Lymphopenia and immunoglobulin deficiency in adult patients with a Fontan circulation

Background

Patients with a functionally univentricular heart and a Fontan palliation are prone to a wide range of extra-cardiac complications. Lymphopenia and immunoglobulin deficiency are insufficiently characterized in this population.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze prevalence and associations of lymphopenia and immunoglobulin deficiency in a cohort of adult Fontan patients.

Methods

Ninety-five consecutive patients with a Fontan circulation that were seen at our institution between 2011 and 2021 were screened. Laboratory results and clinical characteristics were extracted from the patient's charts.

Results

Fifty-five patients (47% male) underwent evaluation of lymphocyte and/or immunoglobulin subpopulations at a mean age of 28.9±9.7 years. Baseline characteristics are depicted in the Table. Seven patients (7/55, 12.7%) had immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels below the lower limit of normal (i.e. <7.0 g/l). Patients with IgG deficiency had a higher prevalence of protein-losing enteropathy (43% versus 4%, p=0.001). Fifteen patients (15/52, 28.8%) had lymphocyte counts below the lower limit of normal (i.e. <850/μl). Lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte subpopulations were comparable in groups with and without protein-losing enteropathy. There was a moderately positive correlation between absolute lymphocyte counts and IgG levels (r=0.301, p=0.032). In a subgroup of 24 patients that underwent liver biopsy, there was no difference in terms of absolute lymphocyte counts and immunoglobulin subpopulations in patients with a low (i.e. 1–2) and high (i.e. 3–4) congestive hepatic fibrosis score.

Conclusion

IgG deficiency is present in 13% of patients with a Fontan circulation and seems to be associated with the presence of protein-losing enteropathy. Lymphopenia is more common and occurs in a quarter of all patients with a Fontan circulation; however, its etiology is likely more complex and multifactorial.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Arrhythmia burden, rhythm interventions and outcome in a large Swiss multicenter population of d-TGA patients with atrial switch

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and atrial switch face a high life-time risk of arrhythmias.

Purpose

To describe the incidence of arrhythmias, associated cardiac interventions and outcome in a large Swiss population of patients with d-TGA and atrial switch.

Methods

In this multicenter analysis we included all consecutive patients with d-TGA and atrial switch treated at three Swiss tertiary care hospitals. The primary outcome was survival free from left ventricular assist device (LVAD), heart transplantation (HTx) and death. The secondary outcome was survival free from ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.

Results

We identified 207 patients (34% females; median age at last follow-up 35 years) with d-TGA and atrial switch. Arrhythmias occurred in 97 patients (47%) at a median age of 22 years. A pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator was implanted in 39 (19%) and 13 (6%) patients, respectively, and 33 (16%) underwent a total of 51 ablation procedures to target 60 intra-atrial reentry tachycardias, 4 AV nodal reentry tachycardias and one atrial fibrillation (Figure 1). The primary outcome occurred in 21 patients (10%) and the secondary outcome in 18 (9%) (Figure 2). Primary and secondary outcomes were more common in patients with concomitant ventricular septum defect (VSD) than in those without (hazard ratio [HR] 3.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-7.27, p=0.011; and HR 3.62; 95% CI 1.43-9.18, p=0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

At a median age of 35 years, arrhythmias occur in almost half of patients with d-TGA and atrial switch and associated rhythm interventions are frequent. One in ten patients does not survive free from LVAD and HTx and outcome is worse in patients with concomitant VSD.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among adult congenital heart disease patients: findings of a one-year multicentric, international study

Introduction

One year after the beginning of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the evidence on outcomes among adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is still limited.

Purpose

We aimed to compare patient characteristics and outcomes between the first and the subsequent COVID-19 waves and to identify overall predictors for complicated disease course among ACHD patients.

Methods

We collected reported COVID-19 cases among ACHD patients followed at 26 tertiary care centers in 10 European countries between March 27, 2020 and March 25, 2021. Patient characteristics, heart defect complexity and residual problems, medical history, date of diagnosis and course and outcome of COVID-19 were recorded. Cases were stratified into first vs. subsequent COVID-19 waves (cut-off date July 15, 2020). A complicated disease course was defined as hospitalization for COVID-19 requiring ventilation and/or inotropic support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or death. Data were reported as median (interquartile range) and counts (percentage).

