985. We queried PubMed to determine the number of publications that referenced each of the 64 journal articles generated by the datasets of the 12 Diagnostic Inception Cohorts that comprise the CHSS Database. Descriptive summaries of the data were tabulated using mean with standard deviation and median with range., Results: Sixty-four peer-reviewed papers have been published based on the CHSS Database. Fifty-nine peer-reviewed articles have been published based on the 12 Diagnostic Inception Cohorts, and five additional articles have been published based on Data Science. Excluding the recently established Diagnostic Inception Cohort for patients with Ebstein malformation of tricuspid valve, the number of papers published per cohort ranged from 1 for coarctation to 11 for transposition of the great arteries. The 11 articles generated from the CHSS Transposition Cohort were referenced by a total of 111 articles (median number of references per journal article = 9 [range = 0-22, mean = 10.1]). Overall, individual articles were cited by an average of 11 (mean), and a maximum of 41 PubMed-listed publications. Overall, these 64 peer-reviewed articles based on the CHSS Database were cited 692 times in PubMed-listed publications. The first CHSS peer-reviewed article was published in 1987, and during the 35 years from 1987 to 2022, inclusive, the annual number of CHSS publications has ranged from 0 to 7, with a mean of 1.8 publications per year (median = 1, mode = 1)., Conclusion: Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society studies are widely referenced in the pediatric cardiac surgical literature, with over 10 citations per published article. These cohorts provide unique information unavailable in other sources of data. A tool to access this analysis is available at: [https://data-center.chss.org/multimedia/files/2022/CAI.pdf].

Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles de 121 niños intervenidos por cirugía cardíaca con circulación extracorpórea en el Cardiocentro de Santiago de Cuba (de 336 en total), en el período 1987- 2004, a fin de identificar los factores asociados que influyeron en la aparición de complicaciones neurológicas graves (en 11 de los catalogados como casos), entre los cuales figuraron: tipo de cardiopatía (adquirida) y tiempo total de perfusión (prolongado); los escogidos como controles, no complicados, sumaron 110. Desde el punto de vista significativo se consideraron importantes las variables: complejidad de la operación, tiempo de paro anóxico y temperatura utilizada en la circulación extracorpórea, cuya presencia, tanto aisladas como asociadas, debe alertar al equipo médico sobre la posible ocurrencia de dichas complicaciones. Este estudio es el primero de su tipo efectuado en Cuba.A case-control study was carried out in 121 children who underwent heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at the Cardiology Center of Santiago de Cuba (of 336 total), in the period 1987 - 2004, in order to identify associated factors that influenced the occurrence of serious neurological complications (in 11 of those identified as cases), among which were: type of heart disease (acquired) and total time of perfusion (prolonged). Those chosen as controls without complications added up to 110. The following variables were considered statistically significant: complexity of the operation, time of anoxic arrest and temperature used in cardiopulmonary bypass. The presence of both isolated and associated variables should alert the medical team to the possible occurrence of such complications. This study is the first of its kind made in Cuba.

