Transannular Patch Repair Research Articles

Right Ventricular Dysfunction Due to Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Patch

Doppler tissue imaging analysis was used to examine the relationship between right ventricular function and right ventricular outflow tract damage in 54 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. The patients were divided into three groups: 16 in whom the right ventricular outflow tract was directly sutured (group DS), 23 who had transventricular patch repair (group TVP), and 15 who had transannular patch repair (group TAP). The control group consisted of 16 age-matched patients who underwent patch closure of a ventricular septal defect (group C). The Tei index was obtained from tricuspid and pulmonary Doppler flow velocities. The right ventricular Tei index was significantly greater in groups TVP and TAP than in group DS. Doppler tissue imaging analysis in groups TVP and TAP showed shorter myocardial systolic velocity, diastolic peak velocity, and atrial diastolic peak velocity, lower peak myocardial velocity and acceleration during isovolumic contraction, and prolonged isovolumic relaxation and contraction times compared to groups DS and C. Right ventricular dysfunction is due to the right ventricular outflow tract patch. Thus, the right ventricular outflow tract may be essential for right ventricular ejection and maintenance of right ventricular function.

Early and mid-term results of pulmonary valve reconstruction in surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot; comparison with other techniques of right ventricular outflow reconstruction

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to determine whether the new pulmonary valve reconstruction technique prevents short-term postoperative pulmonary regurgitation and improves early and mid-term clinical outcome. Methods : We reviewed postoperative echocardiographic variables and chest X-ray films from 31 patients who had undergone valve reconstruction(pulmonary valve reconstruction group : PVR) for the repair of TOF between April 2000 and August 2004. We compared the clinical data of these patients with those from 47 patients who had right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with a monocusp valve(monocusp ventricular outflow patch group : MVOP) and 22 patients who had a transannular patch repair without a monocusp valve(transannular patch group : TAP). Results : In the PVR group, 25 patients(81 percent) had trivial or mild pulmonary regurgitation in their early post operative echocardiogram. Only 12 patients(26 percent) in the MVOP group had mild pulmonary regurgitation; and no patient in the TAP group had it. Pulmonary valve function was good in 96 percent of the PVR group, 36 percent of the MVOP group, and none in the TAP group in early post-operative echocardiogram. Follow-up echocardiogram(1, 2, 3, 4 years later) of the MVOP and TAP groups showed moderate pulmonary regurgitation and severely decreased valve function in almost all cases. However, in the PVR group 54 percent(16/28), 50 percent(14/28), 37 percent(9/24), and 31 percent(5/16) of the patients had trivial or mild pulmonary regurgitation 1, 2, 3 and 4 years after operation, respectively. The valve function remained good in 80 percent(24/30), 64 percent(18/28), 57 percent(12/21), and 31 percent(5/16) of the patients 1, 2, 3 and 4 years after operation respectively. Conclusion : Pulmonary valve reconstruction is effective in reducing pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dilatation in the repair of TOF, even though regurgitation increases with time. Further study is needed to determine long-term results. (Korean J Pediatr 2006;49:635-642)

Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary regurgitation in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: comparison with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

AimsThe purpose of this study was to compare the noninvasive assessment of severity of pulmonary regurgitation with Doppler echocardiography versus cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). MethodsWe studied 52 (22 females) consecutive patients (aged 32 ± 2 years, 23 ± 5 years after rTOF) using Doppler echocardiography and compared these findings with CMR. From the continuous-wave Doppler trace, the duration of pulmonary regurgitation and of total diastole was measured and the ratio between the 2 was defined as pulmonary regurgitation index (PRi). Pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF) was assessed with flow phase velocity mapping with CMR. ResultsPatients were divided into 2 groups according to the median value (24.5%) of PRF measured by CMR: Group I (26 patients) with PRF ≤24.5% and Group II with PRF >24.5%. There was no difference between patients' age, sex, or age at repair between the 2 groups. More patients from Group II had a right ventricular outflow or transannular patch repair compared to Group I (12/26 [46%] vs 6/26 [23%], P < .01). Mean pulmonary regurgitation time was shorter (340 ± 60 vs 440 ± 135 ms, P = .001) and PRi was lower (0.61 ± 0.11 vs 0.91 ± 0.11, P < .001) in Group II compared to Group I. Color Doppler regurgitant jet was also broader in Group II (1.4 ± 0.4 vs 0.7 ± 0.5 cm, P < .001), signifying more severe pulmonary regurgitation. Doppler-measured PRi correlated closely with CMR regurgitant fraction (r = −0.82, P < .001) and with color Doppler pulmonary regurgitant jet width (r = −0.66, P < .001); the latter correlated with PRF assessed with CMR (r = 0.72, P < .001). A PRi <0.77 had 100% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity for identifying patients with pulmonary regurgitant fraction >24.5%, with a predictive accuracy of 95%. Furthermore, echocardiographically-assessed right ventricular end-diastolic dimensions correlated with CMR end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.49, P < .001 ). ConclusionsPulmonary regurgitation is common in asymptomatic adults with rTOF. Severity of pulmonary regurgitation and its effects on right ventricular dimensions in these patients can be assessed noninvasively by Doppler echocardiography and CMR, with reasonable agreement between the 2 techniques.

Polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp valve technique for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction

Nonvalve transannular patch repair of right ventricular outflow tract obstructive (RVOTO) defects results in pulmonary insufficiency, which can contribute to early postoperative right ventricular dysfunction. In both animal and clinical studies, monocusp valves provide perioperative RVOT competence and improved right ventricular functional characteristics. In these reports, monocusp leaflet construction with 0.1-mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) appeared equal, or superior, to biologic monocusp valves. Construction of the polytetrafluoroethylene monocusp valve is an inexpensive and straightforward way to create a competent RVOT in a variety of RVOTO anomalies. Based on our clinical experience, it effectively prevents short-term and significantly reduces midterm pulmonary insufficiency without evidence of stenosis.

Transannular patch repair of double-outlet right ventricle, {s,d,l}, and single right coronary artery

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:622-3

Early age at repair prevents restrictive right ventricular (RV) physiology after surgery for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF): Diastolic RV function after TOF repair in infancy

Objectives. To assess diastolic right ventricular (RV) physiology after tetralogy of Fallot repair in infancy.Background. Restrictive RV physiology after tetralogy of Fallot repair is related to type of repair, pulmonary regurgitation, and late arrhythmias.Methods. Forty-seven patients were investigated, 27 and 20 patients in Lund and London, respectively. Median age at repair was 0.78 years (0.08–0.99) and median follow-up was 3.0 years (0.08–10.4). Restrictive RV physiology was assessed by Doppler echocardiography.Results. Thirteen patients (28%) had restrictive RV physiology at follow-up, three of 19 patients (16%) with transatrial repair and 10 of 28 patients (32%) with transventricular repair, respectively (p = 0.1). Ten percent of the patients repaired before 6 months of age were restrictive at follow-up, increasing to 38% with repair after 9 months. Transannular patch (TAP) repair was performed in 55% of the patients, including eight of 10 patients (80%) with repair before 6 months of age. Thirty-one percent of the patients with TAP repair were restrictive. These restrictive patients had more severe preoperative pulmonary stenosis (p < 0.05), were older at repair (p < 0.05), and had shorter duration of pulmonary regurgitation (p < 0.001) at follow-up.Conclusions. Restrictive RV physiology is inversely related to age at repair and independent of type of outflow tract repair. Since TAP repair is more common in early repair, and restriction seems to be less frequent, long-term follow-up to assess adverse effects of pulmonary regurgitation is mandatory.

Does restrictive right ventricular physiology in the early postoperative period predict subsequent right ventricular restriction after repair of tetralogy of Fallot?

ObjectiveTo assess the relation between immediate postoperative right ventricular (RV) diastolic physiology and subsequent diastolic function in patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.DesignSerial prospective echocardiographic study early after surgical...

