Updating an Empirically Based Tool for Analyzing Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality

Congenital Heart Surgery Machine Learning-Derived In-Depth Benchmarking Tool

BACKGROUND

We previously showed that machine learning-based methodologies of optimal classification trees (OCTs) can accurately predict risk after congenital heart surgery and assess case-mix-adjusted performance after benchmark procedures. We extend this methodology to provide interpretable, easily accessible, and actionable hospital performance analysis across all procedures.

METHODS

The European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Cardiac Database data subset of 172,888 congenital cardiac surgical procedures performed in European centers between 1989 and 2022 was analyzed. OCT models (decision trees) were built predicting hospital mortality (area under the curve [AUC], 0.866), prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilatory support time (AUC, 0.851), or hospital length of stay (AUC, 0.818), thereby establishing case-adjusted benchmarking standards reflecting the overall performance of all participating hospitals, designated as the "virtual hospital." OCT analysis of virtual hospital aggregate data yielded predicted expected outcomes (both aggregate and for risk-matched patient cohorts) for the individual hospital's own specific case-mix, readily available on-line.

RESULTS

Raw average rates were hospital mortality, 4.9%; mechanical ventilatory support time, 14.5%; and length of stay, 15.0%. Of 146 participating centers, compared with each hospital's overall case-adjusted predicted hospital mortality benchmark, 20.5% statistically (<90% CI) overperformed and 20.5% underperformed. An interactive tool based on the OCT analysis automatically reveals 14 hospital-specific patient cohorts, simultaneously assessing overperformance or underperformance, and enabling further analysis of cohort strata in any chosen time frame.

CONCLUSIONS

Machine learning-based OCT benchmarking analysis provides automatic assessment of hospital-specific case-adjusted performance after congenital heart surgery, not only overall but importantly, also by similar risk patient cohorts. This is a tool for hospital self-assessment, particularly facilitated by the user-accessible online-platform.

Association of Hyperoxia During Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Postoperative Delirium in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU

OBJECTIVE

ICU delirium commonly complicates critical illness associated with factors such as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and the requirement of mechanical ventilation (MV). Recent reports associate hyperoxia with poorer outcomes in critically ill children. This study sought to determine whether hyperoxia on CPB in pediatric patients was associated with a higher prevalence of postoperative delirium.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data obtained from a prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Twenty-two-bed pediatric cardiac ICU in a tertiary children's hospital.

PATIENTS

All patients (18 yr old or older) admitted post-CPB, with documented delirium assessment scores using the Preschool/Pediatric Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and who were enrolled in the Precision Medicine in Pediatric Cardiology Cohort from February 2021 to November 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 148 patients, who underwent cardiac surgery, 35 had delirium within the first 72 hours (24%). There was no association between hyperoxia on CPB and postoperative delirium for all definitions of hyperoxia, including hyperoxic area under the curve above 5 predetermined Pao2 levels: 150 mm Hg (odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.176 [0.605-2.286], p = 0.633); 175 mm Hg (OR 1.177 [95% CI, 0.668-2.075], p = 0.572); 200 mm Hg (OR 1.235 [95% CI, 0.752-2.026], p = 0.405); 250 mm Hg (OR 1.204 [95% CI, 0.859-1.688], p = 0.281), 300 mm Hg (OR 1.178 [95% CI, 0.918-1.511], p = 0.199). In an additional exploratory analysis, comparing patients with delirium within 72 hours versus those without, only the z score for weight differed (mean [sd]: 0.09 [1.41] vs. -0.48 [1.82], p < 0.05). When comparing patients who developed delirium at any point during their ICU stay (n = 45, 30%), MV days, severity of illness (Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 Score) score, CPB time, and z score for weight were associated with delirium (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative delirium (72 hr from CPB) occurred in 24% of pediatric patients. Hyperoxia, defined in multiple ways, was not associated with delirium. On exploratory analysis, nutritional status (z score for weight) may be a significant factor in delirium risk. Further delineation of risk factors for postoperative delirium versus ICU delirium warrants additional study.

Predictive value of NT-proBNP and hs-TnT for outcomes after pediatric congenital cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

The available evidence regarding the predictive value of troponins and natriuretic peptides for early postoperative outcomes in pediatrics is limited, controversial, and based on small sample sizes. The authors aimed to investigate the association of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) with the in-hospital adverse outcomes after congenital cardiac surgeries.

METHODS

A secondary analysis based on a prospective study of pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) patients was conducted to investigate the association of NT-proBNP and hs-TnT tested within 6 h postoperatively with in-hospital adverse events. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with a minimum P value approach was used to identify the optimal thresholds of NT-proBNP and hs-TnT for risk stratification.

RESULTS

NT-proBNP and hs-TnT are positively correlated with cardiopulmonary bypass time, mechanical ventilation duration, and pediatric intensive care unit stay. The predictive performance of NT-proBNP is excellent for adverse events in both patients younger than 1 year [area under the curve (AUC): 0.771, 0.693-0.850] and those older than 1 year (AUC: 0.839, 0.757-0.922). However, hs-TnT exhibited a satisfactory predictive value solely in patients aged over 1 year. (AUC: 0.784, 0.717-0.852). NT-proBNP levels of 2000-10 000 ng/l [odds ratio (OR): 3.79, 1.47-9.76] and exceeding 10 000 ng/l (OR: 12.21, 3.66-40.80) were associated with a higher risk of postoperative adverse events in patients younger than 1 year. Patients older than 1 year, with NT-proBNP higher than 500 ng/l (OR: 15.09, 6.05-37.66) or hs-TnT higher than 1200 ng/l (OR: 5.50, 1.47-20.59), had a higher incidence of postoperative adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

NT-proBNP and hs-TnT tested within postoperative 6 h demonstrated significant predictive value for postoperative adverse events in CHD patients older than 1 year. However, among CHD patients younger than 1 year, only NT-proBNP exhibited commendable predictive performance for postoperative adverse events.

Assessment of the CLOT (children's likelihood of thrombosis) real-time risk prediction model of hospital-associated venous thromboembolism in children with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for hospital-associated venous thromboembolism (HA-VTE). The children's likelihood of thrombosis (CLOT) trial validated a real-time predictive model for HA-VTE using data extracted from the EHR for pediatric inpatients. We tested the hypothesis that addition of CHD specific data would improve model prediction in the CHD population.

METHODS

Model performance in CHD patients from 2010 to 2022, was assessed using 3 iterations of the CLOT model: 1) the original CLOT model, 2) the original model refit using only data from the CHD cohort, and 3) the model updated with the addition of cardiopulmonary bypass time, STAT Mortality Category, height, and weight as covariates. The discrimination of the three models was quantified and compared using AUROC.

RESULTS

Our CHD cohort included 1457 patient encounters (median 2.0 IQR [0.5-5.2] years-old). HA-VTE was present in 5% of our CHD cohort versus 1% in the general pediatric population. Several features from the original model were associated with thrombosis in the CHD cohort including younger age, thrombosis history, infectious disease consultation, and EHR coding of a central venous line. Lower height and weight were associated with thrombosis. HA-VTE rate was 12% (18/149) amongst those with STAT Category 4-5 operation versus 4% (49/1256) with STAT Category 1-3 operation (P < .001). Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (124 [92-205] vs. 94 [65-136] minutes, P < .001) was associated with thrombosis. The AUROC for the original (0.80 95% CI [0.75-0.85]), refit (0.85 [0.81-0.89]), and updated (0.86 [0.81-0.90]) models demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability within the CHD cohort.

