The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database: 2017 Update on Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database: 2021 Update on Outcomes and Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database is a comprehensive clinical outcomes registry that captures almost all pediatric cardiac surgical operations in the United States. It is the platform for all activities of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons related to the analysis of outcomes and improvement of quality in this subspecialty. This report summarizes current aggregate national outcomes in congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery performed between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2020. The reported data on aggregate national outcomes are exemplified by an analysis of 10 prespecified benchmark operation groups performed. This report further reviews related activities in the areas of data collection and analysis, quality measurement, performance improvement, and research.

Preoperative Aspirin Management in Redo Tetralogy of Fallot Population: Single Centre Experience

Purpose: Redo operations and preoperative antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy can significantly increase surgical risk in congenital heart surgery. This is a retrospective study on the impact of preoperative aspirin therapy on the outcome of Tetralogy of Redo Fallot patients undergoing right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) conduit implantation. Methods: Ten-years retrospective analysis of medical records was carried out. A total of 72 patients were divided into two groups: “Daily-on-ASA” group on daily therapy with aspirin (ASA) until 5 days from surgery and “No-Home-ASA” without it. Propensity match analysis was done in order to standardize the populations. Intraoperative and postoperative lengths were compared as well as the need for inotropic support. In addition, differences in blood transfusions and need for Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)/platelets (PLT) were analysed. Findings: Intraoperative lengths were similar between the groups. Not statistically significative differences about postoperative time to extubation (p = 0.34), ICU Stay (p = 0.31) or in-hospital stay (p = 0.36) were found. Drain loss was higher in the “Daily-on-ASA” group (407.9 ± 96.7 mL vs. 349.5 ± 84.3 mL; p = 0.03) as well as blood transfusions (372.7 ± 255.1 mL vs. 220.1 ± 130.3 mL, p = 0.02) and PLT/FFP need (217.7 ± 132.1 mL vs. 118.7 ± 147.1 mL, p = 0.01). No differences were found in postoperative complications or re-explorations for bleeding. Implications: We found no advantages in surgical times and hospital stay comparing redo patients who stopped aspirin versus those that didn’t take it in the last 6 months. However, our results suggest that redo patients undergoing RVOT conduit implantation who take daily aspirin are at higher risk of bleeding even if it is stopped 5 days before surgery.

Effect of Intraoperative Dexamethasone on Major Complications and Mortality Among Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: The DECISION Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Corticosteroids are widely used in pediatric cardiac surgery to blunt systemic inflammatory response and to reduce complications; nevertheless, their clinical efficacy is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether intraoperative administration of dexamethasone is more effective than placebo for reducing major complications and mortality during pediatric cardiac surgery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Intraoperative Dexamethasone in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery was an investigator-initiated, double-blind, multicenter randomized trial that involved 4 centers in China, Brazil, and Russia. A total of 394 infants younger than 12 months, undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled from December 2015 to October 2018, with follow-up completed in November 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

The dexamethasone group (n = 194) received 1 mg/kg of dexamethasone; the control group (n = 200) received an equivolume of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenously after anesthesia induction.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was a composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or neurological complications within 30 days after surgery. There were 17 secondary end points, including the individual components of the primary end point, and duration of mechanical ventilation, inotropic index, intensive care unit stay, readmission to intensive care unit, and length of hospitalization.

RESULTS

All of the 394 patients randomized (median age, 6 months; 47.2% boys) completed the trial. The primary end point occurred in 74 patients (38.1%) in the dexamethasone group vs 91 patients (45.5%) in the control group (absolute risk reduction, 7.4%; 95% CI, -0.8% to 15.3%; hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.10; P = .20). Of the 17 prespecified secondary end points, none showed a statistically significant difference between groups. Infections occurred in 4 patients (2.0%) in the dexamethasone group vs 3 patients (1.5%) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among infants younger than 12 months undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, intraoperative administration of dexamethasone, compared with placebo, did not significantly reduce major complications and mortality at 30 days. However, the study may have been underpowered to detect a clinically important difference.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02615262.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2020 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports on the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2020 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, metrics to assess and monitor healthy diets, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, a focus on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors, implementation strategies, and implications of the American Heart Association's 2020 Impact Goals.

