A Novel Predictive Value for the Transannular Patch Enlargement in Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot Using Autologous Right Atrial Appendage to Reconstruct the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: A Case Series With Four-Year Follow-up

This clinical case series describes the surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot in five children using autologous right atrial appendage to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. Transthoracic echocardiography performed at four-year follow-up showed a mild residual gradient and moderate regurgitation of the neopulmonary valve in all cases.

Pulmonary Annulus Growth Pattern in Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot Prior to Surgical Repair

Objectives

The size of the pulmonary valve annulus often determines the feasibility of pulmonary valve preservation at the time of intracardiac repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. Currently, there is limited available data regarding the growth pattern and the determining factors that contribute towards pulmonary valve annulus growth.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with or without prior palliation. These patients had an echocardiogram at the time of initial diagnosis and a second echocardiogram prior to intracardiac repair. The sizes of the pulmonary annulus, the right and left pulmonary arteries with z-scores were recorded. Patients with improvement in the pulmonary annulus z-scores between the 2 echocardiographic examinations were allocated in Group I (n = 46) and Group II (n = 68) were those with no improvement.

Results

A total of 114 patients were included in the study. The right and left pulmonary arteries size and z scores improved significantly between the 2 echocardiograms. Although the median size of the pulmonary annulus increased between the 2 echocardiograms (6 and 7.9 mm; P<0.001), there was no significant change in the z-score (-2.2, -2.34; P = 0.185). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, blood group, presence of collaterals, and palliation with Blalock-Taussig shunt had no impact on the improvement in pulmonary annulus z-score.

Conclusion

In Tetralogy of Fallot, the pulmonary valve annulus z-score may not change significantly prior to the intracardiac repair. Although in certain subgroups there may be an improvement, there was no specific factor that could be identified and had an influence on this improvement.

When do patients with Tetralogy of Fallot need a transannular patch

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of main pulmonary artery (MPA) Z score, pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) prop, great aortic valve annulus (GA) ratio, PVA index (PAI), and PVA area index (PAAI) indicators in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and whether or not to undergo transannular patch (TAP).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 263 patients with TOF who underwent radical operations from 2010 to 2021 at Beijing Children's Hospital. Sixteen cases were excluded, and 247 cases (male/female = 155/92) were included in this study. Based on whether TAP was selected intraoperatively, the patients were divided into the TAP group (82/247) and the non-TAP group (165/247). The diameter of the PVA, the aortic valve annulus, and the MPA were measured by echocardiography, and the PVA Z score, MPA Z score, PVA prop, GA ratio, PAI, and PAAI indexes were calculated, and statistical analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

The PVA Z score, MPA Z score, PVA prop, GA ratio, PAI, and PAAI of the TAP group were lower than those of the non-TAP group (p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .0001, p < .0001, and p < .0001). Receiver-operating curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of PVA Z score was -1.96 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.822; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.769-0.874); the cut-off value of MPA Z score was -1.04 (AUC: 0.778; 95% CI: 0.711-0.845); the cut-off value of PVA prop was 0.37 (AUC: 0.812; 95% CI: 0.751-0.874); the cut-off value of GA ratio was 0.64 (AUC: 0.812; 95% CI: 0.750-0.874); the cut-off value of PAI is 0.78 (AUC: 0.812; 95% CI: 0.750-0.874); and the cut-off value of PAAI is 0.4 (AUC: 0.812; 95% CI: 0.750-0.874). Pulmonary valve bicuspid malformation is one reason why predictive models fail to predict the possible avoidance of TAP. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analysis showed that PAI had the strongest correlation with PVA Z score, followed by that between PVA prop and PVA Z score, and the weakest correlation between PAAI and PVA Z score.

CONCLUSIONS

PVA prop, GA ratio, PAI, and PAAI can well predict TAP selection, and the measurement is simple and convenient. Compared with PVA Z score, they are not hindered by other confounding factors, and can well replace the application value of PVA Z score in TAP prediction. The predictive efficacy of PAI and PVA prop is numerically better than the GA ratio, and PAAI, PAI, and PVA prop combined with MPA Z score can improve the predictive value of PAI and PVA prop, respectively. Although various echocardiographic parameters can be used as indicators to predict surgical approach in patients with TOF, PV morphology and tissue characteristics should also be considered.

