Early and Late Results of the Modified Fontan Operation for Heterotaxy Syndrome

Etiology and clinical course of severe and extreme thrombocytosis in children: a retrospective single-center study

The aim of this study was to describe the etiology and clinical course in children with severe thrombocytosis (ST, platelet counts > 900 × 109/L) and extreme thrombocytosis (ET, platelet counts > 1000 × 109/L) in a tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients aged 0-18 years with platelet counts over 900 × 109/L who were admitted to our hospital were analyzed. Thrombocytosis was defined as a platelet count exceeding 450 × 109/L. Thrombosis was diagnosed based on computed tomography scans or ultrasound findings. Potential factors associated with the development of extreme thrombocytosis were identified using logistic regression models. Only one (0.8%) out of the 120 patients identified with ST (n = 61) and ET (n = 59) had primary thrombocytosis. The most common underlying condition was congenital heart disease (26.7%), followed by Kawasaki disease (16.7%). With the exception of the hemoglobin level, no major differences were found for the baseline characteristics between the ST and ET groups. A lower hemoglobin level (< 10.0 g/dL) at the onset of thrombocytosis was identified as a predictor for ET development (adjusted odds ratio 2.73, 95% confidence interval 1.18-6.28). Overall, 56 of 120 (46.7%) patients received aspirin therapy. Venous thrombosis occurred in one (0.8%) patient.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a low proportion of primary thrombocytosis and a low incidence of thrombosis in children with ST and ET. Our results suggest that pediatric ST and ET may share common characteristics and may have features that are distinct from those in adults.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Secondary thrombocytosis is a frequent finding in children. • Adult extreme thrombocytosis has been found to be associated with primary thrombocytosis.

WHAT IS NEW

• There were no major differences in the baseline characteristics between children with severe and extreme thrombocytosis. • The incidence of thrombosis was markedly low in both severe and extreme thrombocytosis groups.

Long-term outcomes of functional single ventricles associated with heterotaxy syndrome†

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the long-term surgical outcomes of patients with functional single ventricles associated with heterotaxy syndrome, risk factors for mortality and factors associated with Fontan stage completion.

METHODS

Overall, 279 patients with a functional single ventricle associated with heterotaxy syndrome who underwent an initial surgical procedure at our institute between 1978 and 2021 were grouped into 4 "eras" based on the surgical year during which the initial procedure was performed: era 1 (1978-1989, n = 71), era 2 (1990-1999, n = 98), era 3 (2000-2009, n = 64) and era 4 (2010-2021, n = 46). Neonatal surgery was more frequent in eras 3 and 4 than in eras 1 and 2.

RESULTS

Overall, 228 patients had right atrial isomerism; 120 patients (43.0%) had a total anomalous pulmonary venous connection; and 58 patients (20.8%) underwent an initial procedure as neonates. Overall survival rates at 10, 20 and 30 years after the initial procedure were 47.1%, 40.6% and 36.1%, respectively. Neonatal surgery (P < 0.001), total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair at the initial procedure (P < 0.001) and early era (P < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for mortality, with the last 2 variables being negatively associated with Fontan stage completion (P < 0.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Although era had a favourable effect on survival, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection with intrinsic pulmonary vein obstruction was associated with both mortality and Fontan stage completion.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

R19092.

Cardiac Function and Serum Biomarkers throughout Staged Fontan Palliation: A Prospective Observational Study

Fontan patients undergo multiple cardiothoracic surgeries in childhood. Following these procedures, ventricular function is temporarily decreased, and recovers over months. This is presumably related to cardiopulmonary bypass, but this is incompletely understood. Throughout the Fontan palliation, cardiac function is also affected by volume unloading. We aimed to gain insight into the biological processes related to impaired ventricular function and recovery following Fontan palliations using a panel of biomarkers. Furthermore, we described changes in ventricular function across the Fontan palliation due to volume unloading. We performed a prospective multicenter observational study in patients undergoing partial (PCPC) or total cavo-pulmonary connection (TCPC). Patients underwent assessment-including echocardiography and blood sampling-before surgery (T1), at first follow-up (T2), and 1 year after their procedures (T3). Blood samples were analyzed using a biomarker panel (OLINK CVD-III). Ninety-two biomarkers were expressed as principal components (PC) to limit multiple statistical testing. We included 32 PCPC patients aged 7.2 [5.3-10.3] months, and 28 TCPC patients aged 2.7 [2.2-3.8] years. The single ventricular longitudinal strain (SV GLS) temporarily decreased for PCPC patients at T2 (-15.1 ± 5.6 (T1) to -13.5 ± 5.2 (T2) to -17.3 ± 4.5 (T3), p < 0.047 for all differences), but not following TCPC. The serum biomarkers were expressed as 4 PCs. PC1, including biomarkers of cell-cell adhesion, was not related to any patient characteristic. PC2, including biomarkers of superoxide anion regulation, increased at T2. PC3, including biomarkers of cardiovascular development, related to the stage of Fontan palliation. PC4 was of uncertain biological or clinical significance. No PC was found that related to ventricular performance. The SV GLS was temporarily diminished following PCPC, but not following TCPC. Several biomarkers were related to post-operative stress and adaptation to the PCPC or TCPC circulation, but none were related to the outcome.

27 years of experience with the Fontan procedure: characteristics and clinical outcomes of children in a tertiary referral hospital

BACKGROUND

The Fontan operation has improved the survival of children born with congenital heart disease with single ventricle physiology. The most widely adopted variations of the Fontan procedure are the extracardiac conduit, the lateral tunnel ve the intra/extracardiac conduit with fenestration. Despite advances in the treatment and prevention of early and late complications that may develop after Fontan surgery, morbidity still remains an important problem.

METHODS

304 patients who underwent Fontan surgery in our center between 1995 and 2022 were included in our study. The complications that developed in patients who underwent primary Fontan or lateral tunnel surgery and extracardiac conduit Fontan application were compared.

RESULTS

Classic Fontan surgery and lateral tunnel surgery were performed in 26 of the patients, and extracardiac Fontan surgery was performed in 278 patients. 218 of 304 cases were patients with single ventricular pathology. 86 cases were patients with two ventricular morphologies but complex cardiac pathology. Fenestration was performed in only 6 patients, other patients did not require fenestration. The mean follow-up period of our patients was 12 years (3 months-27 years). When the complications between Fontan procedures were compared in our study, it was found that the length of hospital stay and mortality were statistically significantly reduced in patients who underwent extracardiac Fontan surgery. There was no significant difference in terms of complications that can be seen after Fontan surgery and the length of stay in the intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

Fontan complex is a palliative surgery for children with complex heart disease. Palliative surgical operations aimed at the preparation of the Fontan circulation lead to the preparation of the pulmonary vascular bed and the preservation of ventricular function. The techniques applied in Fontan surgery affect the early and long-term complications and the survival of the patients. In our study, when we examined the patients who extracardiac conduit Fontan procedure for the non-cardiac route, we found that mortality and morbidity were minimal.