CONCLUSION

The automated approach with EHR data extraction makes the applicability of such models appealing for ease of clinical use. The addition of cardiac specific features improved model discrimination; however, this benefit was marginal compared to refitting the original model to the CHD cohort. This suggests strong predictive generalized models, such as CLOT, can be optimized for cohort subsets without additional data extraction, thus reducing cost of model development and deployment.

Impact of heart failure on reoperation in adult congenital heart disease: An innovative machine learning model

OBJECTIVES

The study objectives were to evaluate the association between preoperative heart failure and reoperative cardiac surgical outcomes in adult congenital heart disease and to develop a risk model for postoperative morbidity/mortality.

METHODS

Single-institution retrospective cohort study of adult patients with congenital heart disease undergoing reoperative cardiac surgery between January 1, 2010, and March 30, 2022. Heart failure defined clinically as preoperative diuretic use and either New York Heart Association Class II to IV or systemic ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%. Composite outcome included operative mortality, mechanical circulatory support, dialysis, unplanned noncardiac reoperation, persistent neurologic deficit, and cardiac arrest. Multivariable logistic regression and machine learning analysis using gradient boosting technology were performed. Shapley statistics determined feature influence, or impact, on model output.

RESULTS

Preoperative heart failure was present in 376 of 1011 patients (37%); those patients had longer postoperative length of stay (6 [5-8] vs 5 [4-7] days, P < .001), increased postoperative mechanical circulatory support (21/376 [6%] vs 16/635 [3%], P = .015), and decreased long-term survival (84% [80%-89%] vs 90% [86%-93%]) at 10 years (P = .002). A 7-feature machine learning risk model for the composite outcome achieved higher area under the curve (0.76) than logistic regression, and ejection fraction was most influential (highest mean |Shapley value|). Additional risk factors for the composite outcome included age, number of prior cardiopulmonary bypass operations, urgent/emergency procedure, and functionally univentricular physiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure is common among adult patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac reoperation and associated with longer length of stay, increased postoperative mechanical circulatory support, and decreased long-term survival. Machine learning yields a novel 7-feature risk model for postoperative morbidity/mortality, in which ejection fraction was the most influential.

Comparison of definitive approaches for conotruncal defects following bidirectional Glenn procedure

BACKGROUND

Staged repair is common for complex conotruncal defects, often involving bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure. Following the cavopulmonary shunt, both Fontan completion and biventricular conversion (BiVC) serve as definitive approaches. The optimal strategy remains controversial.

METHODS

The baseline, perioperative and follow-up data were obtained for all paediatric patients with conotruncal defects who underwent BDG procedure as palliation in Fuwai Hospital from 2013 to 2022. Patients with single ventricle were excluded. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcome was reintervention, including any cardiovascular surgeries and non-diagnostic catheterisations.

RESULTS

A total of 232 patients were included in the cohort, with 142 underwent Fontan (61.2%) and 90 underwent BiVC (38.8%). The median interstage period from BDG to the definitive procedure was 3.83 years (IQR: 2.72-5.42) in the overall cohort, 3.62 years (IQR: 2.57-5.15) in the Fontan group and 4.15 years (IQR: 3.05-6.13) in the BiVC group (p=0.03). The in-hospital outcomes favoured the Fontan group, including duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay. Postoperative mortality was generally low and comparable, as was the reintervention rate (HR=1.42, 95% CI: 0.708 to 2.85, p=0.32). The left ventricular size was smaller at baseline and within the normal range at follow-up for both Fontan and BiVC groups; however, it was significantly larger with BiVC at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In paediatric patients with conotruncal heart defects who underwent BDG procedure, BiVC is a feasible option, especially for patients with certain Fontan risk factors, and are not ideal candidates for successful Fontan completion.

Distinct profiles of cerebral oxygenation in focal vs. secondarily generalized EEG seizures in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Objectives

Seizures are common in children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2) by near-infrared spectroscopy is routinely monitored in many centers, but the relations between the levels and changes of ScO2 and brain injuries remain incompletely understood. We aimed to analyze the postoperative profiles of ScO2 and cerebral blood flow velocity in different types of EEG seizures in relation to brain injuries on MRI.

Methods

We monitored continuous EEG and ScO2 in 337 children during the first 48 h after CPB, which were analyzed in 3 h periods. Cerebral blood flow peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the middle cerebral artery was measured daily by transcranial Doppler. Postoperative cerebral MRI was performed before hospital discharge.

Results

Based on the occurrence and spreading types of seizures, patients were divided into three groups as patients without seizures (Group N; n = 309), those with focal seizures (Group F; n = 13), or with secondarily generalized seizures (Group G; n = 15). There were no significant differences in the onset time and duration of seizures and incidence of status epilepticus between the two seizures groups (Ps ≥ 0.27). ScO2 increased significantly faster across Group N, Group G, and Group F during the 48 h (p < 0.0001) but its overall levels were not significantly different among the three groups (p = 0.30). PSV was significantly lower (p = 0.003) but increased significantly faster (p = 0.0003) across Group N, Group G, and Group F. Group F had the most severe brain injuries and the highest incidence of white matter injuries on MRI among the three groups (Ps ≤ 0.002).

Conclusion

Postoperative cerebral oxygenation showed distinct profiles in secondarily generalized and particularly focal types of EEG seizures in children after CPB. A state of 'overshooting' ScO2 with persistently low PSV was more frequently seen in those with focal seizures and more severe brain injury. Information from this study may have important clinical implications in detecting brain injuries when monitoring cerebral oxygenation in this vulnerable group of children after CPB.

Genome Sequencing is Critical for Forecasting Outcomes following Congenital Cardiac Surgery

While genome sequencing has transformed medicine by elucidating the genetic underpinnings of both rare and common complex disorders, its utility to predict clinical outcomes remains understudied. Here, we used artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to explore the predictive value of genome sequencing in forecasting clinical outcomes following surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD). We report results for a cohort of 2,253 CHD patients from the Pediatric Cardiac Genomics Consortium with a broad range of complex heart defects, pre- and post-operative clinical variables and exome sequencing. Damaging genotypes in chromatin-modifying and cilia-related genes were associated with an elevated risk of adverse post-operative outcomes, including mortality, cardiac arrest and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The impact of damaging genotypes was further amplified in the context of specific CHD phenotypes, surgical complexity and extra-cardiac anomalies. The absence of a damaging genotype in chromatin-modifying and cilia-related genes was also informative, reducing the risk for adverse postoperative outcomes. Thus, genome sequencing enriches the ability to forecast outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery.

Comparing apples to apples: Exploring public reporting of congenital cardiac surgery outcomes based on common congenital heart operations

OBJECTIVE

We sought to simplify reporting of outcomes in congenital heart surgery that compares well-defined patient groups and accommodates multiple stakeholder needs while being easily understandable.

METHODS

We selected 19 commonly performed congenital heart surgeries ranging in complexity from repair of atrial septal defects to the Norwood procedure. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria ensured the creation of 19 well-defined diagnosis/procedure cohorts. Preoperative, procedural, and postoperative data were collected for consecutive eligible patients from 9 centers between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Unadjusted operative mortality rates and hospital length of stay for each of the 19 diagnosis/procedure cohorts were summarized in aggregate and stratified by each center.

