Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty Research Articles

An early diagnostic case of noonan syndrome with leukocytosis and pulmonary stenosis

Abstract Rationale: Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder with variable clinical manifestations that affects different systems. Among the multitude of clinical findings, the main characteristics are unique facial traits, low height, and congenital cardiac abnormalities. Recognizing such a syndrome is of great importance because of its involvement of multiple organs. Therefore, a systematic and thorough evaluation according to the guidelines for the assessment and management of Noonan syndrome is needed. Patient concerns: A female infant, 3 months old, presented with a difficult neonatal period (respiratory distress, generalized cyanosis), typical facial dysmorphia, evolutionary height hypotrophy, persistent leukocytosis, factor VII deficit, and severe pulmonary stenosis. Diagnosis: Echocardiography showed severe pulmonary valve stenosis, mild pulmonary regurgitation, a 6.5 mm ostium secundum atrial septal defect, and a persistent ductus arteriosus. Laboratory reports revealed leukocytosis with monocytosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, but no infectious source was found. Interventions: In this context, a pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty was performed, with a significant decrease of the transpulmonary gradient. Outcome: The patient was genetically tested, and the reports were positive for Noonan syndrome (mutation in exon 13 of PTPN 11). At 3years of age, she underwent open-heart repair of the atrial septal defect and significant recurrent pulmonary stenosis. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic at 6months follow-up. Conclusions: The diagnosis was initially suggested by the characteristic unique clinical events associated with cardiac involvement and confirmed later through genetic molecular testing. Prompt treatment of the severe life-threatening pulmonary valve stenosis was important, and the patient underwent additional interventions, after which she remained stable.

Simultaneous Transcatheter Pulmonary Balloon Valvuloplasty and Atrial Septal Defect Closure in Adult Patient

Background: Percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) has become the first choice of management in patients with valvular pulmonary stenosis, while transcatheter closure in secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is an alternative therapy besides surgical closure. The combination of PBV and transcatheter ASD closure is an action that is possible to do, but rarely done.Case Illustration: We present a case of 26-year-old woman with severe pulmonary stenosis and secundum ASD. Echocardiographic examination revealed the presence of severe pulmonary stenosis (mean gradient 99.19 mmHg) and defects in the intra atrial septum (with a size of 1.3 cm). Cardiac catheterization revealed right ventricular pressure of 160 mmHg. This patient then successfully corrected with both procedures ASD closure and PBV simultaneously. Discussion: These procedures have high feasibility, good safety, and shows good effectiveness. There were no complications during the procedures, and a satisfying immediate outcome was obtained.Conclusion: Pulmonary stenosis and atrial septal defects are rare forms of congenital heart disease. Transcatheter pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty and atrial septal defect closure performed simultaneously are promising alternatives, apart from surgical correction.

Supravalvular pulmonary stenosis: A risk factor for reintervention in Noonan syndrome with pulmonary valve stenosis.

To assess the short- and long-term outcomes of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in children with Noonan syndrome (NS). Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is the most common congenital heart lesion in NS. BPV is the accepted first line treatment in PS. However, BPV in NS patients has been reported to be less effective, without specific factors for the need for reintervention being identified. Retrospective case-note review of all patients with NS who underwent BPV between 1985 and 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with supravalvular pulmonary stenosis (SPS) in addition to valvar PS, and those with isolated valvar PS. A cohort of 54 patients with NS underwent BPV at a median of 275 (interquartile range [IQR]: 108-575) days of age. SPS was present in 32 (59%) patients whereas 22 had (41) isolated PS. The preprocedural invasive gradient was 47 (IQR: 35-69) mmHg, and 44 (IQR: 35-48) mmHg in those with SPS and those without respectively (p = 0.88). Reintervention was required in 22 patients (41%): 17 (77%) with SPS and 5 (23%) without (p = 0.017). Fourteen patients (11 with SPS) required surgical reintervention and 8 (6 with SPS) required further BPV. There was no significant difference in the age at initial BPV, pre- and postprocedural gradients and interval until reintervention between groups. This is the largest reported cohort of patients with NS undergoing BPV. Although BPV is often successful, the reintervention rates are high. SPS was a risk factor for reintervention.

