Society Of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association Research Articles

Impact of transport outcomes of outborn newborns with critical congenital heart disease on surgery time and mortality rates

Purpose: Transport of neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) necessitates professional and experienced staff and, well-equipped facilities for both the procedure and post-operative care. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transport on operation time and survival in neonates with CCHD and determine the relationship between transport characteristics and clinical status.
 Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted on all infants with CCHD who were transported to a university hospital between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Transport characteristics such as transport distance, accompanying healthcare provider, vital signs, oxygen saturation levels, prostaglandin E1 (PGE) use, and respiratory support were recorded. The effects of transport characteristics on surgery time, complications, and mortality were analyzed. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Score was used to analyze mortality-related risks for congenital heart disease. They were compared with inborn newborns with CCHD. 
 Results: A total of 55 patients with CCHD were evaluated. Thirty-one newborns (56.4%) were inborn (Inborn group), and 24 newborns (43.6%) were transferred from another center (Outborn group). There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender, gestational age, birth weight, pre-operative time, and hospital stay. Although the Outborn group had fewer STAT Score categories, there was no difference in the 30-day survival or mortality rates. In the Outborn group, five patients (20.8%) with duct-dependent CCHD were transported without PGE treatment and six duct-dependent (25%) patients received oxygen during transport inappropriately.
 Conclusion: The administration of PGE and oxygen therapies to specific transported infants was inappropriate. Therefore, referral or transport team members should be familiar infants with CCHD. The impact of transport on surgical timing did not yield a significant effect. However, similar mortality rates were observed in both groups, despite the Outborn group demonstrating lower STAT scores. This may indicate the significance of referring intrauterine transportation to experienced cardiovascular centers.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy in Children With Congenital Heart Disease Based on Risk of Surgical Mortality

BackgroundChildren with congenital heart disease (CHD) have a higher prevalence of motor impairment secondary to brain injury, resulting in cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of CP in CHD in a single-center cohort, stratify risk based on surgical mortality using Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) categories and identify risk factors. MethodsRetrospective cohort study of pediatric patients registered in the University of Florida (UF) Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery database from 2006 to 2017 with a diagnosis of CHD who continued follow-up for more than two years at UF. ResultsA total of 701 children with CHD met inclusion criteria. Children identified to have CP were 54 (7.7%). Most common presentation was spastic hemiplegic CP with a Gross Motor Function Classification System of level 2. Analysis of surgical and intensive care factors between the two groups showed that children with CHD and CP had longer time from admission to surgery (P = 0.003), higher STAT categories 4 and 5 (P = 0.038), and higher frequency of brain injury and seizures (P < 0.001). Developmental disabilities and rehabilitation needs were significantly greater for children with CHD and CP when compared with those with CHD alone (P < 0.001). ConclusionsIn our cohort, 7.7% children with CHD develop CP; this is significantly higher than the 2010 US population estimate of 0.3%. Our study suggests higher STAT categories, brain injury, and seizures are associated with developing CP in children with CHD.

Postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension predicts worse hospital outcomes in children after cardiac surgery: a pilot study†.

Our goal was to determine the incidence and characteristics of postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in paediatric patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This single-centre study included consecutive children (aged <16 years) who underwent open-heart surgery between July 2020 and February 2021. Patients who entered the study were followed until in-hospital death or hospital discharge. The study consisted of 2 parts. Part I was a prospective observational cohort study that was designed to discover the association between exposures and IAH. Postoperative intra-abdominal pressure was measured immediately after admission to the intensive care unit and every 6 h thereafter. Part II was a cross-sectional study to compare the hospital-related adverse outcomes between the IAH and the no-IAH cohorts. Postoperatively, 24.7% (38/154) of the patients exhibited IAH, whereas 3.9% (6/154) developed abdominal compartment syndrome. The majority (29/38, 76.3%) of IAH cases occurred within the first 24 h in the intensive care unit. Multivariable analysis showed that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.83, P = 0.004], right-sided heart lesion (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 2.34-13.43, P < 0.001), redo sternotomy (OR = 4.35, 95% CI 1.64-11.57, P = 0.003), high baseline intra-abdominal pressure (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.11-1.83, P = 0.005), prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.01, P = 0.005) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (OR = 5.14, 95% CI 1.15-22.98, P = 0.032) were independent predictors of IAH occurrence. IAH was associated with greater inotropic support (P < 0.001), more gastrointestinal complications (P = 0.001), sepsis (P = 0.003), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (P < 0.001) and prolonged intensive care unit stay (z = -4.916, P < 0.001) and hospitalization (z = -4.710, P < 0.001). The occurrence of a composite outcome (P = 0.009) was significantly increased in patients with IAH. IAH is common in children undergoing cardiac surgery and is associated with worse hospital outcomes. Several factors may be associated with the development of IAH, including basic cardiac physiology and perioperative factors. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial number: ChiCTR2000034322)URL site: https://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.html?id=41363&v=1.4.

