Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical results of offpump anatomic surgical repair for complex coarctation in adults. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 7 patients with complex coarctation who underwent onestage anatomic surgical repair between January 2005 and December 2008 in Fu Wai Hospital. There were 5 males and 2 females with the age ranged from 16 to 41 years, average at 24.4 years. Among all the patients, there were 2 patients of coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch, 1 of coarctation with aortic arch aneurysm, 3 of coarctation with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and 1 of coarctation with B type aortic dissection. All patients were diagnosed by color echocardiography, CT or agnetic resonance imaging(MRI). All off-pump operations were performed under general anesthesia and ambient temperature. Median sternotomy was performed in 1 patient and left thoracotomy in 6 patients. Aortic arch patching enlargement was performed in 4 patients and descending thoracic aorta replacement in 3 patients (including 1 combined with abdominal aorta replacement and 1 case of Stanford B type aortic dissection, trunk stent was transplanted at the same time). Results There was no hospital mortality or severe surgical complications. Seven patients were followed up for a period ranged from 6 to 49 months with an average time of 20.1 months. No late death or recoarctation occurred. Hoarseness occurred in one patient and presented no improvement during the 11 months follow-up. Conclusion Onestage offpump anatomic surgical repair is safe and feasible in treating adult patients with complex coarctation, and it shows a good immediate and longterm result.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of resection with patch aortoplasty for infant coarctation of the aorta combined with aortic arch hypoplasia. Methods Between May 2007 and December 2009, 49 patients including 30 males and 19 females with coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch underwent coarctation resection and patch aortoplasty in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University. The age of the patients ranged from 23 days to 3 years and 1 month with thirtyfour patients under 6 months, ten between 6 months and 1 year old, and five more than 1 year old. The surgery under deep hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass with selective cerebral perfusion were performed in 31 cases and circulation arrest in 15 cases; under moderate hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass in 3 cases. Pericardia patch was used in 31 cases, pulmonary autograft patch in 14 cases and xenograft pericardia patch in 4 cases. The associated intracardiac anomalies were repaired in the same stage. Results One case died from circulation failure during the perioperative period. The operative mortality was 204% (1/49). Low cardiac output syndrome and renal failure respectively occurred in 5 cases and 1 case who were cured afterwards by correspondent treatments. No residual obstruction was detected by echocardiography after the operation. Followup was carried out in fortyeight cases for a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 3 years. Echocardiographic examination showed that the gradient through the aortic arch was more than 40 mm Hg and computed tomography showed recoarctation in 1 case who underwent reoperation eight months after the operation; the gradient was more than 20 mm Hg in 2 cases who were under continuous observation; all the rest cases had a fine aortic arch morphology and for these patients, the blood velocity at descending aortic arch was not obviously changed during the followup period compared with that right after operation, the computed tomography showed a normal aortic arch geometry. Left bronchus compression was relieved obviously or totally disappeared in patients who suffered from left bronchus stenosis before the operation without any aortic aneurysm detected. Conclusion Coarctation resection with patch aortoplasty is considered as an optimal surgical method for management of infant coarctation with hypoplastic aortic arch.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of increased preoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening in hypertensive infants with coarctation of the aorta (CoA).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 314 infants with CoA (CoA group, 193 males and 121 females, aged 5.4±2.2 months), and 314 infants receiving tumor chemotherapy with normal cardiovascular function and without pneumonia (control group, 189 males and 125 females, aged 4.4±3.8 months), who were admitted to our hospital from 2015 to 2017. The clinical data of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were statistical differences in effective aortic elastance index (Eai), effective left ventricular end-systolic elasticity index (Eesi), ventricle-artery coupling index (VACi), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and ratios of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with non-hypertensive CoA infants, CoA infants with hypertension had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-ProBNP level and proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy (P<0.05). Compared with concomitant ventricular septal defect, infants with isolated CoA had higher Eai, Eesi, NT-proBNP level, incidence of hypertension and higher proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy, dilation and systolic dysfunction (P<0.05). Eai and Eesi were positively correlated with NT-proBNP level, left ventricular hypertrophy and fractional shortening of left ventricle (P<0.05), while Eai and Eesi were negatively correlated with left ventricular end diastolic volume index, left ventricular end systolic volume index and concomitant ventricular septal defect (P<0.05). Hypertension was related to preoperative left ventricular hypertrophy, Eai, Eesi and NT-ProBNP. Eai was an independent risk factor for hypertension.ConclusionPreoperative ventricular-arterial stiffening is increased in infants with aortic coarctation, which is related to the occurrence of hypertension. Isolated CoA shows more significant increase in ventricular-arterial stiffening, higher ventricular overload and incidence of hypertension.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of covered Cheatham-platinum (CP) stent for treatment of coarctation of aorta (CoA). MethodsBetween January 2007 and September 2013, 15 patients (16 lesions) with CoA underwent covered CP stent implantation, and the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Of 15 cases, 8 were male and 7 were female, aged 13-56 years (mean, 27.7 years). Fifteen lesions located beyond the origin of the left subdavian artery, and 1 lesion located between the origin of the left common carotid artery and the origin of the left subdavian artery. Proper covered CP stent and balloon-in-balloon (BIB) catheter were selected according to the data of computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography examination. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the covered CP stent was placed at lesion accurately by expanding the inner balloon and the outer balloon sequentially. The variation of the systolic pressure gradient across the lesion and the stenosis extent of the aorta before and after the procedure were recorded. ResultsFifteen patients were all treated by covered CP stent implantation successfully. The systolic pressure gradient across the lesion decreased from (58.1±19.5) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) at preoperation to (6.2±5.6) mm Hg at immediate after CP stent implantation, and the stenosis extent of the aorta decreased from 73.8%±12.8% at preoperation to 16.7%±5.6% at immediate after CP stent implantation, all showing significant difference (t=12.483, P=0.000; t=15.631, P=0.000). All puncture points healed well with no aortic dissection, pseudoaneurysm, or obvious subcutaneous hematoma. All the patients could walk moderately within 48 hours after procedure. The average hospitalization time was 11.1 days (range, 6-18 days). During a mean follow-up of 29.7 months (range, 1-81 months), the symptom of dizziness and exercise tolerance were improved obviously, and the systolic pressures gradient between upper and lower extremity was below 20 mm Hg. The systolic and diastolic pressures at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (t=7.725, P=0.000; t=3.651, P=0.000). According to radiography, the location and shape of the stent were good, and no aortic dissection, aneurysm, or recoarctation occurred. ConclusionAccording to the initial and midterm results, the covered CP stent is an effective treatment for CoA in adolescents and adults with a low rate of complication. However, long-term results still require further follow-up.
