Long-term outcome of patients undergoing surgical repair of isolated pulmonary valve stenosis. Follow-up at 20-30 years

Role of subpulmonary right ventricle in sudden cardiac death in adults with congenital heart disease

Despite improved childhood survival of congenital heart disease (CHD) as a result of advances in management, late-onset sudden cardiac death (SCD) from malignant ventricular arrhythmias remains a leading cause of mortality in adults with CHD. Preventing SCD in these patients requires an understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Many CHD patients experience significant hemodynamic stress on the subpulmonary right ventricle (RV), leading to pathologic remodeling. Unlike acquired heart disease in which left ventricular pathology is prevalent, RV pathologies are crucial in the SCD pathogenesis in CHD patients. This review examines the mechanisms and management of SCD related to subpulmonary RV pathologies in CHD patients.

Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: From Diagnosis to Current Management Techniques and Future Prospects

Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is mainly a congenital defect that accounts for 7-12% of congenital heart diseases (CHD). It can be isolated or, more frequently, associated with other congenital defects (25-30%) involving anomalies of the pulmonary vascular tree. For the diagnosis of PS an integrated approach with echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is of paramount importance for the planning of the interventional treatment. In recent years, transcatheter approaches for the treatment of PS have increased however, meaning surgery is a possible option for complicated cases with anatomy not suitable for percutaneous treatment. The present review aims to summarize current knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment of PS.

Outcome and right ventricle remodelling after valve replacement for pulmonic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Complications and need for reinterventions are frequent in patients with pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS). Pulmonary regurgitation is common, but no data are available on outcome after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 215 patients with PVS who underwent surgical valvotomy or balloon valvuloplasty. Incidence and predictors of reinterventions and complications were identified. Right ventricle (RV) remodelling after PVR was also assessed.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 38.6 (30.9-49.4) years, 93% of the patients were asymptomatic. Thirty-nine patients (18%) had at least one PVR. Associated right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) intervention and the presence of an associated defect were independent predictors of reintervention (OR: 4.1 (95% CI 1.5 to 10.8) and OR: 3.6 (95% CI 1.9 to 6.9), respectively). Cardiovascular death occurred in 2 patients, and 29 patients (14%) had supraventricular arrhythmia. Older age at the time of first intervention and the presence of an associated defect were independent predictors of complications (OR: 1.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.1) and OR: 2.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 4.2), respectively). In 16 patients, cardiac magnetic resonance before and after PVR was available. The optimal cut-off values for RV volume normalisation were 193 mL/m² for RV end-diastolic volume indexed(sensitivity 80%, specificity 64%) and 100 mL/m² for RV end-systolic volume indexed(sensitivity 80%, specificity 56%).

CONCLUSIONS

Previous RVOT intervention, presence of an associated defect and older age at the time of first repair were predictors of outcome. More data are needed to guide timing of PVR, and extrapolation of tetralogy of Fallot guidelines to this population is unlikely to be appropriate.

Outcomes 60 years after surgical valvotomy for isolated congenital pulmonary valve stenosis

Congenital pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS) is a common congenital heart defect. In the infancy of cardiac surgery, open surgical valvotomy or closed surgical transventricular pulmonary valvotomy (Brock procedure) were the mainstays of therapy. We report the longest-known published follow-up of two women who as young children underwent pulmonary valvotomy for PVS and subsequent uncomplicated open pulmonary valve replacement over 60 years later.

Determinants of long-term outcome of repaired pulmonary valve stenosis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Although pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS) is considered a low risk congenital heart disease, there have been reports of complications and the need for reintervention throughout follow-up. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term outcome of repaired PVS and to identify predictors of cardiovascular complications and reintervention.

METHODS

We studied 158 adult patients with repaired PVS (repair procedures performed from 1957 to 2010) receiving active follow-up in a tertiary referral center.