RESULTS

Of 8572 eligible cases included, numbers in the 19 diagnosis/procedure cohorts ranged from 73 for tetralogy of Fallot repair after previous palliation to 1224 for ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair for isolated VSD. In aggregate, the unadjusted mortality ranged from 0% for atrial septal defect repair to 28.4% for hybrid stage I. There was significant heterogeneity in case mix and mortality for different diagnosis/procedure cohorts across centers (eg, arterial switch operation/VSD, n = 7-42, mortality 0%-7.4%; Norwood procedure, n = 16-122, mortality 5.3%-25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting of institutional case volumes and outcomes within well-defined diagnosis/procedure cohorts can enable centers to benchmark outcomes, understand trends in mortality, and direct quality improvement. When made public, this type of report could provide parents with information on institutional volumes and outcomes and allow them to better understand the experience of each program with operations for specific congenital heart defects.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database: 2023 Update on Outcomes and Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD) continues to be the most comprehensive database of congenital and pediatric cardiothoracic surgical procedures in the world and contains information on 664,210 operations as of June 30, 2023. The 35th harvest of the STS CHSD data was undertaken in Spring 2023, spanning the 4-year period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2022, and included 144,919 operations performed at 114 participating sites in North America. The harvest analysis was successfully executed by the STS Research and Analytic Center. The overall unadjusted mortality rate was 2.68% and has remained stable over the 4 years included in the current harvest window. Mortality is highest in neonates (7.4%) and lowest in children (1.1%). As in prior analyses, observed mortality and postoperative length of stay in the database increase with an increase in STS-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Categories. This quality report summarizes contemporary outcomes, provides the odds ratios for the CHSD risk model variables based on this analysis, and describes on-going efforts to improve data collection and augment analytical approaches. Lastly, 5 research publications completed in the last year using data from the CHSD are also summarized.

Second harvest of Congenital Heart Surgery Database in Türkiye: Current outcomes

Background

This second harvest of the Congenital Heart Surgery Database intended to compare current results with international databases.

Methods

This retrospective study examined a total of 4007 congenital heart surgery procedures from 15 centers in the Congenital Heart Surgery Database between January 2018 and January 2023. International diagnostic and procedural codes were used for data entry. STAT (Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery) mortality scores and categories were used for comparison of the data. Surgical priority status was modified from American Society of Anesthesiologist guidelines. Centers that sent more than 5 cases to the database were included to the study.

Results

Cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest were performed in 2,983 (74.4%) procedures. General risk factors were present in 22.6% of the patients, such as genetic anomaly, syndrome, or prematurity. Overall, 18.9% of the patients had preoperative risk factors (e.g., mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and sepsis). Of the procedures, 610 (15.2%) were performed on neonates, 1,450 (36.2%) on infants, 1,803 (45%) on children, and 144 (3.6%) on adults. The operative timing was elective in 56.5% of the patients, 34.4% were urgent, 8% were emergent, and 1.1% were rescue procedures. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was used in 163 (4%) patients, with a 34.3% survival rate. Overall mortality in this series was 6.7% (n=271). Risk for mortality was higher in patients with general risk factors, such as prematurity, low birth weight neonates, and heterotaxy syndrome. Mortality for patients with preoperative mechanical ventilation was 17.5%. Pulmonary hypertension and preoperative circulatory shock had 11.6% and 10% mortality rates, respectively. Mortality for patients who had no preoperative risk factor was 3.9%. Neonates had the highest mortality rate (20.5%). Intensive care unit and hospital stay time for neonates (median of 17.8 days and 24.8 days, respectively) were also higher than the other age groups. Infants had 6.2% mortality. Hospital mortality was 2.8% for children and 3.5% for adults. Mortality rate was 2.8% for elective cases. Observed mortality rates were higher than expected in the fourth and fifth categories of the STAT system (observed, 14.8% and 51.9%; expected, 9.9% and 23.1%; respectively).

Conclusion

For the first time, outcomes of congenital heart surgery in Türkiye could be compared to the current world experience with this multicenter database study. Increased mortality rate of neonatal and complex heart operations could be delineated as areas that need improvement. The Congenital Heart Surgery Database has great potential for quality improvement of congenital heart surgery in Türkiye. In the long term, participation of more centers in the database may allow more accurate risk adjustment.

Morbidity and Mortality in Adult Congenital Heart Surgery: Physiologic Component Augments Risk Prediction

BACKGROUND

We sought to evaluate whether the anatomic and physiologic stratification system (ACAP score), released as part of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association updated guidelines for management of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) in 2018, better estimated mortality and morbidity after cardiac operations for ACHD.

METHODS

The ACAP score was determined for 318 patients (age ≥18 years) with ACHD undergoing heart surgery at our institution between December 2001 and August 2019. The primary end point was perioperative mortality. The secondary aim was to evaluate the performance of the ACAP, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Congenital Heart Surgery Mortality Categories, and ACHS mortality scores/categories at predicting a composite adverse outcome of perioperative mortality, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure requiring replacement therapy. Logistic regression models were built to estimate mortality and the composite outcome using anatomic and physiologic components independently and together. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created, and area under the curves were compared using the Delong test.

RESULTS

The median age was 37 years (interquartile range, 26.3-50.0 years). There were 9 perioperative mortalities (2.8%). With respect to perioperative mortality, the area under the curve using the anatomic component only was 0.74, which improved to 0.81 after including physiologic severity (P = .05). When physiologic severity was added to the model for the composite outcome, the discriminatory abilities of the ACHS mortality score and the STAT categories increased significantly to 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.91; P = .02) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90; P = .04), comparable to the predictive power of ACAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiologic severity augments ability to predict mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery for ACHD. There is need for more robust ACHD-specific risk models.

Ketorolac Dosing and Outcomes in Neonates Following Congenital Heart Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Pain management is essential for postoperative surgery. Given the association of opioids with adverse outcomes, interest in the use of nonopioid analgesics, such as ketorolac, has increased. Published data on use in neonates are limited.

OBJECTIVES

To describe ketorolac dosing and safety and efficacy outcomes in the first 48 hours postcardiac surgery in neonates.

DESIGN

We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of neonates (ages < 28 d) who received ketorolac following cardiac surgery from November 2020 to July 2023 (inclusive). The primary safety outcome was a clinically significant decline in renal function, as defined by the composite of an increase in serum creatinine by greater than or equal to 0.3 mg/dL from baseline within 96 hours of ketorolac initiation and urine output less than or equal to 0.5 mL/kg/hr for 6 hours. The secondary safety outcome was clinically significant bleeding, defined as the composite of major bleeding by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis pediatric criteria and severe/fatal bleeding by the criteria of Nellis et al (2019). Efficacy was measured by opioid utilization based on a standardized pain score-driven analgesia protocol.

INTERVENTIONS

Ketorolac was administered at 0.5 mg/kg every 6 hours as per an institutional clinical management algorithm.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients met the eligibility criteria. The median ketorolac dose was 0.5 mg/kg/dose, and median (interquartile range [IQR]) duration of therapy was 48 hours (6-48 hr). No patients experienced a significant decline in renal function, and there were no clinically significant bleeding events. The median (IQR) IV morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs)/kg/d of opioid administration was 0.2 MME/kg/d (0.1-0.25 MME/kg/d) at the time of ketorolac initiation and 0.1 MME/kg/d (0.1-0.2 MME/kg/d) at 48 hours post-ketorolac initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

If validated prospectively, these findings suggest that a ketorolac regimen of 0.5 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours in neonates postcardiac surgery may be safe with regard to renal function and bleeding risk. Additional randomized studies would be needed to determine efficacy with regard to opioid-sparing capacity.

