Surgery for doubly committed ventricular septal defects

Doubly committed ventricular septal defect: Is it safe to perform surgical closure through the pulmonary trunk approached by right vertical axillary thoracotomy?

Objective

This study investigated the safety of performing surgical repair for doubly committed ventricular septal defects by right vertical infra-axillary minithoracotomy (RVIAT).

Methods

A retrospective comparative study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent doubly committed ventricular septal defects closure from January 2019 to May 2022. Seventy-four patients were enrolled in the study and treated with either the median sternotomy approach (MSA: n = 37) or the RVIAT approach (RVIAT: n = 37).

Results

The median weight and age in the MSA group were significantly lower than those in the RVIAT group (MSA: 6.0 kg [interquartile range] (IQR), 5.2 to 8.7 kg] vs RVIAT: 7.5 kg [IQR, 5.6-14 kg]; P = .034 and MSA: 4.9 months [IQR, 3.6-9.4 month] vs 9.6 months [IQR, 5.0-60.4 months]; P = .0084). No patients died, and no patients in the RVIAT group required conversion to the MSA approach. The mean prebypass surgical time was longer in the RVIAT group (36.1 ± 8.2 minutes vs 31.8 ± 5.6 minutes; P = .03). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic crossclamp time, or operation time. Significantly shorter ventilation times were observed in the RVIAT group (11.9 ± 8.2 hours vs 15.4 ± 6.3 hours; P = .006).

Conclusions

Closure of doubly committed ventricular septal defects through the pulmonary trunk by the RVIAT approach is feasible and safe, and does not increase the risk of bypass-related complications.

Outlet Ventricular Septal Defect: Impact of Surgery on the Late Aortic and Pulmonary Valve Functions

This study retrospectively evaluated long-term post-operative aortic and pulmonary valve functions in outlet ventricular septal defects. We evaluated aortic regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation using pre- and post-operative echocardiograms. Overall, 158 patients who underwent intracardiac repair due to outlet ventricular septal defects with aortic valve deformity or congestive heart failure were included. The median follow-up period was 7 years (interquartile range: 0-17 years), without deaths or pacemaker implantations. The age, weight, ventricular septal defect size, and mild aortic regurgitation at surgery were factors associated with post-operative residual aortic regurgitation. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was observed in 12%, 30%, and 40% of patients 5, 10, and 15 years after surgery, respectively. There were no significant differences in age and weight at which surgery was performed between patients with mild pulmonary regurgitation and those with less than mild pulmonary regurgitation. However, the number of sutures across the pulmonary valve was associated with post-operative pulmonary regurgitation (P < 0.01). As some patients with mild pre-operative aortic regurgitation may not improve even after surgery, early surgical intervention is necessary when aortic regurgitation appears. Some patients may develop post-operative pulmonary regurgitation in the long term, suggesting the need for careful follow-up.

Progression of Aortic Regurgitation After Subarterial Ventricular Septal Defect Repair: Optimal Timing of the Operation

In patients with subarterial ventricular septal defect (VSD), the progression of aortic regurgitation (AR) still remains unclear. This review is to identify the incidence of AR progression after VSD repair and to determine the optimal operation timing for subarterial VSD repair with or without aortic valve prolapse or AR. From January 2002 to December 2015, 103 patients who underwent subarterial VSD repair alone at our hospital were reviewed. All patients routinely underwent echocardiography (echo) performed by our pediatric cardiologists. The operative approach was through the pulmonary artery in all patients. The median age of patients at operation was 10 months (range 3 to 16.5 months). Eighty-nine patients (86.4%) underwent subarterial VSD closure before the age of 4 years. In the preoperative evaluation, 27.2% (28 patients) of the patients showed more than faint degree AR. The mean follow-up duration after VSD repair was 6.6 ± 4.0 years. In the latest follow-up echo after VSD repair, four patients had more than mild degree AR owing to aortic valve abnormalities or delayed operation period. Among them, AR progression occurred in only one patient (0.98%). Early and accurate assessment of the anatomical morphology of the aortic valve and optimal operation timing may be important to achieve better outcomes after repair and to prevent the development of aortic valve complications.

Imaging in Congenital and Hereditary Abnormalities of the Interventricular Septum: Clinical Anatomy and Diagnostic Clues

Early identification of congenital heart diseases, specifically those affecting the structural integrity and function of the interventricular septum, in childhood is important toward decreasing the morbidity and mortality of those affected. We review the pertinent clinical and imaging manifestations for those with ventricular septal defects, ventricular septal aneurysms, tetralogy of Fallot, and hypertrophic (obstructive) cardiomyopathy, in addition to discussing first-line imaging studies, including echocardiography, and indications for advanced imaging.

Aortic valve prolapse misdiagnosed as aortic sinus aneurysm in patients with ventricular septal defect. Analysis of the echocardiographic findings

Objectives:

To retrospectively analyzed the preoperative echocardiographic findings of 9 patients with doubly committed ventricular septal defect (VSD) associated with aortic valve prolapse and to summarize the reasons for misdiagnosis.

Methods:

This retrospective study was conducted in Yijishan Hospital, Wannan, Anhui, China between June 2005 and May 2015. Using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), 92 patients were diagnosed with doubly committed VSD associated with rupture of an aortic sinus aneurysm. The operative findings proved to be in accordance with the echocardiographic findings in 83 patients. Nine patients were confirmed as showing doubly committed VSD associated with perforation of a prolapsed aortic valve. We primarily discussed the 9 patients who were misdiagnosed by TTE.

Results:

Aneurysm-like protrusions could be detected by 2-dimensional TTE in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in 9 patients. All of the aneurysm-like protrusions were confirmed by surgery as over-enlarged right coronary leaflets bulging into the RVOT.

Conclusion:

Occasionally, in patients with doubly committed VSD, aortic valve prolapse can be misdiagnosed as an aortic sinus aneurysm. To reduce the misdiagnosis rate and to provide a more precise preoperative diagnosis, multi-section, and multi-angle observation of these diseases should be performed.

Transthoracic Device Closure of Juxtaarterial Ventricular Septal Defects: Midterm Follow-Up Results

BACKGROUND

In recent years, minimally invasive transthoracic device closure has been introduced as an alternative treatment option for selected patients with juxtaarterial ventricular septal defects. This study evaluated the midterm safety and efficacy of using device closure in selected patients.

METHODS

Between January 2008 and December 2014, 25 patients with juxtaarterial ventricular septal defects who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Periventricular closure was attempted using minimally invasive transthoracic device closure without cardiopulmonary bypass under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography guidance. Patients were strictly monitored according to a standard protocol by one specially appointed doctor.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive transthoracic device closure was successfully performed in 23 patients (92%) with a median age of 18 months. Device closure failed in 2 patients (1 with aortic regurgitation and 1 with right ventricular outflow tract stenosis), and they were converted to an open operation. No severe complications (device shift, significant arrhythmia, ventricular outflow tract obstruction, or obvious valve regurgitation) were observed. There was no closure-associated valve regurgitation. No patient had worrisome progression of aortic regurgitation or pulmonary regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

In select patients, minimally invasive transthoracic device closure of juxtaarterial ventricular septal defects appears to be safe and effective, with good midterm outcomes.