RESULTS

A total of 95 patients (60%) received surgical treatment, and 63 patients (40%) received percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty. At the end of follow-up (27 years, IQR, 20-33 years), most patients (n=134, 84.8%) were in New York Heart Association functional class I, but 61 patients (38.6%) required a reintervention, mainly pulmonary valve replacement (17.7%, n=28), and 19 patients (12%) had at least one cardiovascular complication: 13 (8.2%) supraventricular arrhythmias, 6 (3.8%) heart failure, 5 (3.2%) stroke, 1 (0.6%) death, 1 (0.6%) thromboembolism, and 1 (0.6%) ventricular arrhythmia. Multivariate analysis showed that age at PVS repair (HR, 1.08; 95%CI, 1.04-1.12; P <.001) and the presence of cyanosis before PVS repair (HR, 5.23; 95%CI, 1.99-13.78; P=.001) were independent predictors for cardiovascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Good long-term outcome can be expected after PVS repair, but complications and the need for reintervention may appear. Older age and the presence of cyanosis at PVS repair emerged as predictors of cardiovascular complications and identified a population that may merit stricter control.

Systematic Review of the Manifestations of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Infants and Characterization of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) continues to cause disability among unvaccinated populations in countries with no or insufficient rubella vaccine coverage to prevent transmission. We systematically reviewed the literature on birth outcomes associated with CRS to estimate the duration, severity, and frequency of combinations of morbidities. We searched PubMed, the Science Citation Index, and references from relevant articles for studies in English with primary data on the frequency of CRS manifestations for ≥20 cases and identified 65 studies representing 66 study populations that met our inclusion criteria. We abstracted available data on CRS cases with one or more hearing, heart, and/or eye defect following maternal rubella infection during the period of 0-20 weeks since the last menstrual period. We assessed the quality and weight of the available evidence using a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Most of the evidence originates from studies in developed countries of cohorts of infants identified with CRS in the 1960s and 1970s, prior to the development of standardized definitions for CRS and widespread use of vaccine. We developed estimates of undiscounted disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost per CRS case for countries of different income levels. The estimates ranged from approximately 19 to 39 for high-income countries assuming optimal treatment and from approximately 29 to 39 DALYs lost per CRS case in low- and lower- middle-income countries assuming minimal treatment, with the lower bound based on 2010 general global burden of disease disability weights and the upper bound based on 1990 age-specific and treatment-specific global burden of disease disability weights. Policymakers and analysts should appreciate the significant burden of disability caused by CRS as they evaluate opportunities to manage rubella.

Surgically treated pulmonary stenosis: over 50 years of follow-up

BACKGROUND

Surgical correction was the treatment of choice for pulmonary stenosis until three decades ago, when balloon valvuloplasty was implemented. The natural history of surgically relieved pulmonary stenosis has been considered benign but is actually unknown, as is the need for re-intervention. The objective of this study was to investigate the morbidity and mortality of patients with surgically treated pulmonary stenosis operated at Aarhus University Hospital between 1957 and 2000.

RESULTS

The total study population included 80 patients. In-hospital mortality was 2/80 (2.5%), and an additional four patients died after hospital discharge; therefore, the long-term mortality was 5%. The maximum follow-up period was 57 years, with a median of 33 years. In all, 16 patients (20%) required at least one re-intervention. Pulmonary valve replacement due to pulmonary regurgitation was the most common re-intervention (67%). Freedom from re-intervention decreased >20 years after the initial repair. In addition, 45% of patients had moderate/severe pulmonary regurgitation, 38% had some degree of right ventricular dilatation, and 40% had some degree of tricuspid regurgitation, which did not require re-intervention at the present stage.

CONCLUSION

Surgical relief for pulmonary stenosis is efficient in relieving outflow obstruction; however, this efficiency is achieved at the cost of pulmonary regurgitation, leading to right ventricular dilatation and tricuspid regurgitation. When required, pulmonary valve replacement is performed most frequently >20 years after the initial surgery. Lifelong follow-up of patients treated surgically for pulmonary stenosis is emphasised in this group of patients, who might otherwise consider themselves cured.

A 43- to 54-year follow-up of 1,000 patients with congenital heart disease

From 1952 to 1963, 1,000 consecutive children with congenital heart disease were evaluated by 1 of us (R.C.A.). Current information for 994 patients with 36,086 patient-years is available. Of these, 362 have died, 130 as adults, of whom 67 died from a cardiac cause. Of the remaining 638 patients, 632 were living, and 6 were lost to follow-up. The survival curves for ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and pulmonary stenosis paralleled the normal curve. Cyanotic patients had a markedly reduced curve, with 19% alive at 50 years. Most patients were New York Heart Association class I, with only 3 in class IV, each from noncardiac causes. In conclusion, this experience should be helpful to physicians caring for adults with congenital heart disease and provide an optimistic outlook for the patients with less complex conditions.

