The intraoperative use of recombinant activated factor VII in arterial switch operations.

Background: The rate of bleeding complications following arterial switch operation is too low to independently justify a prospective randomised study for benefit from recombinant factor VIIa. We aimed to evaluate factor VIIa in a pilot study.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing arterial switch operation from 2012 to 2017.

Recurrent Pulmonary Artery Interventions Following the Norwood Procedure Are Not Associated With Conduit Type.

Given pulmonary artery interventions following the Norwood procedure can recur, the average number of occurrences per patient over time is likely more informative than the crude percentage of patients who required an intervention. Pulmonary artery intervention was defined as any surgical or catheter-based procedure after the Norwood procedure. The number of pulmonary artery interventions for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome were compared between patients with modified Blalock-Taussig Shunts (MBTS) and right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits (RVPA) at a single institution from 2011 to 2018.

Infundibular sparing versus transinfundibular approach to the repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Introduction: The right ventricular infundibular sparing approach (RVIS) to the repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) avoids a full-thickness ventricular incision, typically utilized in the transinfundibular (TI) method.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, age-matched cohort study of patients who underwent RVIS at Texas Children's Hospital or TI at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Nebraska and subsequently underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). We compared right ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volumes indexed to body surface area (RVEDVi and RVESVi) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) as primary endpoints.

Reoperation after isolated subaortic membrane resection.

Background: The resection of a subaortic membrane remains far from a curative operation. We sought to examine factors associated with reoperation and the degree of aortic valve regurgitation as a potential long-term source for reoperation.

Methods: All patients who underwent resection of an isolated subaortic membrane between 1995 and 2018 were included.

Fetal and postnatal echocardiographic imaging of transposition of the great arteries with the aortic valve posterior to the pulmonary valve.

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with a posterior aorta is an uncommon but historically important variant of TGA. In this arrangement, the aorta is posterior to the pulmonary valve, maintains fibrous continuity with the mitral valve, and arises from the right ventricle. We present a case of fetal echocardiography demonstrating TGA with a posterior aorta.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery in a univentricular heart.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery in single ventricles is a very rare congenital anomaly. Failure to recognise it preoperatively may lead to adverse outcomes, including death. We report the case of a neonate with a univentricular heart in the form of a double-outlet right ventricle, mitral atresia with discrete coarctation of the aorta, and an incidental intraoperative finding of an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery.

Aortic arch advancement for type A interrupted aortic arch with persistent fifth aortic arch type B.

Persistence of the fifth aortic arch is a very rare anomaly, but is clinically relevant when it is associated with coarctation. We report a case of a neonate with type A interrupted aortic arch and severe coarctation of a persistent fifth aortic arch, which was discovered after repair of a left congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The combination of anomalies was discovered intra-operatively following left thoracotomy, and was treated with aortic arch advancement.

Bronchial artery revascularization and en bloc lung transplant in children.

Background: Long-term success in pediatric lung transplantation is limited by infection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). The bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLT) technique may result in airway ischemia leading to bronchial stenosis, dehiscence, or loss of small airways. En bloc lung transplant (EBLT) with bronchial artery revascularization (BAR) minimizes airway ischemia, thus promoting superior airway healing.

Impact of preoperative risk factors on outcomes after Norwood palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Background: Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) are susceptible to pre-Norwood comorbidities (PCs) and complications. This study aimed to describe the effect of PCs on timing and survival of Norwood palliation (NP).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective review of infants with HLHS who underwent initial NP between 2003 and 2010 was performed.

Erythropoietin neuroprotection in neonatal cardiac surgery: a phase I/II safety and efficacy trial.

Objectives: Neonates undergoing complex congenital heart surgery have a significant incidence of neurologic problems. Erythropoietin has antiapoptotic, antiexcitatory, and anti-inflammatory properties to prevent neuronal cell death in animal models, and improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in full-term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. We designed a prospective phase I/II trial of erythropoietin neuroprotection in neonatal cardiac surgery to assess safety and indicate efficacy.

Type B interrupted left aortic arch with isolated right subclavian artery.

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital heart malformation occurring in approximately three per 1 million births. Type B interrupted aortic arch (interruption between the second carotid artery and the ipsilateral subclavian artery) is the most common of three major types (A, B, and C). We report an extremely rare finding: a case of left-sided type B interrupted aortic arch with isolation of the right subclavian artery (origin from the right pulmonary artery).

Repeat sternotomy in congenital heart surgery: no longer a risk factor.

Background: The risk of repeat sternotomy (RS) is often taken into account when making clinical management decisions. Current literature on RS suggests a risk of approximately 5% to 10% for major morbidity. We sought to establish the true risk of RS in a contemporary pediatric series.

Pediatric lung transplantation: a therapy in its adolescence.

Pediatric lung transplant was born at the University of Toronto as an extension of the pioneering work of Cooper and Patterson in adult lung transplant in the 1980s. Through the 1990s, the field of pediatric lung transplantation grew with clinical outcomes in the largest centers being comparable to those in adult lung transplantation. For children and adults, the largest obstacle to long-term survival remains chronic allograft rejection secondary to the development of bronchiolitis obliterans, for which little advancement has been made in prevention or treatment.

Anatomic reconstruction for recurrent aortic obstruction in infants and children.

Background: Patients undergoing operative repair of aortic obstruction are at a lifelong risk of recurrent obstruction, and there is controversy regarding the optimal surgical technique. We have used an alternative strategy for recurrent aortic obstruction, typically involving anatomic reconstruction by means of a median sternotomy, and describe our techniques and results.

Methods: Twenty-one patients presented with recurrent aortic arch obstruction.