ObjectiveTo summarize clinical experience of staged left ventricular retraining for infants with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). MethodsFrom January 2001 to December 2011, 38 TGA infants with intact ventricular septum or a small ventricular septal defect underwent left ventricular retraining in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 26 male and 12 female patients with their age of 19.1±7.7 months and body weight of 7.6±4.7 kg. Preoperative arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2)was 72.6%±9.1%. Left ventricular retraining included aortopulmonary shunt and pulmonary artery banding. Three patients received concomitant excision of the atrial septum. All survival patients were followed up after discharge. ResultsPostoperatively, SaO2 increased to 83.9%±8.1% from preoperative 72.6%±9.1%, and left ventricle-to-right ventricle pressure ratio increased to 0.75±0.09 from preoperative 0.36±0.04. Three patients (7.89%)died postoperatively. Thirty-five patients were followed up for 2 to 11 years. During follow-up, 23 patients successfully received second stage arterial switch operation (ASO). ConclusionFor TGA infants with decreased left ventricular mass who have missed the neonate period, left ventricular retraining is a safe and efficacious procedure to provide necessary preparation for second stage ASO.
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.
ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors contributing to prolonged postoperative recovery after Fontan operation. MethodsClinical data of 60 patients undergoing Fontan operation between January 2012 and June 2013 in Beijing Fu Wai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including their demographic data, preoperative angiography and echocardiogram, and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic data and blood test results. According to different length of hospital stay (LOS), all the 60 patients were divided into 2 groups. In the normal recovery group, there were 45 patients including 33 males and 12 females with their age of 5.7±1.7 years, whose LOS was shorter than 32.5 days. In the prolonged recovery group, there were 15 patients including 10 males and 5 females with their age of 4.9±1.6 years, whose LOS was longer than 32.5 days (over 75th percentile of LOS). LOS of the 60 patients ranged from 12 to 53 days, and 75th percentile of LOS was 32.5 days. Clinical results were compared between the 2 groups, and risk factors for prolonged postoperative recovery were analyzed. ResultsPreoperatively, their oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry was 80.5%±7.4%, ejection fraction (EF)was 64.1%±6.6%, Nakata index was 370.6±234.2 mm2/m2, Mcgoon ratio was 2.2±0.7, and pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)was 12.4±4.0 mm Hg. Twenty-seven patients (45.0%)received Glenn procedure before Fontan operation at the age of 0.9-4.0 years, and the duration from Glenn procedure to Fontan operation was 1.0-5.1 years. Two patients (3.3%)died after Fontan operation. Cardiopulmonary bypass time of 55 patients who received Fontan operation under parallel circulation was 112.0±52.4 minutes. Aortic cross-clamping time of 5 patients who received concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies under circulatory arrest was 44.8±9.2 minutes. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 18.8±6.4 hours, and ICU stay was 5.1±2.1 days. Univariate analysis showed that risk factors for prolonged postoperative recovery included higher preoperative PAP (P < 0.05), lower preoperative EF (P < 0.05), right ventricle as functional single ventricle (P < 0.05), previous Glenn procedure history (P < 0.05), concomitant total anomalous venous connection (P < 0.05), higher postoperative lactate level (P < 0.05), higher postoperative central venous pressure (P < 0.05), the need for greater volume of fluid resuscitation during the first 24 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05), long duration of chest drainage (P < 0.05)and postoperative infection (P < 0.05). ConclusionShort-term clinical results of Fontan operation for the treatment of functional single ventricle are satisfactory. Careful assessment and appropriate management of risk factors are helpful to improve postoperative recovery after Fontan operation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and safety of the pulmonary vasodilators in pediatric patients after Fontan operation. MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated the clinical utility of pulmonary vasodilators in pediatric patients with Fontan surgery. Between January and December 2013, 42 consecutive patients with single ventricle physiology who underwent a modified Fontan procedure of total cavapulmonary collection (TCPC) were enrolled. After extubated oral intake started, 24 patients (the treated group) received the pulmonary vasodilator treatment, while 18 patients (the untreated group) didn't not receive the treatment. ResultsNo inpatient death occurred after surgery. The primary endpoints were time of stay in hospital and time of chest tube drainage. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. Instead, patients in the treatment group seemed to have longer time of hospital stay (22 to 21 days) and chest tube drainage (14.0 to 8.5 days) than those in the untreated group. Compared with the untreated group, patients in the treatment group were younger (P=0.082) with no statistical difference, and had higher postoperative Lac with statistic difference (P=0.031), longer ventilation time with no statistical difference (P=0.050), and lower postoperative oxygen saturation with statistic difference (P=0.065). No clinically significant adverse events relating to pulmonary vasodilator therapy occurred during this study and, in particular, no significant abnormalities in hepatic, renal function tests were observed in pediatric Fontan patients. ConclusionsPulmonary vasodilator agents were found to be particularly used in the patients with serious conditions in our study. Our study results failed to show significant improvement of pulmonary vasodilator drugs after Fontan surgery in decreasing time of pleural drainage and time of stay in hospital.