Prenatal vs postnatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: cardiac and noncardiac outcomes through 1 year of age

BACKGROUND

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is the most common microdeletion syndrome and is frequently associated with congenital heart disease. Prenatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is increasingly offered. It is unknown whether there is a clinical benefit to prenatal detection as compared with postnatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine differences in perinatal and infant outcomes between patients with prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study across multiple international centers (30 sites, 4 continents) from 2006 to 2019. Participants were fetuses, neonates, or infants with a genetic diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome by 1 year of age with or without congenital heart disease; those with prenatal diagnosis or suspicion (suggestive ultrasound findings and/or high-risk cell-free fetal DNA screen for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with postnatal confirmation) were compared with those with postnatal diagnosis. Perinatal management, cardiac and noncardiac morbidity, and mortality by 1 year were assessed. Outcomes were adjusted for presence of critical congenital heart disease, gestational age at birth, and site.

RESULTS

A total of 625 fetuses, neonates, or infants with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (53.4% male) were included: 259 fetuses were prenatally diagnosed (156 [60.2%] were live-born) and 122 neonates were prenatally suspected with postnatal confirmation, whereas 244 infants were postnatally diagnosed. In the live-born cohort (n=522), 1-year mortality was 5.9%, which did not differ between groups but differed by the presence of critical congenital heart disease (hazard ratio, 4.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-11.18; P<.001) and gestational age at birth (hazard ratio, 0.78 per week; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.89; P<.001). Adjusting for critical congenital heart disease and gestational age at birth, the prenatal cohort was less likely to deliver at a local community hospital (5.1% vs 38.2%; odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.23; P<.001), experience neonatal cardiac decompensation (1.3% vs 5.0%; odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.49; P=.004), or have failure to thrive by 1 year (43.4% vs 50.3%; odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.91; P=.019).

CONCLUSION

Prenatal detection of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome was associated with improved delivery management and less cardiac and noncardiac morbidity, but not mortality, compared with postnatal detection.

Prognostic utility of a novel risk prediction model of 1-year mortality in patients surviving to discharge after surgery for congenital or acquired heart disease

OBJECTIVE

We sought to develop a novel risk prediction model of 1-year mortality after congenital heart surgery that accounts for clinical, anatomic, echocardiographic, and socioeconomic factors.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective review of consecutive index operations for congenital or acquired heart disease, from January 2011 to January 2021, among patients with known survival status at 1 year after discharge from the index hospitalization. The primary outcome was postdischarge mortality at 1 year. Variables of interest included age, prematurity, noncardiac anomalies or syndromes, the Childhood Opportunity Index, primary procedure, major adverse postoperative complications, and the Residual Lesion Score. Logistic regression was used to develop a weighted risk score for the primary outcome. Internal validation using a bootstrap-resampling approach was performed.

RESULTS

Of 10,412 consecutive operations for congenital or acquired heart disease, 8808 (84.6%) cases met entry criteria, including survival to discharge. There were 190 (2.2%) deaths at 1 year postdischarge. A weighted risk score was formulated on the basis of the variables in the final risk prediction model, which included all aforementioned risk factors of interest. This model had a C-statistic of 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.85). The median risk score was 6 (interquartile range, 4-8) points. Patients were categorized as low (score 0-5), medium (score 6-10), high (score 11-15), or very high (score 16-20) risk. The expected probability of mortality was 0.4% ± 0.2%, 2.0% ± 1.1%, 10.1% ± 5.0%, and 36.6% ± 9.6% for low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk, and very high-risk patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A risk prediction model of 1-year mortality may guide prognostication and follow-up of patients after discharge after surgery for congenital or acquired heart disease.

Management Strategies for Congenital Heart Disease Comorbid with Airway Anomalies in Children

OBJECTIVE

To assess management strategies for pediatric patients with the challenging combination of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and airway anomalies.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients diagnosed with CHD and airway anomalies in the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Centre of Fuwai Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into three groups based on different management, including the conservative group, the slide group (slide tracheoplasty), and the suspension group (suspension with external stenting). Patients' data and computed tomography measurements from medical records were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 139 patients were included in the cohort; 107 had conservative airway treatment (conservative group), 15 had slide tracheoplasty (slide group), and 17 had tracheal suspension operation (suspension group). The top three associated intracardiac anomalies were ventricular septal defect (n = 34, 24%), pulmonary artery sling (n = 22, 16%), and tetralogy of Fallot (n = 15, 11%). Compared with patients with conservative airway management (100 minutes [median], 62-152 [IQR]), the extra airway procedure prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration, with 202 minutes (IQR, 119-220) for the slide group and 150 minutes (IQR, 125-161) for the suspension group. Patients who underwent slide tracheoplasty required prolonged mechanical ventilation (129 minutes [median], 56-328 [IQR]). Of the total cohort, 6 in-hospital deaths, all in the conservative group, and 8 mid-to long-term deaths, with 6 in the conservative group, occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Both conservative and surgical management of CHD patients with airway anomalies have promising outcomes. Extra tracheobronchial procedures, especially the slide tracheoplasty, significantly prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration. Based on multidisciplinary team assessment, individualized management strategies should be developed for these patients.

Adjusting for Congenital Heart Surgery Risk Using Administrative Data

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart surgery (CHS) encompasses a heterogeneous population of patients and surgeries. Risk standardization models that adjust for patient and procedural characteristics can allow for collective study of these disparate patients and procedures.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to develop a risk-adjustment model for CHS using the newly developed Risk Stratification for Congenital Heart Surgery for ICD-10 Administrative Data (RACHS-2) methodology.

METHODS

Within the Kids' Inpatient Database 2019, we identified all CHSs that could be assigned a RACHS-2 score. Hierarchical logistic regression (clustered on hospital) was used to identify patient and procedural characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality. Model validation was performed using data from 24 State Inpatient Databases during 2017.

RESULTS

Of 5,902,538 total weighted hospital discharges in the Kids' Inpatient Database 2019, 22,310 pediatric cardiac surgeries were identified and assigned a RACHS-2 score. In-hospital mortality occurred in 543 (2.4%) of cases. Using only RACHS-2, the mortality mode had a C-statistic of 0.81 that improved to 0.83 with the addition of age. A final multivariable model inclusive of RACHS-2, age, payer, and presence of a complex chronic condition outside of congenital heart disease further improved model discrimination to 0.87 (P < 0.001). Discrimination in the validation cohort was also very good with a C-statistic of 0.83.

CONCLUSIONS

We created and validated a risk-adjustment model for CHS that accounts for patient and procedural characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality available in administrative data, including the newly developed RACHS-2. Our risk model will be critical for use in health services research and quality improvement initiatives.

The effects of pulsatile versus nonpulsatile flow on cerebral pulsatility index, mean flow velocity at the middle cerebral artery, regional cerebral oxygen saturation, cerebral gaseous microemboli counts, and short-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing congenital heart surgery

Objective

The objective of this retrospective review was to evaluate whether or not pulsatile flow improves cerebral hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 284 pediatric patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass support utilizing nonpulsatile (n = 152) or pulsatile (n = 132) flow. Intraoperative cerebral gaseous microemboli counts, pulsatility index, and mean blood flow velocity at the right middle cerebral artery were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Clinical outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

Patient demographics and cardiopulmonary bypass characteristics between groups were similar. Although the pulsatility index during aortic crossclamping was consistently higher in the pulsatile group (P < .05), a significant degree of pulsatility was also observed in the nonpulsatile group. No significant differences in mean cerebral blood flow velocity, regional cerebral oxygen saturation, or gaseous microemboli counts were observed between the perfusion modality groups. Clinical outcomes, including intubation duration, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and mortality within 180 days were similar between groups.

