Indications for partial left ventriculectomy in pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to define the role and indications of partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) in children with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Clinical data were collected by retrospective chart review of children with DCM who were treated from 1997 to 2000. Four patients underwent PLV (PLV group) and 5 patients were managed without PLV (non-PLV group). In the PLV group, 2 patients are well 18 and 35 months postoperatively. One infant survived 6 months and then successfully underwent heart transplantation, and the other child died of hemoptysis 2 weeks postoperatively. Factors affecting outcome were preoperative status, in particular whether surgery was performed urgently or electively. In the non-PLV group, 4 patients were well controlled by medical treatment and 1 infant underwent mitral valve replacement for severe mitral regurgitation. The cardiothoracic ratio ranged from 72% to 76% in the PLV group and from 45% to 60% in the non-PLV group. The percentage of the expected left ventricular diastolic dimension ranged from 184% to 218% in the PLV group and from 109% to 163% in the non-PLV group. Ejection fractions in the PLV group were from 10% to 22% and from 36% to 56% in the non-PLV group. The serum brain natriuretic peptide concentration was above 1,200 pg/ml in the PLV group and below 168 pg/ml in the non-PLV group. In conclusion, PLV is indicated for selected children with end-stage DCM, and is most appropriate when medical therapy is not effective and heart transplantation is unavailable.