Comparison of management strategies for neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot and weight <2.5 kg.

2021

2021 Feb 03

1097-685X

OBJECTIVE: To compare management strategies for neonates <2.5 kg with tetralogy of Fallot and symptomatic cyanosis who either undergo staged repair (SR) (initial palliation followed by later complete repair) or primary repair (PR).

METHODS: Consecutive neonates with tetralogy of Fallot and symptomatic cyanosis weighing <2.5 kg at initial intervention and between 2005 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes included component (eg, initial palliation, complete repair, or primary repair) and cumulative (SR: initial palliation followed by later complete repair) hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay, durations of ventilation, inotrope use, cardiopulmonary bypass time, procedural complications, and reintervention. Outcomes were compared with propensity score adjustments with PR as the reference group.

RESULTS: The cohort included 76 SR (initial palliation: 53 surgical and 23 transcatheter) and 44 PR patients. The observed risk of overall mortality was similar between SR and PR groups (15.8% vs 18.2%: P = .735). The adjusted hazard of mortality remained similar between groups overall (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-1.36; P = .214), as well as during short-term (<4 months: hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-1.09; P = .071) and midterm (>4 months: hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-5.79; P = .717) follow-up. Reintervention in the first 18 months was common in both groups (53.2% vs 48.4%; hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-2.28; P = .072). Adjusted procedural complications and neonatal morbidity burden were overall lower in the SR group. Cumulative secondary outcome burdens largely favored the PR group.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study comparing SR and PR treatment strategies for neonates with tetralogy of Fallot and symptomatic cyanosis and weight <2.5 kg, mortality and reintervention burden was highly independent of treatment strategy. Other potential advantages were observed with each approach.

10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.01.100

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

33726912

Comparative Costs of Management Strategies for Neonates With Symptomatic Tetralogy of Fallot.

2022

1170-1180

2022 Mar 29

1558-3597

BACKGROUND: Recent data have demonstrated that overall mortality and adverse events are not significantly different for primary repair (PR) and staged repair (SR) approaches to management of neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF). Cost data can be used to compare the relative value (cost for similar outcomes) of these approaches and are a potentially more sensitive measure of morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the economic costs associated with PR and SR in neonates with sTOF.

METHODS: Data from a multicenter retrospective cohort study of neonates with sTOF were merged with administrative data to compare total costs and cost per day alive over the first 18 months of life in a propensity score-adjusted analysis. A secondary analysis evaluated differences in department-level costs.

RESULTS: In total, 324 subjects from 6 centers from January 2011 to November 2017 were studied (40% PR). The 18-month cumulative mortality (P = 0.18), procedural complications (P = 0.10), hospital complications (P = 0.94), and reinterventions (P = 0.22) did not differ between PR and SR. Total 18-month costs for PR (median $179,494 [IQR: $121,760-$310,721]) were less than for SR (median: $222,799 [IQR: $167,581-$327,113]) (P < 0.001). Cost per day alive (P = 0.005) and department-level costs were also all lower for PR. In propensity score-adjusted analyses, PR was associated with lower total cost (cost ratio: 0.73; P < 0.001) and lower department-level costs.

CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study of neonates with sTOF, PR was associated with lower costs. Given similar overall mortality between treatment strategies, this finding suggests that PR provides superior value.

10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.036

J Am Coll Cardiol

35331412

Comparison of outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement in adult versus paediatric hospitals: institutional influence†.

2019

2019 Apr 08

1873-734X

OBJECTIVES: Controversy exists in ascertaining the ideal location for adults with congenital heart disease requiring surgical intervention. In this study, we sought to compare the perioperative management between our paediatric and adult hospitals and to determine how clinical factors and the location affect the length of stay after pulmonary valve replacement.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients, ≥18 years of age, undergoing pulmonary valve replacement was conducted at our paediatric and adult hospitals between 1 January 2000 and 30 October 2014. Patients with previous Ross or concomitant left heart procedures were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographics and clinical characteristics. Inverse probability weight-adjusted models were used to determine differences in the number of surgical complications, duration of mechanical ventilation and postoperative length of stay between paediatric and adult hospitals. Additional models were calculated to identify factors associated with prolonged length of stay.

