Survival and cardiovascular events after coarctation-repair in long-term follow-up (COAFU): Predictive value of clinical variables

Artificial intelligence-based, non-invasive assessment of the central aortic pressure in adults after operative or interventional treatment of aortic coarctation

BACKGROUND

Aortic coarctation (CoA) is a congenital anomaly leading to upper-body hypertension and lower-body hypotension. Despite surgical or interventional treatment, arterial hypertension may develop and contribute to morbidity and mortality. Conventional blood pressure (BP) measurement methods lack precision for individual diagnoses and therapeutic decisions. This study evaluated the use of artificial intelligence-based pulse wave analysis (AI-PWA) to assess central aortic blood pressure (CABP) and related parameters in post-treatment CoA patients.

METHODS

This exploratory, cross-sectional study enrolled 47 adults with CoA, between June 2023 and May 2024. Peripheral BP (PBP) was conventionally measured, and CABP was assessed using the VascAssist2 (inmediQ, Butzbach, Germany). Hypertension was defined by systolic BP≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg for PBP. Using AI-PWA, patients with systolic CABP≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg were classified as hypertensive.

RESULTS

The study cohort's age was 41.5±13.7 years, with all patients having undergone previous aortic surgery or intervention. PBP measurements showed a systolic BP of 135.4±14.4 mm Hg at the upper and 147.8±20.3 mm Hg at the lower extremities. CABP measurements were significantly lower, with a systolic BP of 114.3±15.8 mm Hg (p<0.001). Overall, 32 patients (68.1%) were diagnosed as hypertensive, either by PBP measurement (n=13/27.7%), because of antihypertensive treatment (n=9; 40.4%), or a combination of both. The measurement of PBP was more likely to indicate arterial hypertension than the measurement of CABP (n=12; 25.5% vs n=4; 8.5%). Pulse wave velocity, indicative of aortic stiffness, averaged 9.1 m/s, with higher values in 13 patients (27.7%), including 4 after end-end anastomosis, 2 after graft interposition and 7 after stent placement/angioplasty as the most recent procedure. An increased augmentation index as an indicator of arterial stiffness was observed in nine patients (19.1%). Comparing PBP and CABP in the entire collective, significant differences were found for CABP in relation to the procedure performed, with higher values in patients after prosthesis interposition as their last treatment (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

AI-PWA provides valuable insights into cardiovascular stress in CoA patients, beyond PBP measurements. The study highlights the need to incorporate CABP measurements into clinical practice to avoid overdiagnosis of hypertension. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to validate these findings and refine management strategies for CoA patients.

Multi-centre cross-sectional study on vascular remodelling in children following successful coarctation correction

Coarctation of the aorta is an arteriopathy with life-long sequelae, with remarkably increased cardiovascular events in young adults even after successful repair and despite blood pressure status. There are data on arterial remodelling in adults after coarctation correction, however, these data are scarce in childhood. Thus, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate changes in arterial wall function and morphology in children following successful coarctation repair and to compare these changes among patients with different blood pressure status and coarctation correction modes. Blood pressure status, echocardiographic parameters, arterial wall structure and stiffness, endothelial function and central blood pressure measurements were evaluated in 110 children aged 6-18 years following successful coarctation repair with right arm blood pressure not exceeding leg blood pressure by ≥20 mmHg. The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 50%. The mean carotid intima-media thickness SDS was 3.1 ± 1.5 and above 1.65 SDS in 91 of 110 patients. Increased right carotid intima-media thickness was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, office blood pressure difference between leg and right arm, recoarctation in the past and interventional coarctation correction. Increased local common carotid artery stiffness was associated with increased pulse pressure and central systolic blood pressure. Potentially decreased endothelial function was related to a slight increase of peak and mean systolic gradient in the descending aorta. After successful coarctation repair and with a low blood pressure gradient, children still have a high prevalence of arterial hypertension and significant arterial remodelling, indicating accelerated biological age and advanced arteriosclerosis.