Stroke is the most devastating complication after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation with a 19% incidence and 65% mortality in the pediatric population. Current pediatric VAD technology and anticoagulation strategies alone are suboptimal. VAD implantation assisted by computational methods (CFD) may contribute reducing the risk of cerebral embolization. Representative three-dimensional aortic arch models of an infant and a child were generated. An 8 mm VAD outflow-graft (VAD-OG) anastomosed to the aorta was rendered and CFD was applied to study blood flow patterns. Particle tracks, originating in the VAD, were computed with a Lagrangian phase model and the percentage of particles entering the cerebral vessels was calculated. Eight implantation configurations (infant = 5 and child = 3) and 5 particle sizes (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm) were considered. For the infant model, percentage of particles entering the cerebral vessels ranged from 15% for a VAD-OG anastomosed at 90° to the aorta, to 31% for 30° VAD-OG anastomosis (overall percentages:X2 = 10,852,p < 0.0001). For the child model, cerebral embolization ranged from 9% for the 30° VAD-OG anastomosis to 15% for the 60° anastomosis (overall percentages: χ2 = 10,323,p < 0.0001). Using detailed CFD calculations, we demonstrate that the risk of stroke depends significantly on the VAD implantation geometry. In turn, the risk probably depends on patient-specific anatomy. CFD can be used to optimize VAD implantation geometry to minimize stroke risk. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent in the postoperative period of pediatric heart surgery and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Renal replacement therapies (RRTs) are often used to treat AKI; however, these therapies have also been associated with higher mortality rates. Earlier initiation of RRT might improve outcomes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the RRT and morbidity and mortality after pediatric heart surgery. We performed a single-center retrospective study of all children undergoing pediatric heart surgery between April 2010 and December 2012 at a tertiary children's hospital. A total of 480 patients were included. Of those, 109 (23 %) were neonates and 126 patients (26 %) developed AKI within the first 72 postoperative hours. Patients who developed AKI had longer PICU admissions [12 days (4-37.75) vs. 4 (2-11); p < 0.001] and hospital length of stay [27 (11-53) vs. 14 (8-24) p < 0.001] and higher mortality [22/126 (17.5 %) vs. 13/354 (3.7 %); p < 0.001]. RRT techniques were used in 32 (6.6 %) patients [18/109 (16 %) neonates and 14/371 (3.8 %) infants and children; p < 0.01], with 25 (78 %) receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 7 (22 %) continuous RRT (CRRT). Patients who received PD within the first 24 postoperative hours had lower mortality compared with those in whom PD was initiated later [4/16 (25 %) vs. 4/9 (44.4 %)]. Mortality among patients who received CRRT was 28.6 % (2/7). No deaths were reported in patients treated with CRRT within the first 24 postoperative hours. Postoperative AKI is associated with higher mortality in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Early initiation of RRT, both PD in neonates and CRRT in pediatric patients, might improve morbidity and mortality associated with AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial anomalous venous return anomaly consists of one or more pulmonary vein drainage to right atrium or systemic circulation sites that drains to right circulatory system. In this case report, 1 year old girl patient had been diagnosed by scimitar syndrom like signs on CT, which had been made for recurrent pulmonary infections, and surgery had been performed successfully. This anomaly occurs rarely, so preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative assessment and management is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To investigate pediatric cases undergoing open heart surgery due to congenital heart disease. Material and Method: Pediatric cases undergoing congenital open heart surgery between November 2013 and March 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Result: The study population consisted of 17 male and 23 female children and 52.5% of them were newborns. Surgery was performed in 50% of all cases with cardiopulmonary bypass. In 75% of the cases operated with CBP blood cardioplegia while in 25% of them histidine-tryptophan- ketoglutarate solution were used. Discussion and Conclusion: Anesthetic problems encountered in a center with newly practised pediatric cardiac surgery were related to lack of experienced technicians, medical supplies, and catheterization procedure problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels increase after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric patients. However, the exact reason for the postoperative increase remains unclear. This study elucidated the perioperative changes in plasma natriuretic peptide levels in children undergoing surgical isolated atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Between 2010 and 2012, 24 pediatric patients (median 7.1, range 2.7-15.7 years) underwent surgery for simple ASD using CPB under ventricular fibrillation (Group A, 16 patients) or under cardiac arrest (Group B, 8 patients). Natriuretic peptide levels were measured before surgery, on postoperative day 0, 1, 3, and at the first outpatient visit. The pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs) was estimated by echocardiography using an index of right ventricle end-diastolic area. Preoperative natriuretic peptide levels positively correlated with the Qp/Qs. Plasma ANP levels peaked on postoperative day 0, and its values were higher in Group A than in Group B patients ( p < 0.001). Plasma BNP levels