Conclusions

Although the pulsatility index was greater in the pulsatile group, other measures of intraoperative cerebral perfusion and short-term outcomes were similar to the nonpulsatile group. These findings suggest that while pulsatile perfusion represents a safe modality for cardiopulmonary bypass support, its use may not translate into detectably superior clinical outcomes.

Standardized Treatment and Diagnostic Approach to Reduce Disease burden in the early postoperative phase in children with congenital heart defects-STANDARD study: a pilot randomized controlled trial

To explore the effect of a daily goal checklist on pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) length of stay (LOS) after congenital heart surgery. This study is a prospective randomized single-center study. Group characteristics were as follows: STANDARD group: n = 30, 36.7% female, median age 0.9 years; control group: n = 33, 36.4% female, median age 1.1 years. Invasive ventilation time, STAT categories, mean vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS)24h, maximal (max.) VIS24h, mean VIS24-48h, max. VIS24-48h, VIS category, number of sedatives, analgesics, diuretics, number of deployed diagnostic modalities, morbidities, and mortality did not differ between both groups. Median PCICU LOS was 96.0 h (STANDARD group) versus 101.5 h (control group) (p = 0.63). In the overall cohort, univariate regression analysis identified age at surgery (b = -0.02), STAT category (b = 18.3), severity of CHD (b = 40.6), mean VIS24h (b = 3.5), max. VIS24h (b = 2.2), mean VIS24-48h (b = 6.5), and VIS category (b = 13.8) as significant parameters for prolonged PCICU LOS. In multivariate regression analysis, age at surgery (b = -0.2), severity of CHD (b = 44.0), and mean VIS24h (b = 6.7) were of significance. Within the STANDARD sub-group, univariate regression analysis determined STAT category (b = 32.3), severity of CHD (b = 70.0), mean VIS24h (b = 5.0), mean VIS24-48h (b = 5.9), number of defined goals (b = 2.6), number of achieved goals (b = 3.3), number of not achieved goals (b = 10.8), and number of unevaluated goals (b = 7.0) as significant parameters for prolonged PCICU LOS. Multivariate regression analysis identified the number of defined goals (b = 2.5) and the number of unevaluated goals (b = -3.0) to be significant parameters.   Conclusion: The structured realization and recording of daily goals is of advantage in patients following pediatric cardiac surgery by reducing PCICU LOS. What is known: • Communication errors are the most frequent reasons for adverse events in intensive care unit patients. • Improved communication can be achieved by discussion and documentation of the patients' goals during daily rounds. What is new: • In the overall cohort age at surgery, severity of congenital heart defect and mean vasoactive inotropic score within the first 24 hours had significant impact on pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) length of stay (LOS). • In the intervention group, the number of defined goals and the number of unevaluated goals were significant parameters for prolonged PCICU LOS.

Risk of Hypovitaminosis and Vitamin C Deficiency in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Vitamin C levels are known rapidly decrease in adult critical illness. Vitamin C scavenges free radicals, provides critical protection of the endothelial barrier, and improves endothelial responsiveness to catecholamines. Children with congenital heart disease and undergoing cardiac surgery might be at increased risk for low circulating vitamin C levels. A prospective single-center observational study investigated perioperative changes in vitamin C levels in critically ill Children who underwent congenital heart surgery using CPB. Vitamin C serum levels were collected preoperatively and postoperatively (upon admission to the ICU, 24 and 72 h). Linear mixed-effect model was used to estimate mean circulating concentration of vitamin C and to estimate changes in concentration over time. Primary outcome was change in circulating levels of vitamin C before and after CPB. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), acute kidney injury (AKI), and illness severity. Forty-one patients with a median age of 4.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.6-65.6] months at the time of surgery were consented and enrolled. Median CPB duration was 130 [90-175] minutes, and hospital LOS was 9.1 [5.2-19] days. Mean vitamin C levels (μmol/L) before CPB, at PICU admission, 24 h, and 72 h were 82.0 (95% CI 73.4-90.7), 53.4 (95% CI 44.6,62.0), 55.1 (95% CI 46.3,63.8), and 59.2 (95% CI 50.3,68.1), respectively. Upon postoperative admission to the PICU, vitamin C levels decreased by 28.7 (95% CI 20.6-36.8; p < 0.001) μmol/L, whereas levels at 24 and 72 h recovered and did not differ substantially from concentrations reported upon PICU admission (p > 0.15). Changes in vitamin C concentration were not associated with CPB time, STAT mortality category, age, or PIM3. Three patients had post-CPB hypovitaminosis C or vitamin C deficiency. Reduction in vitamin C levels was not associated with hospital LOS (p = 0.673). A 25 μmol/L decrease in vitamin C levels upon PICU admission was associated with developing AKI (aOR = 3.65; 95% CI 1.01-18.0, p = 0.049). Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB showed decreased vitamin C levels during the immediate postoperative period. Effects of hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency in this population remain unclear.

Congenital Heart Disease with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Surgical Decision Making and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To describe the types of congenital heart disease (CHD) in a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) cohort in a large volume center and evaluate surgical decision making and outcomes based on complexity of CHD and associated conditions.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review of patients with CHD and CDH diagnosed by echocardiogram between 01/01/2005 and 07/31/2021. The cohort was divided into 2 groups based on survival at discharge.

RESULTS

Clinically important CHD was diagnosed in 19% (62/326) of CDH patients. There was 90% (18/20) survival in children undergoing surgery for both CHD and CDH as neonates, and 87.5 (22/24) in those undergoing repair initially for CDH alone. A genetic anomaly identified on clinical testing was noted in 16% with no significant association with survival. A higher frequency of other organ system anomalies was noted in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. Nonsurvivors were more likely to have unrepaired CDH (69% vs 0%, P < .001) and unrepaired CHD (88% vs 54%, P < .05), reflecting a decision not to offer surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival was excellent in patients who underwent repair of both CHD and CDH. Patients with univentricular physiology have poor survival and this finding should be incorporated into pre and postnatal counseling about eligibility for surgery. In contrast, patients with other complex lesions including transposition of the great arteries have excellent outcomes and survival at 5 years follow-up at a large pediatric and cardiothoracic surgical center.

Association Between Prenatal Diagnosis and Age at Surgery for Noncritical and Critical Congenital Heart Defects

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects (CHDs) and age at CHD surgery is poorly understood, despite the known relationships between age at surgery and long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between prenatal diagnosis of CHD and age at surgery, and whether these associations differ for critical and noncritical CHDs.

METHODS

This is a cohort analysis of patients aged 0 to 9 years who received their initial cardiac surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago between 2015 and 2021 with prenatal diagnosis as the exposure variable. All data were obtained from the locally maintained Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database at Lurie Children's Hospital. We used multivariable fixed effects regression models to estimate the strength of the association of prenatal diagnosis with age at surgery among patients with critical (surgery ≤60 days) and noncritical (surgery >60 days) CHDs.

RESULTS

Of 1131 individuals who met inclusion criteria, 532 (47%) had a prenatal diagnosis, 428 (38%) had critical CHDs, 533 (47%) were female, and the median age at surgery was 119 days (interquartile range, 11-309 days). After controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and surgical complexity, the mean age at surgery was significantly younger in those with prenatally versus postnatally diagnosed critical CHD (7.1 days sooner, P<0.001) and noncritical CHDs (atrial septal defects [12.4 months sooner, P=0.037], ventricular septal defects [6.0 months sooner, P<0.003], and noncritical coarctation of the aorta [1.8 months sooner, P=0.010]).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger age at CHD surgery, which is associated with postsurgical neurodevelopmental and physical outcomes, is significantly associated with prenatal CHD diagnosis. This relationship was identified for both critical and noncritical CHDs.

