Left ventricular function after left ventriculotomy for surgical treatment of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects

Surgical repair of "Swiss Cheese" ventricular septal defects with two-patch and right ventricular apex-exclusion technique: mid-term follow-up results

BACKGROUND

"Swiss Cheese" ventricular septal defects represent a serious congenital heart disease with suboptimal clinical outcomes and a lack of consensus regarding its management. This study presents mid-term follow-up results of surgical repairs for "Swiss Cheese" ventricular septal defects, utilizing the two-patch and right ventricle apex-exclusion technique.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 13 patients who underwent surgical repair utilizing the two-patch and right ventricle apex-exclusion technique at our institution between May 2014 and October 2021. The procedure involved the closure of defects in the outflow tract ventricular septal and the apex trabecular ventricular septal regions using two patches, with concurrent exclusion of the right ventricular apex from the right ventricular inflow tract.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 4.9 ± 2.1 years (range: 2-9 years). All cases were successful without mortality or major complications. Two years post-surgery, cardiac magnetic resonance revealed median values for left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and right ventricular end-diastolic volume of 63.9% ± 1.8% (range: 61-67%), 49.2% ± 2.6% (range: 46-55%), 39.15 ± 2.11 ml (range: 36.2-42.7 ml), 44.55 ± 3.33 ml (range: 38.7-48.6 ml), respectively. No thrombosis occurred. The latest echocardiography results confirmed normal cardiac function in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical repair of "Swiss Cheese" ventricular septal defects utilizing the two-patch and right ventricle apex-exclusion technique is a viable approach with favorable mid-term outcomes. More cases and long-term follow-up results are needed to validate the feasibility and safety of this technique.

Challenging a dogma: left ventriculotomy can be used safely in children

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to discuss our unit's experience performing left ventriculotomies on children.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2022, we identified paediatric patients who required left ventriculotomy. Relevant information was gathered retrospectively.

RESULTS

There were eight patients who underwent surgical procedure including left ventriculotomy. The range of weight and age was between 4.5 and 50 kg and 5 months to 17 years, respectively. Left ventriculotomy was primarily performed for the excision of cardiac masses in all but one who had pseudoaneurysm repair. There were no deaths that occurred early or late. Pre-operative and post-operative ejection fractions and fractional shortening values were comparable. There was no arrhythmia detected post-operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that an apical left ventriculotomy does not compromise the function of the left ventricle, even in young infants. In selected patients, it may be used safely for surgical access to the left ventricle.

A review of the therapeutic management of multiple ventricular septal defects

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We showed in our anatomical review, ventricular septal defects existing as multiple entities can be considered in terms of three major subsets. We address here the diagnostic challenges, associated anomalies, the role and techniques of surgical instead of interventional closure, and the outcomes, including reinterventions, for each subset.

METHODS

We reviewed 80 published investigations, noting radiographic findings, and the results of clinical imaging elucidating the location, number, size of septal defects, associated anomalies, and the effect of severe pulmonary hypertension.

RESULTS

Overall, perioperative mortality for treatment of residual multiple defects has been cited to be between 0% and 14.2%, with morbidity estimated between 6% and 13%. Perioperative mortality is twice as high for perimembranous compared to muscular defects, with the need for reoperation being over four times higher. Perventricular hybrid approaches are useful for the closure of high anterior or apical defects. Overall, the results have been unsatisfactory. Pooled data reveals incidences between 2.8% and 45% for device-related adverse events. Currently, however, outcomes cannot be assessed on the basis of the different anatomical subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

We have addressed the approaches, and the results, of therapeutic treatment in terms of coexisting discrete defects, the Swiss-cheese septum, and the arrangement in which a solitary apical muscular defect gives the impression of multiple defects when viewed from the right ventricular aspect. Treatment should vary according to the specific combination of defects.