Role of great artery annulus ratio to predict transannular patch enlargement in repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Background

Traditionally, the pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) z-score is used to predict the requirement of transannular patch enlargement (TAPE) of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and main pulmonary artery (MPA) in repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). PVA z-score is highly variable and many other parameters are being reported to be accurate in predicting need of TAPE. In this study, we analyze the role of great artery annulus ratio (pulmonary valve annulus to aortic valve annulus ratio, PVA/AVA) to be used as a predictor for TAPE.

Methods

We analyzed 90 patients of TOF retrospectively who underwent repair between January 2021 and December 2021. The patients were divided as TAPE group who required TAPE of RVOT and MPA and non-TAPE group who did not have TAPE. Their baseline parameters, PVA Z-score, and cut-off great artery annulus ratio were compared.

Results

Total 44 (48.9%) patients had transannular patch (TAPE) repair and 46 (51.1%) patients had non-transannular patch repair. The great artery annulus ratio and PVA z-score was lower in case of TAPE group with statistical significance. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed great artery annulus ratio as more accurate predictor of TAPE.

Conclusion

Great artery annulus ratio can be used as a simple and accurate predictor for transannular patch enlargement along with PVA z-score during repair of TOF.

Higher pulmonary vein index on computed angiography and optimum surgical resection ensures smooth postoperative recovery in Fallot's tetralogy: Special emphasis on indices of evaluation and Monocusp preparation

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common cyanotic congenital heart disease. Its surgical correction requires ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) relief, with transannular patch enlargement (TAPE) of the pulmonary valve. The first successful repair of TOF was reported in 1954 and consisted of closure of the VSD through a large right ventriculotomy, and RVOTO relief with TAPE of the pulmonary valve. To predict the intraoperative requirements and postoperative course of patients with this condition, various evaluation indices are available that can provide a good indication of patient prognosis. We performed this study in a male child (age, 1 year, 9 months; weight 8.5 kgs.) who underwent intracardiac repair for TOF as a primary procedure. We calculated the pulmonary vein index (PVI), McGoon ratio, and Nakata index. The McGoon ratio was 1.97, Nakata index was 539.22 mm2/m2, and PVI was 368.12 mm2/m2. The child had an uneventful post-operative course with no symptoms of low cardiac output syndrome. He was ventilated for 122 h. The length of intensive care unit and hospital stays were 11 and 14 days, respectively. The PVI is a novel indicator offering prognostic indications for pediatric cardiac patients who have undergone surgical correction of TOF.

Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot using autologous right atrial appendages: short- to mid-term results

OBJECTIVES

The prevention of pulmonary insufficiency (PI) is a crucial part of the tetralogy of Fallot repair. Many techniques have been introduced to construct valves from different materials for the right ventricular outflow tract, including the most commonly constructed monocusp valves. We are introducing a new bicuspid valve made intraoperatively using the autologous right atrial appendage (RAA) to prevent PI in these patients.

METHODS

The RAA valve was constructed and used in 21 patients with tetralogy of Fallot. The effective preservation of the native valve was impossible in all patients because of either a severe valve deformity or a small annulus. The RAA valve was created after ventricular septal defect closure and right ventricular outflow tract myectomy and was covered with a bovine transannular pericardial patch. The perioperative data were evaluated, and the echocardiography results were assessed immediately after operations and in follow-up with a median of 10.5 months. The data were retrospectively compared with 10 other patients with similar demographic data but with only transannular patches.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 13.3 months. No mortality or related morbidity occurred after repair using the RAA valve. The PI severity early after the operation was trivial or no PI in 18 patients, and mild PI was observed in 3 patients, which progressed to moderate PI in one of them in the mean 12-month follow-up period. Fifteen patients had mild or no pulmonary stenosis, while moderate pulmonary stenosis was observed in 6 others. Compared with the other 10 patients with only transannular patches, the RAA valve patients had prolonged operative and clamping times, but no difference in postoperative course and shorter hospital stays. The degree of PI was, of course, significantly less in the RAA valve patients, but pulmonary stenosis was the same.

CONCLUSIONS

The RAA valve construction is a safe and effective technique to prevent PI after the tetralogy of Fallot repair, at least in terms of short- and mid-term results. A longer follow-up period is needed to confirm if this new valve can eliminate or significantly delay the need for pulmonary valve replacement in these patients.

