Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2009 Consensus Conference on the management of adults with congenital heart disease: outflow tract obstruction, coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, Ebstein anomaly and Marfan's syndrome

Simple ECG-based score and clinical parameters to predict right ventricular dilation in patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot

BACKGROUND

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for assessing right ventricular (RV) function in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF), but it is expensive and not always available. ECG is a cost-effective, accessible alternative. This study evaluated ECG parameters, specifically QRS duration (QRSd) and QRS fragmentation (QRSf), to predict RV volumes and function, and developed a new score to guide CMR timing.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 147 patients with rTOF with pulmonary regurgitation. ECG, echocardiographic and CMR data were collected. Receiver operating characteristic curves identified optimal cut-offs for predicting RV dysfunction and dilation. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of RV dysfunction and dilation.

RESULTS

QRSd showed moderate positive correlations with RV end-diastolic (EDVi) and end-systolic (ESVi) volume indices and negative correlations with RV ejection fraction (EF) and global radial strain. QRSf was associated with larger RVESVi and lower RVEF. We propose a simple risk score of age ≤20 years, QRSd≥160 ms, QRSf and transannular patch repair. A score >2.5 out of 5.5 predicted RVEDVi ≥150 mL/m2 with 76.5% sensitivity and 63.6% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the value of ECG, particularly QRSd≥160 ms and QRSf, in predicting RV dilation in rTOF. The proposed score, based on clinical data and ECG parameters, offers a practical tool for guiding the timing of CMR.

Vascular Health in Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 1% of live births and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy. Previous studies have suggested CHD is associated with impaired vascular health, but this has not been established. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of CHD on vascular health.

METHODS

Eight electronic databases were searched through April 12, 2024. Studies of all designs (except case studies and reviews) that reported on the population (individuals with CHD of any age), comparator (individuals without CHD), and outcomes of interest: endothelial dependent (flow-mediated vasodilation, reactive hyperemia index) and independent (nitroglycerin-mediated dilation) vascular function, arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, stiffness index, augmentation index, distensibility, and compliance), and carotid intima-media thickness were included. Results are presented as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and as effect size.

RESULTS

We included 138 studies (N = 16,115) in the meta-analysis. Individuals with CHD exhibited decreased vascular function compared with those without including decreased low-mediated vasodilation (SMD, -0.96 [95% CI, -1.22 to -0.70]; I2 = 85%; large effect size), reactive hyperemia index using ultrasound (SMD, -2.88 [95% CI, -4.85 to -0.90]; I2 = 96%; large effect size), and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (SMD, -0.98 [95% CI, -1.35 to -0.61]; I2 = 87%; large effect size). Various CHD subtypes including coarctation of the aorta, transposition of the great arteries, and tetralogy of Fallot, after the Fontan procedure showed significant vascular dysfunction. Shunt lesions did not show significant vascular dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

CHD is associated with vascular dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness, and greater carotid intima-media thickness in pediatric and adult patients.

Health related quality of life in adults after late repair of tetralogy of fallot: experience from a low-middle income country

PURPOSE

Without neonatal screening in low middle-income countries like Pakistan, Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart disease which frequently remains untreated beyond infancy. The purpose of this study is to determine and assess outcomes and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients who undergo complete repair of TOF as adults.

METHODS

56 patients who underwent complete TOF repair after 16 years of age were included. Patient data was collected via retrospective chart review, and a semi structured interview along with Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire were used to assess HRQOL.

RESULTS

66.1% of patients were male with the mean age at surgery of 22.3 ± 6.00. All patients had a post-operative NYHA Classification of I or II, 94.6% had an ejection fraction of ≥ 50% and 28.6% showed small residual lesions in follow-up echocardiograms. 32.1% of patients suffered post-operative morbidity. For the quantitative assessment using SF-36 scores, patients showed good scores of median 95 (65-100). A major cause of delay to treatment was lack of consensus between treatments offered by doctors in different parts of Pakistan. There was a pattern of 'inability to fit in' among patients who had had late TOF repair, despite self- reported improved HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that even with a delayed diagnosis, surgical repair of TOF produces good functional results. However, these patients face significant psychosocial issues. While early diagnosis remains the ultimate goal, patients undergoing late repair should be managed in more holistic manner with attention to psychological impact of the disease as well.

Coarctation of the Aorta: Modern Paradigms Across the Lifespan

While coarctation of the aorta varies greatly in both severity and age at presentation, all patients are at increased risk of hypertension both before and after repair. Despite advances in knowledge about genetic etiologies, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and optimal repair strategies, patients with repaired coarctation of the aorta remain at increased risk of acquired cardiovascular disease. The aims of this review are to describe the management of coarctation of the aorta at all ages before and after repair, highlight pathophysiologic mechanisms of hypertension, and review long-term follow-up considerations.

Common Cardiovascular Diseases in Women

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for women in the United States. This article encompasses the epidemiology/etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic assessment, management, and prognosis of some common cardiovascular disorders seen in women with a special focus on pregnancy.