4D flow MRI derived aortic hemodynamics multi-year follow-up in repaired coarctation with bicuspid aortic valve

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between hemodynamic parameters and longitudinal changes in aortic dimensions on four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and repaired coarctation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study retrospectively included patients with BAV and childhood coarctation repair who had at least two cardiothoracic MRI examinations including 4D flow MRI at baseline and follow-up. Analysis included the calculation of aortic peak velocities, wall shear stress (WSS), pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic dimensions and annual growth rates. Differences between examinations were assessed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test. Relationships between growth rate and 4D flow metrics were assessed using Pearson or Spearman correlation tests.

RESULTS

The cohort included 15 patients (mean age 35 ± 8 [SD] years, 9 men) with a median follow-up time of 3.98 years (Q1: 2.10; Q3: 4.96). There were no significant differences in aortic mean WSS, peak velocities, and PWV between baseline and follow-up values. Greater baseline peak velocities at the site of the coarctation were strongly associated with aortic narrowing (follow-up vs. baseline diameter) at coarctation zone (r = -0.64; P = 0.010) and moderately in descending aorta (r = -0.53; P = 0.042). In addition, increased baseline WSS in the aortic arch was strongly related with narrowing of the coarctation zone at follow-up (r = -0.64, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Measures of aortic hemodynamics and aortic WSS are stable over time in patients with BAV with coarctation repair. Increased peak velocity was associated with a progressive narrowing at the site of the coarctation repair.

Isolated Coarctation of the Aorta: Current Concepts and Perspectives

Current management of isolated CoA, localized narrowing of the aortic arch in the absence of other congenital heart disease, is a success story with improved prenatal diagnosis, high survival and improved understanding of long-term complication. Isolated CoA has heterogenous presentations, complex etiologic mechanisms, and progressive pathophysiologic changes that influence outcome. End-to-end or extended end-to-end anastomosis are the favored surgical approaches for isolated CoA in infants and transcatheter intervention is favored for children and adults. Primary stent placement is the procedure of choice in larger children and adults. Most adults with treated isolated CoA thrive, have normal daily activities, and undergo successful childbirth. Fetal echocardiography is the cornerstone of prenatal counseling and genetic testing is recommended. Advanced 3D imaging identifies aortic complications and myocardial dysfunction and guides individualized therapies including re-intervention. Adult CHD program enrollment is recommended. Longer follow-up data are needed to determine the frequency and severity of aneurysm formation, myocardial dysfunction, and whether childhood lifestyle modifications reduce late-onset complications.

Late complication rates after aortic coarctation repair in patients with or without a bicuspid aortic valve

OBJECTIVE

Patients with previously repaired aortic coarctation (CoA) are at risk of developing late surgical complications. Many patients with CoA also have a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). We sought to determine in patients with repaired CoA whether the presence of BAV is associated with more cardiovascular reinterventions during follow-up.

METHODS

Adults with previously repaired simple CoA were recruited from our Adult Congenital Heart Disease database (Sydney, Australia). The incidence of complications relating to the 'CoA-site' (descending aortic aneurysm or dissection, or recoarctation) and the 'AV/AscAo' (aortic valve or ascending aortic pathology) that required intervention was compared between those with BAV ('CoA-BAV') and without BAV ('CoA-only').

RESULTS

Of 146 patients with repaired CoA, 101 (69%) had BAV. Age at CoA repair was similar (median 6.0 (IQR 0.5-14.0) years vs 5.0 (IQR 0.5-11.0) years, p=0.44), as was the distribution of repair types, with end-to-end repair the most common in both groups (45.9% vs 45.6%). At a median of 28 years following initial repair, a significantly higher proportion of patients with CoA-BAV required cardiovascular reintervention (45.5% vs 20.0%, p=0.003). Whereas 'CoA-site' complications were more common than 'AV/AscAo' complications in patients with CoA only (13.3% and 0%, respectively), patients with CoA-BAV had a high prevalence of both 'CoA-site' as well as 'AV/AscAo' complications (19.8% and 21.8%, respectively). Overall survival was similar (p=0.42).