Results

Overall, 548 cases were included (first wave: n=161; subsequent waves: n=387). Median age 33 (26–44) years, 52% female. Thirty-three patients (6%) had a complicated disease course. Between waves (first vs. subsequent), there were no statistically significant differences related to gender (women 57% vs. 49%, p=0.09), body mass index (BMI) category (p=0.7), heart defect complexity (p=0.08) and residual heart defect-related problems (p=0.6). Patients in the first wave were older, had more often ≥2 comorbidities and a complicated disease course (37 vs 33 years, p=0,001; 17% vs. 7%, p=0.0003; and 9% vs. 5%, p=0.04, respectively). The proportion of deaths did not significantly differed between waves (4% vs 2%, p=0.2). A detailed comparison of the above-reported characteristics is depicted in table 1. From multivariable models, adjusted odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval) for the prediction of complicated COVID-19 course are depicted in table 2. Main independent predictors for a complicated disease course were: cyanotic heart disease, including unrepaired cyanotic defects or severe pulmonary hypertension with Eisenmenger syndrome (OR 8.49 [3.14–22.94], p<0.001), BMI >25 kg/m2 (OR 3.91 [1.62–9.43], p=0.002), having ≥2 comorbidities (OR 2.63 [1.05–6.62], p=0.04) and age per five years (OR 1.21 [1.05–1.42], p=0.01).

Conclusion

Complicated COVID-19 course among ACHD patients is rare. Outcomes in the first wave were worse when compared to subsequent waves, mainly because patients of the first wave were older and had more comorbidities. Age, cyanotic heart disease (including unrepaired cyanotic defects or severe pulmonary hypertension with Eisenmenger syndrome), having ≥2 comorbidities and a BMI >25 kg/m2 were the main predictors for a complicated disease course.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Aortic coarctation in pregnancy: outcomes and predictors for cardiovascular and hypertensive complications. Data from the ESC Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease (ROPAC)

Background

Pregnancy in women with repaired aortic coarctation (CoA) has a moderately increased risk (mWHO II-III) of an adverse cardiovascular, obstetric or fetal event, but prospective data to validate this estimated risk is scarce.

Purpose

We examined maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with unrepaired and repaired CoA to identify predictors of adverse outcomes.

Methods

Pregnancies in women with CoA were selected from the worldwide prospective Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease (ROPAC, n=5739). The frequency and predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, defined as maternal cardiac death, heart failure, atrial fibrillation/flutter, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, endocarditis, thromboembolic events, aortic dissection and acute coronary syndrome), and hypertensive complications (defined as pregnancy-induced hypertension, (pre)eclampsia or HELLP syndrome) were analyzed.

Results

Of 303 pregnancies in women with CoA (median age 30 years, median pregnancy duration 39 weeks), 10% were in women with unrepaired CoA and 27% in women with pre-existing hypertension. There were no maternal deaths. There were 4 neonatal deaths of which 3 occurred after a spontaneous extreme preterm birth. MACE occurred in 4.3% of pregnancies, predominantly involving heart failure (3.3%). MACE rate was similar in unrepaired vs repaired CoA (3.4% vs 4.4%, p=0.814). Predictors of MACE included pre-pregnancy clinical signs of heart failure (OR 31.8, 95% CI 6.8–147.7), LVEF <40% (OR 10.4, 95% CI 1.8–59.5), NYHA class >1 (OR 11.4, 95% CI 3.6–36.3), cardiac medication use (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.3–18.3) and living in an emerging country (OR 4.88, 95% CI 1.58–15.07). Hypertensive complications occurred in 6.3%, more often in the subgroup with pre-existing hypertension (11% vs 5%, p=0.040). Pre-existing hypertension was the only predictor (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.01–6.6). Caesarean section was performed in 50% of the total cohort.

Conclusions

Pregnancies in women with CoA are safe, well tolerated and MACE and hypertensive complication rates are low. These findings support mWHO risk score reevaluation to mWHO II for women with CoA without cardiac impairment.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): ESC EURObservational Research Programme (EORP)

Long-term outcome of adult patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection treated surgically and conservatively: data from the SACHER registry and a French center

Introduction

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital heart disease, which is characterized by one or some but not all pulmonary veins anomalously connected to the right atrium or a systemic vein. PAPVC is either an isolated shunt lesion or associated with an atrial septal defect (ASD). The only curative treatment is surgery, however the indication for surgery can be challenging. This study compares the outcome of patients treated surgically with those clinically monitored.