Heterotaxy Syndrome with Polysplenia, Fused Adrenal Glands, and Diabetes Mellitus

Heterotaxy syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease with a disarrangement of the heart and abdominal organs. We present a young African female with features of heart failure, diffuse irregular cardiac murmurs, and palpable, tender epigastric mass. A chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) identified heterotaxy syndrome with left isomerism and fused adrenal glands. This case highlights the feature of fused adrenal glands in a patient with polysplenia.

Fontan Palliation in Patients with Heterotaxy Syndrome: A Five Decade Experience

BACKGROUND

Patients with heterotaxy syndromes (right and left atrial isomerism) are at high risk of poor outcomes after single-ventricle palliation. However, the long-term outcomes and specific parameters associated with poor outcomes are incompletely understood.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients with atrial isomerism who had a Fontan at our institution from 1973 to 2020. Standard demographic, as well as pre-, peri-, and postoperative parameters were collected. Features and outcomes of patients with polysplenia were compared to asplenia. Outcomes were analyzed for effect during 4 eras: (1: 1973-1984; n = 27), (2: 1985-1994; n = 93), (3: 1995-2004; n = 28), and (4: 2005-2020; n = 10).

RESULTS

Of the 1176 patients who had a Fontan operation, 158 (14%) had a heterotaxy syndrome. The median age at the time of Fontan was 8 (9) years. Early mortality was 20% and was greater in patients with asplenia compared to polysplenia (27% vs. 12%, p = .019). But it substantially improved over time (61% in era 1 vs. 7%-10% in the more recent eras (p < .001)), as did transplant-free survival (22% at 10 years in era 1 vs. 88% in era 4, p < .001). Transplant-free survival was significantly lower in patients with asplenia versus those with polysplenia (p = .014), and patients with heterotaxy had lower survival than nonheterotaxy (p = .01). This was largely due to the asplenia group (p < .001) (hazard ratio = 3.05, p = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

After Fontan operation, patients with heterotaxy, particularly asplenia, continue to demonstrate worse transplant-free survival than nonheterotaxy patients. Early mortality and long-term transplant-free survival have improved in more recent eras.

Outcomes of Biventricular and Single Ventricle Heterotaxy Patients: A Single Center 5-Decade Experience

BACKGROUND

Surgical palliation of patients with heterotaxy syndrome has proven challenging. Long-term outcomes have historically been poor. Factors contributing to these outcomes are not completely understood.

METHODS

The institutional databases were queried for patients with heterotaxy syndrome from 1973-2021. Comparisons were made between patients managed with single ventricle (SV) and biventricular (BiV) physiology.

RESULTS

Heterotaxy syndrome was identified in 230 patients [polysplenia (47%), asplenia (53%)]. 199 patients had SV physiology, 180 (78%) had undergone Fontan palliation. 31 patients had BiV, including 20 (9%) with surgical intervention and 11 (5%) without surgical intervention. Median age at Fontan was 7.5 (IQR 8.8) years. Median follow-up was 20 (IQR 21) years. Kaplan Meier analysis showed decreased survival with SV physiology (SV 53±4% vs. BiV 93±5% at 30 years, p=0.001), as well as asplenia compared to polysplenia (49±5% vs. 68±5% at 30 years, p<0.001). Polysplenia patients with BiV demonstrated the best survival (100% of polysplenia BiV alive vs. 53±25% of asplenia BiV at 30 years, p<0.001). Overall 8 (3.5%) underwent cardiac transplantation at a median of 17 years of age. On multi-variable analysis, risk factors associated with mortality included SV physiology (OR 7.2, 95% CI 2.4-21.7), no prior Glenn (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.9-6.7), need for permanent pacemaker (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.6), and asplenia (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-5.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, patients with asplenia demonstrated decreased survival compared to those with polysplenia, and SV physiology had decreased survival compared to BiV. BiV physiology with polysplenia had the best survival.

Post-operative Morbidity and Mortality After Fontan Procedure in Patients with Heterotaxy and Other Situs Anomalies

Heterotaxy is a complex, multisystem disorder associated with single ventricle heart disease and decreased survival. Ciliary dysfunction is common in heterotaxy and other situs abnormalities (H/SA) and may increase post-operative complications. We hypothesized that patients with H/SA have increased respiratory and renal morbidities and increased in-hospital mortality after Fontan procedure. We queried the Pediatric Health Information System database for hospitalizations with ICD-9/10 codes for Fontan procedure in patients aged 1 through 11 years from 2004 to 2019. H/SA was identified by codes for dextrocardia, situs inversus, asplenia/polysplenia, or atrial isomerism and compared to non-H/SA controls. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality or heart transplantation, ECMO, hemodialysis, length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation or vasoactive medication use ≥ 4 days. We adjusted estimates with multivariable logistic regression. Of 7897 patients at 50 centers, 1366 (17%) met criteria for H/SA. H/SA had worse outcomes for all study measures: death/transplantation (1.9 vs 1.1%, OR 1.74 (95% CI 1.01-3.03); p = 0.047), ECMO (3.7 vs 2.3%, OR 1.74 (1.28-2.35); p < 0.001), hemodialysis (2.1 vs 1.2%, OR 1.66 (1.06-2.59); p = 0.026), prolonged mechanical ventilation (13.2% vs 7.6%, OR 1.85 (1.53-2.25); p < 0.001) and vasoactive medication use (29.4 vs 19.7%, OR 1.65 (1.43-1.90), and longer LOS (11 (8-17) vs 9 (7-14) days; p < 0.001). H/SA is associated with increased cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory morbidity, as well as in-hospital mortality after Fontan procedure. Attention to renal and respiratory needs may improve outcomes in this difficult population. The relationship between ciliary dysfunction and lung and renal morbidity should be explored further.

Genetic and Clinical Features of Heterotaxy in a Prenatal Cohort

Objectives: Some genetic causes of heterotaxy have been identified in a small number of heterotaxy familial cases or animal models. However, knowledge on the genetic causes of heterotaxy in the fetal population remains scarce. Here, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic spectrum of a fetal cohort with heterotaxy.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated all fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of heterotaxy at a single center between October 2015 and November 2020. These cases were studied using the genetic testing data acquired from a combination of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and whole-exome sequencing (WES), and their clinical phenotypes were also reviewed.