Association Between Neighborhood Socioeconomic Factors and Length of Stay After Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease.

Neighborhood socioeconomic status, as measured by area deprivation index (ADI) is associated with longer length of stay (LOS) after surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that LOS is associated with ADI in a large cohort of congenital heart disease (CHD) surgical cases of varying severity and sought to determine which other components of the ADI accounted for any associations. Retrospective analysis of a curated dataset. The Brokamp ADI was determined using residential addresses. Overall, ADI and each of its six individual components were dichotomized, and LOS compared between groups above versus below the median for the entire cohort and after stratifying by surgical The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) severity category. Single-center academic pediatric teaching hospital. CHD patients who underwent surgical repair/palliation between September 2007 and August 2022. None. A total of 2462 patients (52.7% male) were included. Median age was 254 (interquartile range [IQR] 95-1628) days and median LOS in the hospital was 8 (IQR 5-18) days. We failed to identify an association between Brokamp ADI, above versus below the median for the entire cohort, and LOS; nor in STAT categories 1-4. However, in STAT category 5 (n = 129) those with ADI above the median (more deprived) had a significantly longer LOS (48 [20-88] vs. 36 [18-49] d, p = 0.034). Of the individual components of the ADI, only percent below poverty level and percent vacant houses were associated with LOS in STAT category 5. LOS after CHD surgery is associated with Brokamp ADI in STAT category 5 cases, we failed to identify an association in lower-risk cardiac operations.

Neonatal Chylothorax and Early Fluid Overload After Cardiac Surgery: Retrospective Analysis of the Neonatal and Pediatric Heart and Renal Outcomes Network Registry (2015-2018).

To evaluate the association between postoperative cumulative fluid balance (FB) and development of chylothorax in neonates after cardiac surgery. Multicenter, retrospective cohort identified within the Neonatal and Pediatric Heart and Renal Outcomes Network (NEPHRON) Registry. Twenty-two hospitals were involved with NEPHRON, from September 2015 to January 2018. Neonates (< 30 d old) undergoing index cardiac operation with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) entered into the NEPHRON Registry. Postoperative chylothorax was defined in the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium as lymphatic fluid in the pleural space secondary to a leak from the thoracic duct or its branches. None. Of the 2240 NEPHRON patients, 4% ( n = 89) were treated for chylothorax during postoperative day (POD) 2-21. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) time to diagnosis was 8 (IQR 6, 12) days. Of patients treated for chylothorax, 81 of 89 (91%) had CPB and 68 of 89 (76%) had Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery 4-5 operations. On bivariate analysis, chylothorax patients had higher POD 1 FB (3.2 vs. 1.1%, p = 0.014), higher cumulative POD 2 FB (1.5 vs. -1.5%, p < 0.001), achieved negative daily FB by POD 1 less often (69% vs. 79%, p = 0.039), and had lower POD 1 urine output (1.9 vs. 3. 2 mL/kg/day, p ≤ 0.001) than those without chylothorax. We failed to identify an association between presence or absence of chylothorax and peak FB (5.2 vs. 4.9%, p = 0.9). Multivariable analysis shows that higher cumulative FB on POD 2 was associated with greater odds (odds ratio [OR], 95% CI) of chylothorax development (OR 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1-2.2]). Further multivariable analysis shows that chylothorax was independently associated with greater odds of longer durations of mechanical ventilation (OR 5.5 [95% CI, 3.7-8.0]), respiratory support (OR 4.3 [95% CI, 2.9-6.2]), use of inotropic support (OR 2.9 [95% CI, 2.0-4.3]), and longer hospital length of stay (OR 3.7 [95% CI, 2.5-5.4]). Chylothorax after neonatal cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) is independently associated with greater odds of longer duration of cardiorespiratory support and hospitalization. Higher early (POD 2) cumulative FB is associated with greater odds of chylothorax. Contemporary, prospective studies are needed to assess whether early fluid mitigation strategies decrease postoperative chylothorax development.

