Comparison of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography to epicardial imaging in children undergoing ventricular septal defect repair

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was compared with epicardial echocardiography after ventricular septal defect repair. This comparison was made in 18 children aged 7 to 137 months (median, 32 months), weighing 6.3 to 49.1 kg (median, 10.8 kg) from November 1989 to January 1991. Ventricular septal defect types were perimembranous (six), malalignment (seven), supracristal (three), midmuscular (one), and inlet (one). Eight children had isolated ventricular septal defects, four had tetralogy of Fallot, three had double outlet right ventricle, two had double chambered right ventricle, and one had pulmonary stenosis. Patch interrogation was complete in 17 of 18 transesophageal echocardiography and 16 of 18 epicardial echocardiography studies. Inability to fully interrogate the ventricular septal defect patch by epicardial echocardiography occurred in two children as a result of anterior ventricular septal defect location, limited epicardial exposure, and surgical hardware interference. Incomplete transesophageal echocardiography patch interrogation occurred in the child with the midmuscular ventricular septal defect. Seven residual ventricular septal defects were documented by color flow Doppler in six patients. Five of seven residual defects were demonstrated by both real-time transesophageal echocardiography and epicardial echocardiography imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography and epicardial echocardiography missed 1 and 7 defects, respectively. The missed defects were different with each technique and were confirmed by postoperative surface echocardiography. No residual defects of sufficient size to require reoperation were found as determined by combination color flow jet analysis and intraoperative oximetry (no pulmonary to systemic flow ratio was greater than 1.50). Patches caused two-dimensional and Doppler signal masking, but this was not limiting because all residual defects were found at the margins of the ventricular septal defect patch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Myocardial necrosis in a newborn after long-term maternal subcutaneous terbutaline infusion for suppression of preterm labor

We report a case of myocardial necrosis in a newborn after treatment of the mother with long-term subcutaneous terbutaline. No such serious side effects in the fetus have previously been reported. We speculate that this myocardial damage was due to beta-sympathomimetic therapy.

The utility of transesophageal echocardiography during and after Fontan operations in small children

Transesophageal echocardiography with Doppler examination was performed intraoperatively in 19 children undergoing modified Fontan operations and in 10 patients postoperatively. Comparisons were made with results of intraoperative epicardial imaging (9 patients) and with postoperative transthoracic imaging (10 patients). Transesophageal echocardiography optimally visualized atriopulmonary and cavopulmonary anastomoses. Epicardial echocardiography was successful in only three of nine patients. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed residua in 8 of 19 studies and led directly to surgical revision or medical therapy. These residua included stenosis of the cavopulmonary anastomosis (1 patient), unsatisfactory atrial fenestration (2 patients), patent ductus arteriosus (1 patient), residual cavoatrial shunting (1 patient), atrial thrombi (1 patient), and poor ventricular function (2 patients). Results of examination in the postoperative intensive care unit showed significant abnormalities in 4 of 10 patients. This study demonstrates that transesophageal echocardiography provides unique anatomic and physiologic information during and after modified Fontan operations in small children and therefore may have significant impact on patient management.

Preoperative prediction of postoperative pulmonary arteriolar resistance after surgical repair of complete atrioventricular canal defect

The natural history of patients with complete atrioventricular canal defect is one of unrelenting development of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. Corrective surgery, which can be performed with low mortality during infancy, reduces the time that the pulmonary vascular bed is exposed to excessively high pressure and blood flow. In some patients, however, advanced vascular disease may already be established at operation. Surgical intervention in these patients may not prevent the progression of obliterative pulmonary vascular disease and may in time even result in right ventricular failure, since after the corrective operation there is no ventricular septal defect to shunt away the right ventricular pressure overload. This article outlines a numeric method for predicting pulmonary vascular resistance after surgical correction; the method is based on age and hemodynamic data available from preoperative cardiac catheterization. Retrospective analysis of preoperative and postoperative data from 20 patients produced a regression equation in which a linear combination of inverse pulmonary/systemic blood flow ratio and age at operation predicted pulmonary vascular resistance after operation, with a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.85. This newly discovered relationship may provide valuable insight into the probable outcome of surgical intervention in cases in which pulmonary vascular obstructive disease is suspected as significant.

