Application of Novel Technologies in Cardiac Electrotherapy to Prevent Complications

(1) Background: Cardiac electrotherapy is developing quickly, which implies that it will face a higher number of complications, with cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) being the most frequent, but not the only one. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective case study followed by a literature review, which presents a patient with a rare but dangerous complication of electrotherapy, which could have been prevented if modern technology had been used. (3) Results: A 34-year-old female was admitted with suspicion of CDRIE based on an unclear echocardiographic presentation. However, with no signs of infection, that diagnosis was not confirmed, though an endocardial implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead was found folded into the pulmonary trunk. The final treatment included transvenous lead extraction (TLE) and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) implantation. (4) Conclusions: With the increasing number of implantations of cardiac electronic devices and their consequences, a high index of suspicion among clinicians is required. The entity of the clinical picture must be thoroughly considered, and various diagnostic tools should be applied. Lead dislocation into the pulmonary trunk is an extremely rare complication. Our findings align with the available literature data, where asymptomatic cases are usually effectively treated with TLE. Modern technologies, such as S-ICD, can effectively prevent lead-related problems and are indicated in young patients necessitating long-term ICD therapy.

Ventricular function and biomarkers in relation to repair and pulmonary valve replacement for tetralogy of Fallot

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac surgery may cause temporarily impaired ventricular performance and myocardial injury. We aim to characterise the response to perioperative injury for patients undergoing repair or pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for tetralogy of Fallot (ToF).

METHODS

We enrolled children undergoing ToF repair or PVR from four tertiary centres in a prospective observational study. Assessment-including blood sampling and speckle tracking echocardiography-occurred before surgery (T1), at the first follow-up (T2) and 1 year after the procedures (T3). Ninety-two serum biomarkers were expressed as principal components to reduce multiple statistical testing. RNA Sequencing was performed on right ventricular (RV) outflow tract samples.

RESULTS

We included 45 patients with ToF repair aged 4.3 (3.4 - 6.5) months and 16 patients with PVR aged 10.4 (7.8 - 12.7) years. Ventricular function following ToF repair showed a fall-and-rise pattern for left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) (-18±4 to -13±4 to -20±2, p < 0.001 for each comparison) and RV GLS (-19±5 to -14±4 to 20±4, p < 0.002 for each comparison). This pattern was not seen for patients undergoing PVR. Serum biomarkers were expressed as three principal components. These phenotypes are related to: (1) surgery type, (2) uncorrected ToF and (3) early postoperative status. Principal component 3 scores were increased at T2. This increase was higher for ToF repair than PVR. The transcriptomes of RV outflow tract tissue are related to patients' sex, rather than ToF-related phenotypes in a subset of the study population.

CONCLUSIONS

The response to perioperative injury following ToF repair and PVR is characterised by specific functional and immunological responses. However, we did not identify factors relating to (dis)advantageous recovery from perioperative injury.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Netherlands Trial Register: NL5129.

Patch Enlargement May Not Be a Good Strategy for Tetralogy of Fallot with Unbalanced Pulmonary Artery Branches

OBJECTIVES

To figure out the optimal strategy to manage Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with unbalanced pulmonary artery(PA) branches by investigating the different effects of PA plasty on the development of the hypoplastic PA (HPA).

METHODS

A single center, retrospective analysis was carried out to compare the outcome of different PA plasty methods on the development of HPA in patients of TOF with unbalanced PA branches. Size and balance of the PA branches were used to evaluate the outcome of PA plasty.

RESULTS

In the NATIVE group, 100% of the HPAs were well-developed and all the PA branches became balanced, while in the PATCH and EXTENSION groups, the percentage of well-developed HPAs was 40% and 33%, respectively, and none of the PA branches were balanced. In addition, HPAs became atretic in 28% of the patients in the patch enlargement group.

CONCLUSIONS

For TOF with unbalanced PA branches, patch enlargement may not be a good treatment strategy, as it reduces the growth potential of HPA and even causes iatrogenic atresia. Leaving the HPA in the native state without patch enlargement may be a good strategy.

Tricuspid Valve Intervention at the Time of Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in adults with congenital heart disease referred for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). However, indications for combined valve surgery remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate early results of concomitant tricuspid valve intervention (TVI) at the time of PVR.

Methods and Results

Observational studies comparing TVI+PVR and isolated PVR were identified by a systematic search of published research. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed, comparing outcomes between the 2 groups. Six studies involving 749 patients (TVI+PVR, 278 patients; PVR, 471 patients) met the eligibility criteria. In the pooled analysis, both TVI+PVR and PVR reduced TR grade, pulmonary regurgitation grade, right ventricular end‐diastolic volume, and right ventricular end‐systolic volumes. TVI+PVR, but not PVR, was associated with a decrease in tricuspid valve annulus size (mean difference, −6.43 mm, 95% CI, −10.59 to −2.27; P=0.010). Furthermore, TVI+PVR was associated with a larger reduction in TR grade compared with PVR (mean difference, −0.40; 95% CI, −0.75 to −0.05; P=0.031). No evidence could be established for an effect of either treatment on right ventricular ejection fraction or echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. There was no evidence for a difference in hospital mortality or reoperation for TR.