Predictors of extubation in the operating room after pediatric cardiac surgery: A single-center retrospective study

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of our on-table extubation strategy in patients with congenital heart disease. Methods: Between April 2021 and November 2022, a total of 114 pediatric patients (58 males, 56 females; median age: 25.3 months; range, 57.5 to 4.4 months) who were operated for congenital heart diseases were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STS-EACTS) scoring system. Perioperative patient data were analyzed and correlated with the extubation status. Results: Overall, 56% of the patients were extubated in the operating room. There was an association between fluid balance per unit body surface area, longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times and on-table extubation. Lactate value prior to extubation, STS-EACTS mortality category, estimated mortality, and estimated morbidity were statistically significant with regards to the achievability of extubation. Multivariate analysis revealed lactate value prior to extubation and estimated postoperative length of hospital stay to be significant factors affecting on-table extubation. There was a significant correlation between decreased length of intensive care unit and hospital stay and on-table extubation. Conclusion: The outcomes of our on-table extubation strategy for patients with congenital heart disease reveal the feasibility of this approach. Higher lactate and fluid balance/body surface area levels, longer cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass durations, increased surgical complexity are indicators of a failure to perform on-table extubation. This strategy is also associated with shorter intensive care unit and hospital length of stays as an additional clinical benefit.

Contemporary Relationship Between Hospital Volume and Outcomes in Congenital Heart Surgery

BackgroundStudies examining the volume-outcome relationship in congenital heart surgery (CHS) are more than a decade old. Since then, mortality has declined, and case-mix adjustment has evolved. We determined the current relationship between hospital CHS volume and outcomes. MethodsPatients aged ≤18 years undergoing index operations in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2017-2020) were included. Associations between annual hospital volume and case-mix–adjusted operative mortality, major complications, failure to rescue (FTR), and postoperative length of stay (PLOS) were assessed using Bayesian hierarchical models, overall, by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category, and for the Norwood procedure. ResultsAcross 101 centers (76,714 index operations), median annual volume was 144 operations/y. Operative mortality was 2.7%. Lower-volume hospitals had higher mortality, with an apparent transition zone at ∼190 operations/y (95% credible interval [CrI], 115-450 operations/y), below which a sustained uptick in the estimated odds of death occurred. Odds of death compared with a 450 operations/y reference were 50 operations/y (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CrI, 1.41-2.37), 100 operations/y (OR, 1.37; 95% CrI, 1.08-1.71), 200 operations/y (OR, 0.92; 95% CrI, 0.1-1.18), 300 operations/y (OR, 0.89; 95% CrI, 0.76-1.04). The volume-outcome effect was more apparent for STAT 4 to 5 than STAT 1 to 3 operations. In the overall cohort, PLOS and complications were similar across hospital volumes, whereas FTR rates were higher at lower-volume hospitals. Lower-volume hospitals had worse outcomes after the Norwood procedure, most notably mortality and FTR. ConclusionsHospital volume is associated with mortality and FTR after CHS. The relationship is strongest for high-risk operations. These data can inform ongoing initiatives to improve CHS care.

Morbidity and Mortality in Adult Congenital Heart Surgery: Physiologic Component Augments Risk Prediction

BackgroundWe sought to evaluate whether the anatomic and physiologic stratification system (ACAP score), released as part of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association updated guidelines for management of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) in 2018, better estimated mortality and morbidity after cardiac operations for ACHD. MethodsThe ACAP score was determined for 318 patients (age ≥18 years) with ACHD undergoing heart surgery at our institution between December 2001 and August 2019. The primary end point was perioperative mortality. The secondary aim was to evaluate the performance of the ACAP, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Categories, and ACHS mortality scores/categories at predicting a composite adverse outcome of perioperative mortality, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure requiring replacement therapy. Logistic regression models were built to estimate mortality and the composite outcome using anatomic and physiologic components independently and together. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created, and area under the curves were compared using the Delong test. ResultsThe median age was 37 years (interquartile range, 26.3-50.0 years). There were 9 perioperative mortalities (2.8%). With respect to perioperative mortality, the area under the curve using the anatomic component only was 0.74, which improved to 0.81 after including physiologic severity (P = .05). When physiologic severity was added to the model for the composite outcome, the discriminatory abilities of the ACHS mortality score and the STAT categories increased significantly to 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.91; P = .02) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90; P = .04), comparable to the predictive power of ACAP. ConclusionsPhysiologic severity augments ability to predict mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery for ACHD. There is need for more robust ACHD-specific risk models.

