ObjectiveTo identify the pulmonary artery growth, restenosis and regurgitation of the valve after right ventricle outflow (RVOT) reconstruction with pericardial tube in patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricle septal defect (PA/VSD). MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 41 patients with PA/VSD undergoing PA/VSD repair to reconstruct RVOT for radical or palliative repair in our hospital from November 2002 through September 2013. There were 25 males and 16 females with operation age of 4.00 months to 22.70 years (56.60±63.92 months). Late pulmonary artery growth, pulmonary artery, and tricuspid regurgitation of the patients were followed up. Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect repair with pericardial tube were performed in the patients. ResultsThere were 5 (12.19%) early hospital deaths. Thirty-three patients were followed up for 4.00 months to 10.75 years (3.00±2.35 years). Three patients (7.31%) were lost during the follow-up.One patient was dead after stageⅡsurgery. There was no significant growth on the diameters of the tube and the pulmonary artery branches during the follow-up. There were 10 patients with severe stenosis in pericardial tube and 5 patients with moderate or severe stenosis in pulmonary artery branches. The echocardiography suggested the pulmonary artery and tricuspid regurgitation were more serious (P<0.05). No correlation was found between regurgitation quantity and follow-up time. ConclusionThe early postoperative results is satisfactory. However, there is no potential growth on the pericardial tube. So the patients should be followed up closely for restenosis.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience and lessons of right ventricular decompression in children with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) and to reflect on the strategies of right ventricular decompression.MethodsThe clinical data of 12 children with PA/IVS who underwent right ventricular decompression in our hospital from March 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 10 males and 2 females with a median age at the time of surgery was 5 d (range, 1-627 d). Correlation analysis between the pulmonary valve transvalvular pressure gradient and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves after decompression was performed.ResultsOne patient died of refractory hypoxemia due to circulatory shunt postoperatively and family members gave up treatment. There were 2 (16.67%) patients received postoperative intervention. The pulmonary transvalvular gradient after decompression was 31.95±21.75 mm Hg. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was found in 7 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and massive in 1 patient. The median time of mechanical ventilation was 30.50 h (range, 6.00-270.50 h), and the average duration of ICU stay was 164.06±87.74 h. The average postoperative follow-up time was 354.82±331.37 d. At the last follow-up, the average Z score of tricuspid valves was 1.32±0.71, the median pressure gradient between right ventricle and main pulmonary artery was 41.75 mm Hg (range, 21-146 mm Hg) and the average percutaneous oxygen saturation was 92.78%±3.73%. Two children underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvoplasty at 6 and 10 months after surgery, respectively, with the rate of reintervention-free of 81.8%. There was no significant correlation between pulmonary transvalvular gradients after decompression and changes in Z score of tricuspid valves (r=–0.506, P=0.201).ConclusionFor children with PA/IVS, the simple pursuit of adequate decompression during right ventricular decompression may lead to severe pulmonary dysfunction, increase the risk of ineffective circular shunt, and induce refractory hypoxemia. The staged decompression can ensure the safety and effectiveness for initial surgery and reduce the risk of postoperative death.
Objective To explore the feasibility and option of different surgeries for neonates with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) through assessing the effect of common surgeries. Methods Fourteen neonates who underwent their first surgery in our center from July 2004 to October 2014 were included. Their basic characteristics, operation and pre- and postoperative clinical information were extracted. Follow up was conducted and the last visit was on October 10, 2016. Short- and midterm survival and total correction rate were compared among different surgeries. Results Among the 14 patients, there were 4 (28.6%) patients, 6 (42.9%) and 4 (28.6%) who underwent one-stage repair, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction, and systemic to PA shunt operation respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality after the first operation was 28.6% (4/14). At last visit, no death occurred resulting the 5-year survival rate of 71.4% (10/14). The overall total correction rate for all neonates was 64.3% (9/14). Although no statistical difference was found in the mortality among the one-stage repair , RVOT reconstruction and systemic to PA shunt group(50.0% vs. 33.3% vs. 0.0%, P=0.280), the survival and hazard analysis implied better outcomes of the systemic to PA shunt palliation operation. There was no statistical difference in the total correction rate and months from the first palliative operation to correction between those who underwent RVOT reconstruction and systemic to PA shunt (75.0% vs. 50.0%, P=0.470; 32.0 months vs. 18.0 months, P=0.400). Conclusion Performing surgeries for neonates with PA/VSD is still a great challenge. However, the midterm survival rate was optimistic for the early survivors. Systematic to PA shunt seemed to be a better choice with lower mortality for the neonates with PA/VSD who need the surgery to survive.