RESULTS: There were altogether 98 patients in the adult (48 patients) and paediatric (50 patients) hospitals. Patients in the adult hospital were older with more comorbidities (arrhythmia, hypertension, depression and a history of cardiac arrest, all P < 0.05). Those at the paediatric hospital had better preoperative right ventricular function and less tricuspid regurgitation. The cardiopulmonary bypass time, the length of intubation and the length of stay were higher at the adult hospital, despite no difference in the number of complications between locations. Factors contributing to the increased length of stay include patient characteristics and postoperative management strategies. There were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary valve replacement may be performed safely with no deaths and with a comparable complication rate at both hospitals. Patients undergoing surgery at the adult hospital have longer intubation times and length of stay. Opportunities exist to streamline management strategies.

10.1093/ejcts/ezz102

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg

30957859

Safety and Feasibility of Exercise Rehabilitation in Children with Ventricular Assist Devices.

2022

2022 Feb 08

1432-1971

<p>Children with advanced heart failure may require ventricular assist devices (VAD) while awaiting heart transplantation. Currently, no data exist regarding the safety of exercise rehabilitation (ER) in children on VAD support. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of ER in children on VAD support awaiting heart transplantation. Eligible patients underwent VAD placement between 1998 and 2019; both inpatient and outpatient participants were included. After VAD implantation and when ambulatory, patients were enrolled in ER. Exercise sessions were scheduled three times a week and consisted of aerobic and musculoskeletal conditioning. A total of 29 patients (59% male, mean age 14 ± 3.2&nbsp;years) were included with a median VAD duration of 120 ± 109&nbsp;days. Cardiac diagnoses included cardiomyopathy (81%) and congenital heart disease (19%). VAD type included pulsatile (59%) and continuous-flow devices (41%). Eight hundred and sixty-four (85%) ER sessions were successfully completed and began at a mean of 49&nbsp;days (range 19-108) after VAD implant. No adverse events, including episodes of hypotension, significant complex arrhythmia, or VAD malfunction occurred during exercise testing or ER, and no sessions were discontinued prematurely. Pediatric patients on VAD support can safely participate in ER with relatively high compliance, and sessions can be implemented early after VAD implantation. Given the safety profile, ER in pediatric VAD recipients, which is a modifiable pre-transplant risk factor that may improve functional capacity, warrants further study as a potential modality to improve post-transplant outcomes.</p>

10.1007/s00246-022-02819-x

Pediatr Cardiol

35137274

Identifying Risk Factors for Complicated Post-operative Course in Tetralogy of Fallot Using a Machine Learning Approach.

2021

685855

2021

2297-055X

<p>Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair is associated with excellent operative survival. However, a subset of patients experiences post-operative complications, which can significantly alter the early and late post-operative course. We utilized a machine learning approach to identify risk factors for post-operative complications after TOF repair. We conducted a single-center prospective cohort study of children &lt;2 years of age with TOF undergoing surgical repair. The outcome was occurrence of post-operative cardiac complications, measured between TOF repair and hospital discharge or death. Predictors included patient, operative, and echocardiographic variables, including pre-operative right ventricular strain and fractional area change as measures of right ventricular function. Gradient-boosted quantile regression models (GBM) determined predictors of post-operative complications. Cross-validated GBMs were implemented with and without a filtering stage non-parametric regression model to select a subset of clinically meaningful predictors. Sensitivity analysis with gradient-boosted Poisson regression models was used to examine if the same predictors were identified in the subset of patients with at least one complication. Of the 162 subjects enrolled between March 2012 and May 2018, 43 (26.5%) had at least one post-operative cardiac complication. The most frequent complications were arrhythmia requiring treatment ( = 22, 13.6%), cardiac catheterization ( = 17, 10.5%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) ( = 11, 6.8%). Fifty-six variables were used in the machine learning analysis, of which there were 21 predictors that were already identified from the first-stage regression. Duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was the highest ranked predictor in all models. Other predictors included gestational age, pre-operative right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain, pulmonary valve Z-score, and immediate post-operative arterial oxygen level. Sensitivity analysis identified similar predictors, confirming the robustness of these findings across models. Cardiac complications after TOF repair are prevalent in a quarter of patients. A prolonged surgery remains an important predictor of post-operative complications; however, other perioperative factors are likewise important, including pre-operative right ventricular remodeling. This study identifies potential opportunities to optimize the surgical repair for TOF to diminish post-operative complications and secure improved clinical outcomes. Efforts toward optimizing pre-operative ventricular remodeling might mitigate post-operative complications and help reduce future morbidity.</p>

10.3389/fcvm.2021.685855

Front Cardiovasc Med

34368247

Large aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of surgically reconstructed right ventricular outflow tracts.