Epilepsy in Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Risk Factors and Characteristic Presentations

BackgroundChildren with a congenital heart disease (CHD) are at a higher risk of developing epilepsy than the general population, but detailed characteristics of CHD-associated epilepsy have not been clarified. The purposes of this study were to determine the risk factors for developing epilepsy associated with CHD and to elucidate the characteristics of such epilepsy. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study based on medical records of pediatric patients with CHD who were born between January 2006 and December 2016, underwent cardiac surgery at Okayama University Hospital, and were followed up until at least age three years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors particularly associated with epilepsy occurrence. In patients who developed epilepsy, clinical data on seizure characteristics were further investigated. ResultsWe collected data from 1024 patients, and 41 (4.0%) developed epilepsy. The presence of underlying disease (odds ratio [OR]: 2.413; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.150 to 4.883) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery score category 2 (OR: 4.373; 95% CI: 1.090 to 29.150) and category 5 (OR: 10.385; 95% CI: 1.717 to 89.016) were significantly related to epilepsy occurrence. Of the 41 patients with epilepsy, 15 (including nine with hypoplastic left heart syndrome) had focal impaired awareness seizures specified as autonomic seizures with vomiting, which tends to escape detection. ConclusionsWe clarified the risk factors for developing epilepsy in children with CHD. We also found that autonomic seizure with vomiting is an important symptom in these children.

Predictors of anesthesia ready time: Analysis and benchmark data

ObjectivePatients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery require induction of anesthesia. Our objective was to identify the median anesthesia ready time and the predictors of this time. MethodsBy using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database, we identified patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass procedures from 2017 to 2021. Univariate and multivariable regression modeling to predict the anesthesia ready time was performed using mixed-effects linear regression. ResultsAfter exclusion of outliers, 44,418 cases were analyzed. The median anesthesia ready time was 51 minutes (interquartile range, 38-66). On multivariable analysis, independent predictors of a longer anesthesia ready time included decreasing weight (0.3 min/10 kg, 95% CI, 0.1-0.6; P = .011), prematurity (1.5 minutes, 95% CI, 0.8-2.2; P < .001), and presence of chromosomal abnormality (3.4 minutes, 95% CI, 1.5-5.2; P < .001). An increase in the duration in anesthesia ready time was seen with increasing Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery mortality category with an additional 7.8 minutes (95% CI, 5.2-10.4; P < .001) for a Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery 5 procedure compared with Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery 1. Emergency versus elective case designation was associated with an anesthesia ready time reduction of 3.6 minutes (95% CI, 1.1-6.1; P = .005), and an afternoon case start was associated with an anesthesia ready time reduction of 4.2 minutes (95% CI, 2.8-5.6; P < .001). The presence of an anesthesia trainee increased the anesthesia ready time by 3.8 minutes (95% CI, 2.6-5.0; P < .001). The presence of an airway in situ decreased the anesthesia ready time by 3.6 minutes (95% CI, 1.6-5.5; P < .001), whereas an in situ arterial line decreased the anesthesia ready time by 7.4 minutes (95% CI, 4.6-10.2; P < .001). Placement of a central venous line increased the anesthesia ready time by 8.5 minutes (95% CI, 5.9-11.1; P < .001). ConclusionsThe median anesthesia ready time was 51 minutes. For patients with characteristics associated with prolonged anesthesia ready time, consideration should be given to allocation of additional anesthesia staffing to improve efficiency.

Trend of fetal echocardiography use and comparison of medical costs for congenital heart disease treatment based on fetal echocardiography use in a Korean single center.