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether radiofrequency-assisted associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (RALPPS) is a safer and more effective modified treatment for patients with cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsRALPPS were performed in patients with HCC and insufficient volume of future liver remnant (FLR<40%). Data of the patients during perioperative period such as operative morbidity, mortality, operative time, blood loss, percent increase in FLR, and interval between operations, were analyzed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the operation. ResultsA total of 8 patients were performed the RALPPS operation, and 6 cases completed both stages, 2 cases of postoperative complications or tumor metastasis did not complete the two phase of surgery. The average first and second stages operative time was (214.3±35.7) min, (266.7±46.0) min, respectively, and the average two stages blood loss during the operation was (218.8±113.2) mL,(501.7±224.5) mL, respectively. The mean preoperative FLR was (26.4±7.1)%, and the mean FLR before the second stage was (46.2±4.6)%. The average percentage increase in FLR during the interval time was 35%-113%, and the mean time interval between operations were (22.2±6.4) days. One case died of renal failure and severe pulmonary infection after two operation. Seven patients were followed-up (11.6+2.0) months (8-15 months). Two patients who had not completed the two-stage operation died within 3 months after discharge. Three patients who had completed the two-stage operation were tumor recurrence in 3-9 months after discharged from hospital and supplemented interventional therapy, 1 of them died,and 2 patients were followed-up to now without recurrence. ConclusionsRALPPS is equivalent to ALPPS for treating patients with cirrhosis-related HCC and insufficient FLR volume.
ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical results of left ventricular retraining followed by double switch operation (DSO) for patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) and a deconditioned morphologically left ventricle (mLV). MethodsClinical data of 14 patients with CCTGA and a deconditioned mLV who underwent surgical therapy in Fu Wai Hospital from May 2005 to May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 male and 6 female patients with their age of 2.5-72.0 (34.4±24.0) months and body weight of 5.1-23.0 (12.7±4.9) kg. Preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, angiography or cardiac catheterization. Major concomitant anomalies included tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 13 patients, restrictive ventricular septal defect in 10 patients, atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale in 7 patients, mild pulmonary valve stenosis in 4 patients, patent ductus arteriosus in 4 patients, and third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient. All the patients underwent first-stage morphologic left ventricular retraining under general anesthesia followed by second-stage atrial switch and arterial switch operations (DSO) under cardiopulmonary bypass with the interval of 0.67-34.0(10.23±9.47)months. ResultsAfter the first-stage morphologic left ventricular retraining, there was no postoperative complication or death. During follow-up, mLV end-diastolic diameter (mLVEDd) and posterior wall thickness of mLV were significantly larger than preoperative parameters (P < 0.05). The interventricular septum moved partially towards morphologically right ventricle (mRV). TR degree was significantly decreased, the pressure gradient across the pulmonary artery band was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was not statistically different from preoperative LVEF. And mLV/mRV pressure ratio was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After the second-stage DSO, 2 patients died with the in-hospital mortality of 14.3% (2/14). The