Impacts of stage 1 palliation and pre-Glenn pulmonary artery pressure on long-term outcomes after Fontan operation

Utility of Balloon Occlusion Testing in Determining Fontan Suitability Among Patients with Elevated Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Additional Antegrade Pulmonary Blood Flow

In individuals with a single ventricle undergoing evaluation before Fontan surgery, the presence of excessive pulmonary blood flow can contribute to increased pulmonary artery pressure, notably in those who had a Glenn procedure with antegrade pulmonary flow. 28 patients who had previously undergone Glenn anastomosis with antegrade pulmonary blood flow (APBF) and with elevated mean pulmonary artery (mPAP) pressure > 15 mmHg in diagnostic catheter angiography were included in the study. After addressing other anatomical factors that could affect pulmonary artery pressure, APBF was occluded with semi-compliant, Wedge or sizing balloons to measure pulmonary artery pressure accurately. 23 patients (82% of the cohort) advanced to Fontan completion. In this group, median mPAP dropped from 20.5 (IQR 19-22) mmHg to 13 (IQR 12-14) mmHg post-test (p < 0.001). Median PVR post-test was 1.8 (IQR 1.5-2.1) WU m2. SpO2 levels decreased from a median of 88% (IQR 86%-93%) pre-test to 80% (IQR 75%-84%) post-test (p < 0.001). In five patients, elevated mPAP post-test occlusion on diagnostic catheter angiography led to non-completion of Fontan circulation. In this group, median pre- and post-test mPAP were 23 mmHg (IQR 21.5-23.5) and 19 mmHg (IQR 18.5-20), respectively (p = 0.038). Median post-test PVR was 3.8 (IQR 3.6-4.5) WU m2. SpO2 levels decreased from a median of 79% (IQR 76%-81%) pre-test to 77% (IQR 73.5%-80%) post-test (p = 0.039). Our study presents a specialized approach for patients initially deemed unsuitable for Fontan due to elevated pulmonary artery pressures. We were able to successfully complete the Fontan procedure in the majority of these high-risk cases after temporary balloon occlusion test.

Postoperative Morbidity and Interstage Hemodynamics Following Stage I Palliation in Patients with Turner Syndrome and Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with left-sided cardiac lesions, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Mortality as high as 80-90% has been reported following stage I single-ventricle palliation (S1P) in patients with TS and HLHS (TS + HLHS). The specific factors that relate to poor outcomes are not well understood.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study that includes 197 patients with HLHS who underwent S1P between 2008 and 2022. The clinical outcomes and interstage hemodynamics of TS + HLHS patients (N = 11) were compared with HLHS without TS (TS-HLHS), (N = 186).

RESULTS

Of the 11 TS + HLHS patients, 10 underwent S1P; 4 underwent Glenn and 1 had hemodynamics considered prohibitive for Glenn; only 1 survived to Fontan palliation. Post-S1P mortality was higher in TS + HLHS (60 v 25%, p = 0.017). Following S1P, TS + HLHS had higher rates of postoperative ECMO (70 v 28%, p = 0.006), surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (20 v 3%, p = 0.007), peritoneal drain placement (70 v 31%, p = 0.012), urinary tract infection (30 v 9%, p = 0.035), and ICU readmissions (median 5 v 1, p = 0.035). Interstage hemodynamics demonstrated higher right ventricular end diastolic, (11 v 8mmHg, p = 0.033), mean pulmonary artery (20 v 13mmHg) (p = 0.002), and left atrial pressures (9 v 6mmHg, p = 0.047) in TS + HLHS.

CONCLUSION

High mortality rates are described in TS + HLHS patients following S1P. In our cohort, despite most surviving more than 30 days post-S1P, long-term survival remained poor. Interstage catheterization data suggest poor physiologic candidacy for subsequent stages of single-ventricle palliation. Understanding the clinical and hemodynamic factors related to poor outcomes in TS + HLHS will help inform management for this population.