CONCLUSION

In adults with repaired CoA, patients with CoA-BAV are more than twice as likely to require cardiovascular reintervention by early-to-mid-adult life compared with those with CoA alone. Despite this, no difference in survival outcomes was observed.

Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Adult Patients With Repaired Aortic Coarctation

Background The long-term burden of cardiovascular disease after repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has not been elucidated. We aimed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for cardiovascular events in adult patients with repaired CoA. Additionally, mortality rates were compared between adults with repaired CoA and the general population. Methods and Results Using the Dutch Congenital Corvitia (CONCOR) registry, patients aged ≥16 years with previous surgical or transcatheter CoA repair from 5 tertiary referral centers were included. Cardiovascular events were recorded, comprising coronary artery disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, aortic complications, arrhythmias, heart failure hospitalizations, endocarditis, and cardiovascular death. In total, 920 patients (median age, 24 years [range 16-74 years]) were included. After a mean follow-up of 9.3±5.1 years, 191 patients (21%) experienced at least 1 cardiovascular event. A total of 270 cardiovascular events occurred, of which aortic complications and arrhythmias were most frequent. Older age at initial CoA repair (hazard ratio [HR], 1.017; 95% CI, 1.000-1.033 [P=0.048]) and elevated left ventricular mass index (HR, 1.009; 95% CI, 1.005-1.013 [P<0.001]) were independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The mortality rate was 3.3 times higher than expected based on an age- and sex-matched cohort from the Dutch general population (standardized mortality ratio, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.3-4.4 [P<0.001]). Conclusions This large, prospective cohort of adults with repaired CoA showed a high burden of cardiovascular events, particularly aortic complications and arrhythmias, during long-term follow-up. Older age at initial CoA repair and elevated left ventricular mass index were independent risk factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Mortality was 3.3-fold higher compared with the general population. These results advocate stringent follow-up after CoA repair and emphasize the need for improved preventive strategies.

Analysis of the 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)

Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) continues to rapidly increase worldwide. With an estimated 1.5 million adults with ACHD in the USA alone, there is a growing need for better education in the management of these complex patients and multiple knowledge gaps exist. This manuscript comprehensively reviewed the recent (2020) updated European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of ACHD created by the Task Force for the management of adult congenital heart disease of the European Society of Cardiology, with perioperative implications for the adult cardiac anesthesiologist and intensivist who may be called upon to manage these complex patients.

Sequential dilation strategy in stent therapy of the aortic coarctation: A single centre experience

BACKGROUND

In our study, we sought to analyse the mid-term results after interventional aortic coarctation (CoA) stenting with sequential dilation of the stent.

METHODS

The data of all 218 patients, who are above the age of 6 years and underwent CoA-stent implantation in our hospital, were retrospectively analysed on the rate of re-interventions, complications and arterial hypertension at a follow-up time of 31 months. To avoid any aortic complications, stents were deployed primarily not in full size and a second cardiac catheterisation for further dilatation was scheduled within 6-12 months after the stent implantation.

RESULTS

The median peak invasive systolic pressure gradient declined significantly from 26.2 mmHg to 2.7 mmHg after stenting. There was one procedure related death due to an aortic rupture after stent implantation. There were in total 33 (15.1%) procedure-related complications including femoral artery complications, stent fracture and stent dislocation (in 9, 9 and 7 patients, respectively). In 85 patients a re-dilatation and in 25 patients a second stent-implantation was necessary at the first re-intervention. The systolic blood pressure declined significantly from 144 mmHg to 131 mmHg after stenting. The number of patients being normotensive changed from 18% before stenting to 78.5% after stenting with adjusted antihypertensive medication.

CONCLUSION

Aortic stenting is an effective means for CoA treatment. With sequential dilation of the stent, a very low rate of life-threatening procedural complications and mortality can be achieved. CoA stenting with proper antihypertensive medications results in better control of blood pressure.