Left Pulmonary Artery Kinking Caused by Outflow Tract Dilatation After Transannular Patch Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Background. Stenosis of the branch pulmonary arteries after tetralogy of Fallot repair can result from several mechanisms. In patients with free pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dilatation after transannular patch repair, we have observed that the pulmonary outflow tract can dilate and elongate craniad and rotate to the left, resulting in kinking and obstruction of the previously normal left pulmonary artery. Methods. Ten patients referred for reoperation after tetralogy repair with severe pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular outflow tract dilatation were found to have left pulmonary artery kinking. In 8 of these patients kinking was the sole or partial cause of left pulmonary artery obstruction, whereas there was no documented obstruction in the other 2. All patients underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and left pulmonary artery repair with removal of the redundancy at the kink point. Patching alone is not an effective method of repair in this condition, because the mechanism of obstruction is not corrected and the patch material can become redundant and lead to recurrent obstruction. Results. All patients underwent successful pulmonary outflow tract reconstruction. Left pulmonary artery kinking was corrected in all patients, and relief of obstruction was attained in the 8 patients with stenosis. At follow-up ranging from 9 to 58 months, no patient has evidence of recurrent left pulmonary artery stenosis. Conclusions. Left pulmonary artery kinking should be suspected at long-term follow-up after tetralogy repair in patients with significant pulmonary regurgitation and right-sided dilatation, even if previous evaluations showed no evidence of left pulmonary arterial abnormality. Because unilateral obstruction caused by kinking may lead to asymmetric pulmonary flow, it can exacerbate pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dilatation, in effect accelerating the processes that led to kinking in the first place. Kinking can be relieved successfully with the techniques described in this report.

Tetralogy of Fallot repair results in activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Fluid retention is a common problem following transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether humoral substances may contribute to this process. Patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot repair using a transannular patch technique were compared to patients undergoing simple ventricular septal defect repair. Hormone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Fluid retention was defined as pleural effusions persisting beyond 5 days. The data demonstrate that patients undergoing tetralogy of Fallot repair had elevated levels of anti-diuretic hormone, renin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone as compared to a group with ventricular septal defect. The elevation in hormone levels in the tetralogy of Fallot group was principally accounted for by those who developed effusions postoperatively. These results suggest that activation of the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system may be one of the contributing factors to fluid retention following tetralogy of Fallot repair.

The long-term influence of pulmonary valve regurgitation following repair of tetralogy of Fallot: does preservation of the pulmonary valve ring affect quality of life?

The transannular patch (TAP) repair used in the correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) inevitably causes pulmonary regurgitation. We report herein the results of a long-term follow-up study conducted on 50 patients who had undergone a TAP repair 20-29 years earlier to evaluate the influence of pulmonary regurgitation on their late outcome and quality of life. As a control, 26 patients with an intact pulmonary valve ring and right ventricular outflow patch (RVP) confined to the subvalvular region were also studied. The 25-year survival rates of the TAP and RVP groups were 88.5% and 95.7%, respectively, and the event-free rates at 25 years were 73.3% and 90.9%, respectively. Although the absolute values of these rates were higher in the RVP group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. To assess quality of life, the occupational status, childbearing ability, and late symptoms were evaluated, and found to be comparable between the two groups. Moreover, a treadmill submaximal stress test did not show any differences in exercise capacity between the two groups. In conclusion, the presence of a TAP does not significantly alter the late results or quality of life of patients who have undergone repair of TOF.

Short-term effect of monocuspid valves on pulmonary insufficiency and clinical outcome after surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot

In the surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot, monocuspid valves are sometimes inserted within a transannular patch to prevent pulmonary insufficiency. To determine whether this monocuspid valve prevents short-term postoperative pulmonary insufficiency and improves clinical outcome, we reviewed clinical data and preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic variables from 61 patients who underwent one of three different procedures for repair of tetralogy of Fallot between August 1992 and March 1994. We compared features from 24 patients who had undergone transannular patch repair with a monocuspid valve (patch-valve) with those from 17 patients who had undergone patch repair without a monocuspid valve (patch) and 20 patients who had undergone repair without a transannular patch (no patch). We used the ratio of pulmonary valve insufficiency jet width to pulmonary artery diameter, as measured by color-flow Doppler flowmetry, as an index of severity of pulmonary insufficiency. Moderate to severe pulmonary insufficiency was arbitrarily defined as a ratio of at least 0.50. We found no significant differences in ratios among the patch-valve group (0.73 ± 0.25, mean ± standard deviation), the patch group (0.79 ± 0.20), and the no patch group (0.59 ± 0.23). The percentages of patients with moderate to severe pulmonary insufficiency did not differ among the three groups (patch-valve 80%, patch 90%, no patch 64%). Clinical data (including mortality, number of reoperations, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, and postoperative hemodynamics) were similar in the three groups. We conclude that insertion of a monocuspid valve in repair of tetralogy of Fallot does not prevent short-term postoperative pulmonary insufficiency and does not improve immediate postoperative outcome for these patients. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1996;112:33-7)

Monocusp valves in the transannular patch repair of tetralogy of fallot: Do they make a difference?