The rate of the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease is increasing along with advances in fetal echocardiography techniques. Here, we aimed to investigate the trend of the use of fetal echocardiography over time and to compare the medical costs of congenital heart disease treatment according to whether fetal echocardiography was performed. We reviewed our hospital's database, and patients who underwent the first surgery for congenital heart disease within 30 days of birth during 2005-2007, 2011-2013, and 2017-2019 were included. The severity of congenital heart disease diagnosed in each case was evaluated according to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Scores (STS-EACTS Mortality Scores) and Mortality Categories (STAT Mortality Categories). In total, 375 patients were analyzed, and fetal echocardiography use increased significantly after the 2010s compared with in 2005-2007 (19.1% vs. 39%, p = 0.032 in Mortality Category 1-3; 15.5% vs. 69.5%, p = 0.000 in Mortality Category 4-5). Additionally, the mean STS-EACTS Mortality Score was higher in prenatally diagnosed patients than in postnatally diagnosed patients (2.287 vs. 1.787, p = 0.001). In the recent period, there was no significant difference in hospitalization durations and medical costs according to whether or not fetal echocardiography was performed. This single center study showed the use of fetal echocardiography is increasing. Further, prenatal diagnosis with fetal echocardiography causing no differences in medical costs in recent years. Therefore, we suggest that fetal echocardiography can be applied more widely without increasing the economic burden.

Failed Extubation in Neonates After Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

To describe factors associated with failed extubation (FE) in neonates following cardiovascular surgery, and the relationship with clinical outcomes. Retrospective cohort study. Twenty-bed pediatric cardiac ICU (PCICU) in an academic tertiary care children's hospital. Neonates admitted to the PCICU following cardiac surgery between July 2015 and June 2018. None. Patients who experienced FE were compared with patients who were successfully extubated. Variables associated with FE ( p < 0.05) from univariate analysis were considered for inclusion in multivariable logistic regression. Univariate associations of FE with clinical outcomes were also examined. Of 240 patients, 40 (17%) experienced FE. Univariate analyses revealed associations of FE with upper airway (UA) abnormality (25% vs 8%, p = 0.003) and delayed sternal closure (50% vs 24%, p = 0.001). There were weaker associations of FE with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (25% vs 13%, p = 0.04), postoperative ventilation greater than 7 days (33% vs 15%, p = 0.01), Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category 5 operations (38% vs 21%, p = 0.02), and respiratory rate during spontaneous breathing trial (median 42 vs 37 breaths/min, p = 0.01). In multivariable analysis, UA abnormalities (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4-9.0), postoperative ventilation greater than 7 days (AOR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0-5.2), and STAT category 5 operations (AOR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.2) were independently associated with FE. FE was also associated with unplanned reoperation/reintervention during hospital course (38% vs 22%, p = 0.04), longer hospitalization (median 29 vs 16.5 d, p < 0.0001), and in-hospital mortality (13% vs 3%, p = 0.02). FE in neonates occurs relatively commonly following cardiac surgery and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Additional data are needed to further optimize periextubation decision-making in patients with multiple clinical factors associated with FE.

Unplanned Extubation During Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care: U.S. Multicenter Registry Study of Prevalence and Outcomes.

The epidemiology of unplanned extubations (UEs) and associated adverse outcomes in pediatric cardiac ICUs (CICU). Registry data (August 2014 to October 2020). Forty-five Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium hospitals. Patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) via endotracheal tube (ETT). None. Fifty-six thousand five hundred eight MV courses occurred in 36,696 patients, with a crude UE rate of 2.8%. In cardiac surgical patients, UE was associated with longer duration of MV, but we failed to find such association in medical patients. In both cohorts, UE was associated with younger age, being underweight, and airway anomaly. In multivariable logistic regression, airway anomaly was associated with UE in all patients. Younger age, higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery score category, longer duration of MV, and initial oral rather than nasal ETT are associated with UE in the surgical group, but we failed to find such associations in the medical group. UE was associated with a higher reintubation rate compared with elective extubation (26.8 vs 4.8%; odds ratio [OR], 7.35; 95% CI, 6.44-8.39; p < 0.0001) within 1 day of event. After excluding patients having redirection of care, UE was associated with at least three-fold greater odds for each of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), cardiac arrest, and use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS). However, we failed to identify an association between UE and greater odds of mortality (1.2 vs 0.8%; OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.86-2.54; p = 0.15), but uncertainty remains. UE in CICU patients is associated with greater odds of cardiac arrest, VAP, and MCS. Cardiac medical and surgical patients in the CICU appear to have different explanatory factors associated with UE, and perhaps these may be modifiable and tested in future collaborative population research.