Operative mortality after Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Mortality Category 1 to 3 procedures: Deficiencies and opportunities for quality improvement

OBJECTIVES

We examined cases of operative mortality at a single quaternary academic center for patients undergoing relatively lower-risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Mortality Category 1-3) procedures, as a means of identifying systemic weaknesses and opportunities for quality improvement.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all operative mortality events for patients who underwent a Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Mortality Category 1, 2, or 3 index procedure (2009-2020) at our institution was performed. After a detailed chart review was performed by 2 independent faculty for each case, factors and system deficiencies that contributed to mortality were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 42 mortalities were identified. A total of 37 patients (88%) had at least 1 Society of Thoracic Surgeons-designated risk factor, including prior cardiac operations (48%), extracardiac malformations (43%), and preoperative ventilation (33%). Eight patients (19%) had non-Society of Thoracic Surgeons-designated preoperative patient-level variables considered as at potential risk, including severe ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, lung hypoplasia, and undiagnosed severe coronary abnormalities. Four patients (10%) had no identified preoperative risk factors. After detailed chart review, 5 broad categories were identified: patient-related factors (n = 33; 78%), postoperative infection (n = 13; 31%), postoperative residual lesions (n = 7; 17%), Fontan physiology failure (n = 4; 10%), and unexplained left ventricular failure after tetralogy of Fallot repair (n = 3; 7%). A total of 74% of patients had at least 1 preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative system deficiency. A total of 50% of surgeries were urgent or emergency.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative mortality after Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Mortality Category 1 to 3 procedures is related to the presence of multifactorial risk patterns (Society of Thoracic Surgeons and non-Society of Thoracic Surgeons-designated patient-level risk factors and variables, broad risk categories, system deficiencies, emergency surgery). A multidisciplinary approach to care, with early recognition and treatment of modifiable additional burdens, could reduce this risk.

Risk factors and early outcomes of chylothorax following congenital cardiac surgery: A single-center experience

Background

This study aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors for chylothorax and to evaluate the effect of chylothorax on the early postoperative outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery.

Methods

A total of 1,053 patients (606 males, 447 females; median age: 12 months; range, 3 days to 48 years) who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease at our institute between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with chylothorax were identified and the data of this cohort was compared with the entire study population. Following the diagnosis of chylothorax, a standardized management protocol was applied to all patients.

Results

Of 1,053 patients operated, 78 (7.4%) were diagnosed with chylothorax. In the univariate analysis, younger age, peritoneal dialysis, preoperative need for mechanical ventilation, surgical complexity, delayed sternal closure, high vasoactive inotrope score in the first 24 h after operation, residual or additional cardiac lesions which required reoperations were found to be the risk factors for chylothorax (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the correlation persisted with only younger age, infections, and peritoneal dialysis requirement (p<0.05). In the chylothorax group, ventilation times were longer, and re-intubation and infection rates were higher (p<0.05). Although the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay was significantly longer in this patient group, there was no significant association between the development of chylothorax and in-hospital mortality (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Chylothorax following congenital cardiac surgery is a significant problem which prolongs the length of hospital stay and increases the infection rates. Complex cardiac pathologies which require surgery at early ages and re-operations are risk factors for chylothorax. Although there is no consensus on the most optimal therapeutic strategy, standardizing the management protocol may improve the results.

Activated Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Pediatric Cardiac Patients, Our Early Experience

BACKGROUND

Pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with abnormal coagulation, bleeding, and nearly ubiquitous transfusions. With the popularization of patient blood management, attempts are being made to decrease liberal transfusions by administering prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs). The safety and efficacy of PCCs in adult cardiac surgery has been studied extensively, but only few reports address this in children. We performed an observational study focused on transfusion requirements after off-label use of activated PCC Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) as an adjunct to post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) hemostatic protocol.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of children ≤15 kg undergoing cardiac operations with CPB between May 2018 and March 2022. A propensity score (PS) analysis was performed to identify matched pairs of patients who did and did not receive FEIBA.

RESULTS

Out of 210 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 44 patients received FEIBA. Propensity score-based analysis identified 40 matched pairs of patients with similar baseline characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome-the volume of transfusion after CPB, which included all allogeneic blood products and salvaged washed red cells administered after protamine. Specifically, FEIBA patients were transfused 28 (22-34) mL/kg and controls were transfused 22 (11-49) mL/kg, P = .989. Upon arrival to ICU, the FEIBA group averaged an 8% lower international normalized ratio, compared with the controls (P = .009) and a 1.08 g/dL higher hemoglobin (P = .050). Neither difference remained significant on POD 1.

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory study, we found no change in transfusion requirements after CPB despite FEIBA administration.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database: 2022 Update on Outcomes and Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database continues to be one of the most comprehensive clinical outcomes registries capturing almost all pediatric cardiothoracic surgical operations undertaken in the United States. The latest analysis of aggregate outcomes was performed after the 33rd data harvest and included congenital and pediatric cardiac operations performed between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2021. This article summarizes these contemporary outcomes and provides a context for the interpretation of these outcomes. In addition this article describes ongoing efforts to improve data collection and augment analytical approaches. Finally, research activities undertaken in the last year using data from the database are also summarized.

Variation in Case-Mix Across Hospitals: Analysis of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database

BACKGROUND

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database was queried to document variation of patient characteristics, procedure types, and programmatic case-mix.

METHODS

All index cardiac operations in patients less than 18 years of age in the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database (July 2016 to June 2020) were eligible for inclusion except patients weighing ≤2.5 kg undergoing isolated patent ductus arteriosus closure. At the hospital level, we describe variations in patient and procedural characteristics known from previous analyses to be associated with outcomes. We also report variations across hospitals of programmatic case-mix.

RESULTS

Data were analyzed from 117 sites (90 322 total operations, 87 296 total index cardiac operations eligible for STAT [STS-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery] 2020 Mortality Score). The median annual total index cardiac operations eligible for STAT 2020 Mortality Score per hospital was 157 (interquartile range [IQR], 94-276). Wide variability was documented in total annual index cardiac operations eligible for STAT 2020 Mortality Score per hospital (ratio 90th/10th percentile = 9.01), operations in neonates weighing <2.5 kg (ratio 90th/10th percentile = 4.09), operations in patients with noncardiac anatomic abnormalities (ratio 90th/10th percentile = 3.46), and operations in patients with preoperative mechanical ventilation (ratio 90th/10th percentile = 3.97). At the hospital level, the median percentage of all index cardiac operations in STAT 2020 Mortality Category 5 was 3.7% (IQR, 1.7%-4.9%), the median percentage of all index cardiac operations in STAT 2020 Mortality Category 4 or 5 was 24.4% (IQR, 19.0%-28.4%), the median hospital-specific mean STAT Mortality Category was 2.39 (IQR, 2.20-2.47), and the median hospital-specific mean STAT Mortality Score was 0.86 (IQR, 0.73-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial variation of patient characteristics, procedure types, and case-mix exists across pediatric and congenital cardiac surgical programs. Knowledge about programmatic case-mix augments data about indirectly standardized programmatic observed-to-expected (O/E) mortality. Indirectly standardized O/E ratios do not provide a complete description of a given pediatric and congenital cardiac surgical program. The indirectly standardized programmatic O/E ratios associated with a given program apply only to its specific case-mix of patients and may represent a quite different case-mix than that of another program.