ObjectiveTo explore the predictive value of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) for postoperative early outcomes in infants with aortic coarctation (CoA).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in 344 children with CoA admitted to our hospital from September 2014 to October 2017, including 206 males (59.9%) and 138 females (40.1%), with an average age of 0.2-60.0 (7.1±10.6) months. The levels of NT-proBNP, clinical characteristics, imaging data and early follow-up results were collected and analyzed.ResultsCompared with the normal NT-proBNP group, there were statistical differences in age, the proportion of RACHS-1≥3, the proportion of preoperative pneumonia and dysplastic aortic arch, preoperative cardiac function, left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular dilatation, hospital stay, ICU duration, ventilator duration, duration of vasoactive drugs use, delayed chest closure, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), postoperative cardiac insufficiency in the abnormal NT-proBNP group (P<0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, NT-proBNP level (>3 000 pg/mL) was an independent risk factor for prolonged ICU duration [OR=3.17, 95%CI (1.61, 6.23)], prolonged ventilator duration [OR=5.84, 95%CI (2.86, 11.95)], prolonged use of vasoactive drugs [OR=2.22, 95%CI (1.22, 4.02)], postoperative cardiac insufficiency [OR=3.10, 95%CI (1.64, 5.85)]; NT-proBNP level (> 5 000 pg/mL) was an independent risk factor for delayed chest closure [OR=3.55, 95%CI (1.48, 8.50)].ConclusionNT-proBNP level in children with CoA can be affected by many factors, including age, complexity of congenital heart disease, preoperative cardiac insufficiency, et al. The level of NT-proBNP has predictive value for postoperative early outcomes.
Objective To summarize the experiences of the surgical management for adult patients with aortic coarctation. Methods Clinical data of 40 adult patients diagnosed with aortic coarctation undergoing surgical repair in our center between July 2004 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 28 males and 15 females with a mean age of 26.3±11.0 years (ranging 16-57 years). We evaluated the effect of surgery by the change of pressure gradient between upper limb and lower limb, mechanical ventilation time, and length of ICU stay and hospital stay. Results Forty surgeries were finished successfully. One patient died after surgery. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 36 months. The mean pressure gradient reduced significantly after surgery. There were 6 patients suffering blood hypertension at their discharge, and all of them still need antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion Surgical repair is an effective treatment for adult with aortic coarctation. Extra-anatomic ascending-to-descending aortic bypass and concomitant repair of intracardiac anomalies is safe and effective.
Abstract: Objective To summarize onestage repair of coarctation of the aorta(CoA) with intracardiac malformation in infants. Methods From January 2001 to January 2006, 28 patients with CoA and associated intracardiac malformation underwent onestage repair. There were 18 patients with preductal and another 10 patients with juxtaductal CoA. Six patients were accompanied by diffuse hypoplasia of aortic arch and 22 patients were associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Associated cardiac malformation included ventricular septal defect in 16 patients, ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect in 5 patients, atrioventricular canal defect in 3 patients, transposition of great artery and ventricular septal defect in 2 patients and double outlet right ventricle in 2 patients. Left posterolateral thoracotomy combined with median sternotomy were used in 12 patients and single median sternotomy was used in 16 patients. End to end anastomosis of aorta with removal of the coarctated segment were performed in 20 patients, Gore-Tex patch graft aortoplasty were performed in 4 patients and aortoplasty with left subclavain flap were performed in 4 patients. Results There was no death.The lasting time of intubation was 7h to 13d, and intensive care unit (ICU) staying time was 3 to 18d. Four patients received delayed sternal closure in 48 to 72h after surgery because of cardiac dilatation. Three patients received peritoneal dialysis for acute renal failure following cardiac surgery. Three patients received inhalation of nitric oxide for treatment of postoperative pulmonary hypertension. The systolic pressure difference between lower limb and upper limb measured after operation was 10 to 20mmHg in 18 patients.There were no obvious systolic pressure difference between arm and leg in 8 patients.The systolic pressure of upper limb was higher than that of lower limb in 2 patients, and the pressure difference was 15mmHg and 20mmHg. All patients were followed up from 3 to 50 months. They were all survival except one died of severe tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary infection and respiratory failure 3 months after surgery which diagnosis was transposition of great artery and ventricular septal defect. The results of other 27 patients were satisfactory. Recoarctation occurred in 1 patient with end to end anastomosis and 1 patient with Gore-Texpatch graft aortoplasty. The pressure difference through the measurement of echocardiography was 25mmHg and 28mmHg. No reoperation were undergone. Conclusion CoA with intracardiac malformation can be repaired by single median sternotomy or left posterolateral thoracotomy combined with median sternotomy in onestage. This operative approach is beneficial, not only with shorten period of therapy and less operative cost, but also advantageous for the recovery of cardiac and pulmonary function.