Insurance-Based Disparities in Congenital Cardiac Operations in the Era of the Affordable Care Act

A body of literature has previously highlighted the impact of health insurance on observed disparities in congenital cardiac operations. With aims of improving access to healthcare for all patients, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid coverage to nearly all eligible children in 2010. Therefore, the present population-based study aimed to examine the association of Medicaid coverage with clinical and financial outcomes in the era the ACA. Records for pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) who underwent congenital cardiac operations were abstracted from the 2010–2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Operations were stratified using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Category. Multivariable regression models were developed to evaluate the association of insurance status on index mortality, 30-day readmissions, care fragmentation, and cumulative costs. Of an estimated 132,745 hospitalizations for congenital cardiac surgery from 2010 to 2018, 74,925 (56.4%) were insured by Medicaid. The proportion of Medicaid patients increased from 57.6 to 60.8% during the study period. On adjusted analysis, patients with Medicaid insurance were at an increased odds of mortality (1.35, 95%CI: 1.13–1.60) and 30-day unplanned readmission (1.12, 95%CI: 1.01–1.25), experienced longer lengths of stay (+ 6.5 days, 95%CI 3.7–9.3), and exhibited higher cumulative hospitalization costs (+ $21,600, 95%CI: $11,500–31,700). The total hospitalization cost-burden for patients with Medicaid and private insurance were $12.6 billion and $8.06 billion, respectively. Medicaid patients exhibited increased mortality, readmissions, care fragmentation, and costs compared to those with private insurance. Our results of outcome variation by insurance status indicate the necessity of policy changes to attempt to approach equality in surgical out comes for this high-risk cohort.Graphical Baseline characteristics, trends, and outcomes by insurance status over the ACA rollout period 2010–2018

Intraoperative blood product transfusion in pediatric cardiac surgery patients: A retrospective review of adverse outcomes.

Resuscitation with blood products is often required for pediatric cardiac surgery patients following cardiopulmonary bypass. However, data suggest that blood product transfusion is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes. Most studies have specifically found detrimental effects of overall transfusion of red blood cells in particular, but few have analyzed outcomes by the other specific blood product components. The objective of this study is to analyze adverse outcomes associated with intraoperative transfusion of specific blood product components. A retrospective review was performed on 643 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass to evaluate the risk of selected adverse outcomes associated with intraoperative blood product transfusion. Adverse outcomes included thrombotic complications, stroke, acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and death. Univariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to explore the association between various blood products and the occurrence of postoperative complications. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed adjusting for age, cyanotic status, TheSocietyofThoracicSurgeons-EuropeanAssociationforCardio-ThoracicSurgeryScore(STAT score), and cardiopulmonary bypass time. Unadjusted analysis using univariate logistic and linear regressions showed statistically significant associations of almost all blood components (per 10mL/kg dose increments) with multiple postoperative complications, including mortality, thrombotic complications, stroke, and days of mechanical ventilation. After adjusting for patient age, cyanotic status, STAT score, and cardiopulmonary bypass time, multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses revealed no association between transfusion of blood products with acute kidney injury and stroke. Administration of red blood cells was the only category significantly correlated with increased days of mechanical ventilation (0.5 days increase in mechanical ventilation per 10mL/kg transfusion of redbloodcells). The only blood product to show complete lack of a statistically significant association with any of the studied outcomes was cryoprecipitate. Transfusion of blood products following cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with postoperative adverse outcomes. Future studies aimed at strategies to reduce intraoperative bleeding and decrease the amount of blood products administered are warranted.