Development of a Novel Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Congenital Mortality Risk Model

BACKGROUND

Operative mortality risk models for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) undergoing cardiac operations are essential, given the growing population of these patients, yet they are currently unavailable. Existing adult Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) models exclude congenital procedures, whereas existing congenital models exclude operations for acquired disease. We aimed to develop an STS mortality risk model for ACHD patients undergoing cardiac operations.

METHODS

Leveraging a comprehensive list of diagnostic and procedure codes, ACHD patients who underwent cardiac operations were identified from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (versions: v2.73, v2.81, and v2.9) between 2011 and 2019. The model was developed and validated in the ACHD population using a 60/40 development/validation split. Univariate analyses and clinical expertise informed the addition of ACHD-relevant procedure and diagnosis variables to existing STS adult risk model variables. Model performance was assessed overall and in 38 subgroups based on patient demographics, procedures, and diagnoses.

RESULTS

Forty-seven procedure and diagnosis variables relevant to ACHD were added to existing STS adult risk model variables. The derived ACHD model for operative mortality was well calibrated within demographic, procedural, and diagnosis subgroups and the overall ACHD population, and discrimination in the validation cohort was excellent (C statistic, 0.815) compared with the model using only existing STS adult risk model variables (C statistic, 0.79; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A novel, high-performing STS ACHD mortality risk model has been developed on the basis of contemporary patient data. The ACHD risk model represents an important expansion of the STS portfolio. Implementation with an online risk calculator is planned.

Outcomes of Treatment for Infective Endocarditis Following Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Recipients of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) have shown increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE). Little is known about the outcomes of different management strategies, particularly surgery, for IE after TPVR.

METHODS

We queried the Pediatric Health Information System database for cases of IE after TPVR performed from 2010-2020. We described patient demographics, hospital courses, admission complications, and treatment outcomes based on therapy offered, surgical or medical only. We compared outcomes of initial therapy. Data are expressed as median or percent.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine cases of IE were identified, accounting for 98 related hospital admissions; 29% of patients recorded IE-related readmissions. Of those readmitted after initial medical therapy only, 33% had relapse IE. Rates of surgery were 22% during initial admission and 36% overall. Likelihood of surgical intervention increased with each subsequent admission. Renal and respiratory failure were more common in those given initial surgery. Mortality rate was 4.3% overall and 8% in the surgical cohort.

CONCLUSION

Initial medical therapy may result in relapses/readmissions and possible delay of surgical therapy, which appears to be most effective for treatment of IE. For those treated only medically, a more aggressive course of therapy may be more likely to prevent relapse. Mortality following surgical therapy for IE after TPVR appears higher than reported for surgical pulmonary valve replacement generally.

Development of the Residual Lesion Score for congenital heart surgery: the RAND Delphi methodology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The Residual Lesion Score is a novel tool for assessing the achievement of surgical objectives in congenital heart surgery based on widely available clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. This article describes the methodology used to develop the Residual Lesion Score from the previously developed Technical Performance Score for five common congenital cardiac procedures using the RAND Delphi methodology.

METHODS

A panel of 11 experts from the field of paediatric and congenital cardiology and cardiac surgery, 2 co-chairs, and a consultant were assembled to review and comment on validity and feasibility of measuring the sub-components of intraoperative and discharge Residual Lesion Score for five congenital cardiac procedures. In the first email round, the panel reviewed and commented on the Residual Lesion Score and provided validity and feasibility scores for sub-components of each of the five procedures. In the second in-person round, email comments and scores were reviewed and the Residual Lesion Score revised. The modified Residual Lesion Score was scored independently by each panellist for validity and feasibility and used to develop the "final" Residual Lesion Score.

RESULTS

The Residual Lesion Score sub-components with a median validity score of ≥7 and median feasibility score of ≥4 that were scored without disagreement and with low absolute deviation from the median were included in the "final" Residual Lesion Score.

CONCLUSION

Using the RAND Delphi methodology, we were able to develop Residual Lesion Score modules for five important congenital cardiac procedures for the Pediatric Heart Network's Residual Lesion Score study.

Methylprednisolone for Heart Surgery in Infants - A Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Although perioperative prophylactic glucocorticoids have been used for decades, whether they improve outcomes in infants after heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, registry-based trial involving infants (<1 year of age) undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at 24 sites participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database. Registry data were used in the evaluation of outcomes. The infants were randomly assigned to receive prophylactic methylprednisolone (30 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo, which was administered into the cardiopulmonary-bypass pump-priming fluid. The primary end point was a ranked composite of death, heart transplantation, or any of 13 major complications. Patients without any of these events were assigned a ranked outcome based on postoperative length of stay. In the primary analysis, the ranked outcomes were compared between the trial groups with the use of odds ratios adjusted for prespecified risk factors. Secondary analyses included an unadjusted odds ratio, a win ratio, and safety outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1263 infants underwent randomization, of whom 1200 received either methylprednisolone (599 infants) or placebo (601 infants). The likelihood of a worse outcome did not differ significantly between the methylprednisolone group and the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 1.05; P = 0.14). Secondary analyses (unadjusted for risk factors) showed an odds ratio for a worse outcome of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.00) and a win ratio of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.32) in the methylprednisolone group as compared with the placebo group, findings suggestive of a benefit with methylprednisolone; however, patients in the methylprednisolone group were more likely than those in the placebo group to receive postoperative insulin for hyperglycemia (19.0% vs. 6.7%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among infants undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, prophylactic use of methylprednisolone did not significantly reduce the likelihood of a worse outcome in an adjusted analysis and was associated with postoperative development of hyperglycemia warranting insulin in a higher percentage of infants than placebo. (Funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and others; STRESS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03229538.).

German Registry for Cardiac Operations and Interventions in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease: Report 2021 and 9 Years' Longitudinal Observations on Fallot and Coarctation Patients

BACKGROUND

 The annual report of the German Quality Assurance of Congenital Heart Disease displays a broad overview on outcome of interventional and surgical treatment with respect to patient's age and risk categorization. Particular features of the German all-comers registry are the inclusion of all interventional and surgical procedures, the possibility to record repeated treatments with distinct individual patient assignment, and to record various procedures within one case.

METHODS

 International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code terminology for diagnoses and procedures as well as classified adverse events, also recording of demographic data, key procedural performance indicators, and key quality indicators (mortality, adverse event rates). Surgical and interventional adverse events were classified according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and to the Congenital Heart Disease Adjustment for Risk Method of the congenital cardiac catheterization project on outcomes. Annual analysis of all cases and additional long-term evaluation of patients after repair of Fallot and primary treatment of native coarctation of the aorta were performed.

RESULTS

 In 2020, 5,532 patients with 6,051 cases (hospital stays) with 6,986 procedures were treated in 23 German institutions. Cases dispense on 618 newborns (10.2%), 1,532 infants (25.3%), 3,077 children (50.9%), and 824 adults (13.6%). Freedom from adverse events was 94.5% in 2,795 interventional cases, 67.9% in 2,887 surgical cases, and 42.9% in 336 cases with multiple procedures (without considering the 33 hybrid interventions). In-hospital mortality was 0.5% in interventional, 1.6% in surgical, and 5.7% in cases with multiple treatments. Long-term observation of 1,632 patient after repair of Fallot depicts the impact of previous palliation in 18% of the patients on the rate of 20.8% redo cases. Differentiated analysis of 1,864 patients with native coarctation picture clear differences of patient, age, and procedure selection and outcome. The overall redo procedure rate in this patient population is high with 30.8%.