Prolonged postsurgical survival without a pulmonic valve: case report and review of the literature

Pulmonic valve stenosis is usually congenital and causes right-sided heart failure secondary to pressure overload. We report the case of a 56-year-old male with congenital pulmonary valve stenosis who presented with severe right heart failure 32 years after pulmonary valvectomy. He subsequently underwent pulmonary valve replacement and did well. Pulmonary valvectomy is an uncommon treatment for pulmonary stenosis and this is the longest documented survival of a patient without a pulmonic valve.

Long-term outcome after surgery for pulmonary stenosis (a longitudinal study of 22–33 years)

AIMS

Long-term (>20 years) survival and clinical outcome are only partly documented in patients who underwent surgical repair for isolated pulmonary stenosis. Yet, such data are of critical importance for the future perspectives, medical care, employability, and insurability of these patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ninety consecutive patients underwent surgery for pulmonary stenosis between 1968 and 1980 at the Thoraxcenter. A systematic follow-up study was performed in 1990 and again in 2001. Survival after 25 years was 93%. Re-intervention was necessary in 15% of the patients, mainly for pulmonary regurgitation. Right atrial and ventricular dilatation and paradoxical septal motion were associated with the need for reoperation. No major ventricular arrhythmias occurred. Supraventricular arrhythmias occurred, only in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation and disappeared after reoperation. At last follow-up, 67% of the patients was in NYHA Class I and maximal exercise capacity was 90% of normal. Moderate or severe pulmonary regurgitation was present in 37% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Although long-term survival and quality of life are good, pulmonary regurgitation is found in a third of the patients 22-33 years after surgical repair for isolated pulmonary stenosis and reoperation for pulmonary regurgitation was necessary in 9%, especially after the transannular patch technique.

Long-term follow-up of patients after surgical treatment for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term outcome of patients after surgical repair for pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-three patients (30 males; mean - SD age, 10+/-13 years; range, 5 days to 50 years) were identified who had surgical treatment for PVS between 1951 and 1982. The status of each patient was determined by medical record review.

RESULTS

The mean +/- SD age at follow-up was 43+/-15 years (age range, 19-77 years). Mean follow-up was 33 years (range, 18-51 years). At a median follow-up of 34 years, 35 reinterventions had been performed in 28 patients (53%), Including pulmonary valve replacement for free pulmonary regurgitation in 21 patients (mean interval after initial surgery, 33 years; range, 14-45 years), open valvotomy in 5 and pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty in 3 for residual PVS, closure of atrial septal defect in 2, right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in 1, closure of iatrogenic ventricular septal defect in 1, ligation of aortopulmonary fistula in 1, and tricuspid valve annuloplasty with simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting in 1. In addition, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias were common, occurring in 20 patients (38%). Patients who underwent reintervention were more likely to have undergone closed pulmonary valvotomy as the initial repair (P=.008).

CONCLUSION

Although overall survival after surgical treatment of isolated PVS remains excellent, many patients undergo late reintervention after 30 years of follow-up, emphasizing the need for lifelong cardiac follow-up.

Does right ventricular outflow tract damage play a role in the genesis of late right ventricular dilatation after tetralogy of Fallot repair?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the relative role of pulmonary insufficiency and right ventricular outflow tract damage in the genesis of late symptoms related to right ventricular dilatation.

METHODS

In a retrospective study we compared the late outcomes of patients who had undergone operations known to generate pulmonary insufficiency, namely, transventricular repair of tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary commissurotomy for isolated pulmonary stenosis.

