Transcatheter right ventricular outflow tract stent implantation in a child with pentalogy of cantrell, double outlet right ventricle, and severe pulmonary stenosis

Successful balloon valvuloplasty using direct puncture of the heart for pentalogy of Cantrell with complete ectopia cordis, low birth weight, single ventricle and severe pulmonary stenosis

We present a 31 gestational weeks' premature baby whose fetal echocardiogram showed ectopia cordis, single ventricle and severe pulmonary stenosis. At 31 gestational weeks, an emergency caesarean section was performed, and his birth weight was 1756 g, SpO2 was 80% on 100% O2. Epicardial echocardiogram showed double inlet right ventricle, severe valvular pulmonary stenosis and no ductus arteriosus. The risk of surgery was very high, so we decided to perform balloon valvuloplasty by direct puncture of the heart. We punctured the apex of the ventricle using a 16-gauge needle under echo guidance, advanced the guidewire to the pulmonary artery and performed balloon valvuloplasty. Soon after the procedure, the cyanosis improved dramatically. This is the first report of a transcatheter procedure performed by direct puncture of the heart for ectopia cordis with complex congenital heart disease.

Pentalogy of Cantrell: Case Report With Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare, congenital disorder characterized by lower sternal defects, diaphragmatic defect, pericardial defect, supraumbilical abdominal wall abnormalities, and/or intracardiac defects. The collective defects result from failure of either differentiation or migration of mesenchymal or mesodermal structures during the embryonic phase of development. Mortality of the disease complex is high, and treatment, when appropriate, revolves around surgical correction of the associated defects.

PURPOSE

This article presents a case of pentalogy of Cantrell and examines the literature to report the most current evidence relative to the embryology and pathophysiology. In addition, the methods of pre- and postnatal diagnosis, management, and prognostic indicators are examined.

METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY

Case report was gathered from the medical records and is provided as it occurred. The literature was searched for evidence of best management strategies as well as care implications for families.

FINDINGS/RESULTS

A female newborn was delivered at (Equation is included in full-text article.)weeks' gestation secondary to premature onset of labor. Prenatal ultrasonography identified an abdominal wall defect, diaphragmatic hernia, sternal defect, ventricular septal defect, and open neural tube defect. Examination immediately after delivery confirmed prenatal findings and a diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell was assigned.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Patients with the diagnosis of pentalogy of Cantrell should receive antenatal counseling relative to mortality and morbidity risks. An interprofessional approach in the immediate timeframe after delivery facilitates timely diagnostics and offers families prompt confirmation of antenatal findings.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Future research can focus on further elucidating genetic etiologies of pentalogy of Cantrell.

Stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract in the high-risk infant with cyanotic teratology of Fallot

Neonatal tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair carries an increased risk of low birthweight or premature infants. Studies are investigating stents in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) as an alternative to aortopulmonary shunts. The authors review their institutional experience with RVOT stenting in the high-risk infant with TOF. Data on sequential patients who received RVOT stents were reviewed, with collection of their surgical, echocardiographic, and catheterization data. Size-matched control subjects were identified and outcomes compared. Six infants went to the catheterization lab for RVOT stenting from 2008 to 2010. Five of these patients had placement of an RVOT stent after balloon dilation. The median saturations were 71% on 48% fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), with improvement to 94% (p < 0.001) on 39% FiO2 24 h after stent placement. As shown by echocardiography, the diameter of the median right pulmonary artery (RPA) was 2.6 mm (z-score, -3.3), and the diameter of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) was 2.0 mm (z-score, -4.5). Repeat echocardiography before surgery showed a statistically significant increase in RPA and LPA size as well as a modified McGoon ratio (p < 0.05). Four of the five patients subsequently underwent TOF repair. No stent fractures occurred. One patient had repair 10 days after stent placement secondary to stent malposition and tricuspid valve injury. The authors' experience with stents in the RVOT of TOF patients has yielded good results, with significant improvement in oxygen saturations. Patients had successful elective surgical repair and stent removal without longer cardiopulmonary bypass times or recognizable complications compared with shunted patients.