Conclusions

While both strategies are effective in reducing TR and right ventricular volumes, routine TVI+PVR can reduce TR grade to a larger extent than isolated PVR. Further studies are needed to identify the subgroups of patients who might benefit most from combined valve surgery.

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.

What Is the Importance of Electrocardiography in the Routine Screening of Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot?

Background: In patients following complete repair of the tetralogy of Fallot, the duration of the QRS complex is associated with the size and mechanical function of the right ventricle, which are contemporarily assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods: 38 patients aged 18.0–54.9 years (median age 24.9 years) who had undergone complete repair of the tetralogy of Fallot were examined using CMR and concomitant 24 h ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring. We used statistical analysis to investigate the correlations between electrocardiographic parameters (heart rate, HR; PQ interval, PQ; QRS duration, QRS; and corrected QT interval, QTc) and CMR results (right ventricular ejection fraction, RVEF; right ventricular end-diastolic volume index, RVEDVI; and right ventricular end-systolic volume index, RVESVI) for patients after early and late repair. Results: The ECG-based parameters were not correlated with time since repair. There were significant correlations between QRS duration and RVEF (r = −0.61), RVEDVI (r = 0.56), and RVESVI (r = 0.54) for early operated patients but not for late-operated patients. No other substantial correlations were reported. Conclusion: Despite its role in screening for arrhythmias, electrocardiography has a limited role as a predictor of morphology and function of the right ventricle in patients after repair of the tetralogy of Fallot.

Adult tetralogy repair: factors affecting early outcome in the current era

Background

The benefits of surgical correction of adult tetralogy of Fallot are well known. The current recommendation is for total correction regardless of age. This study analyzed perioperative factors affecting early outcome after corrective surgery in adulthood in the current era.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of 40 consecutive patients over 18 years of age who underwent total correction of tetralogy of Fallot from September 2006 to June 2013. Patients with pulmonary atresia and absent pulmonary valve were excluded. The mean age at surgery was 26.60 ± 8.69 years (range 18–49 years).

Results

The mean intensive care unit stay was 3.30 ± 2.29 days (range 0.75–12 days) and hospital stay was 9.97 ± 3.39 days (range 7–22 days). Mortality was 5% (2/40). Multiple parameters indicating immediate postoperative outcomes and their relationships to selected pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors were analyzed. Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative right ventricular dysfunction had a significant influence on mortality ( p < 0.001) and hospital stay ( p = 0.01). Performing zero-balance ultrafiltration decreased the need for renal replacement therapy ( p = 0.034), duration of ventilation ( p = 0.009), incidence of low cardiac output ( p = 0.006), intensive care unit stay ( p = 0.01), and hospital stay ( p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Total correction of tetralogy of Fallot is a safe option for presentations as late as adulthood. The protective effect of zero-balance ultrafiltration on postoperative morbidity needs to be reassessed in larger studies.

Monocusp valve placement in children with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing repair with transannular patch: A functioning pulmonary valve does not improve immediate postsurgical outcomes

INTRODUCTION

In patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), use of transannular patch (TAP) may be required in order to relieve significant right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, subsequently resulting in pulmonary insufficiency (PI). The monocusp valve has been used to temporarily reduce insufficiency in hopes to improve short and midterm outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess for potential benefits of the monocusp valve in this subset of patients.

DESIGN

Between 2005 and 2016, 119 patients with TOF with pulmonary stenosis who underwent repair with TAP were analyzed, 43 (36.1%) had a monocusp valve placed. Immediate outcomes were assessed by postoperative echocardiograms, ICU data including time to extubation, chest tube duration, reintervention, length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Median age of repair was similar for monocusp group at 143.5 days and nonmonocusp at 137.0 days (P = .93). Peak preoperative right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was higher in the monocusp group (80 mm Hg vs. 70 mm Hg, P ≤ .01). Patients who had monocusp placed had longer bypass time. There was less PI for monocusp group immediately after repair and at discharge (P ≤ .01). There was no difference in days of intubation, chest tube duration, length of hospitalization, reintervention rates, or mortality.

CONCLUSION

Decreasing the degree of PI with a monocusp valve in patients undergoing repair for TOF repair with TAP does not improve clinical outcomes in the immediate postoperative period.

Quantification of pulmonary regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot by 2D phase-contrast MRI: Differences between the standard method of velocity averaging and a pixel-wise analysis

Objectives

To compare the values of pulmonary regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot quantified from two-dimensional phase-contrast data, by using a new pixel-wise analysis and the standard velocity-averaging method.

Design

Quantitative in silico and in vivo analysis.

