Realignment of the ventricular septum using partial direct closure of the ventricular septal defect in Tetralogy of Fallot

Objective: The aim is to describe our technique of partial direct closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and assess its influence on the realignment and remodeling of the left ventricular outflow tract. Methods: Between 2004 and 2010, 32 non-consecutive patients with TOF underwent a direct or partial direct closure of VSD. Median age and weight were 5.2 months and 6.7kg, respectively. An approach through the right atrium was used in 30 patients and through the infundibulum in two patients. The conal septum was mobilized by transecting the hypertrophic trabeculae to facilitate the approximation of the VSD. The membranous part of the VSD was closed (in the later part of the series) with a small xenopericardial patch to avoid tension on the suture line traversing the area of risk to the bundle of His. Follow-up was complete, with a median duration of 46.9 (range 12-75.3) months. Results: The VSD could be closed successfully in all patients. A residual VSD was partly responsible for one early postoperative re-operation. There were no early or late deaths. At follow-up, all patients were in sinus rhythm. Three patients showed a small residual VSD. Thirty patients had none, one showed trivial, and one had mild aortic regurgitation. The left ventricular outflow showed a good realignment of the ventricular septum in all the patients. Conclusions: Partial direct closure of the VSD corrects the primary defect in TOF, that is, the malalignment of the septum. It results in a straight, wide open left ventricular outflow tract and brings better support to the aortic roo

Evolution of paced QRS and QTc intervals in children with epicardial pacing leads

Aims : Permanent ventricular pacing in children is associated with ventricular dysfunction due to asynchronous activation. It is unclear whether paced QRS intervals increase disproportionately over time, which could potentially cause ventricular dysfunction. Methods : A total of 52 children, with bipolar steroideluting epicardial leads implanted at a median age of 5.6 years (0.0-17.4), was analyzed and followed up to 12.2 years (median 3.7). Patients were subdivided in two groups: right (RV, n = 21) and left (LV, n = 31) ventricular pacing. To correct for age, standard deviation scores (Z-scores) for paced QRS and QTc intervals were calculated from published standard-ECG norm-values. As a measure for individual paced QRS and QTc interval changes, a regression slope coefficient (inclinei) was calculated for each patient's course. Results : Mean Z-scores for paced QRS intervals at first and last follow-up were 4.7 ± 1.2 and 4.9 ± 0.9 for group RV, 4.4 ± 1.1 and 4.8 ± 1.1 for group LV. Inclinei of paced QRS (group RV: 0.038 [-0.27-0.12], group LV: 0.147 [-0.05-0.30]; p = 0.07) and QTc intervals (group RV: 0.026 [-0.08-0.06], group LV: 0.023 [-0.04-0.09]; p = 0.63) did not differ between both groups and indicated limited interval changes over time. Conclusion : Neither epicardial pacing of the right nor left ventricle caused disproportionate paced QRS or QTc interval increases over time. An age-related prolongation of the electrical activation unlikely causes ventricular dysfunctio

Clinical Course and Interstage Monitoring After the Norwood and Hybrid Procedures for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) are at risk for interstage morbidity and mortality, especially between the first and second surgical stages after the Norwood and hybrid procedures. This study compared the morbidity and mortality of patients treated by either the Norwood or the hybrid procedure for HLHS between the first and second stages who were undergoing interstage monitoring. Between October 2008 and December 2011, 26 infants (14 boys) with HLHS (n=16) and other univentricular heart malformations with aortic arch anomaly (n=10) were scheduled for interstage monitoring after Norwood I (n=12) and hybrid (n=14) procedures. Three infants (11.5%) died after first-stage palliation (one hybrid patient and two Norwood patients), and three infants (11.5%) died after second-stage palliation (two hybrid patients and one Norwood patient) (p=0.83), all after early second-stage surgery (<90days). The Norwood I and hybrid procedures did not differ in terms of overall mortality (23%) (three hybrid and three Norwood patients; p=1.00). Seven infants (26.9%) could not be discharged from the hospital due to hemodynamic instability and were referred for early second-stage surgery (<90days). After the first stage, the invasive reevaluation rate before discharge was high (53.8%), with cardiac catheterizations for 8 of 14 patients after the hybrid procedure and for 6 of 12 patients after the Norwood procedure (p=0.69). A total of 11 reinterventions were performed (eight by catheter and three by surgery). Of the eight catheter reinterventions, five were performed for hybrid patients (p=0.22). For 14 infants, 89days (range 10-177days) of interstage monitoring were scheduled. One infant (3.9%) died during the interstage monitoring. The findings showed a breach of the physiologic criteria for interstage monitoring in seven infants (50%) after 10days (range 4-68days) (five hybrid and two Norwood patients), leading to rehospitalization and catheterization for six patients (four hybrid and two Norwood patients), requiring interventions for two patients (patent arterial duct stent dilation, and atrial septal defect stenting, all for hybrid patients). Overall, three of the seven patients with red flag events of interstage monitoring were candidates for early second-stage surgery. In conclusion, morbidity among infants treated for HLHS remains high, either before or after hospital discharge, emphasizing the need of interstage monitoring programs. Despite retrograde aortic flow in infants with HLHS after the hybrid procedure, the mortality rate was comparable between the two groups. Mortality occurs after early second-stage surgery (<90days)