Method

Clinical, surgical, imaging and invasive data were retrospectively reviewed from 7 centers from the Swiss Adult Congenital HEart Registry (SACHER) and a French center.

Results

A total of 168 patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection were identified. The majority (77%) of patients underwent surgery and the remaining (23%) were treated conservatively with clinical monitoring. The operated group (OG) had a significantly higher proportion of associated ASD (N=106, 82%) (p<0.001) and a higher prevalence of anomalous pulmonary veins leading to a mean Qp:Qs at 2.5±1.2 before surgery.

Latest follow-up was 12 years after surgery. Mean age was 40±17 years. Patients in the non-operated group (NOG) were significantly more dyspneic than the OG (p=0.002). However, the need for medical treatment did not differ between groups: 58% of the NOG and 48% in the OG (p=0.203).

Right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction did not differ between groups despite a significantly larger RV end-diastolic volume and a higher Qp:Qs on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the NOG (table).

On echocardiography, the NOG showed a significantly better right ventricular longitudinal function and a higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure than the OG (table). The prevalence of significant valvulopathies did not differ between groups (table).

Both groups had normal exercise capacity and with no differences between groups (table).

Eighteen (14%) OG patients required a re-intervention either for residual shunt and/or stenosis of the pulmonary veins, superior and inferior vena cava.

Conclusion

PAPVC patients after surgical correction, show a favorable outcome in terms of imaging parameters and exercise capacity, however, a significant number presents with symptoms. PAPVC patients treated conservatively with small left to right shunting, have similar outcome justifying a conservative approach.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted grant from Actelion, Switzerland

Long-term outcome of adult patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection: data from the SACHER registry and a French center

Introduction

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare cyanotic congenital heart disease, where all pulmonary veins aberrantly connect to a systemic vein or the right atrium. The only curative treatment is surgery allowing the patients to reach adulthood. This study describes the long-term outcome of these individuals focusing on arrhythmias.

Methods

Clinical, surgical, imaging and invasive data were retrospectively reviewed from 7 centers participating in the Swiss Adult Congenital Heart disease Registry (SACHER) and one French center.

Results

A total of 57 patients were identified and analyzed 22±8 years after surgery.

At last follow-up, 21% of patients presented cardiac symptoms, mainly palpitations. No patient had pulmonary hypertension or a relevant valvulopathy. Echocardiography revealed in 5 (8.8%) patients a dilated right ventricle (RV) and in 3 (5.3%) patients a diminished RV systolic function. Exercise capacity was normal in most patients (table). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging found in 2 (4%) had a residual shunt with an mean Qp:Qs of 1.25, due to a single anomalously connected pulmonary vein.

Holter recordings revealed arrhythmias in 23% of patient. Ten (17.5%) had atrial fibrillation, flutter or tachycardia. Three (5%) patients presented ventricular arrhythmias: two patients showed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and one patient complex ventricular extrasystoles. Four patients (7%) were on antiarrhythmic medication for supraventricular arrhythmias. Three patients (5%) underwent an electrophysiological study with a mean time since surgery of 20 years. Three (5%) patients underwent pacemaker implantation within 3 weeks to 36 months after surgical correction, which were removed in 2 patients after 7 years.

Age and the presence of a valvulopathy at follow-up predicted tachyarrhythmia on binomial logistic regression analysis (p<0.03).

Conclusions

In adult survivors after TAPVC repair, supraventricular but also ventricular arrhythmias are frequently observed which appears to be related to age and valvular lesions at follow-up. This study underlies the importance of long-term follow-up as some of the patients currently without arrhythmia will probably develop rhythm disorders in the future.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted grant by Actelion SA, Switzerland

Prevalence of arrhythmias on the long term of adult patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection treated surgically and conservatively: data from the SACHER registry and a French center

Introduction

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital heart disease, characterized by one or some but not all pulmonary veins anomalously connected to the right atrium or a systemic vein. PAPVC is either an isolated shunt lesion or associated with an atrial septal defect (ASD). This study compares the arrhythmic outcome of patients treated surgically with those clinically monitored.

Method

Clinical, surgical, imaging and invasive data of PAPVC patients were retrospectively reviewed from 7 centers from the Swiss Adult Congenital HEart disease Registry (SACHER) and one French center.