increased significantly in both Groups on postoperative day 1, and its values were significantly greater in Group A than in Group B patients ( p = 0.007). There was a weak negative correlation between the amount of postoperative increase in natriuretic peptide levels and the Qp/Qs. There was no appreciable difference in the acute postoperative clinical course and echocardiographic parameter on postoperative day 3 between Group A and B patients. In conclusion, acute postoperative natriuretic peptide levels after isolated ASD closure were multifactorial, and they might be unreliable for predicting clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiopulmonary bypass ( CPB) elicits a systemic inflammatory response. The neutrophil elastase inhibitor sivelestat is known to suppress this systemic inflammatory response, which can eventually result in acute organ failure. The prophylactic effect of sivelestat on acute lung injury, especially in pediatric cardiac surgery, remains unclear. This prospective double-blind, randomized study evaluated the perioperative prophylactic effect of sivelestat in patients undergoing elective pediatric open heart surgery with CPB. Thirty consecutive patients, weighing 5-10 kg and undergoing open heart surgery with CPB, were assigned to sivelestat ( n = 15) or control ( n = 15) groups. From CPB initiation to 24 h after surgery, patients in the sivelestat group received a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.2 mg/kg/h sivelestat, whereas patients in the control group received the same volume of 0.9% saline. Blood samples were collected, and levels of interleukin ( IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, polymorphonuclear elastase ( PMN- E), C-reactive protein ( CRP), as well as the white blood cell ( WBC) count, platelet count, and neutrophil count ( NC) were measured. PMN- E levels, IL-8 levels, WBC count, NC, and CRP levels were significantly lower, and platelet count was significantly higher in the sivelestat group, according to repeated two-way analysis of variance. The activated coagulation time was significantly shorter in the sivelestat group, similarly, blood loss was significantly less in the sivelestat group. In conclusion, Sivelestat attenuates perioperative inflammatory response and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing pediatric heart surgery with CPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Experiences of mothers of infants undergoing complex heart surgery were explored to build evidence-based family-centered interventions. Background: Congenital heart disease is the most frequent birth defect in the United States and is common worldwide. Methods: Eight mothers recalled through journal entries their experiences of the days before, during, and after their infant's surgery and shared advice for other mothers. Colaizzi's phenomenological method was utilized for data analysis. A validation survey of seven additional mothers from a support group occurred via email. Results: Six themes were identified and validated: Feeling Intense Fluctuating Emotion; Navigating the Medical World; Dealing with the Unknown; Facing the Possibility of My Baby Dying, Finding Meaning and Spiritual Connection, and the umbrella theme of Mothering Through It All. Conclusions: Through a clearer understanding of experiences as described by mothers, health-care providers may gain insight as to how to better support mothers of infants undergoing heart surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Until recently, risk scoring systems for adult patients consisted of only clinical criteria. Currently, we are experiencing an abundant surge of literature integrating a wide range of biomarker arrays to clinical criteria in assessing the risk in an adult. In fact, novel risk scoring systems such as Reynolds criteria have emerged by combining the validated biomarkers to the traditional risk factors. Novel biomarkers potentially improve clinical management of cardiovascular disease, but there are gaps in understanding their role during childhood. The reason might be related to relatively lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease in children compared to the adult population. One exceptional group is the children with congenital heart disease. Recent studies indicate that novel biomarkers can alert the clinician in a timely manner about neurological and myocardial injury and their inflammatory consequences. Current technologies enable us to measure several biomarkers using only a few microliters of plasma. The preliminary studies show that novel biomarkers in addition to the traditionally studied biomarkers can help the clinician to identify children at high risk following pediatric heart surgery. Future studies are needed to confirm the role of biomarkers in monitoring children after cardiopulmonary bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluntary withdrawal of the drug aprotinin from the US market in 2008 has increased the risk of bleeding in babies and young children after reconstructive cardiac surgery. The data on which the Bayer Corporation and FDA based their decision to withdraw the drug were obtained entirely from adults who are at risk of a different profile of complications following cardiac surgery than children. Furthermore, serious questions have been raised regarding the initial widely publicized article which questioned the safety of aprotinin. Some believe that the article was a misapplication of the new statistical method of propensity scoring. The fact that the principal author has not allowed free access to the raw data has raised further questions. Aprotinin is no longer under patent protection and could be evaluated under the pediatric exclusivity provision. It presents an excellent opportunity for alternative suppliers to undertake a clinical trial in a pediatric population