OBJECTIVES Decellularized pulmonary homografts (DPH) have shown excellent results for pulmonary valve replacement. However, controlled multicentre studies are lacking to date. METHODS Prospective European multicentre trial evaluating DPH for pulmonary valve replacement. Matched comparison of DPH to bovine jugular vein (BJV) conduits and cryopreserved homografts (CH) considering patient age, type of heart defect and previous procedures. RESULTS In total, 121 patients (59 female) were prospectively enrolled (August 2014–December 2016), age 21.3 ± 14.4 years, DPH diameter 24.4 ± 2.8 mm. No adverse events occurred with respect to surgical handling; there were 2 early deaths (30 + 59 years) due to myocardial failure after multi-valve procedures and no late mortality (1.7% mortality). After a mean follow-up of 2.2 ± 0.6 years, the primary efficacy end points mean peak gradient (16.1 ± 12.1 mmHg) and regurgitation (mean 0.25 ± 0.48, grade 0–3) were excellent. One reoperation was required for recurrent subvalvular stenosis caused by a pericardial patch and 1 balloon dilatation was performed on a previously stented LPA. 100% follow-up for DPH patients operated before or outside the trial (n = 114) included in the ESPOIR Registry, age 16.6 ± 10.4 years, diameter 24.1 ± 4.2 mm, follow-up 5.1 ± 3.0 years. The combined DPH cohort, n = 235, comprising both Trial and Registry data showed significantly better freedom from explantation (DPH 96.7 ± 2.1%, CH 84.4 ± 3.2%, P = 0.029 and BJV 82.7 ± 3.2%, P = 0.012) and less structural valve degeneration at 10 years when matched to CH, n = 235 and BJV, n = 235 (DPH 61.4 ± 6.6%, CH 39.9 ± 4.4%, n.s., BJV 47.5 ± 4.5%, P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Initial results of the prospective multicentre ESPOIR Trial showed DPH to be safe and efficient. Current DPH results including Registry data were superior to BJV and CH. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT 02035540.

Among patients with a dilatation of the ascending aorta of more than 45 and 49 mm, patients experiencing aortic dissection have a significantly higher aortic diameter to wall thickness ratio and a thinner aortic media, respectively. In the subset of patients with mild aortic dilatation, wall thickness might in the future serve as an additional parameter to help identify those patients who would benefit from prophylactic aortic surgery.

Herein is developed a new sheep model with an asymmetrically remodelled LV. Simple pacemaker programming allows direct modulation of regional myocardial function and work. This model provides a new and valuable alternative for canine or porcine models and has the potential to become instrumental for investigating regional function and loading conditions on regional LV remodelling.

Objective:The study objective was to analyze survival and incidence of Fontan completion of patients with single-ventricle and concomitant unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect.Methods: Data from 4 Dutch and 3 Belgian institutional databases were retrospectively collected. A total of 151 patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect were selected; 36 patients underwent an atrioventricular valve procedure (valve surgery group). End points were survival, incidence of Fontan completion, and freedom from atrioventricular valve reoperation.Results: Median follow-up was 13.4 years. Cumulative survival was 71.2%, 70%, and 68.5% at 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. An atrioventricular valve procedure was not a risk factor for mortality. Patients with moderate-severe or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation at echocardiographic follow-up had a significantly worse 15year survival (58.3%) compared with patients with no or mild regurgitation (89.2%) and patients with moderate regurgitation (88.6%) (P ¼ .033). Cumulative incidence of Fontan completion was 56.5%, 71%, and 77.6% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. An atrioventricular valve procedure was not associated with the incidence of Fontan completion. In the valve surgery group, freedom from atrioventricular valve reoperation was 85.7% at 1 year and 52.6% at 5 years. Conclusions:The long-term survival and incidence of Fontan completion in our study were better than previously described for patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect. A concomitant atrioventricular valve procedure did not increase the mortality rate or decrease the incidence of Fontan completion, whereas patients with moderate-severe or severe valve regurgitation at follow-up had a worse survival. Therefore, in patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect when atrioventricular valve regurgitation exceeds a moderate degree, the atrioventricular valve should be repaired.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with a single ventricle survive thanks to the Fontan palliation. Nevertheless, there is a growing number of Fontan patients with progressive heart failure. To validate therapeutic options in these patients, we developed a chronic Fontan large animal model. METHODS:A Fontan circulation was surgically created in 15 sheep. The superior vena cava was anastomosed end-to-side to the pulmonary artery. The inferior vena cava was connected to the pulmonary artery by an ePTFE conduit, and the inferior vena cava-right atrium junction was ligated.RESULTS: Total cavopulmonary connection was successfully performed in all 15 animals. After creation of the Fontan circulation, central venous pressure increased from 4 [interquartile range (IQR) 3-6] mmHg to 16 (IQR 14-17) mmHg, mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 68 (IQR 54-75) mmHg to 52 (IQR 50-61) mmHg and cardiac output decreased from 5.1 (IQR 4.6-6.8) l/min to 1.7 (IQR 1.3-2.7) l/ min. Five animals were electively sacrificed after a follow-up period of 21 weeks.