Report of the 2022 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Practice Survey

BackgroundThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Congenital Surgery performed a practice survey to analyze contemporary data. MethodsAn electronic survey was sent to congenital heart surgeons in North America. Details on demographics, training paradigm, clinical practice, and work satisfaction were queried, tabulated, and analyzed. ResultsOf 312 unique contacts, 201 (64.4%) responded. Of these, 178 (89%) were practicing. The median age was 52 years (interquartile range, 43, 59 years), and 157 (88%) were male. The number of female respondents increased from 12 (7%) in 2015 to 18 (11%) at present. Practice composition was predominantly mixed pediatric and adult (141; 79%), although 15 (8%) surgeons practiced exclusively pediatric surgery. Most surgeons (154; 87%) reported performing the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery category 4 and 5 procedures. One-fourth (42; 24%) reported performing fewer than 50 pediatric cases per year, and 18 (10%) stated that their primary role was as a surgical assistant. Individual surgeon case volume was most commonly 100 to 149 total cases (29%). Although one-half (91; 51%) reported their volume as being “just right,” 74 (42%) reported that their case volume was “too small.” Seventy-six (43%) reported too many surgeons in their region. Of the 201 practicing surgeons, 30 (14.9%) plan retirement in the next 5 years. Most described career satisfaction, with 102 (57%) being very satisfied and 48 (27%) somewhat satisfied. ConclusionsAlthough most congenital heart surgeons in North America are satisfied with their careers, more than 40% believe that their caseload is inadequate and that there are too many surgeons in their region. Further analysis is warranted regarding career dissatisfaction and diversity.

Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia in Infants Following Congenital Heart Disease Surgery.

Although ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) is common following surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD), there are limited data regarding this arrhythmia. This study assessed risk factors and outcomes for patients less than one year of age with post-operative EAT. This was a retrospective analysis of infants undergoing CHD surgery from 2007 to 2020. Patients and surgeries with EAT were compared to controls without EAT. Out of 5372 infant CHD surgeries, EAT developed in 129 (2.5%). Compared to controls, the EAT cohort was younger (median 7 vs 85days, p < 0.01), weighed less at time of surgery (3.3 vs 4.2kg, p < 0.01), and was more likely to have DiGeorge syndrome (7.7% vs 3.0%, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed total anomalous venous connection (TAPVC) repair (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; 95% confidence interval 1.5-5.2), DiGeorge syndrome (OR 2.4; 1.1-5.2), Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic surgery (STAT) category ≥ 4 (OR 2.1; 1.0-4.4), and longer cardiopulmonary bypass times (OR 1.1; 1.0-1.2) as independent risk factors for EAT. The onset of EAT occurred a median of 9days (IQR 5-14days) after CHD surgery. Antiarrhythmic treatment was initiated in 109/129 patients (84%) with propranolol (71%) and amiodarone (24%) the most commonly used medications. Although 15 (11.6%) patients did not survive to hospital discharge, EAT was not directly implicated in any deaths. EAT occurred after 2.5% of infant CHD surgeries. In addition to TAPVC repair, longer and more complex surgeries were associated with an increased the risk for the development of post-operative EAT.

Association Between Pressure Support During Extubation Readiness Testing and Time to First Extubation in Children With Congenital Heart Disease.

Extubation readiness testing (ERT) is often performed in children with congenital heart disease prior to liberation from mechanical ventilation. The ideal ERT method in this population is unknown. We recently changed our ERT method from variable (10, 8, or 6 cm H2O, depending on endotracheal tube size) to fixed (5 cm H2O) pressure support (PS). Our study assessed the association between this change and time to first extubation and need for re-intubation. We studied 2 temporally distinct cohorts, one where ERT was conducted with variable PS and another using PS fixed at 5 cm H2O. Data were prospectively collected as part of a quality improvement project. The primary outcome was time to first extubation. Secondary outcomes were need for re-intubation and percentage of successful ERTs. We performed Poisson regression or logistic regression for the association between PS during ERT and time to first extubation or re-intubation, respectively. We included 320 subjects, 186 in the variable PS group and 152 in fixed PS group. In unadjusted analysis, median time to first extubation was longer in the fixed PS group compared to the variable PS group (4.1 [2.0-7.1] d vs 3.1 [1.1-5.9] d, P = .02), and there was no difference in re-intubation rate (11% vs 8%, P = .34). Subjects in the fixed PS group were significantly more likely to be mechanically ventilated after cardiac arrest, have a Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category of 4 or 5, be extubated on day shift, receive enteral feeds at extubation, have higher respiratory support at extubation, and higher dead-space-to-tidal-volume ratio. After controlling for these variables in multivariable regression, we found no association between the choice of PS and time to first extubation or re-intubation. The use of a fixed PS of 5 cm H2O instead of variable PS during ERT was not associated with longer time to first extubation or extubation failure.