Result: A total of 72 fetuses diagnosed with heterotaxy and complete clinical and genetic results were enrolled in our research. Of the 72 fetuses, 18 (25%) and 54 (75%) had left and right isomerism, respectively. Consistent with the results of a previous study, intracardiac anomalies were more severe in patients with right atrial isomerism than in those with left atrial isomerism (LAI) and mainly manifested as atrial situs inversus, bilateral right atrial appendages, abnormal pulmonary venous connection, single ventricles or single atria, and pulmonary stenosis or atresia. In 18 fetuses diagnosed with LAI, the main intracardiac anomalies were bilateral left atrial appendages. Of the 72 fetuses that underwent CNV-seq and WES, 11 (15.3%) had positive genetic results, eight had definitive pathogenic variants, and three had likely pathogenic variants. The diagnostic genetic variant rate identified using WES was 11.1% (8/72), in which primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)-associated gene mutations (CCDC40, CCDC114, DNAH5, DNAH11, and ARMC4) accounted for the vast majority (n = 5). Other diagnostic genetic variants, such as KMT2D and FOXC1, have been rarely reported in heterotaxy cases, although they have been verified to play roles in congenital heart disease.

Conclusion: Thus, diagnostic genetic variants contributed to a substantial fraction in the etiology of fetal heterotaxy. PCD mutations accounted for approximately 6.9% of heterotaxy cases in our fetal cohort. WES was identified as an effective tool to detect genetic causes prenatally in heterotaxy patients.

Surgical management of hearts with isomeric atrial appendages

BACKGROUND AND AIM

On the basis of previously published accounts, coupled with our own experience, we have assessed the surgical approaches to patients with isomeric atrial appendages.

METHODS

We reviewed pertinent published studies on surgical treatment of individuals with isomeric atrial appendages, with the pertinent surgical details provided by most of the manuscripts.

RESULTS

Half of patients with right isomerism, and two-thirds of those with left isomerism have bilateral superior caval veins. Azygos extension of the inferior caval vein is reported in three-quarters of those with left isomerism. The coronary sinus is universally absent in right isomerism, along with totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and is absent in two-fifths of those with left isomerism. Univentricular atrioventricular connections are expected in up to three-quarters of those with right isomerism. Atrioventricular septal defect is reported in up to four-fifths, more frequently in right isomerism, with such patients typically having discordant ventriculoatrial connections or double outlet right ventricle. Reported mortalities extend to 85% for those with right, and 50% for those with left isomerism. In right isomerism, mortality is up to 54% for systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunting, up to 75% for univentricular repair, and up to 95% for repair of totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection itself. No more than one-quarter had undergone Fontan completion, with reported mortalities of 21%.

CONCLUSION

Early surgical results are satisfactory in patients with left isomerism, but disappointing for those with right. Recent advances in cardiac and liver transplantation may offer improved survival.

Utility of Three-Dimensional Printed Model in Biventricular Repair of Complex Congenital Cardiac Defects: Case Report and Review of Literature

Heterotaxy is a rare syndrome associated with cardiac complexity, anatomic variability and high morbidity and mortality. It is often challenging to visualize and provide an accurate diagnosis of the cardiac anatomy prior to surgery with the use of conventional imaging techniques. We report a unique case demonstrating how the use of three-dimensional (3D) cardiac printed model allowed us to better understand the anatomical complexity and plan a tailored surgical approach for successful biventricular repair in a patient with heterotaxy syndrome.

Single Ventricle-A Comprehensive Review

In this paper, the author enumerates cardiac defects with a functionally single ventricle, summarizes single ventricle physiology, presents a summary of management strategies to address the single ventricle defects, goes over the steps of staged total cavo-pulmonary connection, cites the prevalence of inter-stage mortality, names the causes of inter-stage mortality, discusses strategies to address the inter-stage mortality, reviews post-Fontan issues, and introduces alternative approaches to Fontan circulation.

Perioperative outcomes of Fontan operation: Impact of heterotaxy syndrome

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Fontan operation is the standard surgical procedure for achieving long-term survival in single-ventricular complex congenital heart diseases (SV-CHD). We aim to identify the perioperative outcomes and impact of heterotaxy syndrome (HS) after Fontan operation in a tertiary pediatric cardiology center.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed for all patients who received Fontan operation and who were born between 1997 and 2017 in our institution. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative risk factors for perioperative mortality and morbidity were analyzed.

RESULTS

Totally, 154 patients were enrolled (103 SV-CHD and 51 HS), and the male to female ratio was 92:62. The mean age of Fontan operation was 5.1 years, and extracardiac conduit comprised the majority (90.9%) of Fontan operation. Overall perioperative event-free survival to discharge was 91.6% (84.3% in HS and 95.1% in other SV-CHD, P = 0.032). For secondary outcomes, length of intensive care stay and duration of pleural effusion drainage were not significantly different between patients with HS and other SV-CHD, but postoperative arrhythmia was more common in HS group (31.4% vs. 12.6%, P = 0.005). In multivariable regression analysis, preoperative risk factors including operation year before 2007 and high PAP and postoperative factors of elevated postoperative CVP were associated with worse outcomes. HS was not a predictor of worse outcome after adjusting for preoperative PAP and operation era.

CONCLUSION

Surgical outcome has improved much in current era. Perioperative outcome is poorer in patients with HS than other SV-CHD, but HS is not a predictor of perioperative mortality after adjusting for hemodynamic factors.

Changes in Prognosis of Heterotaxy Syndrome Over Time

BACKGROUND

Long-term outcomes in heterotaxy syndrome (HS) are poorly described. Some reports suggest improved survival in the recent era, whereas others do not. We sought to describe long-term outcomes and assess whether outcomes have changed over time.

METHODS

Patients with HS born between 1985 and 2014 who had cardiac care (except initial palliation) at our institution were divided into 4 birth eras and survival over time was compared. Independent risk factors for mortality were identified by using Cox proportional hazards regression. In patients who underwent surgery, association between surgical pathway (univentricular versus biventricular repair) and mortality after adjusting for baseline confounders was evaluated. A risk stratification model was created by using classification and regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 264 patients, 118 (44.7%) had asplenia and 146 (55.3%) had polysplenia syndrome. Overall mortality was 40.2% (n = 106), with median follow-up of 10.2 years (longest 31.5 years). In multivariable analysis, pulmonary vein stenosis, coarctation, univentricular circulation, asplenia phenotype, and at least mild atrioventricular valve regurgitation at presentation were associated with mortality, whereas birth era was not. Among patients who underwent surgery, univentricular repair remained associated with mortality after adjustment. In classification and regression analysis, patients with biventricular circulation (especially those with polysplenia) had lower mortality than those with univentricular circulation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large retrospective study of HS, outcomes remain poor and have not improved since the early 1990s. We identified risks factors associated with earlier mortality and found that those with univentricular circulation and totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection had the worst prognosis. Survival was higher in those with biventricular circulation.