causes of death included serious arrhythmia, circulatory collapse and sudden death. Early postoperative complications included pulmonary infection in 6 patients, atrial arrhythmias in 2 patients, pleural effusion in 2 patients, pneumothorax in 1 patient, diaphragmatic paralysis cured by diaphragm placation in 1 patient, respiratory tract hemorrhage in 1 patient, mild aortic insufficiency in 1 patient, peritoneal dialysis for 1 patient, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 1 patient, and tracheal intubation for a second time for 1 patient. All the 12 patients who were discharged alive were followed up for 2 to 8 years. One patient died during follow-up with the late mortality of 8.33% (1/12), and the cause of death was serious arrhythmia and circulatory collapse. Eight patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classⅠ, and 3 patients were in NYHA class Ⅱ. Major late complications included left ventricular dysfunction in 3 patients, moderate aortic valve regurgitation in 3 patients, and moderate mitral valve regurgitation in 1 patient. ConclusionShort-term clinical results of left ventricular retraining followed by DSO for patients with CCTGA and a deconditioned mLV are satisfactory, and its middleand long-term results need further follow-up. But postoperative left ventricular dysfunction and new-onset aortic valve regurgitation deserve more attention.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety of modified blood-sparing approach in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in low-weight infants (≤15 kg) with congenital heart disease. MethodsA total of 283 infants were applied a new blood-sparing approach, known as without homologous blood priming, during the cardiac surgery with CPB between August 2012 and October 2013. There were 154 males and 129 females with a median (interquartile range) age of 13 (9, 20) months. The infants were assigned to an intraoperative transfusion (IT) group once having transfusion during operation. And the infants without transfusion during operation were assigned to a postoperative transfusion (PT) group or a transfusion-free (TF) group according to post-operative transfusion. All infants experienced routine heart surgery with CPB. Blood samples were collected at following time points, ie. pre-CPB, 10 minutes after CPB, before termination of CPB, and after modified ultrafiltration. Clinical data and transfusion requirements were collected and compared between three groups. ResultsA total of 106 infants (53 males and 53 females) completed bloodless surgery. The median (interquartile range) age was 14 (9, 22) months. A total of 121 infants (71 males and 50 females) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion intraoperatively. The median (interquartile range) age was 10 (8, 12) months. A total of 56 infants (30 males and 26 females) at age of 15 (7, 20) months received RBC transfusion postoperatively. The intraoperative transfusion (IT) group had lower body weight (9 (7,10) kg vs. 12.6 (9,14) kg) and size (72 (68, 80) cm vs. 86 (78, 97) cm), younger age (10 (8, 12) months vs. 14 (9, 22) months), and higher 24-hour chest tube drainage volume (89 (40, 122) ml vs. 58 (30, 106) ml, P<0.05) than those in the transfusion free (TF) group. Pre-operative hematocrit was also lower in the IT group than that in the PT group and the TF group (32% (29%, 37%) vs. 39% (34%, 41%) vs. 36% (33%, 38%), P<0.05). The hospital stay in the PT group and the IT group was longer than that in the TF group, respectively (13 (8, 23) d vs. 14 (11, 22) d vs. 11(8, 20) d, P<0.05). ConclusionAlthough applied with blood-sparing approach, perioperative transfusion is required in some infants. Infants who are free from transfusion have shorter hospital stay and less 24-hour chest tube drainage volume. Consideration of risk factors of transfusion in this population may benefit further reduction in blood transfusion in the future.