Prevalence of arterial hypertension, hemodynamic phenotypes, and left ventricular hypertrophy in children after coarctation repair: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate hemodynamic phenotypes and prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in children after coarctation repair with right arm and leg blood pressure difference < 20 mmHg. Secondary objectives were analysis of effects of age at intervention, residual gradient across the descending aorta, and type of correction.

METHODS

Blood pressure status and left ventricular hypertrophy were diagnosed according to European Society of Hypertension 2016 guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 90 patients with a median age 12.5 (8.9-15.8) years, 8.5 (6.0-11.8) years after coarctation repair who were included, 42 (46.7%) were hypertensive. Isolated systolic hypertension dominated among 29 hypertensive patients with uncontrolled or masked hypertension (25 of 29; 86.2%). Of the 48 patients with office normotension, 14.6% (7) had masked hypertension, 8.3% (4) had ambulatory prehypertension, and 54.2% (26) were truly normotensive. Left ventricular hypertrophy was diagnosed in 29 patients (32.2%), including 14 of 42 (33.3%) hypertensive and 15 of 48 (31.3%) normotensive patients. The peak systolic gradient across the descending aorta was greater in hypertensive subjects (33.3 ± 12.7 mmHg) compared with normotensive subjects (25 ± 8.2 mmHg, p = 0.0008). Surgical correction was performed earlier than percutaneous intervention (p < 0.0001) and dominated in 40 of 48 (83.3%) normotensive versus 24 of 42 (57.1%) hypertensive patients (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial hypertension with isolated systolic hypertension as the dominant phenotype and left ventricular hypertrophy are prevalent even after successful coarctation repair. Coarctation correction from the age of 9 years and older was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension.

Changes in inflammation and oxidative stress signalling pathways in coarcted aorta triggered by bicuspid aortic valve and growth in young children

Neonates with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) combined with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) show significant structural differences compared to neonatal CoA patients with a normal tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). These effects are likely to change over time in response to growth. This study investigated proteomic differences between coarcted aortic tissue of BAV and TAV patients in children older than one month. Aortic tissue just proximal to the coarctation site was collected from 10 children (BAV; n=6, 1.9±1.7 years, TAV; n=4, 1.7±1.5 years, (mean ± SEM, P=0.92.) Tissue were snap frozen, proteins extracted, and the extracts used for proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis using Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) analysis. A total of 1811 protein and 76 phosphoprotein accession numbers were detected, of which 40 proteins and 6 phosphoproteins were significantly differentially expressed between BAV and TAV patients. Several canonical pathways involved in inflammation demonstrated enriched protein expression, including acute phase response signalling, EIF2 signalling and macrophage production of IL12 and reactive oxygen species. Acute phase response signalling also demonstrated enriched phosphoprotein expression, as did Th17 activation. Other pathways with significantly enriched protein expression include degradation of superoxide radicals and several pathways involved in apoptosis. This work suggests that BAV CoA patients older than one month have an altered proteome consistent with changes in inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress compared to TAV CoA patients of the same age. There is no evidence of structural differences, suggesting the pathology associated with BAV evolves with age in paediatric CoA patients.

[Neurological changes and outcomes of paediatric surgery of the aortic arch using selective cerebral perfusion]

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this article are to analyse the neuropsychological changes in the medium-term in children subjected to aortic arch surgery using selective cerebral perfusion (SCP), as well as to detect any modifiable factors in the surgical technique that may contribute to minimising the subsequent neurological involvement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Inclusion criteria were established as: aortic arch disease operated on using SCP during the first year of life, between 10 August 2004 and 24 May 2016, biventricular physiology, and gestational age greater than 31 weeks. In the absence of a chromosomal disease, they were classified, from a neurological point of view, using the Rankin score. Children over 4-years of age were subjected to intelligence studies, including attention level, development, and psycho-lingual skills.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 82 patients with a mean age of 1.8 months. The mean SCP flow was 32ml/kg/min. The mean time of SCP was 31minutes. The overall mortality of the series was 14.8%. Neurological dysfunction was observed in 35.9% of patients, and the following were detected as risk factors: surgery in patients less than 10-days-old, duration of SCP greater than 40minutes, and the time required for the cooling down and/or warming-up. Attention deficit was diagnosed in 35.2% of patients greater than 5-years-old.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients operated on using SCP in in the first year of life required a neuropsychological follow-up, and there are modifiable surgical factors that may have an influence on neurological development.