Uncorrected pentalogy of Fallot with successful pregnancy—A case report

Pentalogy of Fallot (PoF) is a congenital heart disease comprising tetralogy of Fallot plus an atrial septal defect (ASD). Patients are diagnosed early in life and submitted to reparative surgery. Without it, the prognosis is poor. This female patient, initially diagnosed with transposition of great arteries (TGA), ASD and a ventricular septal defect, got pregnant at 26 years old and had an early delivery due to fetal distress. She resumed follow-up, and her last echocardiogram put in doubt the diagnosis of TGA. Cardiac CT then revealed a PoF as well as pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas and a persistent left superior vena cava.

Select Congenital Heart Disease: Important Echocardiographic Features and Changes during Pregnancy

Congenital heart disease (CHD), which affects 1% to 2% of all births, is the most common abnormality in women contemplating pregnancy in western countries. With diagnostic and interventional advances, most patients with CHD survive into adulthood and require lifelong cardiac follow-up with cardiac imaging, particularly echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography. Multiple hemodynamic and physiologic changes of pregnancy may predispose patients with CHD to clinical decompensation and an inability to tolerate pregnancy. This manuscript reviews common CHD lesions, their repair or palliative interventions, long-term sequelae, important features to assess on cardiac imaging, and the impact of pregnancy on these types of lesions. Moreover, the review bridges the fields of CHD, cardiac imaging, and maternal cardiology, which will aid clinicians in counseling patients and managing pregnancies.

Neuropsychological features in children and adults with congenital heart disease: an exploratory data analysis

We aimed to recognize clinically meaningful patterns among patients with congenital heart disease to support clinical decision-making and better classification in practice. This research was a secondary analysis of data from the Congenital Heart Disease Genetic Network Study conducted from December 2010 to November 2014 in the United States. The analytic dataset included 6002 patients ≥1 year of age with non-syndromic congenital heart disease. For each patient, features included demographic, clinical, maternal and paternal characteristics. We clustered patients to identify subgroups that shared similarities in their clinical features. The performance of the clustering algorithm was evaluated with a random forest. Next, we used the apriori algorithm to generate clinical rules from patients' characteristics. The clustering algorithm identified two discernible groups of patients. The two classes of patients were different in maternal diabetes and in neuropsychological indicators [Accuracy (95% CI) = 97.1% (96.2, 97.8), area under the ROC curve = 96.8%]. Our rule extraction suggested the presence of clinical pictures with high lift values among patients with maternal diabetes or with seizure, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, developmental delay, learning disability and speech problem. Beyond the age of 1 year, maternal diabetes and neuropsychological characteristics identify two clusters of patients with congenital heart disease. These characteristics have the potential of being incorporated into the current systems for the classification of congenital heart disease.

Biventricular shape modes discriminate pulmonary valve replacement in tetralogy of Fallot better than imaging indices

Current indications for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) rely on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) image-based indices but are inconsistently applied, lead to mixed outcomes, and remain debated. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that specific markers of biventricular shape may discriminate differences between rTOF patients who did and did not require subsequent PVR better than standard imaging indices. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, biventricular shape models were customized to CMR images from 84 rTOF patients. A statistical atlas of end-diastolic shape was constructed using principal component analysis. Multivariate regression was used to quantify shape mode and imaging index associations with subsequent intervention status (PVR, n = 48 vs. No-PVR, n = 36), while accounting for confounders. Clustering analysis was used to test the ability of the most significant shape modes and imaging indices to discriminate PVR status as evaluated by a Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC). Geometric strain analysis was also conducted to assess shape mode associations with systolic function. PVR status correlated significantly with shape modes associated with right ventricular (RV) apical dilation and left ventricular (LV) dilation (p < 0.01), RV basal bulging and LV conicity (p < 0.05), and pulmonary valve dilation (p < 0.01). PVR status also correlated significantly with RV ejection fraction (p < 0.05) and correlated marginally with LV end-systolic volume index (p < 0.07). Shape modes discriminated subsequent PVR better than standard imaging indices (MCC = 0.49 and MCC = 0.28, respectively) and were significantly associated with RV and LV radial systolic strain. Biventricular shape modes discriminated differences between patients who did and did not require subsequent PVR better than standard imaging indices in current use. These regional features of cardiac morphology may provide insight into adaptive vs. maladaptive types of structural remodeling and point toward an improved quantitative, patient-specific assessment tool for clinical use.

Surgical pulmonary valve replacement at a tertiary adult congenital heart centre in the current era

Background

Surgical pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is the standard cardiac operation in adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). We report recent experience at a large tertiary centre and examine the impact of prosthesis type on outcomes.

Methods

All surgical PVRs performed at our tertiary centre between January 2003 and December 2018 were included.

Results

The study population included 490 patients (197 women; mean age 29.9 ± 13 years). The types of valves used were Homograft 179 (37%), Perimount 152 (31%), Mosaic 120 (24%), Hancock 31 (6%), and others 5 (1%). Seven (1.4%) early deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery. The survival rates at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years of follow-up were 98.3%, 97.7%, 96.8%, and 95.4%, respectively, whereas freedom from re-intervention was 99.8%, 96.6%, 90.2%, and 81.0%, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 6.5 ± 4.3 years, 27 (5.5%) patients required re-intervention. The type of valve used in these 27 patients during index operation showed no discernible difference in the probability of re-intervention; however, Mosaic valves required earlier re-intervention compared to Perimount valves.