Evolution of paced QRS and QTc intervals in children with epicardial pacing leads

Aims : Permanent ventricular pacing in children is associated with ventricular dysfunction due to asynchronous activation. It is unclear whether paced QRS intervals increase disproportionately over time, which could potentially cause ventricular dysfunction. Methods : A total of 52 children, with bipolar steroideluting epicardial leads implanted at a median age of 5.6 years (0.0-17.4), was analyzed and followed up to 12.2 years (median 3.7). Patients were subdivided in two groups: right (RV, n = 21) and left (LV, n = 31) ventricular pacing. To correct for age, standard deviation scores (Z-scores) for paced QRS and QTc intervals were calculated from published standard-ECG norm-values. As a measure for individual paced QRS and QTc interval changes, a regression slope coefficient (inclinei) was calculated for each patient's course. Results : Mean Z-scores for paced QRS intervals at first and last follow-up were 4.7 ± 1.2 and 4.9 ± 0.9 for group RV, 4.4 ± 1.1 and 4.8 ± 1.1 for group LV. Inclinei of paced QRS (group RV: 0.038 [-0.27-0.12], group LV: 0.147 [-0.05-0.30]; p = 0.07) and QTc intervals (group RV: 0.026 [-0.08-0.06], group LV: 0.023 [-0.04-0.09]; p = 0.63) did not differ between both groups and indicated limited interval changes over time. Conclusion : Neither epicardial pacing of the right nor left ventricle caused disproportionate paced QRS or QTc interval increases over time. An age-related prolongation of the electrical activation unlikely causes ventricular dysfunctio

Clinical course and interstage monitoring after the Norwood and hybrid procedures for hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) are at risk for interstage morbidity and mortality, especially between the first and second surgical stages after the Norwood and hybrid procedures. This study compared the morbidity and mortality of patients treated by either the Norwood or the hybrid procedure for HLHS between the first and second stages who were undergoing interstage monitoring. Between October 2008 and December 2011, 26 infants (14 boys) with HLHS (n = 16) and other univentricular heart malformations with aortic arch anomaly (n = 10) were scheduled for interstage monitoring after Norwood I (n = 12) and hybrid (n = 14) procedures. Three infants (11.5 %) died after first-stage palliation (one hybrid patient and two Norwood patients), and three infants (11.5 %) died after second-stage palliation (two hybrid patients and one Norwood patient) (p = 0.83), all after early second-stage surgery (<90 days). The Norwood I and hybrid procedures did not differ in terms of overall mortality (23 %) (three hybrid and three Norwood patients; p = 1.00). Seven infants (26.9 %) could not be discharged from the hospital due to hemodynamic instability and were referred for early second-stage surgery (<90 days). After the first stage, the invasive reevaluation rate before discharge was high (53.8 %), with cardiac catheterizations for 8 of 14 patients after the hybrid procedure and for 6 of 12 patients after the Norwood procedure (p = 0.69). A total of 11 reinterventions were performed (eight by catheter and three by surgery). Of the eight catheter reinterventions, five were performed for hybrid patients (p = 0.22). For 14 infants, 89 days (range 10-177 days) of interstage monitoring were scheduled. One infant (3.9 %) died during the interstage monitoring. The findings showed a breach of the physiologic criteria for interstage monitoring in seven infants (50 %) after 10 days (range 4-68 days) (five hybrid and two Norwood patients), leading to rehospitalization and catheterization for six patients (four hybrid and two Norwood patients), requiring interventions for two patients (patent arterial duct stent dilation, and atrial septal defect stenting, all for hybrid patients). Overall, three of the seven patients with red flag events of interstage monitoring were candidates for early second-stage surgery. In conclusion, morbidity among infants treated for HLHS remains high, either before or after hospital discharge, emphasizing the need of interstage monitoring programs. Despite retrograde aortic flow in infants with HLHS after the hybrid procedure, the mortality rate was comparable between the two groups. Mortality occurs after early second-stage surgery (<90 days)

Realignment of the ventricular septum using partial direct closure of the ventricular septal defect in Tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to describe our technique of partial direct closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and assess its influence on the realignment and remodeling of the left ventricular outflow tract. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 32 non-consecutive patients with TOF underwent a direct or partial direct closure of VSD. Median age and weight were 5.2 months and 6.7 kg, respectively. An approach through the right atrium was used in 30 patients and through the infundibulum in two patients. The conal septum was mobilized by transecting the hypertrophic trabeculae to facilitate the approximation of the VSD. The membranous part of the VSD was closed (in the later part of the series) with a small xenopericardial patch to avoid tension on the suture line traversing the area of risk to the bundle of His. Follow-up was complete, with a median duration of 46.9 (range 12-75.3) months. RESULTS: The VSD could be closed successfully in all patients. A residual VSD was partly responsible for one early postoperative re-operation. There were no early or late deaths. At follow-up, all patients were in sinus rhythm. Three patients showed a small residual VSD. Thirty patients had none, one showed trivial, and one had mild aortic regurgitation. The left ventricular outflow showed a good realignment of the ventricular septum in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Partial direct closure of the VSD corrects the primary defect in TOF, that is, the malalignment of the septum. It results in a straight, wide open left ventricular outflow tract and brings better support to the aortic root