Cardiopulmonary Function Assessment in Children With Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

ObjectivePulmonary valve (PV) stenosis affects cardiac pulmonary function and exercise performance. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) combined with a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) can measure exercise performance, disease progression, and treatment effects. We assessed the exercise capacity in children with PV stenosis by conducting CPET and TTE.MethodsFrom 2005 to 2021, 84 patients with PV stenosis aged 6–18 years were enrolled; 43 were treated with balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) (Group A), and 41 received follow-up care (Group B), and their CPET and pulmonary function test results were compared with 84 healthy, matched individuals (Control). We also conducted TTE to compare the peak pulmonary artery pulse wave velocity and pulmonary valve (PV) area before and after catheterization and follow-up care.ResultsThere were no significant differences among the CPET parameters of the patient groups and controls in anaerobic metabolic equivalent (MET) (group A: 6.44 ± 0.58; group B: 6.28 ± 0.47, control: 6.92 ± 0.39, p = 0.110), peak MET (group A: 9.32 ± 0.74; group B: 9.13 ± 0.63; control: 9.80 ± 0.52, p = 0.263), and heart rate recovery (group A: 28.04 ± 4.70; group B: 26.44 ± 3.43, control:26.10 ± 2.42, p = 0.718). No significant differences were found in the pulmonary functions between the three groups. The pulmonary artery pulse wave velocity significantly decreased after catheterization (3.97 ± 1.50 vs. 1.95 ± 0.94, p < 0.0001), but not after follow-up care (1.67 ± 0.77 vs. 1.75 ± 0.66, p = 0.129). The pulmonary vale area significantly improved in group A (0.89 ± 0.71 vs. 1.16 ± 0.58, p < 0.0001), whereas only insignificant progression of PV stenosis was observed in group B (1.60 ± 0.64 vs. 1.57 ± 0.65, p = 0.110).ConclusionsPatients treated with BPV had a similar exercise capacity with that of patients under follow-up care and the healthy controls. Larger or multi-center studies should be conducted to confirm the physical fitness of pediatric patients with PV stenosis after management.

Simplified art of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty: Does the presence of mild supravalvular pulmonary stenosis preclude successful balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty?

We present a case of successful balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in a 37-year-old female with severe valvular pulmonary stenosis with peak gradient of 82 mmHg with history of exertional presyncope. The crux of our case was that patient also had associated mild supravalvular pulmonary stenosis which did not preclude a successful BPV outcome. The patient had rare Bombay negative blood group, and the requisite units were not available across all the blood banks in the state to subject the patient for surgical correction. Although the art of BPV is dying among budding young interventionists, this simple procedure is as good as surgical pulmonary valvotomy so far as the immediate and late outcome is concerned and the presence of mild supravalvular pulmonary stenosis does not preclude a successful outcome. Our case is a unique illustration of feasibility of successful balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in the presence of associated mild supravalvular stenosis.

Transcatheter Approaches to Palliation for Tetralogy of Fallot.

To this day, controversy still exists regarding the optimal method to treat symptomatic neonates and infants with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Symptomatic (severely cyanotic or ductal dependent) infants with TOF can undergo either a staged repair approach (consisting of initial palliation followed by complete repair) or primary repair. Traditionally, initial palliative procedures have been surgical, for example placement of a Blalock-Taussig-Thomas (BTT) shunt. Recent advances in technology have facilitated the introduction of catheter-based procedures as palliative techniques, for example, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting as more durable solutions than balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). In this article, we discuss the rationale for these procedures, technical aspects of these procedures and outcomes data compared to traditional surgical procedures. Recent data have suggested that RVOT and PDA stenting procedures offer many advantages over traditional surgical palliative procedures as palliative methods in this patient population. This comes at a cost of increased reintervention burden, which may be considered part of the overall treatment strategy in smaller neonates and can be minimized with a focus on technical aspects and overall treatment strategies. Advanced surgical techniques are required at the eventual complete repair to negotiate removal of stent material and pulmonary artery reconstruction in some instances. Further adoption of catheter based palliative procedures for infants with symptomatic TOF has the potential to tip the outcomes towards favoring a staged approach, particularly in high-risk infants.

Yenidoğanın Geçici Takipnesinde Reiki Kullanımı

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Reiki therapy on maintaining the integrity based on Levine's Conservation Model in a case treated for respiratory distress in a neonatal intensive care unit at a university hospital, and transient tachpynea of newborn. A term male baby with a birth weight of 3,000 g, who was born by cesarean section, had bradycardia after birth. The baby was ventilated with pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty and kept under observation for 2 hours. He was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit when his respiratory effort continued. Interventions, which we designed considering the protection principles in a term newborn case followed up with the diagnosis of transient tachpynea of newborn, provided us with a holistic perspective and positively stimulated the baby's internal and external adaptation. The baby and the family adapted to this process more rapidly and maintained the integrity.

Percutaneous Pulmonary Valvuloplasty by JOMIVA Balloon in Adults: Long Term Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India

Introduction: Isolated pulmonary valve stenosis with intact ventricular septum constitutes the third most common congenital heart disease apart from Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is an effective therapeutic alternative procedure of choice in severe valvular PS. Conventionally, the Mansfield balloon is being used worldwide for pulmonary valvuloplasty. Joseph Mitral Valvuloplasty (JOMIVA) balloon offers advantages of longer size, lower cost and its familiarity to use this balloon for mitral valvuloplasty in this institution since long. Aim: To assess the immediate and long-term results of Joseph Mitral Valvuloplasty (JOMIVA)balloon for Pulmonary valvuloplasty in isolated severe Pulmonary Stenosis (PS). Materials and Methods: This was a long term retrospective study conducted at the Cardiology Department of SCB Medical college and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India, where pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed using single JOMIVA balloon in 21 adults and adolescent patients. Clinical and Echocardiography (Echo) Doppler evaluation for restenosis and Pulmonary Regurgitation (PR) were assessed. All the cases were followedup serially in Outpatient Department (OPD) for 12 years in retrospect manner. Results: Data of total 21 participants (15 males and 6 females; mean age was 18.3±6.8 years) were analysed in the study. After pulmonary valvuloplasty, the median transvalvular gradient significantly decreased from 115 mmHg (interquartile range (IQR) 101-128 mmHg) to 46 mmHg (IQR 37-51 mmHg) (p-value&lt;0.0001). Also, the right ventricular systolic pressure reduced significantly from 136 mmHg (IQR 122-148 mmHg) to 67 mmHg (IQR 57-71 mmHg) (p-value&lt;0.0001). Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) complications were transient and selflimiting. Mild to moderate (PR) was noted in all cases i.e., Grade I in 12 cases (57.1%) and Grade II in 9 cases (42.8%) which showed evidence of regression on follow-up. Neither significant restenosis nor significant PR (Grade III /IV) was observed during follow-up period of 12 years. Conclusion: Percutaneous valvuloplasty using JOMIVA Balloon, in case of severe valvular PS in adults, is a cost-effective procedure. It has excellent immediate results, and long-term incremental benefits was observed in this 12-year follow-up study

Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of a Stented Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a Patient With Critical Pulmonary Stenosis: A Case Series

INTRODUCTION: TStenting of the ductus is an alternative to surgical shunt in patients with critical pulmonary stenosis who remain ductal dependent following valvuloplasty. Stents close spontaneously after improvement of right ventricular function; however, in rare cases, stents fail to completely endothelialize, resulting in pulmonary overcirculation. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case was a 3-year-old who had critical pulmonary stenosis at birth, and the second case was a 3-year-old boy who at 5 months of age was managed for severe pulmonary valve stenosis. Both underwent stenting of the duct and percutaneous pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty. On follow-up, the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent of both cases remained patent even after an adequate growth and improvement of the right ventricle, resulting in significant left-to-right shunting and development of increased pulmonary blood flow; hence, percutaneous transcatheter closure of the stented PDA was done. DISCUSSION: Stenting of the ductus allows significant and balanced growth of the pulmonary artery in patients with duct-dependent congenital heart diseases leading to adequate growth of the right ventricle. Persistence of patency of stent causing significant left-to-right shunting warrants closure of the PDA stent. Closure of the stent is challenging and requires a high degree of technical skill because of the difficulty to enter the partially closed stent. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transcatheter closure of a stented PDA in patients with critical pulmonary stenosis can be a technically challenging procedure because of the difficulty to enter the stent due to the presence of intrastent endothelial proliferation. KEYWORDS: congenital heart disease, critical pulmonary stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, transcatheter device closure, stent

Evolving Solutions in the Surgical Treatment of Isolated Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

Background: Surgical treatment of isolated pulmonary valve stenosis in infants and children has evolved over the years, shifting from the original exclusive aim at lowering right ventricle pressure to the current concomitant focus on preserving pulmonary valve function. In our study, we sought to analyze the effect of such evolving philosophy on long-term results. Methods: All consecutive patients treated in our center between July 1983 and March 2019 were included. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the introduction into treatment practice of sparing valve techniques (1995). Actuarial survival, freedom from reintervention on the right outflow tract, transvalvular mean pressure gradient decrease, and pulmonary valve function at follow-up were analyzed. Results: One hundred twenty-three patients operated before (Group I, n=81) or since (Group II, n=42) 1995 were enrolled in the study. Mean age and weight were 3.0 ± 0.36 years and 16.6 ± 1.7kg, respectively. Early mortality occurred exclusively in 3 patients of Group 1. Transvalvular mean pressure gradient decreased in the entire patient population (from 63.28 ± 12.9mmHg to 16.46 ± 7.9mmHg). At a mean follow-up interval of 4.9 ± 33 years, freedom from death was comparable, but freedom from right ventricular outflow tract reintervention was significantly greater in Group II. Although the transvalvular gradient remained stable over time in non-reoperated survivors (mean value of 16.46 ± 7.9mmHg), pulmonary valve function on 2D-Echo showed severe incompetence in 2 patients of Group I and just mild to moderate incompetence in 20 patients of Group II, with a significantly negative effect of unsuccessful preoperative pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (14/20 vs 6/20, p=0.025) in the latter. Conclusion: Current pulmonary valve sparing techniques are associated with better results, particularly in terms of freedom from re-interventions and pulmonary valve function at follow-up. Balloon valvuloplasty prior to surgery may worsen operative results, promoting pulmonary insufficiency and therefore should probably be avoided in all patients in whom anatomical characteristics predict failure of percutaneous therapy.

336 Right ventricular mechanics in patients affected by pulmonary valve stenosis, before and after percutaneous pulmonary angioplasty

Abstract Aims Pulmonary valve stenosis accounts for 6–9% of all congenital heart diseases. The main effect of this obstructive lesion is a rise in right ventricular pressure; this overload leads to multiple changes in shape, dimensions, and volume of the ventricle. The diagnosis is based on transthoracic echocardiography and invasive heart catheterization. Usually the stenosis is classified into mild, moderate, and severe based on pressure gradient between right ventricle and pulmonary artery and on the ratio between right ventricle and left ventricle systolic pressure. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty is the treatment of choice in severe pulmonary valve stenosis in patients of all ages; alternatively surgical valvotomy is an option in selected cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanical changes of the right ventricle in patients undergoing balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty using transthoracic and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Furthermore, we sought to investigate the correlation between haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters to better evaluate the degree of pulmonary valve stenosis before and after treatment. Methods and results Forty-three pediatric patients (19 males), mean age 3.2 ± 4.9 years with severe pulmonary valve stenosis and indication for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty were recruited at the University Hospital of Padua. All patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), STE with analysis of right ventricle global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) one day before and one day after the procedure. For each patient were collected invasive parameters during the interventional procedure before and after balloon valvuloplasty. After the procedure, there was an immediate statistically significant reduction of both peak-to-peak transpulmonary gradient (Dp post) and ratio between the systolic pressure of right and left ventricle (RV/LV ratio) with a drop of 29.3 ± 14.67 mmHg and 0.43 ± 0.03, respectively. Post-procedural echocardiography showed peak and mean transvalvar pressure gradient drop (50 ± 32.23 and 31 ± 17.97, respectively). The degree of pulmonary valve regurgitation was mild in 8% of patients before the procedure, following the intervention it reached 29% with a statistically significant increase (P = 0.007). However, the incidence of pulmonary valve moderate and severe regurgitation remained stable after the procedure. The analysis of right ventricular function and mechanics showed a significant improvement of Fractional Area Change (FAC) immediately after the procedure (40.11% vs. 44.42%, P = 0,01). On the other hand, right ventricular longitudinal systolic function parameters, TAPSE (P = 0.60) and longitudinal strain (P = 0.31), did not improve significantly after intervention. Finally, pre-procedural invasive RV/LV ratio showed good correlation to echocardiographic transvalvular peak and mean pressure gradient (R = 0.375, P = 0.019 and R = 0.40, P = 0.012, respectively), as well as with FAC (R = 0.31, P = 0.05), TAPSE (R = 0.62, P &amp;lt; 0.001), and RVGLS (R = 0.46, P = 0.01). Conclusions Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty represents an efficient and safe procedure to relieve severe pulmonary valve stenosis. Interestingly, the analysis of right ventricular mechanics on echocardiography demonstrated an immediate global systolic function improvement following afterload reduction. Conversely, longitudinal systolic function did not show improvement immediately after intervention, possibly due to the necessity of longer time to recover. Finally, invasive preprocedural RV/LV ratio demonstrated better correlation with echocardiographic evaluation of stenosis degree and right ventricular function compared to invasive peak-to-peak pressure gradient. Therefore, RV/LV ratio should be preferred for the assessment of pulmonary valve stenosis.

Combined Echo and Fluoroscopy-Guided Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in Neonates and Infants: Efficacy and Safety

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) is the treatment of choice for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis. While this procedure is highly efficacious and has an excellent safety profile, as currently practiced, patients are obligatorily exposed to the secondary risks of ionizing radiation and contrast media. To mitigate these risks, we developed a protocol which utilized echo guidance for portions of the procedure which typically require fluoroscopy and/or angiography. Ten cases of echo-guided pulmonary valvuloplasty (EG-PBPV) for isolated pulmonary stenosis in children less than a year of age were compared to a historical cohort of nineteen standard cases using fluoroscopy/angiography alone, which demonstrated equivalent procedural outcomes and safety, while achieving a median reduction in radiation (total dose area product) and contrast load of 80% and 84%, respectively. Our early experience demonstrates that EG-PBPV in neonates and infants has results equivalent to standard valvuloplasty but with less radiation and contrast.

C69. Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty for Critical Pulmonary Stenosis Baby as A Challenging Management in Resource-Limited Hospital: A Case Report

Abstract Background Severe or critical right ventricular outflow tract obstructions are life-threatening conditions. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is the preferred therapy for pulmonary valve stenosis. Case Summary A-50-day-old cyanotic baby girl, weighing 4.4 kg, was admitted to hospital with a bluish appearance insidiously progressing over the preceding 2 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed critical pulmonary valvular stenosis with pulmonary valve annulus diameter 7 mm, severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), restrictive intraatrial mixing physiology, and an almost spontaneously closed Patent Ductus Arteriosus. The patient underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). The available balloon, Tyshak mini balloon 9.0 mm x 20 mm, failed to across stenotic lession. It was replaced with coronary balloon 2 mm x 10 mm and inflated several times with a maximum pressure of 10 mmHg within 10 seconds. After the valve was adequately opened, the coronary balloon was replaced by previous Tyshak mini balloon. It was inflated once with pressure of 3 mmHg for 5 seconds. Successful dilatation is indicated by the disappearance of the waist around the balloon under cineangiography. RV-PA gradient decreased from 67 mmHg to 38 mmHg, a 43% reduction. After the procedure, the patient was no longer cyanotic. TTE after BPV demonstrated no pulmonary stenosis, TR TVG decreased from 100 mmHg to 20 mmHg, and no pulmonary regurgitation. Discussion Our successful results suggest that percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is a potential and safe intervention for babies with critical Pulmonal Stenosis that was conducted in resource-limited hospital.

C69. Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty for Critical Pulmonary Stenosis Baby as A Challenging Management in Resource-Limited Hospital: A Case Report

Abstract Background Severe or critical right ventricular outflow tract obstructions are life-threatening conditions. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is the preferred therapy for pulmonary valve stenosis. Case Summary A-50-day-old cyanotic baby girl, weighing 4.4 kg, was admitted to hospital with a bluish appearance insidiously progressing over the preceding 2 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed critical pulmonary valvular stenosis with pulmonary valve annulus diameter 7 mm, severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), restrictive intraatrial mixing physiology, and an almost spontaneously closed Patent Ductus Arteriosus. The patient underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). The available balloon, Tyshak mini balloon 9.0 mm x 20 mm, failed to across stenotic lession. It was replaced with coronary balloon 2 mm x 10 mm and inflated several times with a maximum pressure of 10 mmHg within 10 seconds. After the valve was adequately opened, the coronary balloon was replaced by previous Tyshak mini balloon. It was inflated once with pressure of 3 mmHg for 5 seconds. Successful dilatation is indicated by the disappearance of the waist around the balloon under cineangiography. RV-PA gradient decreased from 67 mmHg to 38 mmHg, a 43% reduction. After the procedure, the patient was no longer cyanotic. TTE after BPV demonstrated no pulmonary stenosis, TR TVG decreased from 100 mmHg to 20 mmHg, and no pulmonary regurgitation. Discussion Our successful results suggest that percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is a potential and safe intervention for babies with critical Pulmonal Stenosis that was conducted in resource-limited hospital.

Factors Influencing Reintervention Following Ductal Artery Stent Implantation for Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: Results From the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative.

Stenting of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an established palliative option for infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow. Following initial palliation, reintervention on the PDA stent is common, but risk factors have not been characterized. Infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow palliated with PDA stent between 2008 and 2015 were reviewed within the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative. Rates and risk factors for reintervention were analyzed. Among 105 infants who underwent successful PDA stenting, 41 patients (39%) underwent a total of 53 reinterventions on the PDA stent, with all but one occurring within 6 months of the initial intervention. Stent redilation constituted the majority of reintervention (n=35; 66%) followed by additional stent placement (n=11; 21%) and surgical shunt placement (n=7; 13%). The majority of reintervention was nonurgent, and there were no deaths during the reintervention procedure. All but one reintervention occurred within 6 months of the initial procedure. On univariate analysis, risk factors for reintervention included anticipated single-ventricle physiology, lack of prior balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, use of drug-eluting stent, and increased ductal tortuosity. In infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow palliated with PDA stent implantation, reintervention is common, can be performed safely, and is associated with both anatomic/procedural factors and anticipated final physiology.

Pericardial tamponade during balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in a dog

AbstractA 4‐month‐old entire male Coton de Tulear dog was referred for balloon valvuloplasty for treatment of severe valvular pulmonic stenosis. During the procedure, when attempting to pass the guide wire into the ventricle, the dog developed cardiac arrest. After initial resuscitation with chest compressions, manual ventilation, adrenaline and intravenous fluids, focused cardiac ultrasound revealed pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis resolved the haemodynamic emergency. This case report should raise awareness of pericardial tamponade as a possible complication during pulmonic stenosis balloon valvuloplasty. It describes the clinical signs observed during anaesthesia as well as how to treat it with a positive outcome.

Cardiovascular Intervention in Neonates Using an Umbilical Vein Approach.

Cardiovascular catheterization has been applied in infant treatment for several decades. To date, considerable research attention has been paid to cardiovascular catheterization in small neonates. However, peripheral vascular routes of catheterization are possible obstacles for interventionists. Umbilical vein catheterization has been reported as a route for neonates, although few attempts have been made to investigate this approach. This study aimed to retrospectively review cardiovascular intervention using the umbilical vein approach as applied to infants admitted to a tertiary center from 2017 to 2020. Details including the perinatal variables, indication diagnoses, and procedure devices were collected. The enrollment included a total of 16 cases representing 17 intervention events, with infants born at a gestation age of 22–39 weeks and body weight ranging from 478 to 3685 g at the time of the procedure. The postnatal age ranged from 1 to 27 days. The catheter sizes ranged from 4 to 11 Fr. Indications included being admitted for patent ductus arteriosus occlusion (n = 15), balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (n = 3), balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) (n = 3), pulmonary valve (PV) perforation (n = 1), and two interventions for catheter placement for continuous venovenous hemofiltration. The success rate for cardiovascular catheterization was 88.2% (15/17). There were two patients for which cannulation failed due to ductus venosus closure: one intraabdominal hemorrhage complication during continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), and one cardiac catheterization failure of PV perforation due to failure to insert the guiding catheter into the right ventricular outflow tract. Based on these findings, we conclude that cardiac catheterization and the placement of a large-sized catheter through an umbilical vein in a small infant represents a safe and time-saving method when catheterization is required.

Outcomes of duct stenting and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in cyanotic congenital heart disease with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation.

Transcatheter ductus arteriosus stenting (DS) is emerging as an alternative method to modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) in providing pulmonary blood flow in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. To evaluate post-procedural outcomes and survival between patients undergoing DS and MBTS. All infants ≤ 60days of age having CCHD with diminished pulmonary blood flow who underwent palliative procedure either with MBTS or DS at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital during January 1st, 2013 and December 31th, 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. 98 patients were included; 34 patients underwent a transcatheter DS and 64 patients underwent MBTS. There was no significant difference in post-procedural outcomes and overall mortality rate between two groups (17.6% in MBTS group and 6.1% in DS group, p = 0.09). Single ventricle morphology was the major risk factor associated with increased mortality compared with biventricular morphology (aHR 3.9, 95% CI 1.49-10.2, p = 0.01). There was similar number of early and pre-repair additional interventions focusing on MBTS/DS patency between two groups. The MBTS grouphad a greater number of early interventions on PA branch stenosisrelated to baseline diagnosis. Risk factors associated with additional intervention were pre-existing pulmonary branch stenosis (aHR 2.54, 95% CI 1.3-4.97, p = 0.006) and body weight less than 2.5kg (aHR 3.33, 95% CI 1.57-7.08, p = 0.003). Having pulmonic valve perforation or balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty to promote antegrade pulmonary blood flow could result in a lower number of additional interventions required before definitive repair. Duct stenting is a feasible and safe alternative to MBTS in cyanotic infants with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation. However, mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with single ventricle that required careful follow-up after procedure.

Transcatheter Closure of Residual and Iatrogenic Ventricular Septal Defects: Tertiary Center Experience and Outcome

Abstract Aim This study aimed to review our center experience in transcatheter closure of post-surgical and post-intervention residual and iatrogenic VSDs and to report on their 12-month long-term outcome. Methods All patients who underwent transcatheter closure of residual ventricular septal defects (R-VSDs) and iatrogenic ventricular septal defects (I-VSDs) after either surgical corrections or transcatheter interventions for any congenital heart disease (CHD) between January 2015 and January 2020 were included in the study. Patients' medical records were reviewed and analyzed. Results Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 14.3 ± 8.8 years, a mean weight of 36.2 ± 20.4 Kg, and a mean body surface area of 1.18 ± 0.36 m2 were included. Thirteen (56.5%) patients were males. The VSD was residual in 18 (78.3%) patients and iatrogenic in 5 (21.7%) patients, post-operative in 19 (82.6%) patients and post-transcatheter in 4 (17.4%) patients. The remaining VSD site was peri-membranous in 9 (39.1%) patients, high-muscular in 6 (26.1%) patients, mid-muscular in 4 (17.4%) patients, and Gerbode shunt in 4 (17.4%) patients. The QP/QS ratio was 2.5 ± 0.7, and the VSD diameter was 6.1±2.1 mm with a VSD-aorta rim of 5.4 ± 2.0 mm. Most, 16 (71.43%) patients underwent antegrade device deployment, and 7 (28.57%) patients underwent retrograde transaortic device deployment, with only 3 (13.0%) patients required two devices/patient. Amplatzer™ Muscular VSD devices were used in 16 (69.6%) patients, Amplatzer™ Duct occlude-I devices were used in 4 (17.4%) patients, and Amplatzer™ Duct Occluder-II devices were used in 3 (13.0%) patients with a mean device size of 8.8 ± 2.8 mm. The mean procedural time was 55.1 ± 16.2 minutes, fluoroscopy time was 16.3 ± 4.0 minutes, and the contrast used was 33.8 ± 10.9 ml. Concomitant balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was done at the same catheterization set in 2 (8.7%) patients. Acute procedural success, satisfactory immediate were achieved in all patients. During follow-up (23.3 ± 15.9 months), no patient required re-intervention or exhibited mortality. Conclusions Transcatheter closure of post-operative, and post-intervention residual and iatrogenic VSDs represents an attractive therapeutic approach. This approach is safe, feasible, effective, and less invasive alternative treatment option for such remaining VSDs.

Right ventricular outflow tract abnormalities in monochorionic twin pregnancies without twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: Prenatal course and postnatal long‐term outcomes

Right ventricular outflow tract abnormalities (RVOTA) have been mostly reported in recipient twins (RT) of monochorionic/diamniotic (MC/DA) twin pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Aim of the study was to describe RVOTA detected in MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS. Cases of RVOTA were retrieved from our database among all MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS from 2009 to 2018. Out of 891MC/DA twin pregnancies without TTTS, 14 (1.6%) were associated with RVOTA: 10 pulmonary stenosis (PS), one steno-insufficiency, one insufficiency and two atresia (PA). In 93% of cases (13/14), pregnancy was complicated either by amniotic fluid discrepancy (AFD) or by TAPS or mostly by selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) (11/13: 85%), involving predominantly (10/11: 91%) the large twin, with high incidence (9/11: 82%) of sFGR and AFD coexistence. Eight out of 14 (57%) survived after the perinatal period (7 PS, 1 PA). Five (62%) underwent pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty, whereas 3 children still showed persistent mild PS at cardiac follow up after 1year of life. RVOTA can occur in MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS, particularly when other complications coexist. In complicated cases specialized fetal echocardiographic evaluation is recommended during pregnancy; RVOTA cases should be delivered in a tertiary level center, where cardiologists are available.