Conclusion

Our data show no discernible difference in reoperation rates between the different types of prostheses used. On-going surveillance of patients after PVR and further research in developing a life-long prosthesis are clearly warranted.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2022 Guidelines for Cardiovascular Interventions in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

Interventions in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) focus on surgical and percutaneous interventions in light of rapidly evolving ACHD clinical practice. To bring rigour to our process and amplify the cumulative nature of evidence ACHD care we used the ADAPTE process; we systematically adjudicated, updated, and adapted existing guidelines by Canadian, American, and European cardiac societies from 2010 to 2020. We applied this to interventions related to right and left ventricular outflow obstruction, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation, aortopathy associated with bicuspid aortic valve, atrioventricular canal defects, Ebstein anomaly, complete and congenitally corrected transposition, and patients with the Fontan operation. In addition to tables indexed to evidence, clinical flow diagrams are included for each lesion to facilitate a practical approach to clinical decision-making. Excluded are recommendations for pacemakers, defibrillators, and arrhythmia-directed interventions covered in separate designated documents. Similarly, where overlap occurs with other guidelines for valvular interventions, reference is made to parallel publications. There is a paucity of high-level quality of evidence in the form of randomized clinical trials to support guidelines in ACHD. We accounted for this in the wording of the strength of recommendations put forth by our national and international experts. As data grow on long-term follow-up, we expect that the evidence driving clinical practice will become increasingly granular. These recommendations are meant to be used to guide dialogue between clinicians, interventional cardiologists, surgeons, and patients making complex decisions relative to ACHD interventions.

Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Tetralogy of Fallot: An Updated Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The benefits of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for pulmonary insufficiency in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot are still incompletely understood, and optimal timing remains challenging.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials /Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde, and Google Scholar) and reference lists of relevant articles for studies about PVR in repaired tetralogy of Fallot patients that reported any of the following outcomes: mortality and redo PVR rates, right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular measures, QRS duration, cardiopulmonary exercise test results, or brain natriuretic peptide. In addition to calculating the pooled treatment effects using a random-effects meta-analysis, we evaluated the effect of preoperative measures on PVR outcomes using meta-regressions.

RESULTS

Eighty-four studies involving 7544 patients met the eligibility criteria. Pooled mortality at 30 days, 5 years, and 10 years after PVR was 0.87% (63 of 7253 patients, 80 studies), 2.7% (132 of 4952 patients, 37 studies), and 6.2% (510 of 2765 patients, 15 studies), respectively. Pooled 5- and 10-year redo PVR rates were 3.7% (141 of 3755 patients, 23 studies) and 16.8% (172 of 3035 patients, 16 studies), respectively. The results of the previous meta-analysis could be confirmed. In addition, we demonstrated that after PVR (1) QRS duration, cardiopulmonary exercise test results, and RV and left ventricular measures longitudinal strain do not significantly change; (2) brain natriuretic peptide decreases; and (3) greater indexed RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes are associated with lower chances of RV volume normalization after PVR.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis provides evidence about the benefits of PVR.

Early multicenter experience of Melody valve implantation in India

Background

Transcatheter valves provide a safe and effective alternative to surgery for treating dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tracts (RVOTs). We present our early multicenter experience of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) using Melody valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN).

Methods

Patients with stenosed conduits or degenerated bioprosthetic valves in RVOT with combined stenosis and regurgitation were evaluated for suitability of Melody valve implantation. After undergoing an initial structured training, PPVI using Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) was guided by an approved proctor. Conduits were serially dilated and prestented with careful coronary interrogation, and bioprosthetic valves were dilated with high-pressure balloons. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was performed at 6 monthly intervals.

Results

Fifteen patients (three females) aged 23.1 ± 9.5 years in NYHA Class II-III underwent Melody TPV implantation in four Indian centers. The underlying anatomy comprised surgically implanted bioprosthetic valves for pulmonary regurgitation (n= 5), conduit repair for pulmonary atresia (n = 4), Rastelli repair (n = 3), truncus (n = 1), and Ross procedure (n = 2). Twelve patients had more than one previous surgery. Doppler gradient decreased from 74.2 ± 21.5 mmHg to 10.2 ± 4.5 mmHg after the PPVI. At a median follow-up of 14 months (1-39 months), all the patients were in NYHA Class I with echocardiographic gradients of 8 ± 5.7 mmHg with no evidence of pulmonary regurgitation. There were no major procedural adverse events or deaths.

Conclusions

Our early experience shows encouraging results of the PPVI program in India with proctored case selection and meticulous planning. It also confirms the safety and efficacy of Melody TPV for treating dysfunctional RVOT in postoperative patients.

Better preoperative exercise function is associated with shorter hospital stay after paediatric pulmonary valve replacement or conduit revision

Exercise capacity is a modifiable factor in patients with CHD that has been related to surgical outcomes in adults. We hypothesised that this was true for children undergoing surgical pulmonary valve replacement; therefore, the relationship of preoperative percent predicted peak oxygen consumption to surgical outcomes as measured by total hospital length of stay was explored.