The heterotaxy syndrome: associated congenital heart defects and management

Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) constitutes a spectrum of anomalies arising from embryological errors that result in abnormalities of lateralization involving thoraco-abdominal viscera and culminate in loss of normal asymmetric arrangement of these organs. Besides the unique challenges involved in planning and execution of surgical procedures aimed at correction or palliation of these anomalies, they have the potential to cause profound physiological and immunological consequences in the individual patient due to their cardiac and extra-cardiac manifestations. This article aims to review the literature on this rare and extraordinary subset of developmental anomalies with the intention of familiarizing the reader on the modes of presentation, manifestations, and the variations thereof while dealing with this anomaly. In our institutional experience with HS, 75 consecutive patients were seen between January 2011 and September 2018. Of these, 48 (64%) were confirmed to have isomerism of right atrial appendages (IRAA) and the rest had isomerism of left atrial appendages (ILAA). The cardiac and extra-cardiac manifestations of these patients were listed out. Fifty-four patients (34 with IRAA and 20 with ILAA) underwent 83 surgical procedures. While 49 patients were palliated on the univentricular pathway, 5 underwent biventricular repair. The in-hospital mortality was 7 (13%) in both groups combined (5 for patients with IRAA and 2 for ILAA). In conclusion, the surgical management of HS is associated with satisfactory outcomes in current era.

Pulmonary venous obstruction after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection in right atrial isomerism

BACKGROUND

Patients with functional single ventricle and right atrial isomerism (RAI) often have multiform cardiac pulmonary venous (PV) connection, which could be a risk factor for pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection (EC-TCPC) owing to compression of the conduit.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anatomical risk factors for PVO after EC-TCPC in RAI.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with RAI without extracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection were enrolled. No patients had PVO before EC-TCPC. A total of 14 and 15 patients had PV orifices ipsilateral and contralateral to the extracardiac conduit, respectively. The former 14 patients were assigned to two groups based on development of PVO after EC-TCPC (groups O and N). The pre- and post-operative cardiac morphologies and their relationship with the conduit were compared.

RESULTS

After the EC-TCPC, the pressure gradients between the atrium and the PV were 5.0 ± 2.5 and 0.44 ± 0.2 mmHg in groups O and N, respectively (p < 0.01); however, the pressure gradients in the left and right PVs were not significantly different, suggesting stenosis of the common PV orifice. The ratio of the horizontal distance from the vertebrae to the PV orifice and to the lateral edge of the atrium was significantly higher (0.38 ± 0.2 vs. 0.17 ± 0.1; p = 0.04) and the orifice was smaller (8.9 ± 2.0 vs. 15 ± 4.7 mm; p < 0.01) in group O than in group N.

CONCLUSION

In cases with ipsilateral locations of the conduit and PV orifice, small size and more lateral location of the PV orifice may be preoperative risk factors for development of PVO.

Heterotaxy Polysplenia Syndrome in Adulthood: Focused Review and a Case Report

Heterotaxy syndrome (Situs ambiguus) is a condition in which the internal organs are abnormally arranged in the chest and abdomen. Individuals with this condition have complex birth defects affecting the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, intestines, and other organs. Unlike situs inversus, it often causes serious health problems. This report describes a case of a 49-year-old Hispanic female with a significant medical history of situs ambiguous diagnosed at birth in Cuba. She has had little to no follow-up in adulthood due to being “healthy.” She presented to the emergency room with intractable pain in the left lower quadrant and left flank for two days. Heterotaxy syndrome was found incidentally on CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis (plain). She was further evaluated with chest X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen/pelvis without and with contrast, transvaginal ultrasonography, renal/bladder ultrasonography, left upper quadrant (LUQ) ultrasonography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy, 2D echocardiogram, and pertinent laboratory tests. Certain unusual findings included azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava (IVC), numerous spleens, atrophic pancreas, dilatation of duodenal C sweep, pelvic mass (possibly arising from right ovary), multiple nabothian cysts, and cardiac dysfunctions (such as severe mitral regurgitation). This report further aims to identify anatomic variants, previously established or otherwise not, in heterotaxy syndrome. Also, there seems to be a lack of identifiable anomalies or associations in regard to female anatomy, particular to this case being the female pelvic anatomy. As previous reports and research have stated, identification of anomalies in this syndrome is key for adequate and optimal management.

Isomerism of the atrial appendages: morphology and terminology

BACKGROUND

Our aim is to identify the pathognomonic anatomical markers and the best terminology to describe the cardiac malformations associated with absent or multiple spleens, which are known as asplenia or polysplenia syndromes or isomerism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have reviewed 65 hearts with isomerism of atrial appendages of the Anatomical Collections of Congenital Heart Disease, Institute of Pathological Anatomy of the University of Padua consisting of 1800 specimens. All the hearts were classified according to sequential segmental classification.

RESULTS

The incidence of isomerism was 3.6%. Of the total, 45 hearts with isomerism of right atrial appendages showed bilateral trilobed lungs, short bronchi, and absent spleen. The atrioventricular junction was univentricular in 49% of cases with a common atrioventricular valve in 91%. Pulmonary atresia and double outlet right ventricle were present in 40% and 47% of cases, respectively. Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and absent coronary sinus were always present. In 20 hearts with isomerism of left atrial appendages, bilateral bilobed lungs with long bilateral bronchi and multiple spleens were always found. The biventricular atrioventricular connection was present in 65% with a common valve in 30% of the hearts. The ventriculoarterial connection was concordant in 45% of cases, and aortic atresia and pulmonary atresia were both noted in 15% of each. An anomalous symmetric pulmonary venous drainage was observed in 65% of the hearts and interruption of inferior vena cava was found in 75% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the appropriate terminology is based on the symmetrical morphology of the atrial appendages. The absence of the coronary sinus and the total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage are the markers of isomerism of the right atrial appendages. Symmetric pulmonary venous drainage and interruption of inferior vena cava are the markers of isomerism of left atrial appendages. In recent years, thanks to the improvement of clinical diagnosis and of surgical techniques these patients have the possibility to survive to adult age.

Heterotaxy Is Not a Risk Factor for Adverse Long-Term Outcomes After Fontan Completion

BACKGROUND

Heterotaxy is considered a risk factor for poor outcomes after the Fontan operation. However, long-term data to support this notion are lacking. The aims of this study were to ascertain the long-term outcomes of patients with heterotaxy after hospital discharge after Fontan completion and to compare these outcomes with those of a contemporary nonheterotaxy cohort.