Value of pulmonary annulus index in predicting transannular patch in tetralogy of Fallot repair

OBJECTIVE

It is very important to accurately assess the transannular patch (TAP) in the surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The pulmonary annulus index (PAI; the actual pulmonary annulus diameter divided by the expected pulmonary annulus diameter), GA ratio (the ratio of pulmonary annulus and aortic annulus), PAAI (the ratio of pulmonary annulus cross-section and aortic annulus cross-section), and pulmonary annulus Z score (PA Z score) were compared. This study aimed to analyze and explore the application value of PAI in predicting the need for TAP in children undergoing TOF repair.

METHODS

In total, 130 patients who were diagnosed with TOF and underwent TOF repair in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from December 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively studied. In total, 112 cases were included in this study and 18 cases were excluded, of which 16 cases were aged above 18 years and 2 cases suffered from Down syndrome. They were divided into TAP group and no TAP group; the values of the pulmonary annulus and aortic annulus were measured. GA ratio, PAI, PAAI, the pulmonary annulus Z score, and main pulmonary artery (MPA) Z score were calculated to perform statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients were included in the study, aged 4-177 months, with an average of 22.87 ± 30.21 months; 66 males and 46 females; weighing 5.3-29 kg, with an average of 9.94 ± 4.08 kg; three cases died, one case died of sepsis caused by pulmonary infection, one case died of low cardiac output syndrome, and one case died of multiple organ failure. In total, 62 cases (55.8%) did not undergo TAP and 50 cases (44.2%) underwent TAP. The pulmonary annulus Z score, main pulmonary artery Z score, and PAI in the TAP group were smaller than those in the no TAP group (p < .05). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that when the cut-off value of pulmonary annulus was -1.98, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88, the sensitivity was 80%, and the specificity was 71%; when the cut-off value of PAI was 0.53, AUC was 0.85, the sensitivity was 75%, and the specificity was 80%; when the cut-off value of GA ratio was 0.55, AUC was 0.85, the sensitivity was 76%, and the specificity was 80%. The area under the PAAI curve was 0.85, the sensitivity was 76%, and the specificity was 79%. When the pulmonary valve Z score, PAI, GA ratio, PAAI, and MPA Z score were all greater than the dividing value, TAP was avoided in more than 90% of children with TOF. When the pulmonary valve Z score, PAI, GA ratio, PAAI, and the main pulmonary artery Z score were all below the dividing value, more than 90% of children with TOF needed TAP.

CONCLUSION

The predictive effect of PAI as a simple and effective predictor of TAP in TOF radical operation is the same as that of pulmonary annulus Z score, and combining it with the main pulmonary artery Z score was the most accurate method of prediction.

Importance of pulmonary valve morphology for pulmonary valve preservation in tetralogy of Fallot surgery: comparison of the echocardiographic parameters

BACKGROUND

The decision to use transannular patching (TAP) during tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair depends on the pulmonary valve annulus size; the z score of the pulmonary annulus is the most commonly used predictor. However, definitive results are not obtained with z scores as different z score data sets are used for different parameters.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the echocardiographic and other key factors that warranted a change in the surgical method during TOF surgery.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients were enrolled and divided into a pulmonary valve (PV) preservation group and a TAP group. Their medical records were reviewed.

RESULTS

The z score for PV annulus (PVA), ratio of the PVA to aortic annulus size, and ratio of PVA to descending aorta (DAO) size were significantly different between the PV preservation and TAP groups (-1.72±1.52 vs. -3.07±1.94, P=0.004; 0.62±0.12 vs. 0.50±0.14, P=0.002; and 1.32±0.32 vs. 1.07±0.36, P= 0.008, respectively). For TAP repair, the PVA z score had a sensitivity of 65.4% and specificity of 73.1%, ratio of PVA to aortic annulus size had a sensitivity of 73.1% and specificity of 65.4%, and ratio of PVA to DAO size had a sensitivity of 69.2% and specificity of 57.7%. The TAP group showed more monocuspid PVs (P=0.011), while the PV preservation group showed more tricuspid PVs (P=0.027). Commissurotomy was more frequently performed in the PV preservation group than in the TAP group (P=0.001). Of patients with commissurotomy, 58% showed a PV z score<-2.

CONCLUSION

Although various echocardiographic parameters may serve as predictors for determining surgical methods for TOF patients, the PV morphology and tissue characteristics should also be considered.

