Hybrid palliation to promote growth of left ventricle and left ventricular outflow tract.

Objectives: In patients with borderline left hearts or a severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, hybrid palliation can be used to stabilize the patient and postpone biventricular repair (BVR). In this study, we analysed growth of left-sided structures and outcomes of these patients.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients who received hybrid palliation between January 2010 and September 2023.

Transpericardial resection of a mediastinal paraganglioma.

Paragangliomas are tumours originating from the autonomic nervous system and rarely occur in the chest. They may manifest through symptoms of excess catecholamine release or due to local compression, can be an incidental finding on a computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging examination or can be found when screening patients with specific gene mutations. Surgical removal is indicated in case of symptoms, (imminent) compression of vital structures or to prevent progression to malignancy.

Aortic root replacement with the stentless Freestyle bioprosthesis.

In this video tutorial, the technical details for the implantation of the Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis are outlined based on the case of a 76-year-old male patient with symptomatic stenosis of a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic root dilatation.

Left heart growth and biventricular repair after hybrid palliation.

Objectives: We evaluated the outcomes of biventricular repair after initial hybrid palliation performed in small infants with various forms of left ventricle hypoplasia.

Methods: Between September 2010 and January 2020, a total of 27 patients had biventricular repair after hybrid palliation at a median age of 11 days. Indications for the hybrid approach included growth promotion of the left ventricle outflow tract and/or the aortic valve in 14 patients and that of the left ventricle in 13 patients.

Reinterventions after freestyle stentless aortic valve replacement: an assessment of procedural risks.

Objectives: Repeat aortic valve interventions after previous stentless aortic valve replacement (AVR) are considered technically challenging with an increased perioperative risk, especially after full-root replacement. We analysed our experience with reinterventions after stentless AVR.

Methods: A total of 75 patients with previous AVR using a Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis (31 subcoronary, 15 root-inclusion and 29 full-root replacement) underwent reintervention in our centre from 1993 until December 2018.

Outcomes after Ross procedure in adult patients: A meta-analysis and microsimulation.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of adverse events, life expectancy, and event-free life expectancy after the Ross procedure in adults.

Methods: We searched databases for reports evaluating the Ross procedure in patients aged more than or equal to 16 years of age. A microsimulation model was used to evaluate age- and gender-specific life expectancy for patients undergoing the Ross procedure.

Biventricular repair after the hybrid Norwood procedure.

Objectives: We analysed the outcomes of patients undergoing biventricular repair (BVR) after an initial hybrid Norwood approach as a salvage procedure in extremely sick infants; or as the initial palliation in patients with uncertain feasibility of single-stage BVR due to severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction; or as part of a left ventricle (LV) recruitment strategy in patients with borderline LVs.

Methods: Between September 2010 and July 2018, 26 patients underwent BVR after initial hybrid palliation at a median age of 13 days. The rationale for the hybrid approach was to promote the growth of the LV in 10 patients and that of the left ventricular outflow tract and/or aortic valve in 12 patients and to be a salvage procedure in 4 patients.

The Ross reimplantation technique.

Pulmonary autograft replacement of a diseased aortic valve (the Ross procedure) is effective in children, where growth is essential, and in young patients for whom a biological solution is preferred. Long-term outcomes are generally good. However eventual autograft dilatation may necessitate reoperation.

Long-Term Follow-Up After the Ross Procedure: A Single Center 22-Year Experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze long-term outcomes after the Ross procedure, focusing on autograft function and risk of reoperation in time.

Methods: Between February 1994 and February 2016, 154 patients underwent the Ross (n = 105) and Ross-Konno (n = 49) procedure at our institution and were included in this study. Data were collected retrospectively from patients' medical records or through telephone contact.

Stentless bioprostheses: a versatile and durable solution in extensive aortic valve endocarditis.

Objectives: Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve with local aortic root destruction requires radical resection of infected tissues and subsequent reconstruction of periannular structures and the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Homografts or stentless bioprostheses are recommended for use in this specific patient group. The Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis is a porcine aortic root prosthesis, which approaches the surgical versatility of the homograft, but has the advantage of ready availability and uniform quality.

Twenty-year experience with the Ross-Konno procedure.

Objectives: The Ross-Konno procedure is a last resort for patients with complex multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) often having other cardiovascular anomalies. It is typically preceded by multiple surgeries. Literature is scarce on long-term follow-up series.

More than 25 years of experience in managing pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum.

Background: Management of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) is challenging and depends on the individual patient's morphologic characteristics. We evaluated outcomes of 25 years of experience in morphologically driven management of PAIVS.

Methods: Between January 1985 and December 2011, 60 patients were treated for PAIVS.