METHODS

Single centre retrospective cohort study of patients aged 8-18 years who underwent surgical pulmonary valve replacement. The primary predictor was preoperative percent predicted peak oxygen consumption, and primary outcome was total hospital length of stay. Clinical, imaging, and cardiopulmonary exercise test data were reviewed and compared to total hospital length of stay. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between total hospital length of stay and percent predicted peak oxygen consumption.

RESULTS

Three-hundred and seventy patients undergoing pulmonary valve replacement/conduit change between 2003 and 2017 at Boston Children's Hospital were identified. Ninety had preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise tests within 6 months of surgery. Exclusion for inadequate exercise data (n = 3) and imaging data (n = 1) left 86 patients for review. Patients with percent predicted peak oxygen consumption ≥ 70% (n = 46, 53%) had shorter total hospital length of stay (4.4 days) than the 40 with percent predicted peak oxygen consumption <70% (5.4 days, p = 0.007). Median percent predicted peak oxygen consumption increased over sequential surgical eras (p < 0.001), but total hospital length of stay did not correlate with surgical era, preoperative left ventricular function, or preoperative right ventricular dilation.

CONCLUSION

Children undergoing surgical pulmonary valve replacement with better preoperative exercise capacity had shorter total hospital length of stay. Exercise capacity is a potentially modifiable factor prior to and after pulmonary valve replacement. Until more patients systematically undergo cardiopulmonary exercise tests, the full impact of optimisation of exercise capacity will not be known.

Co-existence of severe coarctation of the aorta and aortic valve stenosis in adulthood: a case report

Aortic coarctation is a congenital heart disease that usually presents and is treated in the childhood. The aortic coarctation is often associated with concomitant cardiac pathologies, such as aortic stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve. We report the case of a 56-year-old man, admitted in our cardiologic unit, for sudden onset of chest pain, dyspnea and syncope. Aortic coarctation with aortic valve stenosis was diagnosed. The aortic valve was successfully replaced in the first stage; the coarctation had to be treated in a second time.

Novel Z Scores to Correct Biases Due to Ventricular Volume Indexing to Body Surface Area in Adolescents and Young Adults

BACKGROUND

Reference values for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) in children and young adults are scarce. This leads to risk stratification of patients with congenital heart diseases being based on volumes indexed to body surface area (BSA). We aimed to produce cMRI Z score equations for ventricular volumes in children and young adults and to test whether indexing to BSA resulted in an incorrect assessment of ventricular dilation according to sex, body composition, and growth.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 372 subjects aged < 26 years with either normal hearts or conditions with no impact on ventricular volumes (reference group), and 205 subjects with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) aged < 26 years. We generated Z score equations by means of multivariable regression modelling. Right ventricular dilation was assessed with the use of Z scores and compared with indexing to BSA in TOF subjects.

RESULTS

Ventricular volume Z scores were independent from age, sex, and anthropometric measurements, although volumes indexed to BSA showed significant residual association with sex and body size. In TOF subjects, indexing overestimated dilation in growing children and underestimated dilation in female compared with male subjects, and in overweight compared with lean subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Indexed ventricular volumes measured with cMRI did not completely adjust for body size and resulted in a differential error in the assessment of ventricular dilation according to sex and body size. Our proposed Z score equations solved this problem. Future studies should evaluate if ventricular volumes expressed as Z scores have a better prognostic value than volumes indexed to BSA.

CT and MRI for Repaired Complex Adult Congenital Heart Diseases

An increasing number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients continue to require life-long diagnostic imaging surveillance using cardiac CT and MRI. These patients typically exhibit a large spectrum of unique anatomical and functional changes resulting from either single- or multi-stage palliation and surgical correction. Radiologists involved in the diagnostic task of monitoring treatment effects and detecting potential complications should be familiar with common cardiac CT and MRI findings observed in patients with repaired complex ACHD. This review article highlights the contemporary role of CT and MRI in three commonly encountered repaired ACHD: repaired tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch operation, and functional single ventricle after Fontan operation.

The impact of pulmonary regurgitation on right ventricular size and function in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and additional haemodynamic abnormalities

Purpose

Right ventricular (RV) outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) was demonstrated to be protective against RV dilatation in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot and chronic pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We hypothesised that the presence of additional haemodynamic abnormalities (more than mild tricuspid regurgitation, residual ventricular septal defect) reduces this protective association. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the impact of PR on RV size and function in this population.

Material and methods

Consecutive patients with additional haemodynamic abnormalities after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair, who had undergone cardiovascular magnetic resonance, were included.

Results

Out of 90 patients studied, 18 individuals (mean age 32.5 ± 10.7 years, 72.2% males) met the inclusion criteria. There were no differences in RV volumes and ejection fraction between patients with and without RVOTO. Neither PR fraction (PRF) nor PR volume (PRV) correlated with RV end-diastolic volume (r = 0.36; p = 0.15 and r = 0.37; p = 0.14, respectively, for PRF and PRV) or RV end-systolic volume (r = 0.2; p = 0.42 and r = 0.19; p = 0.45, respectively, for PRF and PRV). Similarly, no significant correlations were observed between PRF or PRV and RV ejection fraction (r = –0.04; p = 0.87 and r = –0.03; p = 0.9, respectively).