Value of pulmonary annulus area index in predicting transannular patch placement in tetralogy of Fallot repair

BACKGROUND

Precisely evaluating the need for transannular patch (TAP) placement is very important in the surgical treatment of tetralogy of Fallot. We hypothesized that the pulmonary annulus area index (PAAI, the pulmonary-to-aortic valve annulus cross-sectional area ratio) could be a useful and accessible predictor for TAP placement.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent tetralogy of Fallot repair between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 255 patients were included and categorized into two groups: patients who needed TAP placement and patients who did not. Various candidate predictors for TAP placement (PAAI, pulmonary annulus z-score, and velocity across the pulmonary annulus) were compared using receiver operating characteristic curves. The optimal cutoff for each predictor was assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 255 patients included, 156 needed TAP placement (156/237, 65.8%). Both the PAAI (0.28 [0.20/0.34] vs 0.14 [0.09/0.19]; P < .0001) and z-score (-1.5 [-2.9, -0.4] vs -3.6 [-5.3/-2.6]; P < .0001) were smaller in the TAP group. The PAAI is a useful predictor of the pulmonary annulus z-score (AUC 0.830 vs 0.811, P = .19). Combination analysis of the PAAI and velocity across the pulmonary annulus (PV v_max ) showed better predictive value than the PAAI and z-score (AUC 0.860, sensitivity 89.7%, specificity 61.7%, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the PAAI is a useful and accessible predictor for TAP placement and can be applied readily and simply in clinical practice. A combination with the velocity across the pulmonary annulus could promote the accuracy of prediction.

Accuracy of a New Echocardiographic Index to Predict Need for Trans-annular Patch in Tetralogy of Fallot

The long-term outcome after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is critically dependent pulmonary valve competence that is compromised by trans-annular patch (TAP). We compared a new echocardiographic index [pulmonary annulus index (PAI)] to conventional methods of predicting need for TAP in infants undergoing TOF repair. Consecutive infants undergoing TOF repair were prospectively studied. Pre-operative aortic and pulmonary annuli and main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameters were measured and z scores determined. PAI was a ratio of observed to expected pulmonary annulus (PA) diameter. TAP was based on intra-operative sizing by surgeons blinded to PAI values. Receiver operator curves (ROC) were generated for all PAI, MPA z scores and pulmonary annulus z scores. Of 84 infants (8.6 ± 2.6 months; 7.5 ± 1.3 kg), 36 needed TAP (43%). All the three indices viz. PAI, Pulmonary annulus and MPA z scores performed similarly in predicting need for TAP (ROC curves ~ 80%). Combining cut-offs of MPA z scores (> - 3.83) with either PAI (> 0.73) or PA z score (> - 1.83) predicted avoidance of TAP with ~ 90% accuracy. When both PAI and MPA z scores were below the cut-offs there was an 80% likelihood of TAP. Failure to predict TAP was associated with unicommisural pulmonary valves. PAI was equal to PA z scores in predicting need for TAP during repair of TOF. Combining either with MPA z scores was the most accurate method of prediction. Failure of prediction was mainly due to presence of a unicommissural pulmonary valve.

Monocusp valve placement in children with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing repair with transannular patch: A functioning pulmonary valve does not improve immediate postsurgical outcomes

INTRODUCTION

In patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), use of transannular patch (TAP) may be required in order to relieve significant right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, subsequently resulting in pulmonary insufficiency (PI). The monocusp valve has been used to temporarily reduce insufficiency in hopes to improve short and midterm outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess for potential benefits of the monocusp valve in this subset of patients.

DESIGN

Between 2005 and 2016, 119 patients with TOF with pulmonary stenosis who underwent repair with TAP were analyzed, 43 (36.1%) had a monocusp valve placed. Immediate outcomes were assessed by postoperative echocardiograms, ICU data including time to extubation, chest tube duration, reintervention, length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Median age of repair was similar for monocusp group at 143.5 days and nonmonocusp at 137.0 days (P = .93). Peak preoperative right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was higher in the monocusp group (80 mm Hg vs. 70 mm Hg, P ≤ .01). Patients who had monocusp placed had longer bypass time. There was less PI for monocusp group immediately after repair and at discharge (P ≤ .01). There was no difference in days of intubation, chest tube duration, length of hospitalization, reintervention rates, or mortality.

CONCLUSION

Decreasing the degree of PI with a monocusp valve in patients undergoing repair for TOF repair with TAP does not improve clinical outcomes in the immediate postoperative period.