Biventricular surgical repair of "Swiss Cheese" ventricular septal defects with two-patch and right ventricle apex excluding technique: preliminary experience and clinical results

Background

“Swiss Cheese” ventricular septal defects (VSDs) is a kind of rare and complex congenital heart defects and the surgical management remains controversial and a challenge. We reviewed our preliminary clinical experience on biventricular surgical repair of “Swiss Cheese” VSDs with two-patch and right ventricle apex excluding technique in 10 cases.

Methods

From May 2014 to December 2019, a series of 10 patients (M/F = 3/7) were admitted in our center. Nine cases underwent one-stage surgical repair with two-patch and right ventricle apex excluding technique and 1 case received two-stage surgical repair with the same technique. Surgical repair was done with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in all cases. Two fresh autologous pericardium patches were used to close defects of the outflow tract area and the apex trabecular area respectively and as a result, the right ventricular apex was excluded from the right ventricular inflow tract.

Results

All operations were successful. Median CPB time and aortic clamping time were 96 min and 68 min respectively. Delayed chest closure was performed in 2 cases within 48–72 h postoperatively. The Median time of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were 131.3 h and 8 days respectively. Median length of hospital stay after operation was 11 (9–42) days. There was no mortality and major complication except for 2 cases of ventilator associated pneumonia. There was no death and major complication during a median follow-up time of 3.2 years.. The latest echocardiography results showed the left and right heart function was normal in all the cases.

Conclusions

Biventricular surgical repair of “Swiss Cheese” VSDs with two-patch of fresh autologous pericardium and right ventricle apex excluding technique in infants is safe and feasible with favorable early and mid-term results. Long term results need to be evaluated with more cases.

Hybrid procedure for treating adult congenital heart disease with valvular heart disease in two patients

BACKGROUND

The traditional approach for adult congenital heart disease combined with valvular disease is surgical treatment under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This approach has a high incidence of postoperative complications, especially in patients with pulmonary hypertension and old age. We present two patients in whom the hybrid procedure was used to treat congenital malformations, followed by valve formation and replacement surgery.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 63-year-old man had a muscular ventricular septal defect complicated by mitral regurgitation and a 57-year-old man had patent ductus arteriosus complicated by aortic stenosis. In both of the patients, the congenital malformation was successfully treated by the hybrid procedure, followed by valve repair or replacement. Both patients had no complications. A post-procedure echocardiogram showed no residual shunt across the duct.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the hybrid procedure is a useful alternative for treating adult congenital heart disease with valvular heart disease. This procedure reduces the surgical incision and difficulty of surgery, shortens the CPB time, avoids residual leakage after surgery, and reduces recovery and hospitalization times.

Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgical Management of Multiple Ventricular Septal Defects

Surgical treatment of multiple ventricular septal defects (VSDs) has advanced significantly in recent years, yet remains technically challenging. With high rates of complications and reoperations, we sought to assess the outcomes of patients undergoing a variety of management techniques for multiple VSDs. From 1988 to 2015, 157 consecutive patients underwent surgical management of multiple VSDs at a median age of 2.2 months (2 days-16 years). Sixty-nine patients (44%) had exclusively multiple VSDs, 62 patients (39%) had multiple VSDs with concomitant intracardiac anomalies, and 26 patients (17%) had multiple VSDs with aortic arch anomalies. The predominant techniques used at the initial operations were patch closure (84 patients), pulmonary artery band (83 patients), suture closure (37 patients), and sandwich technique (13 patients). Eighteen patients underwent ventriculotomies. There were 3 hospital deaths (2%). Mean follow-up time was 8.6 ± 6 years (1 day-22 years). Four patients died during follow-up, whereas freedom from reoperations was 52% (95% confidence interval 42-61%) at 16 years. Freedom from reoperation was significantly lower in the 1988-2002 era than in the post-2002 era (38% vs 73%, P = 0.016). Pacemaker implantation was ultimately required in 9% (14 of 150) of patients. No deleterious impact of a ventriculotomy could be detected. Surgical treatment of multiple VSDs can be performed with excellent short- and long-term survival, and normal late functional outcome, however, carries a significant rate of reoperation. The recent inclusion of absorbable pulmonary artery bands and the sandwich technique appear safe and are useful adjuncts in these patients.