Transesophageal echocardiography for congenital heart disease

Surface echocardiographic imaging of small children is routinely successful in defining anatomical details and Doppler flow patterns with even the most complex congenital cardiac malformations. However, in larger children or adults, imaging is frequently limited. A recent expansion of the role of echocardiography is intraoperative epicardial imaging. Epicardial and postoperative imaging, however, have significant limitations. To avoid some of these limitations, transesophageal echocardiography has increasingly been used in the arena of congenital heart disease. The more recent development of small sized gastroscopic probes has allowed transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of congenital heart disease in children down to newborn size. As detailed studies of individual lesions are reported, it has become clear that the mere presence of a congenital heart defect is not an indication for transesophageal echocardiography in most children if imaging can be accomplished by surface examination. However, transesophageal echocardiography may be indicated for the intraoperative or postoperative assessment of that defect, particularly when repair has been difficult or is known to be associated with significant residual abnormalities. Cardiac structures encountered with horizontal and vertical imaging plane transducers have been described and should be completely familiar to the examining echocardiographer.

Hemi-Fontan operation in surgery for single ventricle: a preliminary report

Mortality after Fontan operation is related to risk factors like ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary artery deformity, and young age (infancy). Preliminary procedures may improve Fontan results. The hemi-Fontan operation includes atriopulmonary anastomosis and correction of all anatomical risk factors, but an atriopulmonary patch directs superior vena caval flow into both pulmonary arteries and inferior vena caval flow into the ventricle, thus maintaining cardiac output (modified Glenn physiology). We performed 17 hemi-Fontan procedures in 16 patients, 14 primarily (median age, 9 months) and 3 for takedown of a Fontan operation. The 14 primary operations were for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (5), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (4), and other (5). All patients had multiple risk factors. Extubation was at 18 hours (median), chest tube removal was at 3 days, and hospital discharge was at 8 days postoperatively. Important complications included subglottic stenosis, transient diaphragmatic paralysis, pulmonary artery stenosis and thrombosis requiring reoperation, and transient ventricular fibrillation. One patient required hemi-Fontan takedown, and this patient later (3 months postoperatively) became the only death. Fontan take-downs have had a high mortality rate. In 3 patients who tolerated Fontan operation poorly, converting Fontan to hemi-Fontan abruptly reversed the downhill course. For these patients, the operation was life-saving. Hemi-Fontan operation is safe and well-tolerated, even in infants, provides the advantages of modified Glenn physiology before Fontan operation, and may be especially useful for Fontan takedown after failed Fontan.

Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of streptokinase lysis of thrombosed right-sided St. Jude Medical valves in patients with congenital heart defects

Four episodes of St. Jude Medical prosthesis leaflet thrombosis were serially evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography during treatment with streptokinase. Three patients aged 4, 11, and 24 years with congenital heart disease had St. Jude Medical valves in pulmonary positions (two cases) for tetralogy of Fallot and in the tricuspid position (one case). The duration of thrombosis was not known in any patient. Leaflet immobility and its resolution were demonstrated by echocardiography and were confirmed fluoroscopically. Continuous wave Doppler echocardiography showed abnormal stenotic gradients in thrombosed valves that were reduced after thrombolysis. These studies demonstrate the utility of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in serial evaluation of prosthetic pulmonary and tricuspid valve thrombosis during thrombolysis.