of heart surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality-of-care evaluation must take into account variations in “case mix.” This study reviewed the application of two case-mix complexity-adjustment tools in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database: the Aristotle Basic Complexity (ABC) score and the Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) method. The 2006 STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database Report, the first STS report to incorporate both methods, included 45,635 operations from 47 centers. Each operation was assigned an ABC score in a range from 1.5 (lowest complexity) to 15 (highest complexity), an ABC level in a range from 1 (lowest complexity) to 4 (highest complexity), and a RACHS-1 category in a range from 1 (lowest risk) to 6 (highest risk). The overall discharge mortality was 3.9% (1,222/31,719 eligible cardiac index operations). Of the eligible cardiac index operations, 85.8% (27,202/31,719) were eligible for analysis by the RACHS-1 method, and 94.0% (29,813/31,719) were eligible for analysis by the ABC approach. With both RACHS-1 and ABC, as complexity increases, discharge mortality also increases. The ABC approach allows classification of more operations, whereas the RACHS-1 discriminates better at the higher end of complexity. Complexity stratification is a useful method for analyzing the impact of case mix on pediatric cardiac surgical outcomes. Both the RACHS-1 and ABC methods facilitate complexity stratification in the STS database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as markers of inflammation severity and their value in predicting development of organ failure after pediatric open heart surgery.Design: Prospective, observational, clinical study.Setting: Single university hospital.Patients: Thirty-three pediatric patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; n=19) and SIRS+organ failure (SIRS+OF; n=14) following open heart surgery were included.Measurements and Results: Plasma procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were measured before and after the operation, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after surgery. Patients were evaluated daily to assess organ failure. Postoperative procalcitonin levels in the SIRS+OF group were significantly higher than in the SIRS group. C-reactive protein levels were similar between the groups throughout the study period. Peak procalcitonin levels were found to be positively correlated with aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stay, mortality and organ failure development. Peak procalcitonin was found to be a good predictor of postoperative organ failure development and mortality. However, the predictive value of peak C-reactive protein for organ failure and mortality was found to be weak. Double-peak procalcitonin curves were observed in SIRS+OF patients with infection during the intensive care unit stay.Conclusion: In the SIRS+OF group peak procalcitonin levels were found to be highly predictive for mortality and organ failure development, whereas C-reactive protein levels were not. Daily procalcitonin measurements in SIRS+OF patients may help identify the postoperative infection during the follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital heart defects can require neonatal surgical management whatever the severity and prognosis of the malformation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving therapy for refractory cardiac and/or respiratory failure that can be used as a temporary life support after heart surgery. Between 2010 and 2020, 40 newborns have been placed on ECMO after having undergone a neonatal cardiac intervention in our center. The median age and the median weight were respectively 7 [4; 9.7] days and 3 [2.8; 3.2] kg. Intra-hospital survival rate of ECMO was 47.5% and overall survival rate was 35% after a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Neurological impairment (cranial hemorrhage, seizure or stroke) was reported during ECMO in 16 (40%) patients. Nosocomial infections and acute kidney injury are also frequent complications of ECMO since 17 neonates (42.5%) needed renal replacement therapy and 18 (45%) received antibiotics for a documented bacterial infection. After univariate analysis, we demonstrated univentricular heart physiology (P = 0.046), pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.032) and haemorrhagic complications (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. This is the first study that specifically addressed neonates supported by ECMO after heart surgery. Our results are consistent with those of the existing literature and characterize the main risk factors of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac surgery for CHD was pioneered in Washington, DC by Charles Hufnagel and Edgar Davis working at Georgetown University and Children's Hospital of the District of Columbia. Children's Hospital, now Children's National Hospital, had been established just 5 years after the end of the Civil War. In the 1950s, Davis and Hufnagel undertook many open-heart operations using the technique of surface cooling, hypothermia, and circulatory arrest. Hufnagel and Lewis Scott, who founded the cardiology department at Children's, were trained in Boston by Gross and Nadas. Judson Randolph, also a trainee of Gross, introduced cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass and established the General Pediatric Surgery department at Children's in the 1960s. The transition of hospital staffing from community-based private physicians to full-time hospital employees was often controversial but was complete by the turn of the millennium. The 21st century has seen continuing growth of the new Children's National Heart Institute and consolidation of several congenital cardiac programmes in Washington, DC.

