Growth of unrepaired hypoplastic proximal aortic arch and reintervention rate after aortic coarctation repair

Neonatal enlargement of the aortic arch roof without cardiopulmonary bypass using ductal patency for lower body perfusion: impact on long-term growth, function and shape of the aortic arch†

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates the long-term outcome of neonatal aortic arch roof enlargement using ductal patency in the context of coarctation associated with aortic arch hypoplasia.

METHODS

Retrospective single-centre analysis of children undergoing roof enlargement of the distal arch (left common carotid artery-left subclavian artery) without cardiopulmonary bypass (utilizing ductal patency for lower body perfusion); followed by resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis, through a left posterior thoracotomy. This study evaluates the long-term outcome with emphasis on arch growth and shape.

RESULTS

Thirty consecutive patients were included (2006-24). Median age and weight were 6.0 [interquartile range: 4.0-7.8)] days and 3.1 (2.7-3.5) kg, respectively. Simple congenital heart disease with simple intracardiac shunts (n = 17) and complex congenital heart disease (Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), interrupted aortic arch and univentricular hearts) (n = 13) constituted the cohort. Non-ischaemic clamp time for roof enlargement was 43 (36-50) min. Ischaemic clamp time for coarctation resection was 23 (21-25) min. Pulmonary artery banding was performed in 19 (63.3%) patients. Twenty-seven (90%) successfully underwent staged repair at 6.1 (4.5-8.2) months age. Follow-up was complete at a median duration of 46.9 (21.7-159.9) months. All patients survived the operation and are in good health at follow-up. Median ventilation time, ICU and hospital stay were 1 (1-2), 3 (2-5) and 23.5 (14-40) days, respectively. No patient developed any neurological complication. Three developed left subclavian artery thrombosis, one requiring surgical revision. With one unrelated late accidental death 14 years after neonatal repair, Kaplan-Meier survival was 90.9 [50.8-98.7]% at 15 years. Two patients underwent arch re-enlargement at the inner curvature to accommodate the DKS during stage 2, resulting in freedom from reoperation of 93.3[75.9-98.3]% at 10 years. All survivors enjoy subjective normal exercise tolerance with no relevant gradient. No patient is on anti-hypertensive medication. Median Z value of the proximal, transverse and distal arch was normalized to -0.88 (-2.19 to -0.12), -0.66(-1.33 to 0.08) and 0.34 (-0.10 to 1.33), respectively, at the last follow-up. Twenty-three (76.7%) arches achieved Romanesque shape at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term results of this minimally invasive approach show proportional growth without relevant gradient, freedom from hypertension and a Roman arch form, thus making it the preferred approach.

The Management of Aortic Coarctation Associated with Hypoplastic Arches and Particular Arch Anatomies: A Literature Review

The surgical management of aortic coarctation in newborns needs to ensure postoperative evolution and long-term results as much as possible. Patients with a Gothic arch have a higher rate of postoperative hypertension, while newborns with a bovine arch have higher rates of restenosis and, thus, an additional risk of mortality. Late hypertension, even in anatomically successfully repaired patients, confers a high risk for cardiovascular events. This review of the literature focuses on the management of aortic coarctations associated with hypoplastic arch and particular arch anatomies, focusing on surgical techniques and their outcomes.

Regional Arch Measurements Differ Between Imaging Modalities in Infants With Aortic Coarctation

BACKGROUND

Aortic arch measurements provide a framework for surgical decision-making in neonatal aortic coarctation, specifically in the determination of approach for arch repair by lateral thoracotomy vs median sternotomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the preoperative evaluation of infants with aortic coarctation, specifically comparing arch dimensions as a function of imaging modality.

METHODS

Imaging data were reviewed for all infants undergoing surgical repair of aortic coarctation at our institution from 2012 to 2022. Infants with both TTE and CTA evaluations were included. Aortic measurements were compared at predefined anatomic regions including ascending aorta, proximal arch, distal arch, and isthmus.

RESULTS

During the study period, 372 infants underwent surgical coarctation repair; 72 (19.4%) infants had TTE and CTA arch evaluations preoperatively. Significant discrepancies between imaging modalities were defined by poor correlation coefficients and absolute measurement differences and were most prominent in the proximal aortic arch (R2 = 0.23 [-4.4 to 3.2 mm]) and isthmus regions (R2 = 0.11 [-4.2 to 1.7 mm]). Improved correlation was demonstrated in the ascending aorta (R2 = 0.63) and distal aortic arch (R2 = 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant variability exists between TTE- and CTA-derived aortic measurements in infants with coarctation, with proximal arch measurements demonstrating the poorest correlation. This anatomic location represents a commonly used arch region for the determination of approach for repair of neonatal aortic coarctation. Thus, these findings have important implications for current preoperative surgical decision-making paradigms and future prospective study to minimize the risk of residual or recurrent arch obstruction.

Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of coarctation surgery between neonates and infants

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis between neonate and infant patients with coarctation.

METHODS

This study was designed retrospectively and included 41 neonate (<30 days) and infant (30 days to 1 year) patients who were operated on using the resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis technique for aortic coarctation. Preoperative aortic annulus diameters and Z scores, all aortic arch diameters and Z scores, the presence of hypoplastic aortic segment, and the presence of prematurity were reviewed in both groups. Subsequently, we investigated whether these parameters were statistically related to the residual gradient in the operation area, whether there was a need for early re-intervention, and what was the incidence of mortality in the early postoperative period. In addition, the aortic arch Z scores of the patients at 6 months postoperatively were examined.

RESULTS

While the mean age (p<0.001), body weight (p<0.001), and proximal arch Z score (p=0.029) were found to be significantly lower in the neonate group than in the infant group, the total length of the intensive care unit stay (p=0.013) and the total length of hospital stay (p=0.017) were found to be significantly higher. In addition, significant enlargement was detected in the proximal arch, distal arch, and isthmus segments in both patient groups.

CONCLUSION

The resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis is an equally effective technique that can provide a marked decrease in gradient in the coarctation area and a significant enlargement of the aortic arch segments in the early period after coarctation repair in both neonate and infant patients.