METHODS

A binational Fontan registry (n = 1540) was analyzed to identify patients with heterotaxy and compare them with patients without heterotaxy. The primary composite end point was Fontan failure, encompassing death, heart transplantation, Fontan takedown or conversion, protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, or New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients with heterotaxy were identified and they were compared with 1431 nonheterotaxy patients after Fontan completion. There was no difference in unadjusted 15-year freedom from Fontan failure (heterotaxy, 78% vs nonheterotaxy, 85%; P = .2). Patients in the heterotaxy group had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of post-Fontan arrhythmias (P < .001). Propensity-score matching for confounders yielded 73 patients with heterotaxy matched with 439 patients without heterotaxy, in whom 15-year freedom from Fontan failure was also not different (heterotaxy, 76% vs nonheterotaxy, 81%; P = .2). There was no difference in 15-year freedom from Fontan failure in patients with right vs left isomerism (right isomerism, 80% vs left isomerism, 76%; P = .7).

CONCLUSIONS

Although heterotaxy may complicate the pre-Fontan course, once the Fontan procedure is successfully completed, heterotaxy does not appear to be an important risk factor for Fontan failure. Patients with heterotaxy are at a higher risk of post-Fontan arrhythmias compared with patients without heterotaxy.

Outcomes in adults with congenital heart disease and heterotaxy syndrome: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) is a condition in which the thoracoabdominal organs demonstrate an abnormal lateral arrangement and is often associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). Little is known about the adult HS population with CHD.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the outcomes and sociodemographics of the adult CHD population with HS.

METHODS

Records of patients 18 years of age or older with diagnoses of both CHD and HS at Texas Children's Hospital from 1964 to 2018 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 22.7 [IQR 19.6-30.0] years; 26 (42%) were female; and 13 (21%) of patients had a gap in care of >3 years. Median follow-up time in adulthood was 2.9 [IQR 1.3-8.2] years. Forty-three (69%) of patients had single ventricle heart disease, 31 (71%) of whom completed Fontan circulation. A total of 36 interventions occurred in 24 patients which included 16 cardiac catherization interventions, 13 electrophysiology-related procedures, and 18 surgical procedures including 2 orthotopic heart transplants. The median age for death or heart transplant was 45.3 (95%CI 34.3-56.1) years. Heart failure-free survival was 80.8 ± 5.2%, 58.7 ± 11.0%, and 31.1 ± 15.7% at 20, 30, and 40 years old, respectively. Cerebrovascular accident-free survival was 84.3 ± 5.1%, 54.2 ± 11.3%, and 40.6 ± 14.5% at 20, 30, and 40 years old, respectively. Tachyarrhythmia-free survival was 54.0 ± 7.1%, 29.2 ± 8.3%, and 19.5 ± 9.7% at 20, 30, and 40 years old and bradyarrhythmia-free survival was 66.0 ± 6.3%, 41.7 ± 9.4%, and 33.4 ± 10.6% at ages 20, 30, and 40 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

At a tertiary referral center, adult patients with CHD and HS have high rates of comorbidities and early death or heart transplant. Longitudinal surveillance and further exploration into factors associated with improved survival in this population are warranted.

Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances in Heterotaxy Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Heterotaxy syndrome is associated with complex cardiac malformations and cardiac conduction system abnormalities. Those with right atrial isomerism (RAI) have dual sinus nodes and dual atrioventricular nodes predisposing them to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Those with left atrial isomerism (LAI) lack a normal sinus node and are at risk of sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrioventricular block (AV block). We report the occurrence and risk factors associated with arrhythmias in heterotaxy syndrome.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all heterotaxy syndrome patients born and treated at our institution between 2000 and 2014 was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were identified; 16/40 (40%) with LAI and 24/40 (60%) with RAI. There were 12 deaths during follow-up [LAI 3/16 (19%), RAI 9/24 (38%); p = 0.30]. Twenty-one patients had arrhythmias during a mean follow-up period of 5.4 years; 14/16 (87%) in LAI and 7/24 (29%) in RAI (p < 0.001). Freedom from arrhythmia at 1,3,5 years of age was 75.0%, 37.9%, 22.7% in LAI, and 83.3%, 77.5%, 69.6% in RAI, respectively(p = 0.00261). LAI had a three-fold increase in developing arrhythmias. Left atrial isomerism was the only factor identified to be associated with arrhythmia occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Arrhythmias were commonly seen in heterotaxy syndrome particularly in left isomerism with more than half of the patients having arrhythmias by 3 years of age. Atrial situs was the only risk factor identified to be associated with arrhythmias, and close follow-up is warranted in these patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of fetuses with laterality defects are the current outcomes better? A single center study

Objective: To analyze the more recent outcomes of fetuses with different laterality defects.Material and methods: Out of 1508 fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosed by echocardiography between January 1995 and December 2015, 94 (6.3%) presented abnormal visceroatrial situs: 42 till December 2002 (group 1, analyzed retrospectively) and 52 since then until December 2015 (group 2, analyzed prospectively). Twenty-one had left isomerism (Lisom), 22 right isomerism (Risom), 16 situs inversus- dextrocardia (SVI-dx), 5 situs inversus- levocardia (SVI-levo), and 30 situs solitus-dextrocardia (SSol-dx).Results: Seventy-six cases (81%) had CHD, more frequently complex atrioventricular defect. Eighteen cases showed normal heart: half of subgroups SVI-dx and SVI-levo, a third of SSol-dx. Postoperative mortality in continuing pregnancy in group 2 was 43.7 versus 40% in group 1, lower in SVs-dx (0 versus 50%) and Lisom (33.3 versus 66.7%), worse in Risom (71.4 versus 25%). Total mortality in group 2 was 48.3 versus 55% in group 1, better in Ssol-dx (37.5 versus 50%) and in Lisom (27.4 versus 71.4%). In isolated forms all but one case are alive.Conclusions: Our fetal cases presented a relevant mortality in both periods. The outcomes were slightly better in a more recent era in SSol and Lisom.What is known about this topic?Out of laterality defects, the heterotaxies (i.e. left and right isomerism) are known to be associated to a relevant mortality in fetal and neonatal cases.Heterotaxies have a variable position of the heart, but some authors evaluated only those with dextrocardia in their studies on different laterality defects.Controversial data are presented in the literature for the outcomes of fetuses with laterality defects. Many large studies analyzed the data of a very long time period in which it is opinable to compare the results of the treatment, because of a recent improved management and surgical techniques.What does this study add?Our study presents an experience of a single center with cases of different types of laterality defects observed during a routine fetal echocardiography, not only heterotaxies.The knowledge of different laterality defects and of their characteristics (association with cardiac and extracardiac anomalies or with normal heart) is useful for the prenatal counseling.We compare the postoperative and total mortality in more recent period (since 2003) with respect to the previous era (1995-2002).