RESULTS

Each of the 26 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, healthcare administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

The Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society—Society of Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Anesthesia Database Collaboration

Multi-institutional databases and registries have proliferated over the last decade in all specialties of medicine. They may be especially helpful in low-frequency/high-acuity fields such as pediatric and congenital heart diseases. The Society of Thoracic Surgeon’s Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STSCHSD) is the largest single data set for the congenital heart disease population and includes contemporaneous data from over 120 programs in the United States (and several outside of the United States), capturing greater than 98% of the congenital cardiac surgical procedures in the United States. In 2010, the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society partnered with the STSCHSD to incorporate anesthesia-related elements into the data set. Voluntary site participation in the anesthesia data has grown steadily. Currently, over 60 sites performing more than 60% of cardiac bypass procedures in the STSCHSD are submitting anesthesia data annually into the STSCHSD. Anesthesia data include perioperative medication usage, modalities for hemodynamic and neurologic monitoring, blood product, antifibrinolytic and procoagulant use, and anesthesia-related adverse events. This special article provides a descriptive summary of relevant findings to date, reflecting the wide variety in anesthesia practice patterns present among institutions and illustrates the functionality of a multisite registry in pediatric cardiac anesthesia which can be utilized both locally and nationally.

Impaired Fetal Environment and Gestational Age: What Is Driving Mortality in Neonates With Critical Congenital Heart Disease?

Background

Infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) are more likely to be small for gestational age (SGA) or born to mothers with maternal placental syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal placental syndrome, SGA, and gestational age (GA) on 1‐year mortality in infants with CCHD.

Methods and Results

In a population‐based administrative database of all live‐born infants in California (2007–2012) we identified all infants with CCHD without chromosomal anomalies. Our primary predictor was an impaired fetal environment (IFE), defined as presence of maternal placental syndrome or SGA. We calculated hazard ratios to quantify the association between different components of IFE and 1‐year mortality and conducted a causal mediation analysis to assess GA at birth as a mediator. We identified 6863 infants with CCHD. IFE was present in 25.1%. Infants with IFE were more likely to die than infants without IFE (16.6% versus 11.1%; hazard ratios 1.55, 95% CI 1.34–1.78). Only SGA (hazard ratios 1.76, 95% CI 1.50–2.05) and placental abruption (hazard ratios 1.70, 95% CI 1.17–2.48) were significantly associated with mortality; preeclampsia and gestational hypertension had no significant association with mortality. The mediation analysis showed that 32.8% (95% CI 24.9–47.0%) of the relationship between IFE and mortality is mediated through GA.

Conclusions

IFE is a significant contributor to outcomes in the CCHD population. SGA and placental abruption are the main drivers of postnatal mortality while other maternal placental syndrome components had much less of an impact. Only one third of the effect between IFE and mortality is mediated through GA.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database 2019 Annual Report

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety for cardiothoracic surgery. The STS National Database has 4 components, each focusing on a distinct discipline-Adult Cardiac Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery, and mechanical circulatory support with the STS Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Intermacs)/Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (Pedimacs) Database. In December 2015, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery began publishing a monthly series of scholarly articles on outcomes analysis, quality improvement, and patient safety. This article provides the fourth annual summary of the status of the STS National Database.

Current Epidemiology of Vocal Cord Dysfunction After Congenital Heart Surgery in Young Infants

OBJECTIVES

Surgery of the aortic arch poses risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury due to the anatomic proximity and can manifest as vocal cord dysfunction after surgery. We assessed risk factors for vocal cord dysfunction and calculated surgical procedure associated rates in young infants after congenital heart surgery.

DESIGN

Cross section analysis.

SETTING

Forty-four children's hospitals reporting administrative data to Pediatric Health Information System.

PARTICIPANTS

Cardiac surgical patients less than or equal to 90 days old and discharged between January 2004 and June 2014.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Overall, 2,319 of 46,567 subjects (5%) had vocal cord dysfunction, increasing from 4% to 7% over the study period. Of those with vocal cord dysfunction, 75% had unilateral partial paralysis. Vocal cord dysfunction was significantly more common in newborn infants (74%), those with aortic arch procedures (77%) and with greater surgical complexity. Rates of vocal cord dysfunction ranged from 0.7% to 22.4% across surgical procedure groups. Vocal cord dysfunction was significantly associated with greater use of: prolonged mechanical ventilation (53% vs 40%), diaphragmatic plication (3% vs 1%), feeding tube use (32% vs 8%), surgical airways (4% vs 2%), and prolonged length of stay (44 vs 21 d). Vocal cord dysfunction testing increased significantly over the study (6-14 %), and vocal cord dysfunction diagnosis increased almost two-fold (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.7-2.1) comparing the last to first study quarters with the increase in vocal cord dysfunction diagnosis occurring predominately in surgeries to the aortic arch supported by cardiopulmonary bypass. However, aortic procedures without cardiopulmonary bypass and nonaortic arch procedures were common surgeries accounting for 27% and 23% of vocal cord dysfunction cases despite low overall vocal cord dysfunction rates (3.7% and 2.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Vocal cord dysfunction complicated all cardiac surgical procedures among infants including those without aortic arch involvement. Increased efforts to determine appropriate indications for prevention, screening and treatment of vocal cord dysfunction among young infants after congenital heart surgery are needed.