Single-stage repair for multiple muscular septal defects: a single-centre experience across 16 years

OBJECTIVES

Multiple muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are surgically challenging and its management remains controversial. We present a technique of surgical repair for muscular VSDs, which includes surgical exposure and detection of these defects and has excellent clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We have analysed consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair of isolated multiple muscular VSDs under cardiopulmonary bypass over a 16-year period (from January 2001 to November 2016) in a single centre from the southern part of India. These defects were accessed through the right atrium in most cases and closed directly; completeness of closure was confirmed by pressurizing the left ventricle with blood cardioplegia. There were no haemodynamically significant residual VSDs following repair.

RESULTS

One hundred and two patients with an average time of follow-up of 4.1 years (1 month-12 years) were included. The mean age of our patients at the time of operation was 23.5 months (3 months-22 years) with a mean weight of 7.9 kg (2-55 kg). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp time was 118.8 ± 39.2 min (mean ± SD) and 76.5 ± 29.4 min (mean ± SD), respectively. There were 10 (9.8%) hospital deaths and 3 late deaths in the entire study group. Permanent pacemaker was implanted in 2 patients. Seventy patients could be followed up after discharge. Postoperative pulmonary artery pressure was normal in 52% of the patients, mild-to-moderate hypertension in 27% and severe in 7% of the patients. The ejection fraction was >60% among the survivors, and there were no reoperations or reinterventions.

CONCLUSIONS

This surgical approach to multiple muscular VSDs is safe and effective with minimal risk of complete heart block and diminution of ventricular function.

Surgical closure of multiple large apical ventricular septal defects: how we do it

The management of apical ventricular septal defects continues to be challenging because of the difficulty in achieving a complete closure without a left apical ventriculotomy. In this study, we present our innovative technique of closing multiple and/or large muscular apical ventricular septal defects through a right atriotomy. We operated three patients with multiple apical muscular trabecular ventricular septal defects ("Swiss cheese") using a technique that involved exclusion of the right ventricular apex. Their ages ranged between 2 months and 13 years. The VSDs were approached through right atriotomy. The trans right atrial approach using a 5-0 polypropylene purse-string suture or a two-patch procedure is a novel method of closing large apical ventricular septal defects. It was found to be effective with no persistent residual defects and did not have the disadvantages of a ventriculotomy.

Techniques and results in the management of multiple muscular trabecular ventricular septal defects

The management of patients with multiple muscular trabecular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) remains controversial. In the past two decades, innovative techniques including a right ventricular apical infundibulotomy and transcatheter, intraoperative and perventricular device closure have been exploited, and essential right atrial approach and limited apical left ventriculotomy have also been refined. However, specific management guidelines for this difficult disease have not been established. In this article, the benefits and drawbacks of each technique are reviewed and discussed. Primary repair for infants with multiple muscular trabecular VSDs was associated with good late outcomes. The right atrial approach was satisfactory for all muscular VSDs, excluding apical defects that were well seen through a limited apical ventriculotomy. Surgical closure of apical defects could be achieved safely and completely in early infancy through a limited apical left ventriculotomy or a right ventricular apical infundibulotomy. Further follow-up and prudent evaluations of ventriculotomy-associated morbidities are needed. Pulmonary artery banding should be limited to a small infant with complex associated defects. Percutaneous device closure, the most desirable option, is impractical due to limitations between the delivery system and access route. Intraoperative device closure appears less successful than device closure in the catheterization laboratory. Perventricular device closure has a significant advantage of being a non-bypass procedure approach. A less invasive strategy for "true" Swiss cheese septum is needed. All may have an important role, and results obtained by using these techniques are encouraging. These hybrid approaches will promise future success on management guidelines of multiple muscular trabecular VSDs.