2021

1-3

2021 Mar 17

1467-1107

<p>Aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm development is a known, albeit uncommon, complication after right ventricular outflow tract surgical reconstruction. Large right ventricular outflow tract aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms have not been extensively described in recent literature and we report our experience with this unusual complication in five patients at our institution over the last 8 years. Although uncommon, this complication has potentially important clinical implications. Thus, clinicians should be aware of its potential, particularly in certain anatomic conditions.</p>

10.1017/S1047951121001025

Cardiol Young

33729122

Comparison of Management Strategies for Neonates With Symptomatic Tetralogy of Fallot.

2021

1093-1106

2021 Mar 02

1558-3597

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Neonates with tetralogy of Fallot and symptomatic cyanosis (sTOF) require early intervention.</p>

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>This study sought to perform a balanced multicenter comparison of staged repair (SR) (initial palliation [IP] and subsequent complete repair [CR]) versus primary repair (PR) treatment strategies.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Consecutive neonates with sTOF who underwent IP or PR at&nbsp;≤30&nbsp;days of age from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed from the Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative. The primary outcome was death. Secondary outcomes included component (IP, CR, PR) and cumulative (SR): hospital and intensive care unit lengths of stay; durations of cardiopulmonary bypass, anesthesia, ventilation, and inotrope use; and complication and reintervention rates. Outcomes were compared using propensity score adjustment.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The cohort consisted of 342 patients who underwent SR (IP: surgical, n&nbsp;=&nbsp;256; transcatheter, n&nbsp;=&nbsp;86) and 230 patients who underwent PR. Pre-procedural ventilation, prematurity, DiGeorge syndrome, and pulmonary atresia were more common in the SR group (p&nbsp;≤0.01). The observed risk of death was not different between the groups (10.2% vs 7.4%; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.25) at median 4.3 years. After adjustment, the hazard of death remained similar between groups (hazard ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.49 to 1.38; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.456), but it favored SR during early follow-up (&lt;4&nbsp;months; p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.041). Secondary outcomes favored the SR group in component analysis, whereas they largely favored PR in cumulative analysis. Reintervention risk was higher in the SR group (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.002).</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>In this multicenter comparison of SR or PR for management of neonates with sTOF, adjusted for patient-related factors, early mortality and neonatal morbidity were lower in the SR group, but cumulative morbidity and reinterventions favored the PR group, findings suggesting potential benefits to each strategy.</p>

10.1016/j.jacc.2020.12.048

J Am Coll Cardiol

33632484

Venous flow variation predicts preoperative pulmonary venous obstruction in children with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

2021

2021 Feb 15

1097-6795

<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>Identifying preoperative pulmonary venous obstruction in total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is important to guide treatment-planning and risk prognostication. No standardized echocardiographic definition of obstruction exists in the literature. Definitions based on absolute velocities are affected by technical limitations and variations in pulmonary venous return. We developed a metric to quantify pulmonary venous blood flow variation: pulmonary venous variability index (PVVI). We aimed to demonstrate its accuracy in defining obstruction.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>All patients cared for with TAPVC at our institution were identified. Echocardiograms were reviewed, and maximum (V), mean (V), and minimum velocities (V) along the pulmonary venous pathway were measured. PVVI was defined as (V-V)/V. These metrics were compared to pressures measured by cardiac catheterization. Echocardiographic measures were then compared between the patients with and without clinical preoperative obstruction (defined as a need for preoperative intubation, catheter-based intervention, or surgery within one day of diagnosis), as well as pulmonary edema by chest X-ray and markers of lactic acidosis. 137 patients were included with 22 having catheterization pressure recordings.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Maximum and mean velocity were not different between patients with catheter gradients ≥4 mmHg and &lt;4 mmHg, while PVVI was significantly lower and minimum velocity higher in those with gradients ≥4 mmHg. The composite outcome of preoperative obstruction occurred in 51 patients (37%). Absolute velocities were not different between patients with and without clinical obstruction, while PVVI was significantly lower in patients with obstruction. All metrics except maximum velocity were associated with pulmonary edema; none were associated with blood gas metrics.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>We developed a novel quantitative metric of pulmonary venous flow, which was superior to traditional echocardiographic metrics. Decreased PVVI was highly associated with elevated gradients measured by catheterization and clinical preoperative obstruction. These results should aid risk assessment and diagnosis preoperatively in patients with TAPVC.</p>

10.1016/j.echo.2021.02.007

J Am Soc Echocardiogr

33600926

Resource Use and Outcomes of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease Admissions: 2003 to 2016.