Newborn pulse oximetry screening in the context of a high antenatal detection rate of critical congenital heart disease

AIM

Assess the potential additional benefit from pulse oximetry screening in the early detection of critical congenital heart disease in a country with a well-developed antenatal ultrasound screening programme.

METHODS

Live-born infants, pregnancy terminations and stillbirths from 20 weeks' gestational age, between 2013 and 2015, with critical cardiac defects defined as primary or secondary targets of pulse oximetry screening were identified. Critical defects were those resulting in the death of a fetus or an infant in the first 28 days after birth, or a defect requiring intervention in the first 28 days.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-eight infants and Fetuses were identified. Antenatal detection rates improved from 69% to 77% over the study period. An associated co-morbidity improved antenatal detection rates. Twenty-seven live-born infants were diagnosed after discharge: 15 aortic arch obstruction (AAO); 10 d-loop transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA), and two total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD). Of these, five with AAO, nine with d-TGA and likely both with TAPVD could potentially have been detected with oximetry screening.

CONCLUSION

The antenatal detection of critical cardiac anomalies continues to improve in New Zealand. Despite high antenatal detection rates for most lesions, universal postnatal oximetry screening has the potential to improve early detection.

Echocardiography during submaximal isometric exercise in children with repaired coarctation of the aorta compared with controls

Objective

Patients with repaired coarctation (RCoA) remain at higher risk of cardiac dysfunction, initially often only detected during exercise. In this study, haemodynamics of isometric handgrip (HG) and bicycle ergometry (BE) were compared in patients with RCoA and matched controls (MCs).

Methods

Case–control study of 19 children with RCoA (mean age 12.9±2.3 years; mean age of repair 7 months) compared with 20 MC. HG with echocardiography followed by BE was performed in both groups.

Results

During HG (blood pressure) BP increased from 114±11/64±4 mm Hg to 132±14/79±7 mm Hg, without significant differences. During HG as well as BE, HR increased less in patients with RCoA. There were no significant differences in (left ventricle) LV dimensions or LV mass.

The RCoA group had diastolic dysfunction: both at rest and during HG they had significantly higher transmitral E and A velocities and lower tissue Doppler E′ and A′ velocities. E/E′ was higher, reaching statistical significance during HG (p<0001).

Conventional parameters of systolic function (FS and EF) were similar at rest and HG. More sensitive tissue Doppler S′ was significantly lower at rest in CoA subjects (5.1±1.5 cm/s vs 6.5±1±1 cm/s; p<0.01), decreasing further during HG by 5% in the CoA group (NS) while unchanged in controls.

Conclusions

We provide first evidence that HG with echocardiography is feasible, easy and patient-friendly. A decreased systolic (tissue Doppler) and impaired diastolic LV function was measured in the RCoA group, a difference that tended to increase during HG.

Congenital left heart obstruction: ethnic variation in incidence and infant survival

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between ethnicity and health outcomes among fetuses and infants with congenital left heart obstruction (LHO).

DESIGN

A retrospective population-based review was conducted of fetuses and infants with LHO including all terminations, stillbirths and live births from 20 weeks' gestation in New Zealand over a 9-year period. Disease incidence and mortality were analysed by ethnicity and by disease type: hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), aortic arch obstruction (AAO), and aortic valve and supravalvular anomalies (AVSA).