Conclusions

Additional haemodynamic abnormalities are associated with the abolition of the protective effect of RVOTO on RV size. There was no significant relationship between measures of PR and RV volumes in patients after TOF repair with concomitant haemodynamic abnormalities. These abnormalities acted as confounding factors in the assessment of the impact of pulmonary regurgitation on RV size and function.

Successful management of heart failure 45 years after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot

A 59-year-old Japanese woman was admitted with heart failure due to severe pulmonary regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, in addition to atrial fibrillation 45 years after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). She had been under treatment with medication and catheter ablation for arrhythmia including ventricular tachycardia for the past 28 years. She underwent pulmonary valve replacement as well as tricuspid and mitral valvuloplasty, which obviously improved her status even though her right ventricular end-diastolic volume index exceeded the recommended threshold. Patients who have undergone surgical correction of TOF need to be managed over the long term. <Learning objective: For a long term after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), appropriate managements are needed for arrhythmia and heart failure related to heart valve disease. Even though her right ventricular end-diastolic volume index exceeded the recommended threshold by the current published guidelines, re-operation for heart valve diseases improved the present patient. We have to accumulate evidence to make useful guideline of re-operation of TOF in Japan.>.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Pregnancy-Related Acute Aortic Dissection

Importance

Women with aortopathy conditions are at risk for pregnancy-related aortic dissection, and these conditions may not be recognized until after the aortic dissection occurs.

Objective

To examine the clinical characteristics, imaging features, and outcomes in women with pregnancy-related acute aortic dissection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study, comprising data from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) (February 1, 1998, to February 28, 2018). The multicenter referral center study included 29 women with aortic dissection during pregnancy or less than 12 weeks post partum in IRAD from 1998 to 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Clinical features of pregnancy-related aortic dissection to be studied included underlying aortopathy, aortic size, type of aortic dissection, timing of dissection, hypertension, and previous aortic surgery.

Results

A total of 29 women (mean [SD] age, 32 [6] years) had pregnancy-related aortic dissection, representing 0.3% of all aortic dissections and 1% of aortic dissection in women in the IRAD. Among women younger than 35 years, aortic dissection was related to pregnancy in 20 of 105 women (19%). Thirteen women (45%) had type A aortic dissection, and 16 women (55%) had type B. Aortic dissection onset was known in 27 women (93%): 15 during pregnancy, 4 in the first trimester, and 11 in the third trimester; 12 were post partum, occurring a mean (SD) of 12.5 (14) days post partum. At type A aortic dissection diagnosis, the mean (SD) aortic diameters were sinus of Valsalva, 54.5 (5) mm and ascending aorta, 54.7 (6) mm. At type B aortic dissection diagnosis, the mean (SD) descending aortic diameter was 32.5 (5) mm. Twenty women (69%) had an aortopathy condition or a positive family history: 13 women (65%) with Marfan syndrome, 2 women (10%) with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, 2 women (10%) with bicuspid aortic valves, 2 women (10%) with a family history of aortic disease, and 1 woman (5%) with familial thoracic aortic aneurysm. Aortopathy was not recognized until after aortic dissection in 47% of the women. Twenty-eight women (97%) survived aortic dissection hospitalization.

Conclusions and Relevance

Aortic dissection complicating pregnancy is rare. Most pregnancy-related aortic dissection is due to an aortopathy often not diagnosed until after aortic dissection. In this study, type A aortic dissections were associated with a dilated aorta, and type B aortic dissections often were not. Recognition of underlying conditions and risks for aortic dissection may improve management of pregnancy in women with aortopathy.

Trisomy 21 and Ebstein Anomaly: Diagnosis and Prognosis of a Rare Association

Trisomy 21 is considered the most common chromosomal aneuploidy, and congenital heart disease (CHD) is highly prevalent and relevant to the morbidity and mortality of these patients. Ebstein anomaly (EA) is a rare CHD characterized by tricuspid valve dysplasia with inferior septal leaflet displacement. Herein, we described a patient with trisomy 21 who presented with EA and discuss the association between the two conditions based on a literature review. We conclude that the concomitant occurrence of both conditions is considered to be rare. These individuals are most frequently diagnosed during birth and childhood, and they usually have a good prognosis, as observed with our patient and is typical for EA patients in general. However, it is important to be aware that electrophysiologic anomalies may also be present.

Increased blood pressure is associated with increased carotid artery intima-media thickness in children with repaired coarctation of the aorta

OBJECTIVES

The intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (cIMT) is a good noninvasive surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease. Regular cIMT monitoring in children with congenital heart disease has great potential. We sought to determine which anthropomorphic and haemodynamic variables were significantly associated with the cIMT in paediatric patients with obesity and children with repaired coarctation of the aorta (CoA).

METHODS

We measured the cIMT in 143 children aged 5 to less than 18 years including normal weight controls (n = 44), children with overweight/obesity (n = 73) and children with repaired CoA (n = 26). cIMT was compared and the association between the cIMT and patient characteristics, including obesity and blood pressure (BP), was investigated.