Monocusp valves in the transannular patch repair of tetralogy of fallot: Do they make a difference?

Pulmonary allograft conduit repair of tetralogy of Fallot: An alternative to transannular patch repair

Cryopreserved allograft valves and valved conduits have been used in 122 patients during the past 3 years for surgical repair of congenital heart disease. In 55 of these patients, the right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with a pulmonary allograft conduit. Although most children requiring a conduit had complex lesions, 12 patients with tetralogy of Fallot without pulmonary atresia or absent valve syndrome have been treated in this manner since April 1985. Patients were selected for conduit therapy because of congenital or iatrogenic pulmonary artery problems (nine patients had 12 prior shunts) or increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Ages ranged from 7 months to 6 years (mean 3.1 years) and weights from 7.4 to 18.5 kg (mean 12.2 kg). Pulmonary artery conduit size ranged from 16 to 24 mm internal diameter (mean 22 mm). Distal pulmonary artery reconstruction beyond the bifurcation was required in nine patients and the proximal connection was completed with a hood-shaped patch. One operative death (8.3%) occurred at 20 days as a result of severe right ventricular dysfunction. Left pulmonary artery thrombosis was discovered postmortem. Eleven survivors observed for 3 to 37 months (mean 17 months) are without cardiac symptoms. A chronologically overlapping group of tetralogy of Fallot repairs accomplished with a transannular patch was also reviewed. Twenty-five patients aged 2 months to 4 years (mean 1.7 years) and weighing 3.6 to 14.8 kg (mean 9.2 kg) underwent this procedure from April 1983 to January 1987 (seven patients had one prior shunt each). The mortality rate in this group was 28% (six operative deaths and one late death). Of 18 survivors observed from 20 to 60 months (mean 41.4 months), five (28%) have required pulmonary artery conduit reconstruction for chronic right ventricular failure. Postrepair right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratios were available in 19 patients, including five of seven who died and three of five who required reoperation. The ratios averaged 0.54, which indicates adequate relief of obstruction. The operative mortality rate from a number of series for transannular patch repair of tetralogy of Fallot averages 16%, ranging from 3% to 63%. However, when distal pulmonary artery problems are added as a risk factor this rate rises to 21%, and valved conduit insertion increases the mortality rate (Kirklin and Barratt-Boyes, 1986). Although not clearly superior, pulmonary artery conduit repair of tetralogy of Fallot achieves results comparable with those of transannular patch repair and is recommended as an alternative, particularly when distal pulmonary artery anatomy is abnormal or vascular resistance is elevated.

Surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot. Recent experience using a prospective protocol.

Two hundred eighteen consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) underwent surgical treatment under a prospective protocol during a three-year period (January 1978 to December 1980). No patient was refused the operation. Eighty-three patients had palliative operations without hospital deaths (50% less than 1 year of age). One hundred thirty-five had total correction with 5 hospital deaths (3.7%; 70% C.L. = 2.0 to 6.2). Thirty-five of them had had palliation in the first year of life (one hospital death at time of correction). Incremental risk factors were young age (p less than 0.0002), transannular patch (p = 0.13) and primary repair (p = 0.38). Significant stenosis in the pulmonary artery branches were eliminated utilizing an original table of relationship between the diameter of the expected normal pulmonary valve annulus and the calculated diameter of the branches. The immediate post-repair peak systolic pressure ratio between right and left ventricles (Prv/lv) was only 0.39 and the incidence of transannular patches was remarkably low (34%). It is concluded that surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot can be achieved, today, with a very low hospital mortality reserving a two-stage procedure only for small infants (less than 1 year of age). Accurate criteria for the reconstruction of the right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) can easily allow very low rates of transannular patches and postoperative RV hypertension with an ultimate better preservation of the RV function.