Long-term complications following surgical patch closure of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects

BACKGROUND

Multiple muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in children can be difficult to treat and a range of techniques has been advocated. These include pulmonary artery banding, interventional catheter closure, and a variety of surgical approaches. When there are apical muscular defects and associated coarse trabeculations in the right ventricle (RV) producing a "Swiss cheese" pattern, a large patch extending on to the RV free wall and excluding part of the apex has been used.

METHODS

We assessed four adult patients who had surgery 22 to 45 years ago to treat muscular VSD by patches which excluded the RV apex.

RESULTS

Ages ranged from 22 to 50 years. Re-presentations were for polycythemia, cyanosis, syncope, and atrial flutter. Echocardiography showed bidirectional flow from left ventricle to apex of RV, no pulmonary hypertension, small-sized RV with diastolic dysfunction, enlarged right atria, reopening of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in three, and positive bubble studies with right to left shunting in two. Catheterization confirmed elevated right atrial and RV end diastolic pressures. Two patients had evidence of hepatic cirrhosis. One woman had device closure of PFO, but has right heart failure. One man had redo surgical closure of VSD and PFO. Another patient is being considered for a Glenn shunt to take some load off RV.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical closure of muscular VSD by large patch with RV apical exclusion gives good early results. However, long term in adult life, the reduced size of RV, and diastolic dysfunction cause problems. These include reopening of PFO with cyanosis, right heart failure, cirrhosis, and arrhythmias.

Multiple ventricular septal defects: a new strategy

INTRODUCTION

A multicenter prospective study was conducted to evaluate a new strategy for multiple Ventricular Septal Defects (VSDs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2004 to 2012 17 consecutive children (3 premature, 14 infants), mean age 3.2 months (9 days-9 months), mean body weight 4.2 kg (3.1-6.1 kg), with multiple VSDs underwent Pulmonary Artery Banding (PAB) with an adjustable FloWatch-PAB(®). Associated cardiac anomalies included patent ductus arteriosus (1), aortic coarctation (2), hypoplastic aortic arch (2), and left isomerism (3). Five patients (5/17 = 29.4%) required pre-operative mechanical ventilation, with a mean duration of 64 days (7-240 days)

RESULTS

There were no early or late deaths during a mean follow-up of 48 months (7-98 months), with either FloWatch removal or last observation as end-points. FloWatch-PAB(®) adjustments were required in all patients: a mean of 4.8 times/patient (2-9) to tighten the PAB, and a mean of 1.1 times/patient (0-3) to release the PAB with the patient's growth. After a mean interval of 29 months (8-69 months) 10/17 (59%) patients underwent re-operation: 7/10 PAB removal, with closure of a remaining unrestrictive VSD in 6 (peri-membranous in 3 patients, mid-muscular in 2, and inlet in 1) and Damus-Kaye-Stansel, bi-directional Glenn, and atrial septectomy in 1; 3/9 patients required only PAB removal. All muscular multiple VSDs had closed in all 10 patients. PA reconstruction was required in 1/10 patient. In 5/7 of the remaining patients with the PAB still in situ, all muscular VSDs had already closed. The only 2 patients with persistent muscular multiple VSDs are the 2 patients with the shortest follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This reproducible new strategy with an adjustable PAB simplifies the management of infants with multiple VSDs and provides the following advantages: (a) good results (0% mortality), delayed surgery with a high incidence (15/17 = 88%) of spontaneous closure of multiple muscular VSDs, and facilitated closure of residual unrestrictive VSD (peri-membranous, mid-muscular, or inlet) at an older age and higher body weight; PAB with FloWatch-PAB(®) and its subsequent removal can potentially be the only procedure required for Swiss cheese multiple VSDs without an associated peri-membranous unrestrictive VSD.