Coronary sinus septal defect associated with tricuspid atresia

In Memoriam: Paul Morris Weinberg, MD

On 15 October, 2020, Dr. Paul M. Weinberg, a true giant in the field of paediatric cardiology, succumbed to a prolonged illness. Dr. Weinberg had a 43-year career and was described as a pillar of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the spirit of the Division of Cardiology, a cherished and beloved teacher, and an outstanding clinician. His impact on the field and on the careers of his students will be remembered for generations to come.In 2019, Dr. Weinberg wrote for Jefferson Medical School's 50th year reunion memory book: "In the true spirit of Hippocrates, I seek to mentor the next generation as I was mentored by the last, without expectation of reward. I am forever indebted to these educators for all the knowledge they imparted to me and for the wisdom that I acquired under their tutelage." These words are a true reflection of his unassuming dedication to teaching the next generation of paediatric cardiologists. His legacy will continue to live on through these trainees and impact the field for generations to come.

The biological "scrabble" of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: considerations in the setting of cavopulmonary surgery

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are vascular malformations, which, by virtue of producing abnormal vascular connections proximal to the units of gas exchange, result in intrapulmonary right-to-left shunting. These malformations or fistulas reflect at least in part disordered angiogenesis, and less commonly recruitment and dilation of pre-existing vascular channels. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas occur in a number of diverse clinical settings. Such fistulas are a well-established feature of the Weber-Osler-Rendu complex, or hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, an autosomal dominant vascular dysplasia characterized by mucocutaneous telangiectasis, epistaxis, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and arteriovenous malformations in the lung, brain, liver and elsewhere. They are also seen in the patient with acute or chronic liver disease, disease that is usually but not invariably severe, or those with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. They may occur as congenital malformations, single or diffuse, large or small in isolation, and when large or extensive enough may result in hypoxaemia, clinical cyanosis, and heart failure. Cerebral vascular accidents are also a well-known complication of this disorder. An extensive literature has accumulated with regard to the pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas seen in the setting of the Weber-Osler-Rendu complex, and there is considerable information on the genetics, basic biology, clinical findings, complications and therapeutic interventions of these malformations in the setting of this syndrome. These issues, however, are not the primary considerations of this review, although some aspects of this fascinating disorder will be discussed later. Rather the focus will be on pulmonary arteriovenous malformations that develop in the setting of cavopulmonary surgery, and their relationship to the pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas occurring in the hepatopulmonary syndrome. The complex tapestry of these overlapping and intersecting clinical observations will be unfolded in the light of their chronology.

Surgical reinterventions after modified Fontan operations

BACKGROUND

Surgical reinterventions after Fontan operations are still associated with high mortality. This investigation aims to summarize our experience with such repeated operations and to assess their efficacy.

METHODS

In 1983 through 1995 we performed 162 different modifications of Fontan operation. Repeated interventions were needed in 15 cases (9%). An analysis of all these cases is presented.

RESULTS

Repeated operation consisted of the closure of residual interatrial communication (3 patients), atrioseptostomy (4), subaortic stenosis resection (1), pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (1), embolization of residual right ventricular-pulmonary arterial communication (1), pericardectomy (2), pleurectomy (1), pacemaker implantation (1), and takedown of the Fontan operation (1). The results of operation were judged as good in 6 cases (40%) and as satisfactory in 5 (33%); 4 patients (27%) died.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated interventions aimed at the elimination of technical errors of the Fontan operation are successful in most cases. Atrial septostomy gives good results in the absence of anatomic causes of cardiac failure such as subaortic obstruction and atrioventricular valve insufficiency.

Unroofed coronary sinus and coronary sinus orifice atresia. Implications for management of complex congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the morphology of the coronary sinus, its drainage and associated cardiac malformations when there is either complete unroofing of the coronary sinus or atresia of its connection to the right atrium.

BACKGROUND

As more children with complex cardiac anomalies are accepted for primary surgical repair or palliation with cavopulmonary anastomoses, a knowledge of coronary sinus and systemic venous anomalies is important if coronary venous return is to be preserved and residual shunts avoided.

METHODS

Twenty-six heart-lung specimens without a coronary sinus draining to the right atrium were identified from the Leiden collection of congenital heart malformations. These were classified into specimens with an unroofed coronary sinus and those with atresia of the coronary sinus orifice. Attention was paid to the associated cardiac malformations.

RESULTS

In 14 (54%; confidence limits [CL] 35%, 73%) of 26 specimens, there was an unroofed coronary sinus, associated with persistence of the left superior caval vein. An inferoposterior location of an atrial septal defect was detected in 2 (14%; CL -4%, 33%) of 14. Atrial appendage anomalies were seen in 13 (93%; CL 79%, 106%) of 14 specimens, exemplified by both right and left isomerism. These were frequently associated with an atrioventricular septal defect (12 [86%; CL 67%, 104%] of 14). An atretic coronary sinus orifice was seen in 12 (46%; CL 27%, 65%) of 26. Atrial appendage anomalies (2 [17%; CL -4%, 38%] of 12) were rare in these cases. The drainage was then by way of a left superior caval vein or, in its absence, a coronary sinus to left atrial window. Ventricular hypoplasia was seen in both categories of coronary sinus abnormalities. Important ventricular hypoplasia was seen in 12 cases (46%; CL 27%, 65%).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the need to study coronary sinus drainage before procedures such as ligation or transcatheter coil embolization of a left superior caval vein, venous redirection or closure of a dorsal atrial septal defect are contemplated. These procedures might inadvertently lead to impairment of coronary venous return or persistence of an intracardiac shunt.

Cross-sectional and contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of interatrial communications through the coronary sinus

An interatrial communication through the mouth of the coronary sinus is a rare cardiac anomaly. It is usually associated with a left superior caval vein draining into the coronary sinus and is frequently part of a complex congenital malformation of the heart. Failure to recognize this defect before surgical repair of the primary cardiac lesion may lead to persistent interatrial shunting, which may in turn cause postoperative cyanosis. This report describes two cases of interatrial communication through the coronary sinus diagnosed prospectively by echocardiography. It demonstrates the important role of contrast echocardiography in the evaluation of patients suspected of having this malformation.