Elisa Listo^1,#, Nicola Martini^2,#, Stefano Salvadori³, Elisa Valenti³, Nicola Stagnaro¹, Gianluca Trocchio⁴, Chiara Marrone⁵, Alberto Clemente⁶, Francesca Raimondi^7,*, Pierluigi Festa⁵, Lamia Ait Ali^5,8,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.6, pp. 627-638, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.030312

Abstract Background: The assessment of Fontan circuit’s flow is traditionally evaluated by multiple through-plane phase-contrast MRI acquisitions (2D flow), while recently, a single volumetric 4D-flow MRI acquisition is emerging as a comprehensive tool for the hemodynamic evaluation in congenital heart diseases. Purpose: To compare 2D and 4D-flow MRI measurements in patients after Fontan palliation and to evaluate parameters affecting potential disagreement. Methods: 39 patients after Fontan palliation (23 males, age 22 ± 11 years) who underwent cardiac MRI with 2D and 4D-flow MRI acquisition were included in the study. In all patients, blood flow quantification in the Fontan circuit and aorta… More > Graphic Abstract

François-Xavier Van Vyve¹, Karlien Carbonez², Jelena Hubrechts², Geoffroy de Beco¹, Jean E. Rubay¹, Mona Momeni³, Thierry Detaille⁴, Alain J. Poncelet^1,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.5, pp. 539-550, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.042344

Abstract Objectives: Over the last decade, neonatal repair has been advocated for many congenital heart diseases. However, specific subgroups of complex congenital heart disease still require temporary palliation for which both surgical and endovascular techniques are currently available. We reviewed our institutional experience with shunt palliation with an emphasis on risk factors for early mortality. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study on 175 patients undergoing surgery for central shunt or modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. All data were extracted from a prospectively collected computerized database. We identified risk factors for early mortality by uni- and multi-variable analysis. All data were censored at… More >

François-Xavier Van Vyve^1,#, Karlien Carbonez^2,#, Geoffroy de Beco¹, Stéphane Moniotte², Jean E. Rubay¹, Mona Momeni³, Laurent Houtekie⁴, Alain J. Poncelet^1,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.5, pp. 525-537, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.042341

Abstract Objective: Despite increasing enthusiasm for neonatal repair, patients with ductal-dependent circulation (pulmonary/systemic) or restrictive pulmonary blood flow still require initial palliation. Ductal stenting has emerged as an endovascular approach whereas modified-Blalock-Taussig and central shunt remain surgical references. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between pulmonary artery growth, sites of shunt connection, or antegrade pulmonary blood flow in surgically placed shunts. The need for secondary catheter-based interventions or pulmonary arterioplasty was also investigated. Methods: A retrospective single-center study analyzing 175 patients undergoing surgery for a central or modified-Blalock-Taussig shunt. Outcome growth variables were right pulmonary artery/left pulmonary artery diameters/Z scores,… More > Graphic Abstract

Jinlong Liu^1,2,#, Jing Shi^3,#, Weiru Luo¹, Zhirong Tong^1,2, Lefei Yang³, Peixuan Sun³, Tianyi Li³, Jun Du^3,*, Qian Wang^3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.1, pp. 41-55, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.025005

Abstract Background: The assessment of renal function is important to the prognosis of patients needing Fontan palliation due to the reconstructed compromised circulation. To know the relationship between the kidney perfusion and hemodynamic characteristics during surgical design could reduce the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and the postoperative complications. However, the issue is still unsolved because the current clinical evaluation methods are unable to predict the hemodynamic changes in renal artery (RA). Methods: We reconstructed a three-dimensional (3D) vascular model of a patient requiring Fontan palliation. The technique of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was utilized to explore the changes of… More > Graphic Abstract

Barry O’Callaghan¹, Jenny Zablah¹, Joseph Vettukattil², Daniel Levi^3,4, Morris Salem⁴, Allison Cabalka⁵, Jason Anderson⁶, Makram Ebeid⁶, Ryan Alexy⁷, Gareth J. Morgan^1,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.17, No.1, pp. 107-116, 2022, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2022.018590

Abstract Objectives: To detail the US multi-institutional experience with the Occlutech^© (Occlutech International AB, Helsingborg, Sweden) atrial flow regulator (AFR) in children and adults with acquired or congenital heart disease. Background: The creation of a long-term atrial communication is desirable in several cardiovascular disease phenotypes, most notably pulmonary arterial hypertension, disorders of increased left ventricular filling and increased cavopulmonary pressures in patients with a Fontan type circulation. Methods: Patients were identified for inclusion from the AFR device manufacturer database. Data was collected using a RedCap database following IRB approval. 8 weeks of follow up data was sought for each patient based… More >