RESULTS

In our institution, between 1964 and 1984, a total of 44 patients were found to have had an isolated pulmonary commissurotomy and 189 survived a transventricular repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Of these patients, 134 had patching of the right ventricle and 55 direct closure of a right ventriculotomy. Follow-up was 94% complete after a mean of 22 +/- 7 years. On echocardiography, patients with isolated commissurotomy had similar degrees of moderate and severe pulmonary insufficiency as tetralogy of Fallot patients who had a right ventricular patch (p > 0.2). However, freedom from adverse events related to right ventricular dilatation was far better (log rank p < 0.001) in patients with isolated commisurotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary insufficiency is not the only determinant of late symptomatic right ventricular dilatation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Pulmonary insufficiency seems much more deleterious in patients who have had right ventricular outflow tract patching. Long-term pulmonary insufficiency alone is responsible for a slight degree of right ventricular dilatation, but symptoms may develop much later if the contractility of the pulmonary infundibulum is preserved. The pulmonary infundibulum may be essential for right ventricular ejection, and for maintaining pulmonary valve competence.

Quality of life in adults with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the quality of life of adults with congenital heart disease.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational, cross sectional study conducted at one general hospital in Birmingham, UK.

PATIENTS

All 471 patients registered at the adult congenital heart disease clinic were sent the 36 item short form health survey (SF-36) to assess their quality of life. Questionnaires were completed by 276 (58.6%) patients (41.7% men; median (interquartile range) age 31.0 (26.3-36.0) years, range 16-85 years).

RESULTS

Surprisingly, patients deemed surgically cured (for example, atrial septal defect repair) had significantly poorer quality of life in all domains (all p < 0.05), except for pain, than the general population, as determined from population normative data. Patients who had received palliative treatment reported quality of life scores similar to those who had never required cardiac surgery and to the general population, although both patient groups had significantly poorer physical functioning and overall general health perception than the general population (all p < 0.01). Patients with inoperable conditions had significantly poorer physical functioning (all p < 0.01) and overall general health perception (all p < 0.05) than all other patients, and significantly worse quality of life in all domains than the similarly aged general population. Patients with cyanotic conditions had significantly worse quality of life than age and sex matched acyanotic patients (all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with inoperable or cyanotic conditions and, paradoxically, those deemed surgically cured, had the poorest quality of life among adults with congenital heart disease. However, all adults with congenital heart disease had significantly poorer levels of physical functioning and overall general health perception then similarly aged people in the general population.

Survival with congenital heart disease and need for follow up in adult life

OBJECTIVE

To predict the growth in demand for long term follow up of adults with congenital heart disease.

DESIGN

Observed diagnoses of congenital heart disease in infancy and childhood were adjusted for observed infant survival, predicted further survival to age 16 years, underascertainment in older childhood, and predicted need for long term follow up.

SETTING

The resident population of one health region in the UK.

PATIENTS

All confirmed cardiovascular malformations diagnosed in 1985 to 1999 in children born in 1985 to 1994.

RESULTS

1942 cases of congenital heart disease were diagnosed in infancy in a population of 377 310 live births (5.2/1000). 1588 (82%) survived to 1 year and 1514 were predicted to survive to age 16. 605 further diagnoses were made in childhood-678 when adjusted for underascertainment. Thus, 2192 children were predicted to reach age 16, of whom 784 would require long term follow up in adult life. The adult population would comprise 28% complex, 54% significant, and 18% minor congenital heart disease. These figures predict the need for adult follow up of congenital heart disease of over 200 extra cases per 100 000 live births each year or over 1600 extra cases a year every year in the UK.

CONCLUSIONS

The need for follow up of congenital heart disease in adult life is likely to grow linearly, with increasing complexity and increasing need for reinvestigation and reintervention with time. Appropriate provision should be made for adequate manpower, resources, and facilities for care of these patients.

Independent predictors of long-term results after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Valvuloplasty and Angioplasty of Congenital Anomalies (VACA) Registry Investigators

