This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) in patients after congenital heart surgery. We prospectively analyzed cardiac rhythm status in 336 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease at our institution during a 1-year period. The incidence of JET was 8% (27/336). Repairs with the highest incidence of JET were arterial switch operation (3/13, 23%), atrioventricular (AV) canal repair (4/19, 21%), and Norwood repair (2/10, 20%). Compared to patients with no arrhythmias, patients with JET were more likely to be younger (2.75 +/- 2.44 vs 5.38 +/- 7.25 years, p < 0.01), have had longer cardiopulmonary bypass times (126 +/- 50 vs 85 +/- 73, p < 0.01), and have a higher inotrope score (6.26 +/- 7.55 vs 2.41 +/- 8.11, p < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, ischemic time was the only factor associated with JET [odds ratio, 1.01 (confidence interval, 1.005-1.02); p = 0.0014). The presence of JET did not correlate with electrolyte abnormalities. JET is not necessarily related to surgery near the His bundle or hypomagnesemia. Longer ischemic time is the best predictor of JET. Patients undergoing arterial switch operation, AV canal repair, and Norwood repair are at highest risk of postoperative JET and should be considered for prophylactic therapy.
Reparative procedures are not always feasible in congenitally abnormal mitral valves. Mechanical prosthesis has been accepted as the choice for valve replacement in the pediatric population. This report describes a case of congenital mitral valve disease requiring mitral valve replacement. The infant's mitral valve annulus was not amenable to placement of the smallest available mechanical prosthesis. The approach used here for annular and subvalvular enlargement facilitated implantation of a larger prosthesis for congenital mitral valve replacement. Five-year outcomes in a single patient may indicate broader applicability and avoidance of patient-prosthesis mismatch.
Isolated chylopericardium is an exceedingly rare complication in any age group. Review of the limited published case series shows the most common cause of isolated chylopericardium to be cardiac surgery. We present a case of isolated chylopericardium after a bidirectional Glenn procedure in an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. (
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.
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Background:
Management of total anomalous pulmonary venous connections has been extensively studied to further improve outcomes. Our institution previously reported factors associated with mortality, recurrent obstruction, and reintervention. The study purpose was to revisit the cohort of patients and evaluate factors associated with reintervention, and mortality in early and late follow-up.
Methods:
A retrospective review at our institution identified 81 patients undergoing total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair from January 2002 to January 2018. Demographic and operative variables were evaluated. Anastomotic reintervention (interventional or surgical) and/or mortality were primary endpoints.
Results:
Eighty-one patients met the study criteria. Follow-up ranged from 0 to 6,291 days (17.2 years), a mean of 1263 days (3.5 years). Surgical mortality was 16.1% and reintervention rates were 19.8%. In re-interventions performed, 80% occurred within 1.2 years, while 94% of mortalities were within 4.1 months. Increasing cardiopulmonary bypass times (p = 0.0001) and the presence of obstruction at the time of surgery (p = 0.025) were predictors of mortality, while intracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection type (p = 0.033) was protective. Risk of reintervention was higher with increasing cardiopulmonary bypass times (p = 0.015), single ventricle anatomy (p = 0.02), and a post-repair gradient >2 mmHg on transesophageal echocardiogram (p = 0.009).
Conclusions:
Evaluation of a larger cohort with longer follow-up demonstrated the relationship of anatomic complexity and symptoms at presentation to increased mortality risk after total anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair. The presence of a single ventricle or a post-operative confluence gradient >2 mmHg were risk factors for reintervention. These findings support those found in our initial study.
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