Abstract 9230: Intraoperative Residual Lesion Score Predicts Major Residua at Discharge and Early Unplanned Reinterventions Following Congenital Heart Surgery

Introduction: The Residual Lesion Score (RLS) has recently been validated as an important predictor of outcomes following congenital heart surgery. However, its reliance on the pre-discharge echocardiogram limits its utility. We assessed the intraoperative RLS (IO-RLS) as a predictor of outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that IO-RLS would be an independent predictor of outcomes following congenital heart surgery. Methods: This was a single center, retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery from 01/2011-12/2019. For each index operation, IO-RLS was assigned per the intraoperative echocardiogram using previously published criteria: Class 1, no residua; Class 2, minor residua; Class 3, major residua. Outcomes included major pre-discharge residua or in-hospital unplanned reintervention (primary) and unplanned reinterventions at 1-year post-surgery (secondary). Associations were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, prematurity, Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) mortality category, and case complexity. Results: Of 6786 patients, 4743 (69.9%), 1903 (28.0%), and 140 (2.1%) patients had Class 1, 2, and 3 lesions, respectively. The primary outcome was observed in 988 (14.6%) patients. Both Class 2 and 3 patients had greater risk of the primary outcome ( Figure 1A ), compared to Class 1 patients. The predicted probability of major pre-discharge residua or in-hospital reintervention by STAT score and IO-RLS is shown in Figure 1B . At 1-year follow-up, 924 (13.6%) patients required reinterventions. IO-RLS Class 2 (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5, p=0.002) and Class 3 (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.7, p&lt;0.001) patients had greater risk of the secondary outcome, versus Class 1 patients. Conclusions: IO-RLS may be an important adjunct for self-assessment and quality improvement in congenital heart surgery.

Inpatient costs of congenital heart surgery in China: results from the National Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases

Economic data on congenital heart disease (CHD) in China are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the inpatient costs of congenital heart surgery and related healthcare policies from a hospital perspective. We used data from the Chinese Database for Congenital Heart Surgery (CDCHS) to prospectively analyse the inpatient costs of congenital heart surgery from May 2018 to December 2020. The total expenditure was divided into 11 columns (medications, imaging, consumable items, surgery, medical cares, laboratory tests, therapy, examinations, medical services, accommodations, and others), and explored according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category, year, different age group, and CHD complexity. Authority economic data (index for gross domestic product [GDP], GDP per capita, per capita disposable income and average annual exchange rate of 2020 Chinese Yuan against US dollar) were accessed via the National Bureau of Statistics of China to better describe the burden. In addition, potential factors contributing to the costs were also investigated by using generalised linear model. All values are presented in 2020 Chinese Yuan (¥). A total of 6568 hospitalisations were enrolled. The median of overall total expenditure was ¥64,900 (≈9409 US Dollar [USD], interquartile range [IQR]: ¥35,819), with the lowest in STAT 1 (¥57,014≈8266 USD, [IQR]: ¥16,774) and the highest in STAT 5 (¥194,862≈28,251 USD, [IQR]: ¥130,010). The median costs during the 2018 to 2020 period were ¥62,014 (≈8991 USD, [IQR]: ¥32,628), ¥64,846 (≈9401 USD, [IQR]: ¥34,469) and ¥67,867 (≈9839 USD, [IQR]: ¥41,496). Regarding to age, the median costs were highest in the ≤1 month group (¥144,380≈20,932 USD, [IQR]: ¥92,584). Age, STAT category, emergency, genetic syndrome, delay sternal closure, mechanical ventilation time, and complications were significantly contributed to the inpatient costs. For the first time, the inpatient costs of congenital heart surgery in China are delineated in detail. According to the results, CHD treatment has achieved significant progress in China, but it still causes substantial economic burden to both families and society. In addition, ascending trend of the inpatient costs was observed during the period of 2018-2020, and the neonatal was revealed to be the most challenging group. This study was supported by the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS,2020-I2M-C&T-A-009), Capital Health Research and Development of Special Fund (2022-1-4032), and The City University of Hong Kong New Research Initiatives/Infrastructure Support from Central (APRC, 9610589).