Outcome variation in congenital heart surgery in the US is unacceptable. Mounting evidence shows higher volume programs have better outcomes than lower volume programs. According to the publicly available Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) data reflecting 2014–2017, centers with ≤2% adjusted mortality rate (AMR) perform an average of 300 cases per year while centers with >4% AMR perform an average of only 100 cases per year. Regionalization by collapsing low volume centers into fewer high volume centers would reduce mortality, but would also impact travel burden, hospital infrastructure, and medical education. A rational approach minimizes these impacts while achieving quality standards set collaboratively with professional societies. Ideally, regionalization of the over 150 congenital heart surgery programs operating today to 71 centers each performing 250–300 or more cases per year maintains a program for each state with a population of 2 million or more people and minimizes travel burden. These regional centers would work in concert with pediatric cardiology centers where patients could receive local diagnostic and long term follow up care. • There is significant concerning variation in congenital heart surgery outcomes. • The best outcomes occur at high volume centers performing 250–300 annual cases. • Regionalization of congenital heart surgery would improve outcomes. • Regionalization impacts travel burden, medical education, infrastructure, prestige. • Professional Societies should set standards for congenital heart surgery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pediatric heart sugery remains challenging. • New tools are needed to tackle this enormous challenge. • Bioengineered heart muscle, ventricles, Fontan pumps and hearts can be used in pediatric heart surgery. • This technology can prove to be game-changer in the field of pediatric heart surgery. Pediatric heart surgery remains challenging due to the small size of the pediatric heart, the severity of congenital abnormalities and the unique characteristics of each case. New tools and technologies are needed to tackle this enormous challenge. Tissue engineering strategies are focused on fabricating contractile heart muscle, ventricles, Fontan pumps and whole hearts, and a transplantable tissue equivalent has tremendous implications in pediatric heart surgery to provide functional cardiac tissue. This technology will prove to be a game-changer in the field of pediatric heart surgery and provide a novel toolkit for pediatric heart surgeons. This review will provide insight into the potential applications of tissue engineering technologies to replace lost contractile function in pediatric patients with heart abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinematic rendering (CR) is based on a new algorithm that creates a photo-realistic three-dimensional (3D) picture from cross-sectional images. Previous studies have shown its positive impact on preoperative planning. To date, CR presentation has only been possible on 2D screens which limited natural 3D perception. To depict CR-hearts spatially, we used mixed-reality technology and mapped corresponding hearts as holograms in 3D space. Our aim was to assess the benefits of CR-holograms in the preoperative planning of cardiac surgery. Including 3D prints allowed a direct comparison of two spatially resolved display methods. Twenty-six patients were recruited between February and September 2019. CT or MRI was used to visualize the patient's heart preoperatively. The surgeon was shown the anatomy in cross-sections on a 2D screen, followed by spatial representations as a 3D print and as a high-resolution hologram. The holographic representation was carried out using mixed-reality glasses (HoloLens®). To create the 3D prints, corresponding structures were segmented to create STL files which were printed out of resin. In 22 questions, divided in 5 categories (3D-imaging effect, representation of pathology, structure resolution, cost/benefit ratio, influence on surgery), the surgeons compared each spatial representation with the 2D method, using a five-level Likert scale. The surgical preparation time was assessed by comparing retrospectively matched patient pairs, using a paired t -test. CR-holograms surpassed 2D-monitor imaging in all categories. CR-holograms were superior to 3D prints in all categories (mean Likert scale 4.4 ± 1.0 vs. 3.7 ± 1.3, P < 0.05). Compared to 3D prints it especially improved the depth perception (4.7 ± 0.7 vs. 3.7 ± 1.2) and the representation of the pathology (4.4 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 1.2). 3D imaging reduced the intraoperative preparation time ( n = 24, 59 ± 23 min vs. 73 ± 43 min, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the combination of an extremely photo-realistic presentation via cinematic rendering and the spatial presentation in 3D space via mixed-reality technology allows a previously unattained level of comprehension of anatomy and pathology in preoperative planning., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Gehrsitz, Rompel, Schöber, Cesnjevar, Purbojo, Uder, Dittrich and Alkassar.)