Peri-Operative Cerebral Regional Oxygen Saturation Variability and Short-Term Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery in Neonates

Decreased post-operative cerebral region oxygenation saturation (crSO2) variability, a surrogate for cerebral autoregulation, correlates with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates who undergo cardiac surgery. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between pre- and post-operative crSO2 variability in neonates requiring neonatal cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). The variability of averaged 1-min crSO2 values was calculated for a minimum of 12h before and for the first 48h following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary by-pass in neonates between November 2019 and May 2021. The crSO2 variability increased by 9% with each additional postnatal day in the pre-operative monitoring period (p=0.009). There was a 40% decrease in crSO2 variability between the pre-and post-operative monitoring periods (p<0.001). There were no associations between the degree of decrease in crSO2 variability and CHD classification (aortic arch obstruction or single ventricle physiology). The crSO2 variability improves with each additional postnatal day but then decreases by almost half following cardiac surgery in neonates. We did not observe any association between pre-operative crSO2 variability and post-operative ventilator-free days, post-operative ICU days, or mortality.The long-term effects or significance of reduced crSO2 require further exploration.

Interventions after Arterial Switch: A Single Low Case-Volume Center Experience

Background and Objectives: With the growing population of arterial switch operation survivors, the rate of late complications associated with the operation is growing as well. The aim of this publication is to share our experience and encourage collaboration between congenital cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in treating late complications after arterial switch operation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of Vilnius University Santaros Clinics Cardiothoracic Surgery Centre arterial switch operation survivors who underwent additional treatment for late neo-pulmonary artery stenosis and aortic arch obstruction between 1989 and 2019 was conducted. Results: Out of 95 arterial switch operation survivors 14 (15%) underwent 36 reinterventions. The majority were treated for neo-pulmonary stenosis. The median time from arterial switch operation to the first reintervention was 1.4 years (interquartile range, 2 months to 2.4 years). 1, 3, 5, and 10 years intervention-free survival in patients treated for neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction was 98, 94, 94, and 93% vs. 95, 94, 94, and 93%, respectively. There were no complications associated with redo surgical procedures, while eight patients who underwent catheter-based interventional treatment had treatment-related complications, including one death. Conclusions: Both neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction (new aortic coarctations or aortic recoarctations) tend to develop in the first decade after an arterial switch operation. Surgical and catheter-based interventional treatment with good results is possible even in a small volume center. Close collaboration of the congenital heart team (congenital cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists) in choosing the best treatment option for an individual patient helps to minimize the risk of potential complications.

Arterial switch operation for Taussig-Bing anomaly with aortic arch obstruction

Introduction The short-term survival rate after single-stage correction of Taussig-Bing anomaly with aortic arch obstruction remains favorable. However, some cases are encountered occasionally in which single-stage correction was not performed during the neonatal period. Accordingly, we evaluated the midterm outcomes of different surgical strategies. Methods Seven patients who underwent an arterial switch operation and intraventricular rerouting as definitive surgery between 2007 and 2017 were investigated. Of these 7 patients, 3 had undergone previous pulmonary artery banding and aortic arch reconstruction. Results The median body weight at definitive surgery was 3.3 kg (range 2.9–8.3 kg). At definitive surgery, the arrest time for single-stage correction (162.3 ± 21.7 min) was significantly shorter than that of staged repair (206.3 ± 5.1 min, p = 0.020). There was no hospital or late death. One patient in both strategy groups underwent aortic reintervention 54 months and 7.1 months after the definitive operation. Neoaortic valve (perinatal pulmonary valve) diameter decreased significantly from the perinatal valve diameter following definitive surgery (median +4.94z and +2.12z, respectively, p = 0.016) but there was no significant difference in the neopulmonary valve (perinatal aortic valve) diameter. Both single-stage correction and staged repair patients showed a similar trend. At the last follow-up, no patient had greater than mild neoaortic or neopulmonary valve regurgitation. Conclusion The surgical outcomes of both single-stage correction and staged correction for Taussig-Bing anomaly with aortic arch obstruction are excellent. Both strategies produce similar changes in the diameter and regurgitation grade of the neoaortic and neopulmonary valves.

Surgical Management of Right Aortic Arch Obstruction Associated With Rare Form of Vascular Ring

This clinical case demonstrated surgical management for a rare case of vascular ring associated with an elongated and kinked aortic arch and a right descending aorta in a ten-year-old male using an extra-anatomic bypass grafting method and dividing the vascular ring. Computer tomography performed at six-month follow-up showed a favorable surgical outcome.

Indications for stenting of coarctation of the aorta in children under 3 months of age

Introduction Coarctation of the aorta in children under 3 months of age is usually treated surgically. However, there are clinical scenarios in which stenting of native or recurrent coarctation may become necessary in this age group. Case reports Four cases illustrate possible indications: left ventricular dysfunction increasing the operative risk, thrombus formation after coarctation surgery, patient size (i.e. in premature babies), and retrograde arch obstruction after hybrid palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In all babies, coarctation stenting was carried out successfully without complications. Conclusion Coarctation stenting can be carried out safely in small children. Usually, the stent has to be removed or redilated later. Results are encouraging.