The Prevalence and Impact of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Among Patients Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Bleeding Complications between Bivalirudin and Heparin for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

INTRODUCTION

Neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who undergo repair while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are at risk of developing post-operative bleeding complications. Balanced anticoagulation is critical to maintain ECMO flow and avoid bleeding. Heparin has historically been our first-line anticoagulant; however, recently, we transitioned to bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor. The objective of this pilot study was to compare post-operative surgical bleeding complications between the two groups.

METHODS

We performed a single center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent CDH repair while on ECMO between 2008 and 2023. Neonates were stratified based on the type of anticoagulant initiated after CDH repair. Outcomes included bleeding requiring surgical re-operation, intracranial hemorrhage, volume of blood products transfused, number of circuit changes, days on ECMO, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Among 62 neonates with CDH who underwent repair on ECMO, 44 (71%) were managed post-CDH repair with heparin and 18 (29%) with bivalirudin. One (5.6%) neonate managed with bivalirudin underwent re-operation following CDH repair for a bleeding complication compared to 17 (38.6%) managed with heparin (p = 0.022). In addition, the bivalirudin cohort utilized half of the total blood product volume compared to the heparin cohort (p = 0.020). Despite these benefits, there were no significant differences between groups for incidence of intracranial hemorrhage, number of circuit changes, days on ECMO, and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulation with bivalirudin in neonates who underwent CDH repair while on ECMO was associated with decreased surgical bleeding complications and less total blood product transfused. This pilot analysis is the first to compare heparin to bivalirudin and stresses the importance of a multicenter study.

Coarctation of the aorta: Prenatal assessment, postnatal management and neonatal outcomes

Coarctation of the aorta (Coa) is a potentially life threatening diagnosis. It occurs in 0.3 per 1000 live births and accounts for 6-8% of all infants with congenital heart defects. Neonates with severe Coa may be completely asymptomatic at birth, as the ductus arteriosus can provide flow to the lower body. Those who are not diagnosed prenatally may be diagnosed only after constriction of the ductus arteriosus, when they present in cardiogenic shock. This group has a higher risk for mortality and morbidity relative to those diagnosed prenatally. Despite the increasing practice of universal pulse oximetry screening, many cases with significant coarctation of the aorta still go undiagnosed in the newborn period. In this article, we present the pathophysiology, diagnosis, presentation, treatment and outcomes of Coa.

The heart in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Knowns, unknowns, and future priorities

There is growing recognition that the heart is a key contributor to the pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), in conjunction with developmental abnormalities of the lung and pulmonary vasculature. Investigations to date have demonstrated altered fetal cardiac morphology, notably relative hypoplasia of the fetal left heart, as well as early postnatal right and left ventricular dysfunction which appears to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. However, many more unknowns remain, not least an understanding of the genetic and cellular basis for cardiac dysplasia and dysfunction in CDH, the relationship between fetal, postnatal and long-term cardiac function, and the impact on other parts of the body especially the developing brain. Consensus on how to measure and classify cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension in CDH is also required, potentially using both non-invasive imaging and biomarkers. This may allow routine assessment of the relative contribution of cardiac dysfunction to individual patient pathophysiological phenotype and enable better, individualized therapeutic strategies incorporating targeted use of fetal therapies, cardiac pharmacotherapies, and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Collaborative, multi-model approaches are now required to explore these unknowns and fully appreciate the role of the heart in CDH.

Management of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated With Extracorporeal Life Support: Interim Guidelines Consensus Statement From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

The management of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is complex. Significant variability in both practice and prevalence of ECLS use exists among centers, given the lack of evidence to guide management decisions. The purpose of this report is to review existing evidence and develop management recommendations for CDH patients treated with ECLS. This article was developed by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization CDH interest group in cooperation with members of the CDH Study Group and the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium.

Interventions and neonatal outcomes of fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the current interventions and outcomes in neonates born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs).

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature using relevant search words was conducted from the date of each database inception to August 2018 to identify interventions and outcomes in patients with CDH and HLHS. Conference papers, review articles, case reports, and animal studies were not eligible for this review. Articles were also excluded if left heart hypoplasia, rather than HLHS, was studied. Neither language nor sample size was used for exclusion. A preliminary screening of article titles was performed to rule out irrelevant articles and article types by a single reviewer. A second screening circle was performed by two independent reviewers to assess remaining abstracts. Data were presented as a systematic review and were descriptively summarized.

RESULTS

Of the 162 retrieved articles, five studies were eligible for inclusion. The total number of neonates included in this systematic review was 5063. One hundred and eighteen (2.3%) presented specifically with CDH and HLHS. Overall, a total of 62 of the 118 patients underwent a surgical procedure (51%) with 36 (59%) surviving to discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Available data suggest current surgical interventions still result in a high degree of mortality. Age at which surgery occurred, pulmonary function and the use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are potential variables that may determine and improve outcomes in these patients in the future. However, long-term outcomes and analyses of more variables are needed to determine effective treatment for this rare but often fatal comorbid congenital diagnosis.

Update on Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare developmental defect of the diaphragm, characterized by herniation of abdominal contents into the chest that results in varying degrees of pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension (PH). Significant advances in the prenatal diagnosis and identification of prognostic factors have resulted in the continued refinement of the approach to fetal therapies for CDH. Postnatally, protocolized approaches to lung-protective ventilation, nutrition, prevention of infection, and early aggressive management of PH have led to improved outcomes in infants with CDH. Advances in our understanding of the associated left ventricular (LV) hypoplasia and myocardial dysfunction in infants with severe CDH have allowed for the optimization of hemodynamics and management of PH. This article provides a comprehensive review of CDH for the anesthesiologist, focusing on the complex pathophysiology, advances in prenatal diagnosis, fetal interventions, and optimal postnatal management of CDH.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database: 2019 Update on Research

As the largest congenital and pediatric cardiac surgical clinical data registry in the world, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS CHSD) serves as a platform for reporting of outcomes and for quality improvement. In addition, it is an important source of data for clinical research and for innovations related to quality measurement. Each year, several teams of investigators undertake analyses of data in the STS CHSD pertaining to the surgical management of specific diagnostic and procedural groups, or to specific processes of care, and their associations with patient characteristics and outcomes across centers participating in the STS CHSD. Additional ongoing projects involve the development of new or refined metrics for quality measurement and reporting of outcomes and center-level performance. The STS, through its Workforce for National Databases and the STS Research Center and Workforce on Research Development provides multiple pathways through which investigators may propose and perform outcomes research projects based on STS CHSD data. This report reviews research published within the past year.