ObjectiveTo evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of patch aortoplasty and extended side-to-end anastomosis for the treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and hypoplastic aortic arch, and provide a more reasonable surgical choice. MethodsClinical data of 45 patients who underwent surgical correction for CoA and hypoplastic aortic arch in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from June 2008 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical strategies for aortic arch hypoplasia, all the 45 patients were divided into 2 groups. In group I, there were 26 patients including 15 males and 11 females with their age of 0.5-6.8 (0.9±2.5) years and body weight of 5.0-20.3 (9.5±7.3) kg, who received patch aortoplasty and whose preoperative pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs was 38.3±15.6 mm Hg. In groupⅡ, there were 19 patients including 14 males and 5 females with their age of 0.6-7.5 (1.0±2.7) years and body weight of 5.5-21.5 (10.2±6.6) kg, who received extended side-to-end anastomosis and whose preoperative pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs was 40.7±16.1 mm Hg. Postoperative changes of pressure gradient between right upper and lower limbs of the 2 groups were examined and compared with preoperative values. ResultsTwo patients died postoperatively (4.4%) including 1 patient with low cardiac output syndrome and the other patient with severe lung infection. None of the patients in either group had renal failure or neurological complications. Postoperatively, there were 28 patients whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) of lower extremities was 10-20 mm Hg higher than that of upper extremities, 13 patients whose SBP gradient between upper and limbs was less than 10 mm Hg, and 4 patients whose upper limb SBP was 20 mm Hg higher than lower limb SBP. Postoperative average pressure gradient of right upper and lower extremities was 3.2±13.5 mm Hg and significantly lower than preoperative value (P < 0.05). Postoperative pressure gradient of upper and lower extremities was significantly lower than preoperative value in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in preoperative and postoperative changes of pressure gradient of upper and lower extremities between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Thirty-eighty patients (88.4%) were followed up from 3 months to 5 years. During follow-up, there was 1 patient whose blood flow velocity of the descending aorta was increasingly accelerated. Pressure gradient across the aortic arch was larger than 40 mm Hg. Computer tomography showed aortic arch restenosis. This patient received reoperation 8 months after the first discharge. Three patients whose aortic pressure gradient was larger than 20 mm Hg were still followed up. Aortic arch pressure gradient was less than 20 mm Hg in all the other patients. ConclusionBoth patch aortoplasty and extended sideto-end anastomosis are ideal surgical methods for the treatment of CoA and hypoplastic aortic arch. Appropriate surgical method should be chosen according to individual conditions of pediatric patients.
Objective A meta-analysis was performed for a comparison of outcomes between surgery and balloon angioplasty (BA) for native coarctation of the aorta (NCA) in pediatric patients. Methods Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMbase, Medline, Cochrane Library, Weipu Data, Wanfang Data and CNKI were searched systematically for the literature aimed mainly at comparing the therapeutic effects for NCA administrated by surgery and BA. Corresponding data sets were extracted and two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality. Results Ten studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included, involving a total of 723 subjects. It was observed that compared with BA, surgery was significantly associated with a lower incidence of recoarctation (OR, 0.43; 95%CI, 0.30–0.63; P<0.001), repeat intervention due to recoarctation (OR, 0.40; 95%CI, 0.27–0.61;P<0.001) and lower residual transcoarctation gradient in mid to long term follow up (WMD –0.85; 95%CI, –12.34 to –3.76;P<0.001). Compared with BA, surgery was significantly associated with a longer hospitalization time (WMD, 19.40; 95%CI, 15.82–22.99;P<0.001). Incidence of aneurysm formation (OR, 0.64; 95%CI, 0.26–1.57;P=0.33), complications(OR, 1.77; 95%CI, 0.95–3.28; P=0.07), perioperative mortality (OR, 2.57; 95%CI, 0.87–7.61, P=0.09) and immediate transcoarctation residual gradient (WMD –1.66; 95%CI, –4.23–0.90; P=0.2) were not statistically different between surgery and BA. Conclusions Compared with BA, surgery was significantly associated with a lower incidence of recoarctation, repeat intervention due to re-CoA and residual transcoarctation gradient in mid to long term follow up. On the contrary, BA was significantly associated with a shorter hospitalization time. Incidence of aneurysm formation, perioperative mortality, complications and immediate transcoarctation residual gradient were similar between surgery and BA.