2021

e018286

2021 Feb 06

2047-9980

<p><strong>Background</strong> Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are known to consume a disproportionate share of resources, yet there are limited data concerning trends in resource use and mortality among admitted children with CHD. We hypothesize that charges in CHD-related admissions increased but that mortality improved over time. <strong>Methods and Results</strong> This study, including patients &lt;18&nbsp;years old with CHD, examined inpatient admissions from the nationally representative Kids' Inpatient Database from 2003 to 2016 in order to assess the frequency, medical complexity, and outcomes of CHD hospital admissions. A total of 859&nbsp;843 admissions of children with CHD were identified. CHD admissions increased by 31.8% from 2003 to 2016, whereas overall pediatric admissions decreased by 13.4%. Compared with non-CHD admissions, those with CHD were more likely to be &lt;1&nbsp;year of age (80.5% versus 63.3%), and to have ≥1 complex chronic condition (39.7% versus 9.3%). For CHD admissions, mortality was higher (2.97% versus 0.31%) and adjusted median charges greater ($48&nbsp;426 [interquartile range (IQR), $11.932-$161&nbsp;048] versus $4697 [IQR, $2551-$12&nbsp;301]) (&lt;0.0001 for all). Among CHD admissions, whereas adjusted median charges increased from $35&nbsp;577 (IQR, $9303-$110&nbsp;439) to $61&nbsp;696 (IQR, $15&nbsp;212-$219&nbsp;237), mortality decreased from 3.2% to 2.7% ( &lt;0.0001). CHD admissions accounted for an increased proportion of all inpatient deaths, from 18.0% in 2003 to 24.5% in 2016. <strong>Conclusions</strong> Children admitted with CHD are 10 times more likely to die than those without CHD and have higher charges. Although the rate of mortality in CHD admissions decreased, children with CHD accounted for an increasing proportion of all pediatric inpatient deaths. Effective resource allocation is critical to optimize outcomes in these high-risk patients.</p>

10.1161/JAHA.120.018286

J Am Heart Assoc

33554612

Impact of Treatment Strategy on Outcomes in Isolated Pulmonary Artery of Ductal Origin.

2021

2021 Jan 04

1432-1971

<p>Isolated pulmonary artery (PA) of ductal origin (IPADO) is a rare cardiac defect which requires surgical repair, with or without preceding palliation. We sought to determine the impact of treatment strategy on outcomes. Retrospective study of consecutive patients with IPADO that underwent staged or primary repair from 1/05 to 9/16 at 6 Congenital Cardiac Research Collaborative centers. Patients with single ventricle physiology, major aortopulmonary collaterals, or bilateral IPADO were excluded. Primary outcome was isolated PA z-score at late follow-up. Secondary outcomes included PA symmetry index (isolated:confluent PA diameter) and reintervention burden. Propensity score adjustment was used to account for baseline differences. Of 60 patients in the study cohort, 26 (43%) underwent staged and 34 (57%) primary repair. The staged and primary repair groups differed in weight at diagnosis and presence of other heart disease but not in baseline PA dimensions. Staged patients underwent ductal stent (n = 16) or surgical shunt (n = 10) placement followed by repair at 210 vs. 21 days in the primary repair group (p &lt; 0.001). At median follow-up of 4.5 years post-repair, after adjustment, isolated PA z-score (- 0.74 [- 1.75, - 0.26] vs. - 1.95 [- 2.91, - 1.59], p = 0.012) and PA symmetry index (0.81 [0.49, 1.0] vs. 0.55 [0.48, 0.69], p = 0.042) significantly favored the staged repair group. Freedom from PA reintervention was not different between groups (adjusted HR 0.78 [0.41, 1.48]; p = 0.445). A staged approach to repair of IPADO is associated with superior isolated PA size and symmetry at late follow-up. Consideration should be given to initial palliation in IPADO patients, when feasible.</p>

10.1007/s00246-020-02511-y

Pediatr Cardiol

33394118