Results

A total of 168 patients with PAPVC were identified. Most (77%) patients underwent surgery, while the remaining (23%) ones were treated conservatively with clinical monitoring. The operated group (OG) had a significantly higher number of associated ASD (N=106, 82%) (p<0.001) and a higher number of anomalous pulmonary veins leading to a mean Qp:Qs at 2.5±1.2 before surgery (table). Moreover, the majority of patients in the OG had cardiac symptoms (N=78, 60%) and were diagnosed at a significantly younger age (table). Mean age at operation was 27±20 years.

Age did not differ at latest follow-up (table). Holter recordings revealed a higher prevalence of arrhythmia in the OG (p=0.031), mainly of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (table). The occurrence of ventricular non-sustained tachycardia and of bradyarrhythmia did not statistically differ between groups. Patients in the OG required more often medical treatment for arrhythmias: 12 (9%) needed electrophysiological study in the OG and none in the NOG (p=0.057). The amount of patients requiring a pacemaker implantation in the OG (11%) was significantly higher than that of NOG (0%) (p=0.039).

Conclusion

Patients after PAPVC repair present with a significant higher burden of arrhythmia than conservatively treated patients, either due to a larger shunt pre-operatively and/or as a late complication of the corrective surgery itself.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted grant from Actelion, Switzerland

[Adults with congenital heart disease presenting to the emergency department : Potential pitfalls]

Die Patientengruppe der Erwachsenen mit angeborenen Herzfehlern (EMAH) ist mittlerweile bereits größer als die der Kinder mit angeborenen Herzfehlern. EMAH-Patienten weisen auch nach Reparaturoperationen oft komplexe pathophysiologische und anatomische Verhältnisse auf. Bei Komplikationen kann es sehr rasch zu Notfallsituationen auch bei ansonsten asymptomatischen oder nur wenig symptomatischen Patienten kommen. Gemessen an der Gesamtzahl der Patienten, die von Notärzten und in den Notaufnahmen versorgt werden, sind EMAH-Notfallsituationen nach wie vor sehr selten. Diese Übersicht soll die Notfallbetreuung von EMAH-Patienten erleichtern. Für ca. zwei Drittel aller Notfälle sind Rhythmusstörungen und akute Herzinsuffizienz verantwortlich. Rhythmusstörungen müssen in der Regel zügig terminiert werden, weil sie unbehandelt rasch zur kardialen Dekompensation führen können. Bei Scheitern der medikamentösen Therapie oder hämodynamischer Instabilität müssen EMAH-Patienten mit tachykarden Rhythmusstörungen rasch elektrisch kardiovertiert werden. Symptomatische Bradykardien können eine rasche Schrittmacherversorgung erforderlich machen. Aufgrund der komplexen Anatomie kann das Einschwemmen eines transvenösen Interim-Schrittmachers bei einzelnen Vitien unmöglich sein. Die akute kardiale Dekompensation bei EMAH ist oft durch ein akutes Rechtsherzversagen verursacht. Weitere relativ häufige Aufnahmegründe sind Infektionen, Synkopen, Thromboembolien und Aortendissektion. Der Herzpass der Patienten informiert über das vorliegende Vitium. Die umgehende Kontaktaufnahme mit dem behandelnden EMAH-Zentrum wird dringend empfohlen.

[Total thyroidectomy in patients with amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism: when does the risk of conservative treatment exceed the risk of surgery?]

Amiodarone plays a pivotal role in the treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. However, amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism (AIH) is one of the most feared complications, which necessitates interdisciplinary treatment and careful balancing of the risks of conservative treatment against those of total thyroidectomy. In this article we discuss the pharmacological aspects of amiodarone and its diverse effects on the thyroid. Furthermore, we present diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and report our positive experiences with total thyroidectomy in patients with AIH. Particularly in patients for whom continuation of amiodarone treatment is compulsory, a well-timed total thyroidectomy is a reliable therapeutic option, with minimal complication rates and immediate amelioration of symptoms.

Rezidivierende Pneumonien

Wir beschreiben den Fall eines 70-jährigen Patienten mit rezidivierenden Pneumonien. Mehrfache CT-Untersuchungen und Bronchoskopien brachten keine Klärung. Eine Videofluoroskopie zeigte schließlich einen Traktionsdivertikel des mittleren Ösophagus mit wiederholten, klinisch stummen, Aspirationen. Nach thorakoskopischer Resektion blieb der Patient in der Folge beschwerdefrei. Schlussfolgerung: Bei rezidivierenden Pneumonien muss als Ursache an Ösophagusdivertikel gedacht werden, auch wenn typische gastroösophageale Symptome fehlen.