RESULTS

BMI z score, sex and the presence of CoA were significant independent predictors of cIMT. The cIMT was significantly greater in children with overweight/obesity (0.53 ± 0.06 mm) relative to normal weight controls (0.51 ± 0.04 mm), as well as in CoA patients with abnormally high BP (0.57 ± 0.08 mm) versus CoA patients with normal BP (0.52 ± 0.05 mm) and controls (0.51 ± 0.04 mm). CoA patients with normal BP did not have significantly increased cIMT.

CONCLUSION

cIMT was positively associated with BMI z score, male sex and CoA repair in children. The increased cIMT in children with repaired CoA was because of those with abnormally high BP, which was masked in clinic for most of these patients. These findings warrant further investigations into the cIMT and other atherosclerotic risk factors to determine their potential clinical impact in these highly susceptible patients.

Surgery for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Technical and medical improvements for congenital cardiac disease in children have contributed to an increasing population of patients who survive into adulthood. These patients may be prone to progression of their native palliated disease or suffer from sequelae of their childhood repair that requires repeat surgical intervention. Surgery for adult congenital cardiac disease poses unique challenges and risks.

The TRIVIA Cohort for Surgical Management of Tetralogy of Fallot: Merging Population and Clinical Data for Real-World Scientific Evidence

Background

Guidelines for surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are often based on low-quality evidence due to the many challenges of congenital heart disease: heterogeneous cardiac anatomy, consequences from surgical interventions arising years later, and scarcity of hard outcomes. The overarching goal of the Tetralogy of Fallot Research for Improvement of Valve replacement Intervention: A Bridge Across the Knowledge Gap (TRIVIA) study is to evaluate the long-term impact of the surgical management strategies in TOF. The specific objectives are: (1) to describe the long-term outcomes of TOF according to the native anatomy and the presence of genetic conditions, (2) to evaluate the long-term outcomes of surgical repair according to associated residual lesions, and (3) to evaluate the impact of paediatric pulmonary valve replacements on the long-term outcomes.

Methods

The TRIVIA study is a population-based cohort including all subjects with TOF in the province of Québec between 1980 and 2017. It links patient-level granular clinical data with long-term administrative health care data. We will evaluate mortality, cardiovascular interventions, and hospitalizations for adverse cardiovascular events using survival Cox models and marginal mean/rates models for recurrent events, respectively. Multivariate multilevel models will correct for potential confounders, and risk score matching will mitigate the potential of confounding by indication.

Results

The current TRIVIA cohort includes 1001 eligible subjects with TOF with complete lifelong follow-up for > 98%. The median follow-up is 17.1 years, totalling > 17,000 patient-years.

Conclusions

Universal health insurance data combined with granular clinical data enable the development of population-based cohorts, to which contemporary statistical methods are applied to address important research questions in congenital heart disease research.

Management of adults with coarctation of aorta

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a relatively common congenital cardiac defect often causing few symptoms and therefore can be challenging to diagnose. The hallmark finding on physical examination is upper extremity hypertension, and for this reason, CoA should be considered in any young hypertensive patient, justifying measurement of lower extremity blood pressure at least once in these individuals. The presence of a significant pressure gradient between the arms and legs is highly suggestive of the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are important as long-term data consistently demonstrate that patients with CoA have a reduced life expectancy and increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Surgical repair has traditionally been the mainstay of therapy for correction, although advances in endovascular technology with covered stents or stent grafts permit nonsurgical approaches for the management of older children and adults with native CoA and complications. Persistent hypertension and vascular dysfunction can lead to an increased risk of coronary disease, which, remains the greatest cause of long-term mortality. Thus, blood pressure control and periodic reassessment with transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional imaging (computed tomography or cardiac magnetic resonance) for should be performed regularly as cardiovascular complications may occur decades after the intervention.

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

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

The Limited Benefit of Follow-Up Echocardiograms After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, making up 10% of all congenital heart defects. Annual follow-up echocardiograms are recommended in patients with repaired ToF, but evidence-based guidelines do not exist. We hypothesized that most echocardiograms performed in asymptomatic patients with repaired ToF and no physical exam change do not result in an actionable change (AC) in management. We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with ToF and prior complete repair at our institution between January 2000 and September 2015. Changes in echocardiograms resulting in hospital admission, medication addition/change, cardiac catheterization, or surgical procedure were identified via chart review. These changes were referred to as an AC. A total of 1135 echocardiograms were reviewed from 233 patients (160 with initial complete repair, 70 with prior shunt, and 3 with other initial surgery). The median number of echocardiograms per patient was 5. Of the 1135 echocardiograms, 15 (1.3%) were associated with AC. Of the 15 patients with AC echocardiograms, 9 underwent a shunt prior to complete repair (9/70, 12.9%) and 6 had undergone an initial complete repair (6/160, 3.8%). The median age at AC was 6.3 years (IQR 4.4, 6.8) in the shunt group and 0.90 years (IQR 0.87, 1.1) in the initial complete repair group. In asymptomatic patients with repaired ToF and no physical exam change, echocardiograms rarely lead to a change in clinical management. In conclusion, the likelihood and timing of AC echocardiograms and reinterventions vary based on the type of initial surgery.