New approaches to treatment of incessant ventricular tachycardia in the very young

It was assumed that the availability of new antiarrhythmic drugs and new surgical techniques might allow medical or nonexcisional surgical treatment in many young children with incessant ventricular tachycardia. Fourteen infants and young children less than 5 years of age were evaluated and treated for incessant ventricular tachycardia. Medical treatment was pursued up to the use of amiodarone with a type Ib or Ic antiarrhythmic drug unless the patient became hemodynamically unstable. Patients underwent surgery when these drug regimens failed or when moderate congestive heart failure was present. Seven patients were successfully treated medically and seven underwent surgical treatment. Of those treated surgically, five had cryothermic lesions and two had excisions. Five of the surgically treated patients required temporary additional medical treatment. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 53 months (mean 28). Eleven of the 14 patients are currently not taking any antiarrhythmic medication. No patient required a pacemaker, none received anticongestive medications and none died.

Tricuspid atresia: current concepts in diagnosis and treatment

Tricuspid atresia is the third most common cyanotic cardiac malformation, seen in 1 per cent of children with congenital heart disease. Anatomic details in each patient can be elucidated by echocardiography. Surgical treatment initially is palliation, usually with aortopulmonary shunt. Definitive treatment is with a Fontan operation, in which the systemic venous return is connected directly to the pulmonary arterial tree. Long-term results of the corrective procedure have been very good.

Fetal echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital heart disease

The delineation of the structural and functional abnormalities of the fetal heart by echocardiography has led to the emergence of a new and vital subspecialty, that of fetal cardiology. Its practitioners are from disciplines such as genetics, obstetrics, and pediatrics, the common interests of which in the well-being of the unborn child have converged as technologic advances in ultrasound have enabled detailed evaluation and sometimes treatment of fetal hemodynamic abnormalities. Each discipline forms an entry point for the identification and referral of the high-risk patient or fetus with a suspected abnormality. As has been shown obstetric cardiac screening of the general population with ultrasound provides the highest yield of cardiac malformations when suspicious findings are referred to a subspecialist in fetal cardiac sonography. As we study the pathogenesis of congenital defects, it is likely that hitherto unidentified high risk populations will be found. The future holds the possibility of meaningful surgical interventions that may change the dismal outcome of fetuses with certain, now lethal cardiac malformations. Patients with hydrops fetalis due to congenital complete heart block are almost certain to die. Intrauterine cardiac pacing has been attempted and is a potentially life-saving procedure. Patients in whom pulmonary underdevelopment occurs because of the cardiac enlargement associated with some types of pulmonary atresia could potentially benefit from intrauterine surgery such as valvotomy. Serial fetal echocardiographic examination of the developing heart with higher resolution equipment during the first trimester may one day pinpoint the exact moment of teratogenesis and lead to more specific treatments designed to restore normal embryogenesis. Such examinations will, when known to be safe themselves, at the very least significantly advance our knowledge of normal cardiac embryogenesis and pathogenesis.

Real-time, automated, interactive cardiac electrophysiology testing

We describe a new automated interactive system that performs all of the functions required for complete evaluation of the intracardiac conduction system, for inducing, terminating and analyzing tachydysrhythmias, and for locating and characterizing accessory atrioventricular (AV) connections and ectopic foci. In the first year of operation, the system was used to conduct 210 electrophysiology studies. These ranged from simple postoperative evaluation of the conduction system to complete tachycardia studies during pharmacological manipulation of the patient. Patient age at time of catheterization ranged from 6 days to 70 years, with median age of 8 years and 7 months. Advantages accruing from automated electrophysiology testing with this system included great precision and accuracy of timing measurements, flexibility in designing and implementing pacing protocols, and rapid management of induced or spontaneous dysrhythmias. Significant savings of time and labor were achieved by computer generation of reports and graphs as opposed to manual data extraction and plotting. The single most significant advantage is the ability of the system to provide information on a real-time basis, permitting the electrophysiologist to analyze, modify, extend or curtail the procedure.

Advances in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia

Patients with supraventricular tachycardia should be able to lead a perfectly normal life without significant treatment related side effects. Many of these patients have normal hearts and no other significant medical problems. Using the techniques described above, no patient should have significant symptoms from SVT.