ObjectiveTo assess the function of left ventricular outlet tract and aortic valve after arterial switch operation (ASO) for patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and left ventricular outlet tract obstruction (LVOTO). MethodsFrom 2002 to 2013, 549 pediatric TGA patients received ASO in Fu Wai Hospital. Among them, 42 patients had LVOTO, including 31 males and 11 females with their median age of 12 months (range, 7 days to 96 months), median body weight of 6.5(3.5-26.0) kg and percutaneous oxygen saturation of 52%-85%. LVOTO anomalies included pulmonary valve stenosis, subaortic membrane, tunnel-like subaortic stenosis, muscular subaortic stenosis, subvalvular apparatus and combined anomalies. Different surgical procedures were performed according to respective anomalies. Echocardiographic characteristics, intraoperative findings, surgical methods, early and follow-up results were summarized. ResultsCardiopulmonary bypass time was 147-344 (193.5±73.1) minutes, mean aortic cross-clamping time was 139(109-305) minutes, mean mechanical ventilation time was 36(3-960) hours, and mean length of ICU stay was 5(1-48) days. Three patients received and later successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Two patients died postoperatively including 1 patient with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and another patient with severe infection. One patient died during follow-up for unknown reason, and 3 patients were lost during followup. Thirty-six patients were followed up for 24 (3-116) months. During follow-up, there were 1 patient with LVOTO recurrence, 1 patient with new-onset mild aortic valve stenosis, 11 patients with new-onset mild aortic regurgitation (AR), and 2 patients with new-onset moderate AR. Median systolic left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient[4 (2-49) mm Hg] was significantly lower than preoperative value[37.2 (12.1-70.6) mm Hg] (Z=-5.153). Cardiac event-free rate was 91%±5% at 1 year and 78%±8% at 5 years after discharge. ConclusionFor TGA patients with LVOTO, ASO can produce satisfactory mid-and long-term results if proper surgical indications and strategies are chosen according to different severity of LVOTO which can be evaluated by anatomic features of TGA and systolic left ventricular-aortic pressure gradient.
ObjectiveTo examine changes of in-hospitalization mortality for arterial switch operation (ASO) for the patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in our hospital. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 473 consecutive TGA patients undergoing ASO to assess temporal trends of in-hospital mortality between 2001 and 2012 year. The patients in every 2 years were brought together into a group. By this way, all the patients were divided into 6 groups. In risk-adjusted analyses, mortality of each group between 2001 and 2012 year were compared within the 6 groups. ResultsAmong all the patients, 29 in-hospital deaths occurred. Between 2001 and 2012 year, the prevalence of preoperative factors-including age (P=0.13), gender (P=0.94), height (P=0.29), weight (P=0.21), combined with pulmonary hypertension (P=0.59), training for left ventricle (P=0.14), and anatomy of coronary arteries (P=0.27) did not significantly change. Crude mortality significantly decreased during that period (17.4% in the first group vs. 4.1% in the sixth group, P<0.001). Adjusted mortality also significantly became better in the ten years (the sixth group vs. the first group, odds ratio 0.098, 95% confidence interval, 0.018-0.550，P=0.01). ConclusionBetween 2001 and 2012 year, the prevalence of risk factors among TGA patients undergoing ASO remains unchanged, but the in-hospital mortality substantial decreases.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of fenestration on total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in the treatment of complex congenital heart disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 142 patients undergoing TCPC in Fu Wai Hospital between January 2010 and December 2013. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on with fenestration or not. There were 71 patients including 44 males and 27 females at age of 65.7+24.5 months in the fenestration group. There were also 71 patients with 42 males and 29 females at age of 60.7+20.8 months in the no fenestration group. Perioperative variables were compared between the two groups. ResultsFour patients (2.82%) died postoperatively. The fenestration significantly increased in the patients with atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVI). There were no statistical differences in duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU hospitalized time, early mortality and complications between the two groups (P>0.05). But there were statistical differences in the postoperative pleural effusion duration and 24 h capacity requirement (9.1 d versus 13.1 d, 4.19 ml/(kg · h) versus 5.48 ml/(kg · h)) between the two groups. In the patients whose preoperative mPAP was more than 12 mm Hg, postoperative CVP was lower (P=0.046), maintaining the same blood pressure (SBP=80-90 mm Hg) of vasoactive drugs (P=0.019) and 24 h capacity requirement (P=0.041) were lower, pleural effusion duration was shorter (9.8 d versus 17.8 d, P=0.000) in the fenestration children. 113 patients were followed up for 1.1+1.2 years. SpO2 was 92.1%+3.5% in the fenestration children. Spontaneous closure occured in 8.5% of the patients. No severe cyanosis (SpO2<85%), limb embolism, or stroke. ConclusionFenestration should not be a routine in children of TCPC. Patients with fenestration or not can obtained satisfactory early clinical efficacy. Atrial septal fenestration should be considered in high-risk children with mPAP higher than 12 mm Hg or serious AVVI and be corrected at the same time. Fenestration contributes to stable circulation after TCPC surgery. It can shorten the duration of pleural effusion.