Background In the present work, we investigated the exercise capacities of patients with partial flow left ventricular assist devices and its evolution over time. We then compared the exercise capacities of these patients with those of full support ventricular assist device patients. Methods We retrospectively analysed the data of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests of ten partial support patients (CircuLite Synergy® Micropump) collected before (PS0), at 3 (PS3) and 6 months (PS6) after implantation. The data were then compared with those of 17 patients (FS6) treated with a full support device (HeartMate II, Thoratec©). For this analysis, we considered the exercise tests performed at 6 months after pump implantation for both groups. Results Peak oxygen uptake evolved in the PS0, PS3 and PS6 groups from 11.5 ± 2.3 to 12.6 ± 2.8 and 12.0 ± 2.7 mL/kg/min, respectively. Heart rate peak increased from PS0 to PS6 (100 ± 17 bpm and 107 ± 22 bpm, p = 0.05). The comparative analysis between PS6 and FS6 groups showed no difference in terms of exercise performance (12.0 ± 2.7 and 13.5 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min, respectively), fatigue perception, ventilation efficiency slope, anaerobic threshold and oxygen uptake efficiency slope. The chronotropic response was also similar in both PS6 and FS6 groups. However, PS6 patients were more often treated with β-blockers and therefore had lower heart rates at rest and at peak exercise than FS6 patients. Conclusions Exercise performance does not change after partial support implantation and stays stable over time. Partial and full support patients show similar exercise performances that attain 41% and 46% of the expected values, respectively.

In recent years, the Heartmate 3 (HM3) has largely replaced the use of other intracorporeal left ventricular assist devices in the adult field. Because the HM3 is larger than the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device, the general consensus was that for small patients, the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device was the most appropriate implantable device option. Our goal was to describe our experiences with the successful implantation of the HM3 in 2 children, aged 9 and 11. We report on the chest cavity dimensions, as measured on computed tomography, that can be used to assess the feasibility of HM3 implantation in small patients.

Background: Mechanical factors may cause bottlenecks in a Fontan circuit.Extracardiac conduits (ECC) are placed at a young age, but the materials do not allow growth. Restriction in ECC dimensions may deteriorate the function of the circuit.Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of stent expansion of an ECC to the nominal dimension at the time of implant and, if possible, beyond nominal.Methods: Retrospective, single-center observational review of all ECC Fontan patients who received a stent to expand a previously placed surgical conduit.Results: A total of 44 restrictive conduits were stented over a 14-year study period with a median of 11.8 (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 9.1−13.8) years after ECC placement. Cross-sectional areas were a median of 30% (IQR: 21−42) smaller than the originally placed ECC; there was no gradient in 23/44 patients and in 21/44, a minimal gradient of 1.3 ± 0.5 (range 1−3 mmHg). All conduits could be enlarged with a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in diameter from 13.6 ± 1.8 to 19.2 ± 1.2 mm, corresponding to a median cross-sectional area increase of 171% (IQR: 153−220). In three patients where the conduits were not contracted, expansion of between 127% and 165% was obtained. There were no conduit ruptures and only one minor complication.Conclusions: ECC in some Fontan patients become smaller than nominal over time, usually without overt symptoms. The dimensions of ECC's can be safely and significantly increased to nominal or even beyond employing stenting. It allows adjustment of ECC dimensions to compensate for somatic growth.