Lessons learned in the use of clinical registry data in a multi-centre prospective study: the Pediatric Heart Network Residual Lesion Score Study

BACKGROUND

Using existing data from clinical registries to support clinical trials and other prospective studies has the potential to improve research efficiency. However, little has been reported about staff experiences and lessons learned from implementation of this method in pediatric cardiology.

OBJECTIVES

We describe the process of using existing registry data in the Pediatric Heart Network Residual Lesion Score Study, report stakeholders' perspectives, and provide recommendations to guide future studies using this methodology.

METHODS

The Residual Lesion Score Study, a 17-site prospective, observational study, piloted the use of existing local surgical registry data (collected for submission to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery Database) to supplement manual data collection. A survey regarding processes and perceptions was administered to study site and data coordinating center staff.

RESULTS

Survey response rate was 98% (54/55). Overall, 57% perceived that using registry data saved research staff time in the current study, and 74% perceived that it would save time in future studies; 55% noted significant upfront time in developing a methodology for extracting registry data. Survey recommendations included simplifying data extraction processes and tailoring to the needs of the study, understanding registry characteristics to maximise data quality and security, and involving all stakeholders in design and implementation processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of existing registry data was perceived to save time and promote efficiency. Consideration must be given to the upfront investment of time and resources needed. Ongoing efforts focussed on automating and centralising data management may aid in further optimising this methodology for future studies.

Factors Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Repair of Anomalous Coronary From Pulmonary Artery

BACKGROUND

Successful repair of anomalous origin of coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ACAPA) is generally associated with a good prognosis. However, risk factors for poor postoperative outcomes have not been well characterized. This study used a multicenter data set to determine predictors of mortality after ACAPA repair.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database's Participant User File. After identification of all patients with ACAPA who underwent repair from 2007 to 2016, demographics, preoperative and intraoperative variables, and postoperative complications were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. The primary outcomes included (1) in-hospital mortality and (2) the need for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for these outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 703 patients who underwent ACAPA repair, 20 (2.8%) died during the same hospitalization. The odds of mortality were increased if preoperative shock was present (odds ratio [OR], 4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 15.1; P = .01) and if postoperative ECMO was required (OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 3.6 to 38.4; P < .001). The odds of postoperative ECMO use were increased if preoperative shock was present (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6 to 7.6; P = .001). Lower weight was also a risk factor for both mortality and postoperative ECMO.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower weight, preoperative shock, and postoperative ECMO use were identified as risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing ACAPA repair. These important perioperative factors likely reflect the clinical severity of presentation and suggest a role for early consideration of postoperative mechanical circulatory support to improve outcomes.

Pre-operative pediatric cardiac surgery: enema Versus not enema

Background and aim of the work:

There is evidence in adult literature that the enema in the preoperative of thoracic surgery can be dismissed without disadvantage. However, there is a gap of articles about enema in childhood for thoracic surgeries. The aim of the work is to investigate whether the administration of enema in the preparation for cardiac surgery, the use of different analgosedation drugs and the Extracorporeal Circulation influence the children’s intestinal motility in the post-operative period.

Methods:

A retrospective study was carried out comparing the data between users subjected to saline solution enema, originating from the U.O.C. of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Congenital Heart Disease and users not subjected to such procedure, coming from the U.O.S.D. Pediatric Intensive Care. The data collected will evaluate the intestinal motility in the post-operative cardiac surgery.

Results:

The following three variables were analyzed: interval of post-operative evacuation days (mean 2.14, median 2.00, standard deviation 1.525 in non-enema children; mean 2.76, median 2.00, standard deviation 1.318 in enema children), administered analgosedation drugs and use of Extracorporeal Circulation - for which the Pearson Test was used. A sampling bias is also reported from the analysis of the data. The study did not show a statistical significance correlates the variables analyzed to intestinal motility in post-operative period.