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to determine independent predictors of long-term outcome after percutaneous balloon dilation of congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. Smaller follow-up series of patients after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty have shown inconsistent results regarding the independent relation between prognostic factors and long-term outcome, as many patient selection and technical factors are correlated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Follow-up data were obtained for 533 patients from 22 institutions at up to 8.7 years after an initial balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty. Patients were grouped based on defined long-term outcomes, and the independent effects of patient selection and technical factors were sought in multivariate statistical analyses. At follow-up, 23% of patients were noted to have an outcome judged to be suboptimal because of either a residual right ventricle to pulmonary artery peak systolic gradient of > or = 36 mm Hg or further treatment of pulmonary stenosis requiring repeat balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty or surgical therapy. Significant independent predictors of a suboptimal long-term outcome included an earlier study year of the initial valvuloplasty (adjusted odds ratio, 0.71 per consecutive year), a small valve hinge point diameter (0.81 per 1-mm increase), and a higher immediate residual gradient (1.32 per 10 mm Hg increase). A smaller ratio of balloon to valve hinge point diameter significantly predicted suboptimal outcomes for patients with valve morphologies classified as typical (0.52 per 0.1 increase in ratio) and complex (primarily postsurgical valvotomy, 0.43) but not for patients with dysplastic (0.95) or combined morphologies (dysplasia with commissural fusion, 1.01). Patient age, the presence of Noonan's syndrome or associated cardiac lesions, pre-balloon valvuloplasty hemodynamic parameters, and the use of a simultaneous double-balloon technique did not independently predict follow-up outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate prognostication after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty depends on the careful determination of valvar anatomy. The use of an appropriate ratio of balloon to valve hinge point diameter in the setting of typical valve morphology will optimize the chance of long-term success.

Management of typical and dysplastic pulmonic stenosis, uncomplicated or associated with complex intracardiac defects, in juveniles and adults: use of percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty with eight-month hemodynamic follow-up

To alleviate large fixed right ventricular (RV) outflow gradients, percutaneous balloon dilatation of pulmonic stenosis (PS) was performed in 38 patients with mean age of 14 +/- 14 years (median: 9 years, age range: 9 months to 63 years). There were 21 males and 17 females. Thirty-four patients had typical PS (5 of them also having other complex congenital cardiac anomalies, while 13 additional patients had a patent foramen ovale); 2 further subjects had subpulmonic, and 2 dysplastic pulmonary valvular obstructions. Sixteen patients were in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I, 15 in Class II, 6 in Class III, and 1 in Class IV. Electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) was present in 29 patients (76%); 3 patients had right bundle branch block (RBBB). For the entire group, there was a marked decrease in the mean systolic transpulmonic gradient in the immediate post-valvuloplasty period (from 97 +/- 43 to 26 +/- 17 mmHg; P < 0.0001). One patient expired 8 hours post-valvuloplasty (he was in the NYHA Class IV, and had severe RV failure). No other cardiovascular complications were encountered; the median hospital stay was 3 days (range: 1-10 days). At an 8-month follow-up, 12 patients who were reevaluated invasively had a median transpulmonic gradient of 27 mmHg (range: 5-92 mmHg) as compared to their pre-valvuloplasty values of 84 mmHg (range: 49-142 mmHg; P < 0.004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brock transventricular pulmonary valvotomy in patients with pulmonary stenosis: long-term results

As no long-term results of a blind opening up of the pulmonary valve either by balloon valvoplasty or closed Brock valvotomy have been published, we examined the outcome of 12 patients with valvar pulmonary stenosis 17 +/- 5 (11-22) years after surgery. The Brock valvotomy had been carried out at a mean age of 3 +/- 2.8 (0.2-8.5) years. The mean pressure gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract had been 116 +/- 45 (75-97) mmHg at the catheter study or 106 +/- 43 (40-160) mmHg as measured intraoperatively. The right ventricular pressure after the Brock procedure was measured in the operating room in five patients as 46 +/- 15 (30-60) mmHg. Seven patients had been recatheterized at a mean age of 9.5 +/- 2 (7-12.7) years; at that time the gradient across the pulmonary valve had been 20 +/- 14 (10-37) mmHg. At a mean age of 21.7 +/- 3 (15-26) years these and five further patients were reexamined by echo Doppler. This time the pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve was 13 +/- 6 (7-20) mmHg. Moderate pulmonary incompetence was present in four and mild incompetence in eight patients; two had mild tricuspid insufficiency. All except one patient, who had suffered a cerebrovascular accident before surgery, were in NYHA functional class 1 and pursuing a profession. From these data we conclude that the blind opening-up of the pulmonary valve achieves excellent long-term palliation.