RESULTS

Critical LHO was diagnosed in 243 fetuses and newborns. There were 125 with HLHS, 112 with AAO and 6 with isolated AVSA. The incidence of LHO was significantly higher among Europeans (0.59 per 1000) compared with Māori (0.31 per 1000; p<0.001) and Pacific peoples (0.27 per 1000; p=0.002). Terminations were uncommon among Māori and Pacific peoples. Total case fatality was, however, lower in Europeans compared with other ethnicities (42% vs 63%; p=0.002) due to a higher surgical intervention rate and better infant survival. The perinatal and infant mortality rate was 82% for HLHS, 15% for AAO and 2% for AVSA.

CONCLUSION

HLHS carries a high perinatal and infant mortality risk. There are ethnic differences in the incidence of and mortality from congenital LHO with differences in mortality rate suggesting inequities may exist in the perinatal management pathway.

Long-Term Survival of Patients With Coarctation Repaired During Infancy (from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium)

Patients who undergo coarctation repair during infancy have excellent early survival but long-term survival is unknown. We aimed to describe the long-term survival of patients with coarctation repaired during infancy and determine predictors of mortality. We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium for patients with coarctation who underwent surgical repair before 12 months of age between 1982 and 2003. Long-term transplant-free survival was obtained by linkage with the National Death Index and the Organ Sharing Procurement Network. Kaplan Meier survival plots were constructed, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine predictors of mortality. We identified 2,424 coarctation patients who met inclusion criteria. At 20 years postoperatively, 94.5% of all patients and 95.8% of those discharged after initial operation remained alive, respectively. Significant multivariable predictors of mortality included surgical weight <2.5 kg (hazard ratio [HR] 3.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.19 to 6.24), presence of a genetic syndrome (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.10), and repair before 1990 (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.34). None of the other factors examined including age at repair, gender, coarctation type, or surgical approach were found to be statistically significant. Over half of the deaths were due to the underlying congenital heart disease or other cardiovascular etiology. Overall long-term survival of patients who undergo coarctation repair during infancy is excellent. However, patients do experience small continued survival attrition throughout early adulthood. Ongoing monitoring of this cohort is necessary to assess late mortality risk.

Recognition and management of adults with Turner syndrome: From the transition of adolescence through the senior years

Turner syndrome is recognized now as a syndrome familiar not only to pediatricians and pediatric specialists, medical geneticists, adult endocrinologists, and cardiologists, but also increasingly to primary care providers, internal medicine specialists, obstetricians, and reproductive medicine specialists. In addition, the care of women with Turner syndrome may involve social services, and various educational and neuropsychologic therapies. This article focuses on the recognition and management of Turner syndrome from adolescents in transition, through adulthood, and into another transition as older women. It can be viewed as an interpretation of recent international guidelines, complementary to those recommendations, and in some instances, an update. An attempt was made to provide an international perspective. Finally, the women and families who live with Turner syndrome and who inspired several sections, are themselves part of the broad readership that may benefit from this review.

The Challenges of Redo Aortic Coarctation Repair in Adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aortic coarctation is a common congenital abnormality causing significant morbidity and mortality if not corrected. Re-coarctation or restenosis of the aorta following treatment is a relatively common long-term problem and the optimal therapy has not been elucidated. In this review, we identify the challenges associated with and the optimal management for recurrent aortic coarctation and the most appropriate therapy for different patient cohorts.

RECENT FINDINGS

Open surgery provides a durable long-term aortic repair, however, given the complex nature of the procedure, has a somewhat higher rate of serious complications. Endovascular repair, although less invasive and relatively safe, has limitations in treated complex anatomy and is more likely to require repeat intervention. Open surgical repair is more appropriate for infants that have not been intervened on and endovascular therapy should be reserved for older children and adults and those that require repeat intervention.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve Alters Aortic Protein Expression Profile in Neonatal Coarctation Patients