Polysplenia Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Early Progression of Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Recent progress in surgical and intensive care has improved the prognosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) associated with heterotaxy syndrome. Less is known, however, about pulmonary vascular complications in these patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed medical records of 236 patients who were diagnosed with polysplenia syndrome at 2 institutions for pediatric cardiology in Japan from 1978 to 2015. We selected and compared the clinical records of 16 patients with polysplenia who had incomplete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) as the polysplenia group, and 22 age-matched patients with incomplete AVSD without any syndromes including polysplenia as the control group. Although the severity of systemic to pulmonary shunt was not significantly different between the groups, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) were significantly higher in the polysplenia group than the control (mPAP, 37.3 vs. 19.1 mmHg, P=0.001; PVRI, 5.7 vs. 1.4 WU∙m2, P=0.014) before surgical intervention. On regression analysis, polysplenia influenced the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) regardless of age at evaluation or degree of systemic to pulmonary shunt in the patients with incomplete AVSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Polysplenia syndrome is an independent risk factor for CHD-associated PH. Earlier intervention may be required to adjust the pulmonary blood flow in polysplenia syndrome with CHD to avoid the progression of PH.

Impact of Nesiritide Infusion on Early Postoperative Recovery After Total Cavopulmonary Connection Surgery

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of nesiritide on the discharge time and pleural effusion in children with total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), and to provide a more reasonable clinical method for these children.

METHODS

Forty-four who children underwent cavopulmonary connection between January 2016 and 2017 were retrospectively collected, and 5 children were excluded from analysis due to postoperative thrombosis or second Fontan surgery due to high pulmonary hypertension. Thirteen children received nesiritide (3-11 days) plus conventional treatment as the nesiritide group, continuous infusion of nesiritide with the dose of 0.01 ug kg^-1 min^-1. Twenty-six children with the conventional treatment as the conventional treatment group. The length of stay in hospital and the retention time of chest drainage tube were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the time of cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative ventilation time, ICU time, and vasoactive inotropic drug scores in the two groups. There were no hospital deaths in two groups. The median hospital stay was 20 days in the nesiritide group (11-56 days, means 25 days), and the median length of hospital stay was 28 days in the routine treatment group (9-95 days, means 34 days). There is no statistically significant difference between two groups with regard to the length of stay in hospital (P = 0.281). Regarding the thoracic drainage duration, the median was 17 days (9-55 days, means 22 days) in the nesiritide group and 23 days in the conventional treatment group (7-91 days, means 31 days) (P = 0.294). All the patients had no severe complications such as excessive fluid load, intractable hypotension, and liver or kidney injury.

CONCLUSION

Nesiritide is safe in children who underwent cavopulmonary connection surgery. Compared with the conventional treatment group, postoperative nesiritide is not associated with improved early clinical outcomes after TCPC surgery.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: from fetus to fontan

The care of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is constantly evolving. Prenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome will aid in counselling of parents, and selected fetuses may be candidates for in utero intervention. Following birth, palliation can be undertaken through staged operations: Norwood (or hybrid) in the 1st week of life, superior cavopulmonary connection at 4-6 months of life, and finally total cavopulmonary connection (Fontan) at 2-4 years of age. Children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are at risk of circulatory failure their entire life, and selected patients may undergo heart transplantation. In this review article, we summarise recent advances in the critical care management of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome as were discussed in a focused session at the 12th International Conference of the Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society held on 9 December, 2016, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Two Ventricles Are Not Better Than One in the Fontan Circulation: Equivalent Late Outcomes

BACKGROUND

A subset of patients who underwent Fontan operations has two adequate-sized ventricles, but an anatomic biventricular circulation cannot be achieved because of complex morphology or for technical reasons. This study sought to determine whether these patients with two-ventricle Fontan circulation had superior outcomes compared with those with a single ventricle.

METHODS

A binational Fontan Registry of patients (n = 1,377) was analyzed to identify those patients with two adequate ventricles. This cohort was compared with patients with single-ventricle Fontan circulation. The primary end point was a composite end point called "Fontan failure" encompassing death, heart transplantation, Fontan takedown or conversion, protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, or New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.

RESULTS

A total of 79 Fontan patients with two adequate ventricles (2V) were compared with 1,291 single ventricle (1V) Fontan patients. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 11.5 years (interquartile range, 5.1 to 18.8 years). There was no difference in unadjusted 15-year freedom from Fontan failure (2V: 81% [95% confidence interval (CI), 69% to 94%] vs 1V: 86% [95% CI, 83% to 88%], p = 0.4). Propensity-score matching for potential confounding factors yielded 75 two-ventricle Fontan patients matched with 604 single-ventricle Fontan patients, in which 15-year freedom from Fontan failure was also not different (2V: 79% [95% CI, 67% to 94%] vs 1V: 87% [95% CI, 84% to 91%], p = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

The two-ventricle Fontan circulation does not have better outcomes compared with the single-ventricle Fontan circulation. Late outcomes may depend more on other characteristics of the Fontan circulation. This finding is relevant when the Fontan procedure is being considered as an alternative to anatomic repair in patients with complex two-ventricle morphologies.

Simultaneous Systemic to Pulmonary Shunt and Pulmonary Artery Banding is a Viable Option for Neonatal Palliation of Single Ventricle Physiology

A subset of neonates with single ventricle (SV) physiology has antegrade pulmonary blood flow that is deemed unlikely to be reliable until Glenn. We have used systemic to pulmonary shunt (SPS) with pulmonary artery banding (PAB) to optimize pulmonary blood flow while maintaining reserve antegrade flow. We hypothesize that this is an effective strategy that can be accomplished without the routine need for cardiopulmonary bypass. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 neonates who underwent combined SPS + PAB between 2004 and 2015. Data are presented as median with quartiles. Children were 8 (4-19) days old at surgery and included 38 (63%) boys. Atresia or severe stenosis of the subpulmonary atrioventricular (AV) valve associated with pulmonary blood flow across a bulboventricular foramen was present in 37 (62%). In 20 (33%), heterotaxy-associated unbalanced AV canal with pulmonary stenosis with or without anomalous pulmonary venous drainage was present. First-stage palliation was accomplished without cardiopulmonary bypass in 44 patients (73%). There were 7 (12%) hospital deaths, 4 among the 20 (20%) with heterotaxy. Fifty-three children were followed for a median 5.1 (1.8-8.2) years. Three early reinterventions were required after initial palliation (1 PAB adjustment, 2 SPS balloon angioplasties). Five additional heterotaxy patients experienced late mortality during follow-up. There were no early or emergent Glenn. Thirty-nine patients have reached Fontan circulation with a median pre-Fontan PA pressure of 14 (12-18) mm Hg. One patient converted to biventricular physiology and the remaining await completion Fontan. Heterotaxy was the only independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 10 (2.3-44, P < 0.001). In SV patients with unreliable antegrade PA flow, SPS + PAB is an effective first-stage palliation. SV patients with heterotaxy are at increased risk for mortality.

