Our experience shows that the patch is well tolerated in the septal, valvar and pulmonary artery positions. However, we experienced graft failures in infants in the aortic position.

Background: The Ozaki procedure is a surgical technique for patients with significant aortic stenosis or regurgitation or both where valve repair cannot be performed. Individual cusps are cut from glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium or bovine pericardium and implanted into the aortic valve position. Encouraging results have been reported within the adult population. There are limited published data on success of this procedure in younger patients. Methods: We present a series of five children and young adults who underwent the Ozaki procedure with neoaortic valve cusps made from CardioCel, a decellularized bovine pericardial patch treated with a monomeric glutaraldehyde. Results: There were no complications in the initial postoperative period and short inpatient stay. At a mean follow-up of 29.6 months (range: 22-36 months), 4 patients had no evidence of stenosis and 3 patients had trivial or no regurgitation from the neoaortic valve. Overall, two patients had complications related to the valve and underwent reintervention during the follow-up period with a Ross procedure. One of these patients who was not taking long-term anticoagulation experienced a transient ischemic attack. Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates that the Ozaki procedure with CardioCel in pediatric and young adult patients should be approached with caution. Further research with larger groups of pediatric patients, comparison of different graft materials, and longer follow-up is required to ascertain long-term success in children.

We present the case of a 21-year-old male who came to the emergency ward for a thorax bullet wound. At our first check-up, the computed tomography (CT)-scan showed a pulmonary contusion, a hemothorax and a suspicious image of a thoracic aortic wound. The patient was stable, but soon after admission a distal ischemic syndrome appeared which revealed the emboli of the projectile. We removed it and a stent graft was implanted into the thoracic aorta. We report our experience of the treatment and the mechanisms that explain how such a wound did not kill the patient.

Background: To evaluate the long-term results of implantation of homogeneous large size of pulmonary homograft (PH) for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2017, 107 patients were implanted with PH for reconstruction of the RVOT. Data were collected retrospectively in this single-center study. PH failure was defined as a peak of gradient greater than 40 mmHg and/or as a pulmonary regurgitation greater than Grade 2. Primary endpoint was the reoperation of the RVOT during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were overall survival, occurrence of PH failure and the rate of reoperation for all cause. Results: Mean age of the recipients was 26.1 ± 13.6 years. Median follow-up interval was 2.99 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.2). Mean size of PH was 24.9 ± 1.9 mm. Reoperation of the RVOT occurred in eight patients (7.8%). Time before reoperation was 2.74 years (IQR: 6.4). Freedom from reoperation for RVOT at 5 and 10 years was respectively 95.7% and 90.0%. Overall survival at 10 years was 95.2%. PH failure occurred in 13 patients (12.0%). Median time before PH failure was 6.7 years

Background: To assess the feasibility and early outcome of continuous cerebral and myocardial selective perfusion (CCMSP) during aortic arch surgery in neonates. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study between 2008 and 2019 on neonates who underwent aortic arch surgery with or without associated heart lesion repair. CCMSP with moderate hypothermia levels (28°C) was achieved using selective brachiocephalic artery and ascending aorta cannulation. Target rates of cerebral and myocardial perfusion were 25 to 35 mL/kg/min and 150 ml/m2/min. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) variables and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Overall, 69 neonates underwent either isolated aortic arch repair (n = 31) or aortic arch repair with ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure (n = 38). Age and weight medians were 8 [6 to 15] days and 3.4 [2.9-3.5] kg, respectively. Mean CPB and aortic clamping times were 134 ± 47 and 26 ± 5 minutes for isolated aortic arch repair, and 159 ± 47 and 75 ± 30 minutes for aortoplasty accompanied by VSD closure. Mean CCMSP time was 52 ± 21 minutes with cerebral rate of 32.6 ± 10 mL•kg −1 •min −1. Overall in hospital survival was 98.5% (68/69). Major complications were: postoperative cardiac failure requiring mechanical support followed by stroke (n = 1; 1.44%) and transient renal failure requiring dialysis (n = 2; 2.89%). Neither myocardial nor digestive complication occurred. Conclusion: CCMSP is a safe and reproducible strategy for cerebral, myocardial and visceral protection in neonatal aortic arch repair, with or without VSD closure, resulting in low complication and mortality.

A 38-year-old farmer was hospitalized for fever, chills, cough, and chest pain lasting for 7 days. Due to persistent symptoms, patient was referred to hospital. Blood cultures identified oxacillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (OSSA). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed large pericardial effusion, a mobile heterogeneous mass originating from the coronary sinus ostium, no sign of valvular endocarditis. Pericardiocentesis was done carrying out purulent fluid, microbiological culture isolating an OSSA. Parenteral penicillin M was administered for 6 weeks. At the end of this antibiotherapy regimen, TTE showed no coronary sinus mass with complete vacuity of the coronary sinus vein and no pericardial effusion.

Background : To evaluate the long-term results of implantation of homogeneous large size of pulmonary homograft (PH) for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Methods : Between January 2000 and December 2017, 107 patients were implanted with PH for reconstruction of the RVOT. Data were collected retrospectively in this single-center study. PH failure was defined as a peak of gradient > 40 mmHg and/or as a pulmonary regurgitation > grade 2. Primary endpoint was the re-operation of the RVOT during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were overall survival, occurrence of PH failure and the rate of re-operation for all cause. Results : Mean age of the recipients was 26.13 ? 13.59 years. Mean size of PH was 23.02 ? 6.87 mm. Re-operation of the RVOT occurred in 8 patients (7.8%). Time before re-operation was 2.74 years (Interquartile Range: 6.41). Freedom from re-operation for RVOT at 5 and 10 years was respectively 95.7% and 90.0%. Overall survival at 10 years was 95.2%. PH failure occurred in 13 patients (12.0%). Mean time before PH failure was 5.00 ? 4.35 years. Freedom from PH failure at 10 years was 81.6%. Re-operation for PH failure occurred in 4 patients (3.9%). Concomitant tricuspid valve surgery (p=0.037), initial pulmonary stenosis (p=0.04), recipient of PH < 16 years old (p=0.043) were risk factors of late reoperation in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed no independent risk factor of late reoperation. Conclusions : Implantation of large PH for RVOT reconstruction provides excellent mid-term results in terms of re-operation.Results of large pulmonary homograft implantation for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction Pulmonary homograft as right outflow tract

To describe the frequency and outcomes on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) among critically ill neonates and children within a structured pediatric critical care network in the West of France. To assess the optimality of decision-making process for patients primarily admitted in non-ECMO centers.