Setting

Hospital Sótero del Río. The magnetic resonance images were acquired using a Philips Achieva 1.5T scanner.

Participants

Twenty-five patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging requested by their referring physicians were included in this study.

Main outcome measures

Using a computational fluid dynamics simulation, we validated our pixel-wise method, quantifying the error of our method in comparison with the standard method. The patients underwent a standard two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging acquisition for quantifying pulmonary artery flow. Pulmonary regurgitation fraction was estimated by using our pixel-wise and the standard method. The two-dimensional flow profiles were inspected looking for simultaneous antegrade and retrograde flows in the same cardiac phase. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test for related samples, Bland–Altman plots, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Estimation of pulmonary regurgitation fraction using the pixel-wise analysis revealed higher values compared with the standard method (39 ± 16% vs. 30 ± 22%, p-value <0.01). Eight patients (32%) had a difference of more than 10% between methods. Analysis of two-dimensional flow profiles in these patients revealed simultaneous antegrade and retrograde flows through the pulmonary artery during systole–early diastole.

Conclusion

Quantification of pulmonary regurgitation fraction in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot through a pixel-wise analysis yields higher values of pulmonary regurgitation compared with the standard velocity-averaging method.

Anchor balloon, buddy wire, and wire and sheath techniques to deploy percutaneous pulmonary valves in tetralogy of fallot patients

Advances in surgical techniques in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients have improved survival of these patients into adulthood. The procedure requires right ventricular outflow tract or trans-annular patch with resultant pulmonary stenosis and/or regurgitation. As such, adult patients seen with this condition may have increasing right ventricular hypertrophy and/or right ventricular dilation. Recently, the Sapien XT valve (Edwards Lifesciences, CA) was approved by the FDA for pulmonary implantation. In some cases, advancing the valve in right ventricular outflow tract is difficult. This is a case series of delivering Sapien XT valves in TOF patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation and/or stenosis, using the anchor balloon, buddy wire, and the novel, wire and sheath techniques. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bifurcating stents in the pulmonary arteries: A novel technique to relieve bilateral branch pulmonary artery obstruction

Balloon angioplasty and stent placement in close proximity to the bifurcation of the branch pulmonary arteries can be challenging. Multiple approaches have been previously described, though none of these approaches both treats bilateral proximal branch pulmonary artery stenosis and provides an anchor for a transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement. We report a novel approach that involves serial stent placement and balloon dilation through the struts of the stent in each pulmonary artery, along with balloon expansion of the proximal portion of the stents to the diameter of the main pulmonary artery. In the two cases we describe, this strategy resulted in significant relief of branch pulmonary artery obstruction without compromising the anatomy of the main pulmonary artery segment. This technique can be an effective way to alleviate stenoses of the bilateral proximal branch pulmonary arteries and provides a landing zone for a future transcatheter pulmonary valve.

Recent Development in Pulmonary Valve Replacement after Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: The Emergence of Hybrid Approaches

An increasing number of patients with tetralogy of Fallot require repeat surgical intervention for pulmonary valve replacement secondary to pulmonary regurgitation. Catheter-based interventions have emerged as an attractive alternative to surgery in this patient population but it is limited by patient size or the anatomy of the right ventricular outflow tract. Hybrid approaches involving both cardiac interventionists and surgeons are being developed to overcome these limitations. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent advances in the hybrid field of pulmonary valve replacement, summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of the “traditional” surgical and the new catheter-based techniques and discuss the direction future research should take to determine the optimal management for individual patients.

Use of oversized injectable valves in growing children for total repair of right ventricular outflow tract anomalies (preliminary results)

Right ventricular outflow tract surgery was originally confined to transannular patching, in the belief that pulmonary regurgitation was well tolerated. Because follow-up evaluations revealed the deleterious effects of pulmonary regurgitation, surgery today aims to spare or replace the valve. Available replacement devices have short lifetimes, considering growth mismatch in children. We hypothesize that oversizing the right infundibulum anticipates growth and that a squeezed prosthesis can complete the expansion process. The No-React® Injectable BioPulmonic Valve is designed for right infundibular surgery in adults, and hundreds of implants have shown promising results. We used this device for surgery in babies, with the addition of an innovative oversizing technique. This study evaluates our preliminary results and investigates whether such a technique might reduce growth mismatch. From September 2010 through July 2012, we implanted 11 injectable pulmonic valves. The median age of our patients was 23 months. After opening the right infundibulum, we enlarged it as much as possible with a wide patch. Before completing the patch suture, we injected an oversized valve. No problems occurred during surgery. No major insufficiency or leak was observed. We conclude that prostheses can be quite oversized and perform well even when not completely expanded. Oversized injectable pulmonic valves, shrunken to a smaller diameter, enabled the implantation of a device wider than otherwise possible, without affecting performance. Moreover, the prosthesis tended to return to its original size following growth, thereby reducing growth mismatch. Longer follow-up and larger numbers of patients are needed for verification.