Neonatal cardiac arrhythmias and their potential role in sudden infant death syndrome

A broad spectrum of dysrhythmias effects neonates. With modern monitoring techniques, we are detecting more of them. Modern treatment techniques should allow virtually all infants to be treated successfully and to lead normal lives.

Valve prostheses in children: a reassessment of anticoagulation

We have previously published evidence that children with St. Jude Medical prostheses on the left side of the heart may not require anticoagulation. Between March 1979 and September 1986, we followed up 48 patients who had no anticoagulant therapy for up to 7 years after valve replacement, an aggregate of 122 patient-years. The 25 male and 23 female patients ranged in age at implantation from 5 months to 21 years (12 +/- 6 years, mean +/- standard deviation). Five patients (all with complex associated malformation) died in the hospital (10%), and nine died late (22%). None of the early and one of the late deaths was associated with a thrombosed prosthesis. During follow-up, seven thrombotic (one mitral, one aortic) or thromboembolic (two mitral, three aortic) events occurred (5.7 +/- 2.1 per 100 patient-years). Of these seven events, five occurred within the last 14 months of the study. There was no relation of these events to age of patient at implantation, age at the time of even, gender, or site of implantation. Concurrently, we have followed up 340 adult patients with St. Jude Medical prostheses who had warfarin sodium (Coumadin) anticoagulation for 875 patient-years. By the end of this study, the children who did not receive anticoagulants were significantly less free of thrombotic and thromboembolic events than the adults who did receive anticoagulants (p less than 0.01).

Cardiomyopathy with arrhythmias and ectodermal dysplasia: a previously unreported association

Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia represents a group of congenital or hereditary disorders that involve ectodermal derivatives. It is characterized by partial or complete alopecia, dystrophic nails, and dental abnormalities. Dilated cardiomyopathy has not previously been reported in association with this illness. We report the cases of three children with fatal dilated cardiomyopathy with associated cardiac arrhythmias and ectodermal dysplasia. Laboratory investigations revealed no specific cause for the cardiomyopathy. It is speculated that this association is not simply coincidental.

Double-chambered right ventricle

Thirty (10.8%) of 279 patients undergoing correction of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) from January, 1972, to September, 1986, also had a double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV). Age at operation ranged from 1.3 to 18.8 years (mean, 6.7 +/- 4.5 years [+/- standard deviation]). Seventeen patients were male, and 13 were female. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used after 1978 in the initial evaluation of 20 patients; however, the diagnosis of DCRV was made with the use of subcostal views only since 1984 in 4 of 5 patients. Surgical correction consisted of closure of the VSD and resection of anomalous muscle bundles through a right ventriculotomy (28 patients), and right atriotomy (2 patients). All patients survived and are asymptomatic 4.2 +/- 3.4 years following operation. Six patients have undergone catheterization postoperatively and 8 patients had intraoperative pressure recordings. The mean preoperative ratio of right ventricular to left ventricular pressures was 0.67 +/- 0.22 compared with 0.34 +/- 0.15 postoperatively (p less than .001). In 2 patients, DCRV was not recognized preoperatively or at VSD closure through a right atriotomy, and reoperation was necessary after DCRV was demonstrated at postoperative catheterization. DCRV may occur in approximately 10% of patients undergoing correction of VSD. Careful evaluation of echocardiographic and catheterization data preoperatively and careful evaluation of the anatomy intraoperatively are necessary so that DCRV not be overlooked, especially because most VSDs are now closed through the right atrium. Successful correction of VSD and DCRV is associated with excellent long-term results.

Resolution of dilated cardiomyopathy after surgical ablation of ventricular tachycardia in a child

Sustained tachycardia may be associated with dilated cardiomyopathy that may improve after medical management of the tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia due to an ectopic focus is uncommon in children and rarely presents as congestive heart failure. This report documents that severe dilated cardiomyopathy in a child was caused by sustained ventricular tachycardia and that, after cryoablation of the tachycardia focus, ventricular function rapidly returned to normal.