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of off-pump pulmonary valvulotomy for the patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).MethodsThe clinical data of 61 PA/IVS patients who underwent off-pump right ventricular decompression surgery in our hospital from January 2013 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 37 males and 24 females, with an average age of 29.7 (2.0-86.0) d and weight of 4.1 (2.5-6.9) kg. Thirty-nine patients received off-pump pulmonary valvulotomy (an open-view valvulotomy group) and 22 patients received balloon valvuloplasty through the right ventricle pulmonary valve (a hybrid therapy group). The postoperative mortality, early re-intervention, and completion of final operation of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were 2 deaths in the study with a mortality rate of 3.3% (2/61), and the mortality rate of the two groups was not significantly different (2.6% vs.4.5%, P=0.68). The rate of early re-intervention in the two groups was 5.3% and 19.0%, respectively (P=0.09). There was no statistical difference in intubation time (56.0±25.9 h vs. 62.0±28.9 h, P=0.41), ICU retention time (4.7±2.9 d vs. 5.5±2.2 d, P=0.23) and postoperative hospital stay time (3.9±0.9 d vs. 4.3±1.1 d, P=0.38) between the two groups. The follow-up time was 45.3 (4.0-84.0) months. There were 5 patients lost to follow-up. During the follow-up period, in the open-view valvulotomy group, 17 patients did not need further operation, 13 patients completed the final operation. In the hybrid therapy group, 7 patients did not need further operation, 8 patients completed the final operation. Heart function classification of all patients was in New York Heart Association class Ⅰ-Ⅱ.ConclusionCompared with the hybrid therapy, off-pump pulmonary valvulotomy for PA/IVS also has the advantages of simple operation, short operation time and high survival rate, and it may be easier to be promoted in clinical application because of its more economic benefits and relatively lower re-intervention rate.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the surgical strategy and follow-up for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) in our heart center.MethodsFrom January 2008 to December 2018, 151 patients with PA/IVS were divided into two groups: a one-stage surgery group (26 patients), including 17 males and 9 females at an average age of 14.7±13.2 months, and a staged surgery group (125 patients) including 72 males and 53 females at an average age of 6.4±6.3 months. The clinical effectiveness of the two groups were analyzed.ResultsAll patients were followed up for 1-11 years. Eighteen patients died and 19 patients were lost to follow-up. The 1-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rate was 90.2%, 87.0%, and 85.2%, respectively. Two patients died in the one-stage surgery group. Twelve patients died after initial surgery, and 4 patients died after final operation in the staged surgery group. The Z value of tricuspid valve (P=0.013) and severe right ventricular dysplasia (P=0.025) were the risk factors of postoperative death in the patients with PA/IVS. Furthermore, 58 patients completed final operation, and the total number of the final operation (including one-stage radical surgery) accounted for 55.6% (84/151). Five patients accepted the re-operation intervention in the medium-term follow-up. The rest of the patients recovered well. Only 2 patients were classified as grade Ⅲ in cardiac function, and the rest patients were classified as gradeⅠ-Ⅱ.ConclusionAccording to the degree of right ventricular hypoplasia, the age at operation and the presence or absence of coronary artery malformation, the individualized surgical strategy could significantly improve the success rate of PA/IVS, and early completion of right ventricular decompression operation is conducive to improve the chance for biventricular repair.
ObjectiveTo compare early clinical outcomes between systemic-pulmonary shunts (SPS) and right ventricular to pulmonary artery connection (RV-PA connection) for patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD), and investigate early management strategies for these 2 different palliative procedures. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 89 PA/VSD patients who underwent SPS or RV-PA connection in Fu Wai Hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. According to different surgical procedures, all the 89 patients were divided into 2 groups. In SPS group, there were 59 patients including 35 males and 24 females with their median age of 25 months (4 months to 8 years). In RV-PA connection group, there were 30 patients including 19 males and 11 females with their median age of 24 months (28 days to 7 years and 2 months). Early clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation time, length of ICU stay, morbidity, reexploration, improvement of oxygen saturation (SO2) and mortality were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsAmong 59 patients in SPS group, 3 patients (5.1%) died postoperatively. There was no in-hospital death among 30 patients in RV-PA connection group. The improvement of percentage of SO2 of RV-PA connection group was significantly higher than that of SPS group (31.7% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in length of ICU stay (3.6±2.5 days vs. 4.2±5.1 days, P > 0.05), mechanical ventilation time (34.8±33.5 hours vs. 44.3±39.6 hours, P > 0.05), postoperative morbidity (37.3% vs. 30.0%, P > 0.05) or reexploration rate (15.3% vs. 6.7%, P > 0.05) between SPS group and RV-PA connection group. Incidence of serious postoperative complications of SPS group was signi-ficantly higher than that of RV-PA connection group (25.4% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.05). ConclusionEarly clinical outcomes of RV-PA connection is better than SPS for PA/VSD patients including greater SO2 improvement and lower mortality. Mid-term and long-term clinical results as well as larger study samples are needed for better evaluation.
Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricluar septal defect(VSD) is a complex congenital heart disease. The lack of knowledge on embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology of this disease with or without heterogenetic major aortopulmonary collateral arteries(MAPCA)leads to chaos of its surgical classification and management as well as poor results of surgical management. The operative technique in this field has been advancing a lot since the innovation of unifocalization. The surgical result is getting better and better, boosted by the updating of the principle and knowledge, but there is still a large room for progress. We reviewed the literatures on classification,surgical strategy, procedures and operationrelated issues and put them together here to delineate its past, present and future.