Mode of death and predictors of mortality in adult Fontan survivors: A Japanese multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND

Mortality rates may be high in adult Fontan patients; however, the clinical determinants remain unclear.

PURPOSE

We conducted a prospective multicenter study of adult Fontan survivors to determine the 5-year mortality rate and clarify the determinants.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We followed 600 adult Fontan survivors from 40 Japanese institutions (307 men, 28 ± 7 years old, follow-up: 18 ± 6 years). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I and II was 51% and 42%, respectively. During the follow-up period of 4.1 ± 1.6 years, 33 patients died, and the 5-year survival rate was 93.5%. The mode of death was heart failure in 11 patients (34%), arrhythmia or sudden death in 8 (24%), cancer in 5 (15%), perioperative problems and hemostatic problems in 4 each (12% for each), and infection in 1 (3%). Left isomerism, prior hospitalization, protein losing enteropathy (PLE), pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae, NYHA functional class, impaired hemodynamics, hyponatremia, hepatorenal dysfunction, and use of diuretics were associated with a high mortality rate (p < 0.05-0.0001). Further, PLE (hazard ratio [HR]: 14.4), left isomerism (HR: 3.5), and NYHA (HR: 2.4) independently predicted a high 5-year high mortality (p < 0.05 for all). The incidence of cancer-related mortality increased markedly with age >40 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of the Japanese adult Fontan survivors had good functional status, with an acceptable 5-year survival rate. However, the significant prevalence of non-cardiac mortality highlights Fontan pathophysiology as a multi-organ disease that requires a multidisciplinary management strategy to improve the long-term outcome.

Copy number variation as a genetic basis for heterotaxy and heterotaxy-spectrum congenital heart defects

Genomic disorders and rare copy number abnormalities are identified in 15-25% of patients with syndromic conditions, but their prevalence in individuals with isolated birth defects is less clear. A spectrum of congenital heart defects (CHDs) is seen in heterotaxy, a highly heritable and genetically heterogeneous multiple congenital anomaly syndrome resulting from failure to properly establish left-right (L-R) organ asymmetry during early embryonic development. To identify novel genetic causes of heterotaxy, we analysed copy number variants (CNVs) in 225 patients with heterotaxy and heterotaxy-spectrum CHDs using array-based genotyping methods. Clinically relevant CNVs were identified in approximately 20% of patients and encompassed both known and putative heterotaxy genes. Patients were carefully phenotyped, revealing a significant association of abdominal situs inversus with pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs, while d-transposition of the great arteries was more frequently associated with common CNVs. Identified cytogenetic abnormalities ranged from large unbalanced translocations to smaller, kilobase-scale CNVs, including a rare, single exon deletion in ZIC3, a gene known to cause X-linked heterotaxy. Morpholino loss-of-function experiments in Xenopus support a role for one of these novel candidates, the platelet isoform of phosphofructokinase-1 (PFKP) in heterotaxy. Collectively, our results confirm a high CNV yield for array-based testing in patients with heterotaxy, and support use of CNV analysis for identification of novel biological processes relevant to human laterality.This article is part of the themed issue 'Provocative questions in left-right asymmetry'.

Systemic right ventricular morphology in the early postoperative course after extracardiac Fontan operation: is there still a need for special care?

Objectives

We aimed to compare early postoperative outcome after extracardiac (EC) Fontan operation between patients with right (RV) or left (LV) systemic ventricles.

Methods

In total, 173 consecutive patients (median age 4 years, median weight 14 kg) underwent EC Fontan between 1995 and 2013. Pre- and intraoperative data as well as detailed postoperative haemodynamic variables were compared between patients with LV [ n  = 109 (63%)] and RV [ n  = 64 (37%)].

Results

: RV patients showed significantly lower mean arterial (median 55 vs 59 mmHg, P  = 0.04), higher atrial (median 8 vs 6 mmHg, P  = 0.03) and comparable pulmonary pressure (median 14 vs 14 mmHg, P  = 0.7) as well as lower mean systemic perfusion pressure (median 39 vs 43 mmHg, P  = 0.03) on Day 0 after EC Fontan. They suffered from longer intubation time (median 18 vs 12 h, P  = 0.008), higher incidence of ascites (46% vs 28%, P  = 0.04) and need for dialysis (21% vs 4%, P  = 0.003). Prolonged inotropic support (25% vs 8%, P  = 0.02) and pharmacological treatment to reduce pulmonary vascular resistance (71% vs 53%, P  = 0.002) were more often used in RV patients and they showed more often supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (27% vs 5%, P  < 0.001) and a longer intensive care unit-stay (median 4 vs 3 days, P  = 0.03). However, early mortality, need for Fontan takedown, use of mechanical circulatory support, pleural effusions and hospital stay were not significantly different between both groups.

Conclusions

Patients with systemic RV demonstrate higher morbidity in the early postoperative course compared with patients with systemic LV anatomy and require intensified postoperative management to avoid postoperative Fontan failure.

The Miracle Baby Grows Up: Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in the Adult

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is characterized by underdevelopment of the mitral valve, left ventricle, and aorta and is ultimately palliated with a single-ventricle repair. Universally fatal in infancy prior to the advent of modern surgical techniques, the majority of HLHS patients will now reach adulthood. However, despite improvements in early survival, the HLHS population continues to face significant morbidity and early mortality. This review delineates common sources of patient morbidity and highlights areas in need of additional research for this growing segment of the adult congenital heart disease population.

RECENT FINDINGS

It has become increasingly clear that palliated adult single ventricle patients, like those with HLHS, face significant life-long morbidity from elevated systemic venous pressures as a consequence of the Fontan procedure. Downstream organ dysfunction secondary to elevated Fontan pressures has the potential to significantly impact long-term management decisions, including strategies of organ allocation. Because of the presence of a morphologic systemic right ventricle, HLHS patients may be at even higher risk than other adult patients with a Fontan. Because the adult HLHS population continues to grow, recognition of common sources of patient morbidity and mortality is becoming increasingly important. A coordinated effort between patients and providers is necessary to address the many remaining areas of clinical uncertainty to help ensure continued improvement in patient prognosis and quality of life.

Is Screening of Intestinal Foregut Anatomy in Heterotaxy Patients Really Necessary?: A Systematic Review in Search of the Evidence

OBJECTIVE

(1) Is screening of intestinal rotational anatomy obligatory in "asymptomatic" patients with heterotaxy? (2) Does detection of an anomaly warrant surgical correction?

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Heterotaxy is an abnormal arrangement of thoraco-abdominal viscera across a left-to-right axis. Intestinal rotational anomalies are frequent among patients with heterotaxy, but debate exists as to whether they are benign in nature, requiring careful observation alone, or if surgical correction is warranted to prevent obstruction or midgut volvulus.