Risk factors and outcomes associated with acute kidney injury following extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) is an important operation for the treatment of complex congenital heart disease. Epidemiology and outcomes for pediatric patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) following extracardiac TCPC have not been well documented. This study investigates the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI in children after extracardiac TCPC surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated patients (age at surgery <18 years) who underwent extracardiac TCPC surgery between January 2008 and January 2020 in the Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Center of Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China. AKI was defined according to the pediatric-modified risk, injury, failure, loss of function, and end-stage renal disease criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 377 pediatric patients were included in this study; 123 patients (32.6%) had some degree of AKI. Among the patients with AKI, 101 (82.1%) were diagnosed with AKI-risk (AKI-R), while 22 (17.9%) were diagnosed with acute kidney injury/failure (AKI/F) (16 with AKI, and 6 with AKF). Preoperative estimated creatinine clearance (OR: 1.039, 95% CI: 1.024-1.055, P<0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (OR: 1.208, 95% CI: 1.128-1.294, P<0.001), and renal perfusion pressure (OR: 0.962, 95% CI: 0.938-0.986, P=0.002) on postoperative day (POD) 0 were significantly associated with AKI after TCPC. Having previously undergone a bidirectional Glenn was significantly associated with the severity of postoperative AKI (OR: 0.253, 95% CI: 0.088-0.731, P=0.011). Furthermore, AKI was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation time, prolonged intensive care unit stay, and composite adverse outcome. Compared with non-AKI patients, the 10-year survival rate of patients with severe AKI was significantly lower (95.5% vs. 65.9%, P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of AKI was high in patients undergoing TCPC surgery, most cases were AKI-R. Severe AKI was significantly associated with early adverse outcomes and poor long-term survival.

Impact of hypoxemia and re-interventions on clinical outcomes after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate the impact of early postoperative low arterial oxygen saturation on mortality and morbidity after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients who underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt between 2013 and 2018 were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 164 patients were included in this study. Forty-seven patients underwent reintervention during hospital stay at median 7 days after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt. Before reintervention, 30 patients were intubated or had SpO2 of less than 75%. All re-interventions for Glenn pathway obstruction and 4 out of 5 venovenous coil embolization resulted in hospital discharge, while high mortality was observed after other re-interventions (atrioventricular valve surgery, thrombolysis, systemic ventricular outflow obstruction relief, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation, and diaphragmatic plication). Additional aortopulmonary shunt with pulmonary artery discontinuation was performed in 8 patients who showed severe cyanosis with median SpO2 of 59% under maximal ventilation support. In univariable Cox regression analysis, the associated factors for mortality before total cavopulmonary connection were reduced ventricular function (HR 6.89, 95% CI 1.76-26.9, P value 0.006), greater than moderate atrioventricular valve regurgitation (HR 5.89, 95% CI 1.70-20.4, P value 0.005), SpO2 1 hour after extubation (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.96, P value 0.004), and mean pulmonary artery pressure 1 hour after extubation (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.26, P value 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

After bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, unacceptable cyanosis persisted with various etiologies. Low arterial oxygen saturation within 1 hour after extubation is significantly associated with high mortality after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt.

Surgical reintervention on the neo-aorta after the Norwood operation

OBJECTIVES

We sought to identify the prevalence of surgical reintervention on the neo-aorta after Norwood procedure and its impact on long-term outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent Norwood procedure. The impacts of surgical neoaortic reintervention on outcomes were analysed in each stage of palliation.

RESULTS

A total of 335 patients were included in this study. Thirty patients underwent surgical reintervention on the neo-aorta after Norwood procedure. The timing of initial reintervention was before stage II in 13 patients, at stage II in 7, between stage II and stage III in 5, at stage III in 3 and after stage III in 2. A reintervention before stage II was significantly associated with mortality (HR 14.4, 95% confidence interval 6.00-34.6, P < 0.001). In patients who underwent stage II (n = 251), reintervention had no significant impact on mortality. In patients who underwent stage III (n = 188), the previous reintervention was significantly associated with higher mean pulmonary pressure (P = 0.05) and a higher rate of reduced ventricular function (P = 0.002). Greater than mild atrioventricular valve regurgitation was significantly associated with the development of a neoaortic arch stenosis after stage II (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical reinterventions on the neo-aorta were required in each inter-stage phase. A surgical neoaortic reintervention was not related to increased mortality after stage II but significantly associated with a higher rate of reduced ventricular function and elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure.