Pulmonary Regurgitation Research Articles

Postcardiac injury syndrome caused by radiofrequency catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: severe pulmonary arterial hypertension with severe tricuspid regurgitation: a rare case report and literature review

BackgroundPostcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is an easy-to-miss diagnosis, but it is not an uncommon complication. The phenomenon of echocardiography (ECHO) showing both severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is indeed rare in PCIS after extensive radiofrequency ablation.Case presentationA 70-year-old male was diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation. The patient received radiofrequency catheter ablation due to his atrial fibrillation being refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. After the anatomical three-dimensional models were created, ablations were performed on the left and right pulmonary veins, roof linear and bottom linear of the left atrium, and the cavo-tricuspid isthmus. The patient was discharged in sinus rhythm (SR). After 3 days, he was admitted to the hospital for gradually worsening dyspnea. Laboratory examination showed a normal leukocyte count with an increased percentage of neutrophils. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein concentration, interleukin-6, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were elevated. ECG exhibited SR, V1-V4 of precordial lead P-wave amplitude which was increased but not prolonged, PR segment depression, and ST-segment elevation. Computed tomography angiography of the pulmonary artery revealed that the lung had scattered high-density flocculent flakes and a small amount of pleural and pericardial effusion. Local pericardial thickening was seen. ECHO showed severe PAH with severe TR. Diuretics and vasodilators did not relieve the symptoms. Tumors, tuberculosis, and immune system diseases were all excluded. Considering the patient’s diagnosis of PCIS, the patient was treated with steroids. The patient recovered on the 19th day post ablation. The patient’s condition was maintained until 2 years of follow-up.ConclusionsThe phenomenon of ECHO showing severe PAH with severe TR is indeed rare in PCIS. Due to the lack of diagnostic criteria, such patients are easily misdiagnosed, leading to a poor prognosis.

Outlet Ventricular Septal Defect: Impact of Surgery on the Late Aortic and Pulmonary Valve Functions

This study retrospectively evaluated long-term post-operative aortic and pulmonary valve functions in outlet ventricular septal defects. We evaluated aortic regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation using pre- and post-operative echocardiograms. Overall, 158 patients who underwent intracardiac repair due to outlet ventricular septal defects with aortic valve deformity or congestive heart failure were included. The median follow-up period was 7years (interquartile range: 0-17years), without deaths or pacemaker implantations. The age, weight, ventricular septal defect size, and mild aortic regurgitation at surgery were factors associated with post-operative residual aortic regurgitation. Mild pulmonary regurgitation was observed in 12%, 30%, and 40% of patients 5, 10, and 15years after surgery, respectively. There were no significant differences in age and weight at which surgery was performed between patients with mild pulmonary regurgitation and those with less than mild pulmonary regurgitation. However, the number of sutures across the pulmonary valve was associated with post-operative pulmonary regurgitation (P < 0.01). As some patients with mild pre-operative aortic regurgitation may not improve even after surgery, early surgical intervention is necessary when aortic regurgitation appears. Some patients may develop post-operative pulmonary regurgitation in the long term, suggesting the need for careful follow-up.

Clinical Findings of Sydenham Chorea in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Purpose: Sydenham chorea is known for its rapid, irregular, and aimless involuntary movements and is considered a benign and self-limiting condition among the major manifestations of rheumatic fever. The current study reviewed the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical findings of pediatric patients with Sydenham chorea.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 22 patients with Sydenham chorea who were admitted to the pediatric wards of Mashhad Imam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals between 2006 and 2016. Data from these patients’ medical records were extracted, organized using checklist forms, and analyzed.Results: Eight patients were male and 14 were female. The average age was 10.09±3.53 years. In 31.8% of patients, chorea was the only sign of rheumatic fever. Chorea was unilateral in 21.1% of patients. The most common clinical findings were, in descending order, jerky movements, facial grimacing, gait disorders, mental disorders, speech disorders, muscle weakness, and milkmaid’s grip. Cardiac auscultation was normal in 76.2% of patients, while a holosystolic murmur was heard in 23.8%. In laboratory exams, 50% of patients were erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)-positive, 31.2% were C-reactive protein (CRP)-positive, and 53.3% were anti-streptolysin O (ASO)-positive. Echocardiography showed the prevalence of mitral regurgitation (63.6%), aortic regurgitation (45.5%), tricuspid regurgitation (22.7%), pulmonary regurgitation (4.5%), and pericardial effusion (4.5%).Conclusion: This study showed that Sydenham chorea can be the only sign of rheumatic fever. This disease typically occurs in children between the ages of 7 and 12. ESR, CRP, and ASO can be the most effective laboratory tests for diagnosis.

A mid- and long-team follow-up study of the application of single-valved bovine pericardium patches in right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction.

Pulmonary regurgitation following right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction may cause right heart dysfunction and even right heart failure. Installation of a single valve at this time point can effectively reduce pulmonary regurgitation, thereby protecting right heart function. Here, we analyzed the outcomes and mid- and long-term follow-up data of patients undergoing single-valved bovine pericardium patch (svBPP) placement for reconstruction and explored the effectiveness and gaps of svBPP in preventing right heart failure. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients undergoing RVOT reconstruction using BalMonocTM svBPP from October 2010 to August 2020. The follow up procedures included outpatient visits and collection of outcomes. The cardiac ultrasound-related indicators during the follow-up visits included ejection fraction (EF), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD), pulmonary regurgitation, and pulmonary artery stenosis. The survival rates and reoperation-free rate were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Patients includes tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia and other complex congenital heart disease. A total of 5 patients (5.7%) died during the perioperative period. Early complications included pleural effusion, cardiac insufficiency, respiratory insufficiency, chylothorax, and atelectasis, all of which were cured. After discharge, 83 patients (94.3%) were effectively followed up. During follow-up, 1 patient died and 1 patient underwent reoperation. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 98.8%, 98.8%, and 98.8%, respectively, and the reintervention-free rates for the same intervals were 98.8%, 98.8%, and 98.8%, respectively. The last follow-up ultrasound revealed severe pulmonary stenosis in 0 cases, moderate stenosis in 2 cases, mild stenosis in 7 cases, and no stenosis in 73 cases. Pulmonary regurgitation was not found in 12 patients; however, there were 2 cases of severe pulmonary regurgitation, 20 cases of moderate pulmonary regurgitation, and 48 cases of mild pulmonary regurgitation. As shown in the mid- and long-term follow-up studies, BalMonocTM svBPP has good performance in RVOT reconstruction. It can effectively eliminate or reduce pulmonary valve regurgitation and protect right heart function. Both réparation à l'Etage ventriculaire (REV) and the modified Barbero-Marcial procedure can bring growth potential and reduce reoperation rate.

Development of PR Restenosis after Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty

Background: Pulmonary stenosis is not an uncommon congenital heart disease in our population. Various age groups present with severe pulmonary stenosis require intervention either surgical or percutaneous catheter-based. Often lifesaving surgical intervention is not feasible considering procedural risk, the patient’s physical condition, and young age. Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is safe, effective, almost painless, economical, and less hospital stay in any age group with immediate and long-term success. This study aimed to analyze the rate of development of (Pulmonary Regurgitation) PR restenosis after Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty (PBPV). Material Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka from January to December 2021. 0-18 years aged 50 population with PS who were referred to the Paediatric Cardiology Department of CMH Dhaka during the study period were selected as study subjects as per inclusion criteria. The purposive Sampling technique was used in this study. Data were collected with a predesigned standard data collection sheet. Statistical significance was set as a 95% confidence level at a 5% acceptable error level. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency and percentages. Mean, standard deviation, and/or medians with interquartile ranges were used to express the continuous variables. Paired t-test was performed in categorical comparison. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS Version 24. Written informed consent was taken from every parent. Ethical clearance was taken from the Ethics Review Committee of CMH Dhaka for conducting the study. Results: 50(6.39%) had isolated valvular PS. The international standard for the prevalence of isolated PS is 8-10% which is very close to this study’s result. In this study, male predominance was found with the male-female ratio of 3:2 though there was no gender dominance found in other studies. Out of 50 cases, 3(6%) are neonates,7(14%) are infants, 27 (54%) are 1-5 years aged, and 13(26%) are more than 5 years aged. A total of 13(26%) cases developed PR, and all 13 patients developed trivial PR on D1 echo, out of them 1 patient developed mild PR on D30 Echo but in D90 and D180 Echo patients persisted the same mild PR. Out of 50 cases, 46(92%) were successful and 4 cases were procedure failed. None of the successful cases developed restenosis. Out of 4 procedure failed cases 1 patient developed restenosis on D30 follow up and 2 patients develop restenosis on the D90 follow-up. At D180 follow up none of the patients developed restenosis. All the restenosis cases had dysplastic pulmonary valves. One patient’s PS gradient persisted at 30-50 mm of Hg throughout the follow-up period. Overall restenosis in 180-day follow-up is 3(6%) and the remaining 47(94%) cases lead a healthy life in 6 months follow-up. Reballooning was done immediately after diagnosis of restenosis in stenosed cases. Conclusion: Immediate and intermediate-term (6 months) follow-up with Doppler echocardiography showed excellent outcomes in all cases except 3 (6.0%) restenosis cases and 13 (26.0%) insignificant PR cases. The baby who all had restenosis, had the risk factor, like- dysplastic PV. It may be concluded that balloon valvuloplasty is the procedure of choice for moderate, severe, and critical pulmonary valve stenosis.

Bovine jugular vein conduit replacement after homograft degeneration in patients with tetralogy of Fallot: The results of re-redo cases.

This study aims to present our experience and results in terms of reconstruction with bovine jugular vein conduit in re-redo patients who developed severe homograft degeneration with pulmonary homograft valve replacement. Between May 2018 and May 2021, a total of 10 re-redo patients (4 males, 6 females; mean age: 16.5±3.0 years; range, 12 to 21 years) who underwent bovine jugular vein conduit replacement due to homograft degeneration were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical, pre-, intra-, and postoperative data of the patients were recorded. The mean age of the second operation (homograft replacement) was 8.5±3.8 (range, 4 to 14) years in the patients who underwent homograft replacement. No postoperative mortality was observed. When the pre- and postoperative findings were compared, the right ventricular outflow tract gradient, the degree of pulmonary and tricuspid regurgitation, and right ventricular dilatation were regressed (p<0.05). A significant improvement in the New York Heart Association functional class was observed in all patients after surgery. After tetralogy of Fallot corrective surgery, repetitive surgical interventions are inevitable due to pulmonary valve deterioration. Therefore, a bovine jugular vein conduit may be a good alternative for conduit preference after pulmonary homograft failure in re-redo cases.

Psychosis treatment in the context of tetralogy of Fallot and prolonged QTc

We present a case of a 27-year-old Caucasian male with a background of surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and pulmonary valve regurgitation, who presented with psychotic symptoms. The case presented a challenge in treatment due to the patient's cardiac history and ongoing cardiac-related health problems with prolonged QTc before initiation of the antipsychotic drug. Treatment included careful monitoring of ECG while on antipsychotics, which led gradually to improvement in his mental state. The case highlights the possibility of a link between TOF and psychosis, the vulnerability of such patients to their treatment and the importance of multidisciplinary support for cardiac side-effects.

Clinical outcomes of handmade polytetrafluoroethylene trileaflet-valved conduit used for pulmonary valve replacement.

To mitigate the shortage of homograft sources, the use of handmade trileaflet expanded polytetrafluoroethylene valves in pulmonary valve replacement has shown excellent results from multicentre studies conducted in Japan. However, world-wide data outside Japan are relatively insufficient. This study presents the long-term results of a single surgeon's use of flipped-back trileaflet method in a 10-year case series. We have developed an efficient way to make a trileaflet-valved conduit utilizing flipped-back method for pulmonary valve replacement and have employed the technique since 2011. Retrospective data were studied between October 2010 and January 2020. Echocardiography, electrocardiogram, Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Magnetic Resonance Imaging data were analysed. Fifty-five patients were reviewed and median follow-up duration was 2.9 years. The majority of diagnoses was Tetralogy of Fallot (n = 41), and these patients subsequently underwent secondary pulmonary valve replacement at a median age of 15.6 years. Survival was 92.7% with the longest follow-up period being 10 years. There was no need for reoperation, and freedom from reintervention was 98.0% at 10 years. There were 4 deaths (3 in-hospital and 1 outpatient). One patient eventually received transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. Postoperative echocardiography showed mild or less pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation degree in 92.2% and 92.0% of patients, respectively. Comparable magnetic resonance imaging data (n = 25) showed significant reduction in right ventricular volumes but not in ejection fractions. Our series showed satisfactory long-term function of handmade flipped-back trileaflet-valved conduit used in our patients. The simple design is efficiently reproducible without complex fabrication process.

Prevalence and predictors of non-rheumatic valvular heart disease in patients with sickle cell disease: insights from the National In-Patient Database in 2016 and 2017.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) life expectancy has increased in high-income countries, approaching the fifth decade in the United States. Aging in SCD has raised concerns about chronic organ damage due to adaptative and maladaptive cardiac remodeling. This study aims to assess the prevalence and predictors of non-rheumatic valvular heart disease (NRVHD) in SCD patients using the United States National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 and 2017. We conducted a weighted analysis on SCD patients during their index hospitalization. We obtained the prevalence of NRVHD and calculated adjusted odds ratios to identify the associated demographic, social, and clinical characteristics using multivariable logistic regression. We identified 192,460 SCD admissions during 2016 and 2017. Of them, 2450 (1.3%) had NRVHD. Mitral insufficiency (MI) was the most common NRVHD present in 52% of the cases. Mitral valve prolapse represented 12.4%, while aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in 10.8% and 12.7%, respectively. Right-sided NRVHD had a lower prevalence, with 17.1% of patients having tricuspid insufficiency (TI) and 6.3% pulmonary insufficiency. There were no cases of mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonary stenosis. Characteristics associated with the presence of NRVHD in SCD were secondary pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and female sex. NRVHDs, especially MI and TI, are comorbidities in SCD. Literature is scarce on this topic. The predictors found for its occurrence could help address modifiable factors that can positively affect patients with SCD who, due to the natural history of the disease, are at risk of developing NRVHD.

Fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: a single-center clinical experience.

Fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: a single-center clinical experience.

Impact of right ventricular stiffness on discordance between hemodynamic parameter and regurgitant volume in patients with pulmonary regurgitation.

Accurate detection of significant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is critical in management of patients after right ventricular (RV) outflow reconstruction in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients, because of its influence on adverse outcomes. Although pressure half time (PHT) of PR velocity is one of the widely used echocardiographic markers of the severity, shortened PHT is suggested to be seen in conditions with increased RV stiffness with mild PR. However, little has been reported about the exact characteristics of patients showing discrepancy between PHT and PR volume in this population. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in 74 TOF patients after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction [32 ± 10 years old]. PHT was measured from the continuous Doppler PR flow velocity profile and PHT < 100 ms was used as a sign of significant PR. Presence of end-diastolic RVOT forward flow was defined as RV restrictive physiology. By using phase-contrast MRI, forward and regurgitant volumes through the RVOT were measured and regurgitation fraction was calculated. Significant PR was defined as regurgitant fraction ≥ 25%. Significant PR was observed in 54 of 74 patients. While PHT < 100 ms well predicted significant PR with sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 52%, and c-index of 0.72, 10 patients showed shortened PHT despite regurgitant fraction < 25% (discordant group). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were comparable between discordant group and patients showing PHT < 100 ms and regurgitant fraction ≥ 25% (concordant group). However, discordant group showed significantly smaller mid RV diameter (30.7 ± 4.5 vs. 39.2 ± 7.3mm, P < 0.001) and higher prevalence of restrictive physiology (100% vs. 42%, P < 0.01) than concordant group. When mid RV diameter ≥ 32mm and presence of restrictive physiology were added to PHT, the predictive value was significantly improved (sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 90%, and c-index: 0.89, P < 0.001 vs. PHT alone by multivariable logistic regression model). Patients with increased RV stiffness and non-enlarged right ventricle showed short PHT despite mild PR. Although it has been expected, this was the first study to demonstrate the exact characteristics of patients showing discrepancy between PHT and PR volume in TOF patients after RVOT reconstruction.

The right ventricle in tetralogy of Fallot: adaptation to sequential loading.

Right ventricular dysfunction is a major determinant of outcome in patients with complex congenital heart disease, as in tetralogy of Fallot. In these patients, right ventricular dysfunction emerges after initial pressure overload and hypoxemia, which is followed by chronic volume overload due to pulmonary regurgitation after corrective surgery. Myocardial adaptation and the transition to right ventricular failure remain poorly understood. Combining insights from clinical and experimental physiology and myocardial (tissue) data has identified a disease phenotype with important distinctions from other types of heart failure. This phenotype of the right ventricle in tetralogy of Fallot can be described as a syndrome of dysfunctional characteristics affecting both contraction and filling. These characteristics are the end result of several adaptation pathways of the cardiomyocytes, myocardial vasculature and extracellular matrix. As long as the long-term outcome of surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot remains suboptimal, other treatment strategies need to be explored. Novel insights in failure of adaptation and the role of cardiomyocyte proliferation might provide targets for treatment of the (dysfunctional) right ventricle under stress.

Early spontaneous closure of large arterial ducts in two term neonates with Ebstein anomaly after failed attempts of transcatheter closure.

In neonatal Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, prolonged ductal patency in patients without anatomic pulmonary valve atresia can be deleterious. Circular shunts may develop in patients with different degrees of pulmonary and tricuspid insufficiency. Closure of the arterial duct may result in haemodynamic improvement in particular scenarios. The transcatheter approach is a valuable closure alternative despite some technical difficulties in large-sized arterial ducts and low birth weight neonates. Herein, we report on two consecutive term newborns with Ebstein's anomaly and large arterial ducts in whom mechanical stimulus of the arterial duct during failed attempts of transcatheter closure led after two days to definitive closure followed by good clinical outcomes.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis against the background of the use of organic substances, probably mustard powder (clinical case)

We describe a clinical case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis against the background of the use of organic substances, probably mustard powder.Patient K. is 18 years old and lives in the city. The disease began on 01.11.2022, with complaints of cough with difficult secretion of thick sputum, shortness of breath with slight physical exertion, an increase in body temperature to 37.5 °C, a feeling of palpitations. Complaints were observed for about three weeks and increased in dynamics. Consulted a pulmonologist at a private medical center, where a diagnosis of allergic bronchitis was made and treatment was prescribed, which did not have a positive effect. On 21.11.2022, the family doctor referred him for an X-ray examination, where pathological changes in the lungs were detected. The patient was referred to a pulmonologist for consultation, and a computed tomography (CT) of the chest was also performed. Changes characteristic of hypersensitivity pneumonitis were detected, hospitalized in the pulmonology department of the Ternopil Regional Phthisiopulmonological Medical Center. It is known from the anamnesis that for about three months he worked in the production of food products where mustard powder was used, he did not use respiratory protection means.Additional examination methods were carried out. Bronchoscopy, conclusion — Catarrhal laryngitis, diffuse bilateral catarrhal tracheobronchitis. Computed tomography of the chest organs dated 22.11.2022, the conclusion is that the picture of the dissemination syndrome in the lungs is more characteristic of acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The patient was consulted by a cardiologist. The clinical diagnosis «Hyper­sensitive pneumonitis against the background of the use of organic substances, probably mustard powder, subacute form, diagnosed for the first time. Pulmonary insufficiency of the 2nd degree. Idiopathic mitral valve prolapse. Metabolic cardiomyopathy. Heart failure of the 0th stage». Treatment is prescribed. 09.12.2022 discharged for outpatient treatment with improvement. According to the data of the control examination (CT dated 09.01.2023) dynamics of partial resorption of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

4D flow magnetic resonance imaging to assess right ventricular outflow tract in patients undergoing transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement

Introduction and objectivesMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including 4D flow is used before percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI). As PPVI is limited by the size of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), accurate sizing is needed to plan the intervention. The aim of this study was to compare different MRI modalities and invasive angiography to balloon sizing of RVOT. MethodsSingle-center prospective study of patients who underwent PPVI for isolated pulmonary regurgitation assessed by 4D flow MRI, 3D steady-state free precession/gradient echo (3D SSFP/GRE) and contrast magnetic resonance angiography. Balloon sizing was considered as the reference. ResultsA total of 23 adults were included (mean age, 38.4±12.5 years). Eighteen patients underwent successful primary PPVI. The average of the narrowest RVOT diameter was 25.4±4.3 mm by balloon sizing. Compared to balloon sizing, RVOT diameters were better correlated when estimated by systolic 4D flow MRI (r=0.89, P<.001) than by diastolic 4D flow MRI (r=0.71, P <.001), 3D contrast magnetic resonance angiography (r=0.73; P <.001) and 3D SSFP/GRE (r=0.50; P=.04) and was not significantly correlated when estimated by 2D in diastole and systole. The mean difference between systolic 4D flow MRI and balloon sizing was 0.2 mm (95%CI, –3.5 to 3.9 mm), whereas it was wider with other techniques. ConclusionsBeyond the quantification of pulmonary valve regurgitation, 4D flow allows accurate estimation of RVOT diameters, especially in systole, which is fundamental before planning PPVI.

Discordance between 2D and 4D flow in the assessment of pulmonary regurgitation severity: a right ventricular remodeling follow-up study.

Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is common in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). 2D phase contrast MRI is the reference method for the quantification of PR and helps in the decision of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). 4D flow MRI can be an alternative method to estimate PR but more validation is still needed. Our purpose was to compare 2D and 4D flow in PR quantification using the degree of right ventricular remodeling after PVR as the reference standard. In 30 adult patients with a pulmonary valve disease recruited between 2015 and 2018, PR was assessed using both 2D and 4D flow. Based on the clinical standard of care, 22 underwent PVR. The pre PVR estimate of PR was compared using the post-operative decrease in right ventricle end-diastolic volume on follow-up exam as reference. In the overall cohort, regurgitant volume (Rvol) and regurgitant fraction (RF) of PR measured by 2D and 4D flow were well correlated but with moderate agreement in the overall cohort (r = 0.90, mean diff. -14 ± 12.5mL; and r = 0.72, mean diff. -15 ± 13%; all p < 0.0001). Correlations between Rvol estimates and right ventricle end-diastolic volume decrease after PVR was higher with 4D flow (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001) than with 2D flow (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). In ACHD, PR quantification from 4D flow better predicts post-PVR right ventricle remodeling than that from 2D flow. Further studies are needed to evaluate the added value of this 4D flow quantification for guiding replacement decision. • Using 4D flow MRI allows a better quantification of pulmonary regurgitation in adult congenital heart disease than 2D flow when taking right ventricle remodeling after pulmonary valve replacement as a reference. • A plane positioned perpendicular to the ejected flow volume as allowed by 4D flow provides better results to estimate pulmonary regurgitation.

Central airway stenting in oncology

Introduction. Malignant central airway obstruction and malignant tracheoesophageal fistula in the context of tumor development are potentially life-threatening conditions which usually require immediate intervention. Airway stenting is one of the safest and most effective methods of airway patency restoration in patients with malignant obstruction of the central airways and restoration of continuity in patients with malignant tracheoesophageal fistula.Aim. To evaluate the significance of self-expandable metal stents in palliative treatment of patients with malignant central airway obstruction and malignant tracheoesophageal fistula.Materials and methods. Between 2017 and 2021 at the N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 55 patients were observed and treated and underwent trachea stenting per the results of bronchoscopy in combination with esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The 1st group included 25 patients with malignant tracheoesophageal fistulas, the 2nd group included 30 patients with malignant central airway obstruction.Results. In the 1st group, stenting was successful in 25 (100 %) cases which allowed to adequately seal the fistula. Stent migration was observed in 1 (4 %) patient with tracheoesophageal fistula in the context of stenosing cancer of the thoracic esophagus. In the 2nd group, stenting was successful in 30 (100 %) cases. Stent migration was not observed in this patient group. In both groups, there were no complications after stent implantation. Installation of tracheal stent allowed to improve patients’ quality of life and provide a possibility for successful special treatment through low-trauma manipulation.Conclusion. According to the obtained data, endoscopic trachea stenting is the most important method of palliative treatment of tumor-related trachea lesions with development of tracheoesophageal fistulas, malignant central airway obstructions and associated sub- and decompensated pulmonary insufficiency.

IMMEDIATE AND EARLY OUTCOME OF PULMONARY VALVE CUSP AUGMENTATION FOR REPAIR OF TETRALOGY OF FALLOT (TOF)

Objectives: To determine the immediate and early outcome of pulmonary valve cusp augmentation for repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)&#x0D; Methods: A descriptive study of 36 cases of TOF repair done from July 2020 to December 2022 at Faisalabad Institute of cardiology (FIC). Autologous pericardium used in all cases to augment the pulmonary valve cusp to increase the size of pulmonary valve orifice. Patients were followed in immediate and early post operative period by doing echocardiography to observe the outcome including pulmonary valve regurgitation (PR), stenosis and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO)&#x0D; Results: Median age was 12 years (4–21). Immediate Post repair echocardiography showed no PR in 77.8 % of patients (n=28) while 8 patients had mild PR (22.2%). Majority of patients (61.1%) had mild RVOT obstruction, 13 patients (36.1%) had moderate RVOT obstruction while one patient had severe RVOT obstruction. Mean gradient across RVOT was 36.72 (+/- 11.08). The data on most recent follow up showed no PR in 83.3% (n=30) patients, while 6 patients (16.7%) had mild pulmonary regurgitation. Mild RVOTO was seen in 47.2 % of patients (n=17), 50% (n=18) patients had moderate RVOTO while one patient had severe RVOTO. Mean RVOT gradient was 40.8 +/- 15.20. There was no statistically significant difference between immediate and at last follow up RVOT gradient (p-value = 0.119)&#x0D; Conclusion: Augmentation of the pulmonary valve cusp in selective cases of TOF is a useful technique to avoid the need of transannular patch in significant number of cases&#x0D; Keywords: Tetralogy of Fallot, right ventricular outflow tract, cusp augmentation, transannular.&#x0D;

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLINICAL COURSE OF COVID-19 INFECTION IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Topicality. In early 2020, an epidemic of the new, at that time, SARS-CoV-2 virus occurred in Ukraine, which led to a high level of morbidity with fatal consequences, costs for hospitalization and treatment of patients, which negatively affected the level of the economy, including. The clinical picture was characterized by the appearance of febrile temperature, dyspnoea, dry paroxysmal cough, loss of smell, taste, muscle pain, pronounced general weakness and rather rapid development of pulmonary insufficiency. On the 7-10th day, a cytokine storm developed, which over time led to the development of various complications, exacerbations of chronic diseases, and a high percentage of fatal consequences [1]. With the introduction of vaccination, the clinical picture of coronavirus infection has changed significantly: the percentage of asymptomatic patients has increased, and a much smaller number of patients need oxygen therapy.

Intraoperative Sapien S3 Valve Placement in 2 Patients With Multi-Valvar Disease Operation: A Unique Hybrid Procedure.

There has been a paradigm shift in the management of patients with congenital heart disease with a move away from conventional surgical treatment in favor of a percutaneous catheter-based approach across the spectrum of valvular heart diseases. The Sapien S3 valve implantation in the pulmonary position has been previously reported using a conventional transcatheter approach in patients with pulmonary insufficiency due to an enlarged right ventricular outflow tract. In this report, we present 2 unique cases of intraoperative hybrid implantation of Sapien S3 valves in patients with complex pulmonic and tricuspid valvular disease.