Ebstein malformation of the tricuspid valve: Current concepts in management and outcomes

Pathophysiology and clinical presentation of paediatric heart failure related to congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) and cardiomyopathies represent the two most important causes of paediatric heart failure (HF) in developed countries. We made a review of the literature on pathophysiology and clinical presentation of paediatric HF in children with CHD. Two main pathophysiologic models can be identified: the 'over-circulation failure', characterised by signs and symptoms of congestion or hypoperfusion, due respectively to volume or pressure overload, and the 'pump failure'. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehension of the HF pathophysiology in paediatric patients with CHD is of paramount importance for the optimal management and for addressing the best therapeutic choices.

Right Ventricular Systolic Function After the Cone Procedure for Ebstein's Anomaly: Comparison Between Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Although the Cone procedure has improved outcomes for patients with Ebstein´s anomaly (EA), neither RV systolic function recovery in long-term follow-up nor the best echocardiographic parameters to assess RV function are well established. Thus, we evaluated RV performance after the Cone procedure comparing two-dimensional (2DEcho) and three-dimensional (3DEcho) echocardiography to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). We assessed 27 EA patients after the Cone procedure (53% female, median age of 20 years at the procedure, median post-operative follow-up duration of 8 years). Echocardiography was performed 4 h apart from the CMR. RV global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index and tissue Doppler S' velocity were assessed using 2DEcho, whereas 3DEcho was used to evaluate RV volumes and ejection fraction (RVEF). Echocardiographic variables were compared to CMR-RVEF. All patients were in the NYHA functional class I. Median TAPSE was 15.9 mm, FAC 30.2%, and RV-GLS -15%; median RVEF by 3DEcho was 31.9% and 43% by CMR. Among 2DEcho parameters, RV-GLS and FAC had a substantial correlation with CMR-RVEF (r =  - 0.63 and r = 0.55, respectively); from 3DEcho, the indexed RV volumes and RVEF were closely correlated with CMR (RV-EDVi, r = 0.60, RV-ESVi, r = 0.72; and RVEF r = 0.60). RV systolic function is impaired years after the Cone procedure, despite a good clinical status. FAC and RV-GLS are useful 2DEcho tools to assess RV function in these patients; however, 3DEcho measurements appear to provide a better RV assessment.

Clinical Spectrum and Long-term Outcome of 183 Cases of Ebstein's Anomaly, Experience of Mexican Population

BACKGROUND

Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a myopathy of the right ventricle that causes a variable spectrum of tricuspid valve delamination failure with diverse clinical and anatomical presentation. We reviewed our data of EA to establish an association between clinical and echocardiographic findings with mortality.

METHODS

We divided patients in infants, Children/adolescents (Ch/A), and adults, according to age of presentation. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared among groups. Multivariate analysis was performed for mortality. Survival analysis was plotted using Kaplan Meier curves.

RESULTS

Cyanosis, severe forms of AE and heart failure were more frequent among infants, arrhythmias in Ch/A and stroke among adults. Surgery was performed in 71 patients; infants had higher mortality and early complications. We found that the predicted mortality at 40 years of age in the three groups was significantly different (log rank test, p <0.0001): Infants: 38%, Ch/A 16 and 4% in adults. Multivariate model in surgical group showed that progressive drop of right ventricular fractional shortening (RVFS) predicts a higher mortality risk. In the non-surgical group, low RVFS and cyanosis were significantly associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

EA in infants is linked to higher morbidity and mortality, while arrhythmias predominate in Ch/A and stroke in adults. In general, stroke is frequent in patients with EA, some prevention alternative must be implemented. Right ventricular dysfunction is very important in EA and is associated with high mortality. It must be subject of discussion the planning of the type of surgery or even in the decision of to preclude surgical treatment.

Surgical outcomes in complex adult congenital heart disease: a brief review

Life expectancy of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) continues to increase dramatically over the last few decades, primarily due to significant medical and surgical advancements in the field. Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients are now living longer but continue to face morbidity and reduced long-term survival when compared to the general population. We briefly describe the growth of ACHD with a focus on surgical procedures and outcomes in the more complex lesions including Tetralogy of Fallot, Ebsteins Anomaly of the tricuspid valve, Coarctation of the Aorta, Transposition of the Great Arteries and single ventricle lesions. The advancing role of mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation in ACHD patients is also highlighted. Cardiac surgery in these patients continues to improve with low surgical mortality rate and outstanding long-term outcomes and efficacy.

Effect of cone reconstruction on right ventricular function in patients with Ebstein's anomaly: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Cone reconstruction (CR) is a novel technique for surgically treating the tricuspid valve and right ventricle (RV) in patients with Ebstein's anomaly. However, precise changes in the RV function after CR remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the RV size and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class by conducting a meta-analysis of reported data.

METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for relevant studies. The variables were RV measurements, NYHA functional classes and tricuspid valve regurgitation grades. A fixed/random effects model was used to summarize the estimates of mean difference with standard error. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to ascertain the primary origin of the heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Nine studies that involved 210 patients were included. The results demonstrated that after CR, the functional RV volume significantly decreased, NYHA functional class improved and tricuspid valve regurgitation grade decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, CR appeared to be a positive approach for Ebstein's anomaly, with good results being obtained for the RV size and NYHA functional class. Because some limitations could not be overcome, studies with more data on RV and longer follow-ups are required to confirm our study results.

Surgical management of congenital (non-Ebstein) tricuspid valve regurgitation

Congenital tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a relatively uncommon condition that includes a heterogeneous group of lesions with a unique management strategy. There are wide anatomic variations that lead to congenital TR in patients without Ebstein malformation. Possible etiologies may include primary valve abnormalities (eg, congenital absence of chordae) or other forms of tricuspid valve dysplasia as in congenitally unguarded tricuspid valve, and patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum, which can be similar to Ebstein's valves or secondary regurgitation in association with other anomalies as in atrioventricular septal defects, right ventricular outflow tract obstructive lesions (pulmonary stenosis or atresia with ventricular septal defect [VSD]), tricuspid valve annular dilatation in association with right ventricular volume overload lesions as in congenital coronary arterial fistula with secondary right ventricular enlargement, and Uhl's anomaly. Iatrogenic etiologies in the congenital population include TR secondary to previous VSD closure (chordal or leaflet injury), pacemaker or internal cardiac defibrillator lead-induced TR, and traumatic TR (ruptured chordae). Presentation depends on the severity of the disease and may be apparent in infancy, childhood, or adulthood.

Congenital Heart Defects in Adults : A Field Guide for Cardiologists

Advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery allow a large proportion of patients with congenital heart defects to survive into adulthood. These patients frequently develop complications characteristic of the defect or its treatment. Consequently, adult cardiologists participating in the care of these patients need a working knowledge of the more common defects. Occasionally, patients with congenital heart defects such as atrial septal defect, Ebstein anomaly or physiologically corrected transposition of the great arteries present for the first time in adulthood. More often patients previously treated in pediatric cardiology centers have transitioned to adult congenital heart disease centers for ongoing care. Some of the more important defects in this category are tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, functionally single ventricle defects, and coarctation. Through this field guide, we provide an overview of the anatomy of selected defects commonly seen in an adult congenital practice using pathology specimens and clinical imaging studies. In addition, we describe the physiology, clinical presentation to the adult cardiologist, possible complications, treatment options, and outcomes.