METHODS

A systematic review [according to PRISMA guidelines] was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. Article quality was assessed using MINORS criteria. Conference proceedings and unpublished data were screened additionally.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria but reporting was adequate for 9. All were observational studies. These included a total of 414 patients managed expectantly, that is, "asymptomatic patients" in whom no intestinal rotation screening was undertaken (group A), 191 cases in whom screening was performed routinely (group B), and 92 patients considered "symptomatic" of potential rotational anomalies and therefore underwent imaging or laparotomy (group C). In group A, 1 patient developed symptoms attributable to malrotation in whom laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis (0.24%). Among groups B and C, 151 had Ladd's operations (53%) and 14 cases of malrotation with obstruction or volvulus were described (4.9%), of which 2 "symptomatic patients" died before laparotomy. Overall surgical complication rate was 17% with 30-day mortality rate of 2.6% to 4.6%.

CONCLUSION

The evidence base for screening "asymptomatic" patients is weak especially considering the life-limiting comorbidities.

Factors influencing bacteraemia in patients with isomerism and CHD: the effects of functional splenic status and antibiotic prophylaxis

BACKGROUND

"Heterotaxy syndrome", best segregated as isomerism, is characterised by laterality defects of the thoraco-abdominal organs, causing functional impairment. In particular, the spleen is frequently affected, increasing susceptibility to bacteraemia. This study explored factors that may increase the risk of bacteraemia in patients with isomerism.

METHODS

We identified patients with CHD and isomerism. Review of outpatient, inpatient, and surgical records was conducted to collect data and determine trends in the cohort. A Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine factors influencing freedom from bacteraemia (Fig 1).

RESULTS

We identified 83 patients with CHD and isomerism - 17 (20%) who had documented episodes of bacteraemia with a total of 21 episodes. A majority (86%) were nosocomial. The median age at the time of bacteraemia was 4 months. Although splenic anatomy did appear to influence the risk of bacteraemia in univariate analysis, this significance was lost with multivariate analysis. None of the other factors was significantly associated in either univariate or multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Specific factors such as splenic anatomy, atrial appendage isomerism, and antibiotic prophylaxis status are not significantly associated with the risk of bacteraemia in patients with CHD and isomerism. Nosocomial infections represent a majority of bacteraemia in these patients.

An alternative technique for Fontan completion in patients with widely separated connections of the inferior systemic veins to the atrial mass

Several surgical approaches for completion of a total cavopulmonary connection have been established for patients with anomalies of systemic venous connection in association with a functionally univentricular heart. We report an alternative technique designed to address the problem of widely separated inferior systemic veins, in which two extracardiac conduits were used. This technique was performed on three patients and yielded excellent short-term results, allowing us to operate on a beating heart with no need for cardioplegic arrest and aortic cross-clamping.

Characteristics of Hospitalizations for the Glenn Procedure in Those With Isomerism Compared to Those Without

Isomerism, also known as heterotaxy, is a unique clinical entity in which there are mirror imaged findings in the thoracic. In the abdomen, the arrangement of organs can be random. The anatomic findings also have functional consequences. Isomerism has been known to increase morbidity and mortality in those with functionally univentricular hearts. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of isomerism on the Glenn hospitalization. Data from the 1997 to 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database were utilized for this cross-sectional study. Admissions during which a Glenn procedure was done were identified. Next, these admissions were separated into those with and without isomerism. Admission characteristics were then compared in a univariate fashion as well as by regression analysis. Length of hospitalization, cost of hospitalization, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and inpatient mortality were the outcomes of interest. A total of 4959 admissions with a Glenn procedure were identified. Of these, 450 were associated with isomerism. The median age at which the Glenn procedure was done was 10 and 13 months in those without and with isomerism, respectively. Neither univariate nor regression analysis demonstrated any significant difference in length of hospitalization, cost of hospitalization, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and inpatient mortality between those with and without isomerism. Isomerism does not impact the characteristics of the Glenn hospitalization. Those with isomerism did tend to be older when they underwent the Glenn procedure.

Impact of Era, Type of Isomerism, and Ventricular Morphology on Survival in Heterotaxy: Implications for Therapeutic Management

BACKGROUND

Heterotaxy has been demonstrated to reduce survival. There are several different subgroups of patients, however, and no single study has had a large number of patients and analyzed survival across the different subgroups such as patients born in different eras, patients with right and left isomerism, and patients with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts. This study pools previously reported data from Kaplan-Meier curves and performs such subgroup analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies reporting survival of patients with the so-called "heterotaxy" by means of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Data were extracted from these survival curves and then pooled together. A polynomial regression was then used to generate a pooled survival curve. This was done for all patients, those born in a more recent era, those with right and left isomerism, and those with biventricular or functionally univentricular hearts.

RESULTS

Those born in the more recent era (after 2000) had increased survival compared to the overall cohort. Those with left isomerism tended to have a survival benefit compared to those with right isomerism until about 16 years of age, beyond which those with right isomerism developed a survival benefit. Those with biventricular hearts had a survival benefit compared to those with left isomerism.

CONCLUSION

Survival in the so-called heterotaxy syndrome is based on several factors, which include era of birth, sidedness of isomerism, and whether the heart is biventricular or functionally univentricular.

Bacteremia in Patients with Heterotaxy: A Review and Implications for Management

Heterotaxy (HTX) is a laterality defect resulting in abnormal arrangement of the thoracic and abdominal organs across the right-left axis, and is associated with multiple anatomic and physiologic disruptions. HTX often occurs in association with complex congenital heart disease. Splenic abnormalities are also common and convey an increased risk of bacteremia (bacteremia) with a high associated mortality. We performed a systematic review of the literature studying the risk of infection in HTX patients and strategies that can be utilized to prevent such infections. Studies were identified for inclusion using PubMed, EMBASE, and OVID, as well as hand search of references from previously identified papers. Published studies specifically investigating bacteremia in HTX were identified and included as long as they were in English. Data were extracted by two separate authors independently with review of any findings that differed between the two authors. There were 42 documented cases of bacteremia in 32 patients. Approximately, 79% of these had absence of a spleen. The average age of bacteremia was 17 months. HTX patients are at high risk for bacteremia leading to mortality, regardless of anatomic splenic type. We propose strategies for the evaluation of splenic function in HTX patients, and review management practices to reduce the impact of infection risk in the HTX population.

Heterotaxy Syndrome: Proceedings From the 10th International PCICS Meeting

A session dedicated to heterotaxy syndrome was included in the program of the Tenth International Conference of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society in Miami, Florida in December 2014. An invited panel of experts reviewed the anatomic considerations, surgical considerations, noncardiac issues, and long-term outcomes in this challenging group of patients. The presentations, summarized in this article, reflect the current approach to this complex multiorgan syndrome and highlight future areas of clinical interest and research.