Interventional treatment of critical coarctation of the aorta in an extremely low birth weight preterm neonate

Successful Treatment of Aortic Coarctation in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant with Balloon Angioplasty

In our case report, we present a case of successful antegrade balloon angioplasty performed via the femoral vein on a 980-gram neonate with severe coarctation of the aorta. Upon reviewing the literature, we found no cases of balloon angioplasty for coarctation performed via the femoral vein in infants with a lower birth weight than in our case. Our aim is to underline that each patient may require individual evaluation and management options.

Successful bailout stenting for critical aortic coarctation in a premature baby weighing 590 g

Severe aortic coarctation (CoA) is a critical congenital heart disease that requires surgery as the first-line treatment in neonates. However, in very small premature infants, aortic arch repair has a relatively high mortality and morbidity rate. Bailout stenting is an alternative method that can be performed safely and effectively with low morbidity.We present a case of severe CoA in a premature baby, a monochorionic twin with selective intrauterine growth restriction. The patient was born at 31 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 570 g. Seven days following her birth, she experienced anuria due to critical neonatal isthmic CoA. She underwent a stent implantation procedure at term neonatal, weighing 590 g. She had good dilatation of the coarcted segment with no complications. Follow-up at infancy showed no CoA recurrence. This is the world's smallest case of stenting for CoA.

Echocardiogram-Guided Stenting of a Critical Aortic Coarctation in an Extremely Low Weight Preterm Infant

We report a case of critical aortic coarctation in an extremely low birth weight preterm infant weighing 600 g that was successfully treated with interventional stent implantation. The intervention was guided by echocardiography without using contrast agent due to associated renal failure. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Stenting of critical aortic coarctation in neonates between 600 and 1,350 g. Using a transfemoral artery approach. A single center experience

Background

Stenting of aortic coarctation (CoA) in newborns with a very low bodyweight remains rare and challenging. In this study we aim to highlight on two points: first the feasibility of CoA stenting in such babies and second the importance of using echocardiogram for guiding the intervention without the need for contrast agent.

Methods

Between 2020 and 2022 three preterm babies with very low (VLWB) and extremely low weight (ELWB) underwent CoA-stenting in our center. The weight of the patients at time of intervention was 1,350, 1,200, and 600 g, respectively. The femoral artery was chosen in all patients as vascular access. Transthoracic echocardiography, sonography of the femoral arteries and head ultrasound were applied for follow up.

Results

All three interventions were successfully done, with no complications. Coronary stents were implanted. In one Patient (1,350 g) the stent was inserted without sheath. In two patients with renal failure, the stenting was performed under echocardiography-guidance without contrast agent. The follow up showed a preserved function of the left ventricle in all patients. No relevant gradient was reported and no stent re-intervention was required. Sonographic follow up showed a patent femoral artery in all patients. Two patients were operated 73 and 110 days after stenting, and the stents were successfully removed. In the third patient the intervention was performed 130 days ago and he is waiting for the operation.

Conclusion

CoA-stenting in VLWB and ELWB is feasible and can bridge them to the next surgery without complications. Echocardiography-guided CoA-stenting in VLWB is a considerate option especially in patients with renal failure. Accessing the femoral artery by experienced doctors, using local anesthesia before the puncture and before removing the sheath might help to protect the vessel from stenosis or occlusion.

Angioplasty of Native Coarctation in a Very Low Birth Weight, Donor of Twin-Twin Transfusion Infant

We present a case of successful balloon angioplasty of native aortic coarctation in a preterm infant, a donor of twin-twin transfusion syndrome with low birth weight. Angioplasty was done at the age of 15 days and weight of 480 g, using umbilical artery approach. Follow-up at 4 months of age showed no recurrence of coarctation.

Balloon coarctation angioplasty with non-compliant balloon in low-birth-weight premature infants

Although surgery is the standard treatment for native coarctation in neonates, it carries a high risk of complications. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty may be considered as an alternative treatment. The materials used in the intervention should be selected carefully to reduce complications. We recommended the use of non-compliant balloons in risky babies. They are more effective in the treatment of strick stenosis than compliant balloons.

Management of Critical Coarctation of Aorta in a Premature Neonate With Low Birth Weight

Premature neonates with low birth weight have always posed a huge management dilemma, even for teams with great expertise. In this case report, we discuss a premature neonate born with extremely low birth weight diagnosed with critical coarctation of aorta and the challenges faced in stabilizing the neonate. As per our literature review, this is the smallest neonate, weighing only 680 g, to have undergone successful repair of coarctation of aorta through posterolateral thoracotomy. Identifying the ideal timing for surgery in premature neonates with low birth weight is most crucial to minimize morbidity and mortality.

Primary coronary stent implantation is a feasible bridging therapy to surgery in very low birth weight infants with critical aortic coarctation

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of critical aortic coarctation (CoA) is difficult in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants ≤1500 g and preferably postponed until 3 kg with prostaglandins (PGE).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the procedure and outcome of primary coronary stent implantation as bridging therapy to surgery in VLBW infants with CoA.

METHODS

Retrospective evaluation of primary CoA stenting in VLBW infants from 2010 to 2015.

RESULTS

Five VLBW infants with a median gestational age of 29 weeks (27-32) underwent primary CoA stenting. Indication was cardiac failure in 4 and severe hypertension in 1 patient. Age and weight at intervention were 14 days (range 12-16) and 1200 g (680-1380), respectively. Stent diameter ranged 3-5 mm. The femoral artery used for intervention was occluded in all infants without clinical compromise. Severe restenosis and aneurysm occurred in 1 VLBW infant and was successfully treated with covered coronary stents. Median age at surgical correction was 200 days (111-804) and weight 5500 g (4500-11,400). No reinterventions were required during a median postoperative follow-up of 2.8 years (0.1-5.0). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were normal and comparable between patients and siblings (4/5 gemelli).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary coronary stent implantation in VLBW infants with critical CoA is a feasible bridging therapy to surgery.

A new vascular access route for balloon angioplasty in extremely low birth weight infants

In this study, we present the case of an extremely low birth weight infant with severe coarctation of the aorta after ductus ligation. We treated the patient with balloon angioplasty using the descending aorta as a new access route. This method reduced many complications typically observed during the intervention for extremely low birth weight infants, which may expand the available treatment options for extremely low birth weight infants.

Live 3D image overlay for arterial duct closure with Amplatzer Duct Occluder II additional size

Despite several reports describing echocardiography for the guidance of ductal closure, two-dimensional angiography remains the mainstay imaging tool; three-dimensional rotational angiography has the potential to overcome some of the drawbacks of standard angiography, and reconstructed image overlay provides reliable guidance for device placement. We describe arterial duct closure solely from venous approach guided by live three-dimensional image overlay.