State-of-the-art Structural Interventions in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalisation and healthcare costs worldwide. Acute decompensated heart failure accounts for more than 1 million hospitalisations in the US. Despite advances in the quality of acute and chronic HF disease management, gaps in knowledge about effective interventions to support the transition of care for patients with HF remain. Despite multiple trials of promising therapies, standard care consists of decongestion with IV diuretics and haemodynamic support with vasodilators and inotropes and this has remained largely unchanged during the past 45 years. Newer advances in medical innovations and structural heart disease interventions have now given promise to improved survival, outcomes and quality of life for patients with advanced HF of multiple aetiologies. In this article, we focus on structural interventions in the treatment of patients with HF.

Usefulness of Right Ventricular Volumetric and Afterload Indices for Risk Stratification in Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot

Right ventricular (RV) volume overload due to chronic pulmonary regurgitation is the common mechanism for hemodynamic deterioration after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. As a result, RV volumetric indices are used for clinical risk stratification in this population. Since RV afterload is a determinant of RV hemodynamic performance, we hypothesized that afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices will have a better correlation with disease severity compared with RV volumetric indices alone in patients with TOF. Cross-sectional study of adults with previous TOF repair that received care at Mayo Clinic, 2002-2015. We defined disease severity as atrial arrhythmia and/or impaired exercise capacity. We created afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices by indexing these indices to RV systolic pressure (RVSP) as follows: RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi)/RVSP, RV end-systolic volume (RVESVi)/RVSP, and RV ejection fraction (RVEF)/RVSP. The RV volumetric indices were: RVEDVi 141 ± 43 ml/m², RVESVi 79 ± 38 ml/m², and RVEF 44 ± 10%, and RVSP was 48 ± 9 mm Hg. RVESVi was the only RV volumetric parameter that was associated with disease severity (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.32, p = 0.041) with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.612. In contrast RVEF/RVSP (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.92, p = 0.037, AUC 0.649), and RVESVi/RVSP (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.14-1.55, p = 0.008, AUC 0.798) were associated with disease severity. Compared with RV volumetric indices alone, the combined RV volumetric and afterload indices had better correlation with disease severity as measured by AUC. Afterload-adjusted RV volumetric indices had better correlation with disease severity, and may potentially improve risk stratification in this population.

Preoperative Physiology, Imaging, and Management of Coarctation of Aorta in Children

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a narrowing of the proximal thoracic aorta typically located at the junction of the aorta with the ductus arteriosus. While it is a simple lesion to understand, considerable variation exists in the anatomy and pathophysiology, leading to varied clinical presentation, management options, and prognosis. On the one hand critical CoA manifests in the neonatal period as a duct-dependent lesion, while less severe forms of obstruction present later in childhood or adulthood as hypertension or incidentally noted precordial murmurs. While transthoracic echocardiography is usually adequate, older children and adults may need more advanced imaging modalities like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging prior to intervention. Depending on the type of lesion, management options currently available include surgery and percutaneous balloon angioplasty and stenting. Even after successful interventions, these patients need life-long surveillance for residual aortic obstruction and systemic hypertension with variable long-term clinical outcomes.

Current outcomes and treatment of tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common type of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Since the first surgical repair in 1954, treatment has continuously improved. The treatment strategies currently used in the treatment of ToF result in excellent long-term survival (30 year survival ranges from 68.5% to 90.5%). However, residual problems such as right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, pulmonary regurgitation, and (ventricular) arrhythmia are common and often require re-interventions. Right ventricular dysfunction can be seen following longstanding pulmonary regurgitation and/or stenosis. Performing pulmonary valve replacement or relief of pulmonary stenosis before irreversible right ventricular dysfunction occurs is important, but determining the optimal timing of pulmonary valve replacement is challenging for several reasons. The biological mechanisms underlying dysfunction of the right ventricle as seen in longstanding pulmonary regurgitation are poorly understood. Different methods of assessing the right ventricle are used to predict impending dysfunction. The atrioventricular, ventriculo-arterial and interventricular interactions of the right ventricle play an important role in right ventricle performance, but are not fully elucidated. In this review we present a brief overview of the history of ToF, describe the treatment strategies currently used, and outline the long-term survival, residual lesions, and re-interventions following repair. We discuss important remaining challenges and present the current state of the art regarding these challenges.

Right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary regurgitation with versus without tetralogy of Fallot

BACKGROUND

Right ventricular (RV) dilation from pulmonary valve regurgitation (PR) is common after intervention(s) for pulmonary stenosis (PS) or atresia and intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS). It is not well established whether PR and RV dilation have similar effects on RV function and exercise capacity in these patients compared to patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (rToF). The aims of this study were to compare exercise tolerance, RV function and myocardial mechanics in non-ToF versus rToF children with significantly increased and comparable RV volumes.

METHODS

Thirty PS or PA/IVS children after intervention(s) with significant PR and RV dilation (non-ToF group) were retrospectively matched for RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVi) and age with 30 rToF patients. Clinical characteristics, RV function by echocardiography and CMR, ECG and exercise capacity were compared between groups.