Yajuan Zhang, Jun Yan^*, Qiang Wang, Shoujun Li, Jing Sun, Shuo Dong, Jiachen Li

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 383-392, 2021, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2021.015479

Abstract Background: The long-term outcomes of patients treated with a Kawashima procedure and keeping the antegrade pulmonary blood flow (AnPBF) in single-ventricle (SV) and interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) heart disease is still uncertain as yet. Methods: We investigated 18 patients who underwent the Kawashima procedure with SV physiology and an interrupted IVC between January 2009 and June 2018, perioperative, operative and postoperative characteristics were recorded. Results: A total of 18 patients underwent the Kawashima procedure at a median age of 2.7 years (range 0.5–24.7 years), of which 12 (66.7%) were male and 6 (33.3%) were female. The mean saturation was… More >

Pietro Paolo Tamborrino^1,2, Corrado Di Mambro^1,2,*, Cecilia Marcolin^1,2, Walter Vignaroli³, Giulia Cafiero⁴, Gianluca Brancaccio³, Sonia Albanese³, Massimo Stefano Silvetti^1,2, Adriano Carotti³, Fabrizio Drago^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 85-94, 2021, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2021.013038

Abstract Introduction: While previous studies only focused on the arrhythmic risk associated with specific correction strategies, this study evaluates this risk in a large cohort of paediatric patients with all phenotypes of PA-IVS after surgical repair. Methods: In this single centre observational cohort study, we retrospectively evaluated 165 patients with a diagnosis of PA-IVS and we excluded those with an exclusively percutaneous treatment, patients lost or with insufficient follow-up and those affected by other arrhythmic syndromes. Surgical history and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Results: 86 patients were included in the study (54 male [62.8%], mean age 16.4 ± 6.1 years), with… More >

Sheetal R. Patel^1,2,*, David M. Kwiatkowski³, Adin-Cristian Andrei², Ankita Devareddy², Hangzhi Shi², Catherine D. Krawczeski⁴, Natalie Ebert⁵, Barbara J. Deal^1,2, Craig B. Langman^2,6, Bradley S. Marino^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 181-195, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.012097

Abstract Objectives: The Fontan operation has increased survival in patients with single-ventricle congenital heart defects. However, Fontan survivors are at risk of other organ dysfunctions, such as renal dysfunction (RD). The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of and potential risk factors for RD among Fontan survivors. Design, setting, and patients: We performed a two-center, cross-sectional study that included Fontan survivors evaluated in outpatient-clinics for routine follow up between 01/08-12/16. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was the presence of RD defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <90 ml/min/1.73 m² derived using the serum creatinine-based Full Age… More >

Katlyn Elizabeth McGrattan^1,2,3,4, Heather McGhee^2,3, Allan DeToma⁵, Elizabeth G. Hill⁵, Sinai C. Zyblewski⁶, Maureen Lefton-Greif^7,8,9, Lucinda Halstead^1,2, Scott M. Bradley¹⁰, Bonnie Martin-Harris^1,2,3,4

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 382-388, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12456

Abstract Background: Deficits in swallowing physiology are a leading morbidity for infants with functional single ventricles and systemic outflow tract obstruction following stage 1 palliation. Despite the high prevalence of this condition, the underlying deficits that cause this post-operative impairment remain poorly understood.
Objective: Identify the physiologic correlates of dysphagia in infants with functional single ventricles and systemic outflow tract obstruction following stage 1 palliative surgery.
Methods: Postoperative fiberoptic laryngoscopies and videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) were conducted sequentially on infants with functional single ventricles following stage 1 palliative surgery. Infants were dichotomized as having normal or impaired laryngeal function based on… More >

Kenan W.D. Stern^1,2, Kimberlee Gauvreau^1,2, Sitaram Emani^3,4, Tal Geva^1,2

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 350-356, 2017, DOI:10.1111/chd.12450

Abstract Objective: Stage 1 Norwood palliation is one of the highest risk procedures in congenital cardiac surgery. Patients with superior technical performance scores have more favorable outcomes. Intraoperative epicardial echocardiography may allow the surgeon to address residual lesions prior to leaving the operating room, resulting in improved technical performance. The ability of intraoperative epicardial echocardiography to visualize the relevant anatomy and its association with outcomes is not known.
Design: A standardized intraoperative epicardial echocardiography protocol was developed and performed at the conclusion of Stage 1 Norwood palliation. Data pertaining to visualization of relevant anatomy, and comparison of intraoperative echocardiogram findings with… More >