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of increased preoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening in hypertensive infants with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 314 infants with CoA (CoA group, 193 males and 121 females, aged 5.4±2.2 months), and 314 infants receiving tumor chemotherapy with normal cardiovascular function and without pneumonia (control group, 189 males and 125 females, aged 4.4±3.8 months), who were admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2017. The clinical data of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were statistical differences in effective aortic elastance index (Eai), effective left ventricular end-systolic elasticity index (Eesi), ventricle-artery coupling index (VACi), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and ratios of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with non-hypertensive CoA infants, CoA infants with hypertension had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-ProBNP level and proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy (P<0.05). Compared with concomitant ventricular septal defect, infants with isolated CoA had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-proBNP level, incidence of hypertension and higher proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction (P<0.05). Eai and Eesi were positively correlated with NT-proBNP level, left ventricular hypertrophy and fractional shortening of left ventricle (P<0.05), while Eai and Eesi were negatively correlated with left ventricular end diastolic volume index, left ventricular end systolic volume index and concomitant ventricular septal defect (P<0.05). Hypertension was related to preoperative left ventricular hypertrophy, Eai, Eesi and NT-ProBNP. Eai was an independent risk factor for hypertension.ConclusionPreoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening is increased in infants with aortic coarctation, which is related to the occurrence of hypertension. Isolated CoA shows more significant increase in ventricular-arterial stiffening, higher ventricular overload and incidence of hypertension.
Coarctation of the aorta and interrupted aortic arch are congenital anomalies affecting the aortic arch. Because of the poor natural prognosis, many patients will need early surgical repair or even emergency surgery. With the improvement of the surgical techniques, cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and perioperative intensive care, surgical mortality has now dramatically decreased. However, aortic arch restenosis, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and long-term hypertension are problems that may be still encountered during the follow-up period. By reviewing large amounts of literature and discussing among experts, we achieved a consensus on many aspects of the management strategy. We hope this consensus will help Chinese colleagues further improve the overall surgical outcomes of coarctation of aorta and interrupted aortic arch.
Objective To summarize the surgical treatment experience in neonates with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and aortic arch hypoplasia (AAH). Methods The neonates with CoA and AAH who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The postoperative complications, long-term survival rate, and freedom from aortic reobstruction were analyzed. Patients undergoing extended end-to-end anastomosis were allocated into an extended end-to-end group, those undergoing extended end-to-side anastomosis into an extended end-to-side group, and those undergoing pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty into a patch aortoplasty group.Results Finally 44 patients were enrolled, including 37 males and 7 females, aged 5.00-30.00 (19.34±7.61) days and weighted 2.00-4.50 (3.30±0.60) kg. There were 19 patients of extended end-to-end anastomosis, 19 patients of extended end-to-side anastomosis, and 6 patients of pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty. The mean values of the Z scores of the proximal, distal, and isthmus of the aortic arch were –2.91±1.52, –3.40±1.30, and –4.04±1.98, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 45.6±3.7 months. There were 2 early deaths and no late deaths. Aortic reobstruction occurred in 8 patients, and 3 patients underwent reoperation intervention. The 5-year rate of freedom from reobstruction was 78.8%. The Cox multivariable regression analysis showed that the related factors for postoperative reobstruction were the Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch (HR=0.152, 95%CI 0.038-0.601, P=0.007) and the postoperative left main bronchus compression (HR=15.261, 95%CI 1.104-210.978, P=0.042). Conclusion Three surgical procedures for neonates with CoA and AAH are safe and effective, but the aortic reobstruction rate in long term is not low. The smaller Z score of the preoperative proximal aortic arch and the postoperative left main bronchus compression are risk factors for long-term aortic reobstruction.