Conclusion:

The sampling bias emerged could reflect the diversity of the catchment area in the two Wards. The study - in agreement with the literature concerning the adult user - proves that the practice of enema evacuation pre-operative cardiac surgery in the pediatric user is unnecessary and does not influence intestinal transit in the post-operative period. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Effect of Fetal Growth on 1-Year Mortality in Neonates With Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Background Infants with critical congenital heart disease ( CCHD ) are more likely to be small for gestational age (GA). It is unclear how this affects mortality. The authors investigated the effect of birth weight Z score on 1-year mortality separately in preterm (GA <37 weeks), early-term (GA 37-38 weeks), and full-term (GA 39-42 weeks) infants with CCHD . Methods and Results Live-born infants with CCHD and GA 22 to 42 weeks born in California 2007-2012 were included in the analysis. The primary predictor was Z score for birth weight and the primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Multivariable logistic regression was used. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs ). The authors identified 6903 infants with CCHD . For preterm and full-term infants, only a Z score for birth weight <-2 was associated with increased mortality compared with the reference group ( Z score 0-0.5, adjusted odds ratio, 2.15 [95% CI , 1.1-4.21] and adjusted odds ratio, 3.93 [95% CI , 2.32-6.68], respectively). In contrast, in early-term infants, the adjusted odds ratios for Z scores <-2, -2 to -1, and -1 to -0.5 were 3.42 (95% CI , 1.93-6.04), 1.78 (95% CI , 1.12-2.83), and 2.03 (95% CI , 1.27-3.23), respectively, versus the reference group. Conclusions GA seems to modify the effect of birth weight Z score on mortality in infants with CCHD . In preterm and full-term infants, only the most severe small-for-GA infants ( Z score <-2) were at increased risk for mortality, while, in early-term infants, the risk extended to mild to moderate small-for-GA infants ( Z score <-0.5). This information helps to identify high-risk infants and is useful for surgical planning.

Pediatric ECMO Research: The Case for Collaboration

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the pediatric age has increased considerably in the last decade, as has the complexity of cases and the variety of indications outside of the neonatal age. However, no randomized controlled trials have been attempted to date to test ECMO as an intervention in non-neonatal pediatric patients with critical illness. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the history of clinical research in pediatric ECMO and discuss methodological challenges including heterogeneity of ages and diagnoses in the pediatric ECMO population, rapid advances in technology and clinical practice related to ECMO, feasibility of enrolling critically ill children on ECMO in clinical research studies, and variability in ECMO management across institutions and countries. Lastly, we discuss opportunities and existing infrastructure for future multicenter, multi-network research collaborations for pediatric ECMO studies.

Empirical Vancomycin Dosing in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Trough Concentrations

OBJECTIVES

To determine the optimal vancomycin dosing regimen to achieve empirical goal trough concentrations in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease and to examine the impact of cardiopulmonary bypass on vancomycin dosing requirements.

METHODS

Patients younger than 18 years admitted to the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at our institution from October 1, 2012-December 31, 2014, who received at least one dose of vancomycin, were reviewed retrospectively. Included patients had a steady-state vancomycin trough concentration drawn during the study period. The first steady-state vancomycin trough drawn after being initiated on empirical vancomycin therapy was analyzed for each patient. Excluded patients were those who received mechanical circulatory support, any form of renal replacement therapy, or had a serum creatinine result greater than 1.0 mg/dl on the day of vancomycin initiation.

RESULTS

Overall, 77 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 57.1% had undergone cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) before CVICU admission. Median age was 62 days (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3-176 days). Median daily vancomycin dose was 36.25 mg/kg/day (IQR 29-40 mg/kg/day), resulting in a median steady-state trough of 10.0 μg/ml (IQR 6.3-12.9 μg/ml). Therapeutic troughs occurred in 50.6% of patients; supratherapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations were attained in 18.2% and 31.2% of patients, respectively. A subgroup analysis of patients who were post-CPB revealed that the only additional variable to affect vancomycin trough concentrations was aortic cross-clamp time (median 56 min, IQR 0-123.3 min, p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Empirical vancomycin dosing to achieve troughs of 8-15 μg/dl in patients with congenital heart disease without evidence of significant acute kidney injury should be 30 mg/kg/day for neonates, 35-40 mg/kg/day for infants, and 45 mg/kg/day in children, with adjustments required for patients with elevated creatinine or significant aortic cross-clamp time. The receipt and duration of CPB did not affect total daily vancomycin dose requirements.