RESULTS

The groups were well matched for RVEDVi and age. Global RV function (RVEF: 48.7 ± 6.4% vs. 48.5 ± 7.2%, P = .81) and exercise capacity (% predicted peak VO₂:82.5 ± 17.7% vs. 75.6 ± 20.4%, P = .27) were similarly reduced between groups. RVEDVi correlated inversely with RVEF in both groups (non-ToF:r = -0.39, P = .04, rToF:r = -0.40, P = .03). QRS duration was wider in rToF patients, and in both groups inversely correlated with RVEF (non-ToF:r = -0.77, P < .001, rToF:r = -0.69, P < .001). In contrast to global function, longitudinal RV strain was lower in rTOF vs non-TOF (-20.1 ± 3.9 vs.-25.7 ± 4.4, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Global RV function and exercise capacity are similarly reduced in non-ToF and rToF patients with severely dilated RV, after matching by RVEDVi, suggesting a comparable impact of RV dilation on RV global function. The significance of reduced RV longitudinal function and worse dyssynchrony in rToF patients require further exploration.

Outcomes of Pregnancy in Patients With Prior Right Ventricular Outflow Interventions

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of pregnancy‐related adverse outcomes (PRAO) between patients with versus without hemodynamically significant right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT).

Methods and Results

This was a retrospective cohort study of all pregnant patients with isolated RVOT lesions undergoing evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, 1990 to 2017. Hemodynamic significance was defined as ≥moderate pulmonary/conduit stenosis (≥3 m/s) and/or ≥moderate regurgitation. Patients with concomitant significant left heart disease were excluded. PRAO was defined as cardiovascular, obstetric, and/or neonatal complications occurring during the pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum. A total of 224 pregnancies in 114 patients with RVOT lesions were identified; 38 pregnancies occurred in 24 patients with hemodynamically significant RVOT. Forty‐eight (21%) pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortion. Of the 173 completed pregnancies, median gestational age at delivery was 38 (35–40) weeks and median birth weight 2965 (2065–4122) g. Seven pregnancies (4%) were complicated by cardiovascular events, 14 (8%) by obstetric complications, with adverse neonatal outcomes occurring in 38 (22%). There were no maternal deaths. The incidence of spontaneous abortion and PRAO were similar in both the RVOT and hemodynamically significant RVOT groups. As an isolated condition, Tetralogy of Fallot–pulmonary atresia was associated with spontaneous abortion and neonatal complications.

Conclusions

The risk of cardiovascular complications was low in patients with isolated RVOT lesions, and hemodynamically significant RVOT lesions were not associated with either cardiovascular complications or PRAO. Further studies are required to explore the factors responsible for PRAO in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot–pulmonary atresia.

Perioperative and Anesthetic Management of Coarctation of the Aorta

Isolated coarctation of the aorta is a relatively common form of congenital heart disease that is characterized by variable degrees of obstruction to aortic outflow. The clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic arterial hypertension to cardiogenic shock. The treatment options include surgical repair or interventional therapy with aortic balloon dilation and stent placement. This article will summarize the pathophysiology as well as describe the surgical and interventional procedures. The anesthetic management for those interventions will be reviewed.

Adult Congenital Interventions in Heart Failure

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, occurring in approximately 0.8% to 1.0% of neonates. Advances in medical and surgical therapies for children with CHD have resulted in a growing population of patients reaching adulthood, with survival rates exceeding 85%. Many of these patients, especially if managed inappropriately, face the prospect of future complications including heart failure and premature death. For adults with uncorrected or previously palliated CHD, percutaneous therapies have become the primary treatment for many forms of CHD. In this article, we discuss the role of transcatheter interventions in the treatment of adults with CHD.

Pulmonary hypertension in adults with congenital heart disease: Updated recommendations from the Cologne Consensus Conference 2018

In the summer of 2016, delegates from the German Respiratory Society (DGP), the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology (DGPK) met in Cologne, Germany, to define consensus-based practice recommendations for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). These recommendations were built on the 2015 European Pulmonary Hypertension guidelines, aiming at their practical implementation, considering country-specific issues, and including new evidence, where available. To this end, a number of working groups was initiated, one of which was specifically dedicated to PH in adults associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). As such patients are often complex and require special attention, and the general PAH treatment algorithm in the ESC/ERS guidelines appears too unspecific for CHD, the working group proposes an analogous algorithm for the management of PH-CHD which takes the special features of this patient group into consideration, and includes general measures, supportive therapy, targeted PAH drug therapy as well as interventional and surgical procedures. The detailed results and recommendations of the working group on PH in adults with CHD, which were last updated in the spring of 2018, are summarized in this article.

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation: what have we learned over the years?

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation has been widely accepted as an alternative to surgery in selected patients with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction. This totally new field of our specialty pushed centres to rethink overall strategies on how to treat RVOT dysfunction. In this review, we will focus on challenges related to patient selection, and discuss innovative procedural techniques developed over the years to enlarge the number of candidates for the technique.