Coarctation of the aorta is a form of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in paediatric patients that can be presented with either bicuspid (BAV) or normal tricuspid (TAV) aortic valve. The congenital BAV is associated with hemodynamic changes and can therefore trigger different molecular remodelling in the coarctation area. This study investigated the proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes associated with BAV for the first time in neonatal coarctation patients. Aortic tissue was collected just proximal to the coarctation site from 23 neonates (BAV; n = 10, TAV; n = 13) that were matched for age (age range 4-22 days). Tissue from half of the patients was frozen and used for proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis whilst the remaining tissue was formalin fixed and used for analysis of elastin content using Elastic Van-Gieson (EVG) staining. A total of 1796 protein and 75 phosphoprotein accession numbers were detected, of which 34 proteins and one phosphoprotein (SSH3) were differentially expressed in BAV patients compared to TAV patients. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified the formation of elastin fibres as a significantly enriched function (p = 1.12 × 10^-4) due to the upregulation of EMILIN-1 and the downregulation of TNXB. Analysis of paraffin sections stained with EVG demonstrated increased elastin content in BAV patients. The proteomic/phosphoproteomic analysis also suggested changes in inositol signalling pathways and reduced expression of the antioxidant SOD3. This work demonstrates for the first time that coarcted aortic tissue in neonatal BAV patients has an altered proteome/phosphoproteome consistent with observed structural vascular changes when compared to TAV patients.

Antenatal Detection of Treatable Critical Congenital Heart Disease Is Associated with Lower Morbidity and Mortality

OBJECTIVE

To establish the impact that timing of diagnosis and place of birth have on neonatal outcomes in those with readily treatable critical congenital heart disease.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a population-based study with a complete national cohort of live-born infants with transposition of the great arteries and aortic arch obstruction in New Zealand between 2006 and 2014. Timing of diagnosis, place of birth, survival to surgery, in-hospital events, and neonatal mortality were reviewed. Live births with a gestation of ≥35 weeks and without associated major extracardiac anomalies were included for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 166 live-born infants with transposition of the great arteries and 87 with aortic arch obstruction were included. Antenatal detection increased from 32% in the first 3 years to 47% in the last 3 years (P = .05). During the same period, neonatal mortality decreased from 9% to 1% (P = .02). No deaths occurred after surgical intervention. An antenatal diagnosis was associated with decreased mortality (1/97 [1%] vs 11/156 [7%]; P = .03) and birth outside the surgical center was associated with increased risk of mortality (11/147 [7%] vs 1/106 [1%]; P = .02). Those with an antenatal diagnosis required fewer hours of mechanical ventilation (P = .02) and had shorter durations of hospital stay (P = .05) compared with those diagnosed >48 hours after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality risk for transposition of the great arteries and critical aortic arch obstruction is greatest before cardiac surgery. Improved antenatal detection allowing delivery at a surgical center is associated with reduced mortality.

Diagnosis, imaging and clinical management of aortic coarctation

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA ) is a well-known congenital heart disease (CHD) , which is often associated with several other cardiac and vascular anomalies, such as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and aortic arch hypoplasia. Despite echocardiographic screening, prenatal diagnosis of C o A remains difficult. Most patients with CoA present in infancy with absent, delayed or reduced femoral pulses, a supine arm-leg blood pressure gradient (> 20 mm Hg), or a murmur due to rapid blood flow across the CoA or associated lesions (BAV). Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for suspected CoA. However, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred advanced imaging modality for non-invasive diagnosis and follow-up of CoA. Adequate and timely diagnosis of CoA is crucial for good prognosis, as early treatment is associated with lower risks of long-term morbidity and mortality. Numerous surgical and transcatheter treatment strategies have been reported for CoA. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice in neonates, infants and young children. In older children (> 25 kg) and adults, transcatheter treatment is the treatment of choice. In the current era, patients with CoA continue to have a reduced life expectancy and an increased risk of cardiovascular sequelae later in life, despite adequate relief of the aortic stenosis. Intensive and adequate follow-up of the left ventricular function, valvular function, blood pressure and the anatomy of the heart and the aorta are , therefore, critical in the management of CoA. This review provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art clinical diagnosis, diagnostic imaging algori thms, treatment and follow-up of patients with CoA.