CONCLUSION

 Improvement in quality of care requires detailed analysis of risks, performance indicators, and outcomes. The high necessity of redo procedures in patients with complex congenital heart disease underlines the imperative need of long-term observations.

Cangrelor Dosing and Monitoring for Prevention of Acute Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunt Thrombosis in Neonates

OBJECTIVE

Systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts are amongst the most common palliative procedures performed in neonates with congenital heart defects. These procedures require immediate postoperative thromboprophylaxis to prevent life-threatening shunt thrombosis. The novel use of intravenous P2Y12 platelet receptor antagonists has led to a need for dosing recommendations and monitoring. This study aims to determine cangrelor dosing in neonates through laboratory assessment of P2Y12 receptor reactivity and adverse events.

METHODS

Observational retrospective cohort study on the use of cangrelor for thromboprophylaxis in the immediate postoperative period of neonates undergoing placement of systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts in a tertiary children's hospital from March 2020 to March 2021.

RESULTS

Ten neonates receiving cangrelor post systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt placement were included in the study. Median age and weight were 4 days (IQR, 2.75–5.25) and 3.49 kg (IQR, 3.1–3.75), respectively. Five (50%) patients received a 3.5-mm shunt, while the remaining patients received a 4-mm shunt. For thrombin inhibition, 5 (50%) patients received heparin and 5 (50%) received bivalirudin. Median cangrelor dose was 0.1 mcg/kg/min (IQR, 0.1–0.1). Median achieved P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) at this cangrelor dose was 127.5 (IQR, 72.5–173.75). No shunt thrombosis occurred in these patients; however, there was 1 minor hemorrhagic event.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that a cangrelor dose of 0.1 mcg/kg/min is associated with therapeutic PRU and prevents shunt thrombosis in neonates post systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt, with minimal hemorrhagic complications.

Team Communication and Expectations Following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Multi-Disciplinary Survey

Patients and families desire an accurate understanding of the expected recovery following congenital cardiac surgery. Variation in knowledge and expectations within the care team may be under-recognized and impact communication and care delivery. Our objective was to assess knowledge of common postoperative milestones and perceived efficacy of communication with patients and families and within the care team. An 18-question survey measuring knowledge of expected milestones for recovery after four index operations and team communication in the postoperative period was distributed electronically to multidisciplinary care team members at 16 academic pediatric heart centers. Answers were compared to local median data for each respondent's heart center to assess accuracy and stratified by heart center role and years of experience. We obtained 874 responses with broad representation of disciplines. More than half of all respondent predictions (55.3%) did not match their local median data. Percent matching did not vary by care team role but improved with increasing experience (35.8% < 2 years vs. 46.4% > 10 years, p = 0.2133). Of all respondents, 62.7% expressed confidence discussing the anticipated postoperative course, 78.6% denoted confidence discussing postoperative complications, and 55.3% conveyed that not all members of their care team share a common expectation for typical postoperative recovery. Most respondents (94.6%) stated that increased knowledge of local data would positively impact communication. Confidence in communication exceeded accuracy in predicting the timing of postoperative milestones. Important variation in knowledge and expectations for postoperative recovery in pediatric cardiac surgery exists and may impact communication and clinical effectiveness.

Fast-tracking with continuous thoracic epidural analgesia in paediatric congenital heart surgeries: an institutional experience

Objective

To assess the success of fast-tracking in infants and small children undergoing paediatric cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia with continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).

Methodology

It is a retrospective study at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 461 children, aged 12 years or younger, were operated for congenital heart disease over a 2-year period from January 2018 to December 2019. After the exclusion of 71 patients, data from the remaining 390 patients were analysed.

Measurements and main results

The median time for extubation after intensive care unit admission was 2 h and 25 min (0-20 h). Extubation within 6 h was achieved in 215 patients (~ 55%). Patients in the early extubation group had significantly shorter hospital stay (4.1 ± 2.3 vs 6.9 ± 3.9 days, p = 0.004) than patients in the ventilated group. Reintubation was required in 27 (6.9%) patients. Thirteen patients died postoperatively on ventilator. Patients with low nadir temperature intraoperatively and cardiopulmonary bypass time > 90 min significantly predicted failure in fast-tracking with an odds ratio (OR) = 1.27; CI: 1.18-1.38 and OR = 2.3; CI: 1.8-2.96 respectively. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery mortality score, younger age, Down syndrome and high vasopressor inotropic score did not adversely affect early extubation, contrary to contemporary concerns.

Conclusions

A multimodal approach for perioperative pain relief and sedation consisting of propofol and dexmedetomidine infusion along with TEA ensures early extubation in 59% of the cases undergoing paediatric cardiac surgery. Our data suggests that fast-tracking is feasible with safe and superior outcomes in a subset of appropriate patients undergoing paediatric cardiac surgery.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-022-01373-8.

Management Options for Congenitally Corrected Transposition: Which, When, and for Whom?

Management strategies for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) historically consisted of a physiologic repair, resulting in the morphologic right ventricle (mRV) supporting systemic circulation. This strategy persisted despite the development of heart failure by middle age because of the reasonable short-term outcomes, and the natural history of some patients with favorable anatomy (felt to demonstrate the mRV's ability to function in the long-term), and due to the less-than-optimal outcomes associated with anatomical repair. As outcomes with anatomical repair improved, and the long-term risk of systemic mRV dysfunction became apparent, more have begun to realize its advantages. In addition to the decision on whether or not to pursue anatomical repair, and the optimal timing, studies demonstrating the nuance to morphologic left ventricle retraining have demonstrated its feasibility. Further considerations in ccTGA have begun to be better understood, including: the management of a poorly functioning mRV, systemic tricuspid valve regurgitation, the utility of morphologic left ventricle outflow tract obstruction (native or surgically created) and pacing strategies. While some considerations are apparent: biventricular pacing is superior to univentricular, tricuspid regurgitation must be managed early with either progression towards anatomical repair (pulmonary artery banding if needed for retraining) or tricuspid replacement (not repair) based on the patient's age; others remain to be completely elucidated. Overall, the heterogeneity of ccTGA, as well as the unique presentation with each patient regarding ventricular and valvular function and center-to-center variability in management strategies has made the interpretation of published data difficult. That said, more recent long-term outcomes favor anatomical repair in most situations.

Outcomes of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Trait Following Congenital Heart Disease Surgery

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy which can cause multi-organ dysfunction. The objective of our paper was to assess the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease who had either SCD or sickle cell trait (SCT).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients with SCD and SCT who had records in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database between 2014 and 2019. The primary outcome was operative mortality; secondary outcomes included post-operative complications. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed between the SCD and SCT groups and the control group for further analysis.

RESULTS

Our study population consisted of 73, 411, and 36501 patients in the SCD, SCT, and control groups respectively. Median age at surgery in years (25-75% interquartile range) was 2.8(0.4, 9.7), 0.60(0.2, 3.1), and 0.70(0.2, 6.4) years in the SCD, SCT, and control cohort respectively. Operative mortality, surgery duration, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and cross clamp time were not significantly different among the three groups. The SCD group had a higher rate of post-surgical cardiac arrest than its propensity score matched control group (5.5% vs 0%, p<0.05); otherwise there were no statistically significant differences in the outcomes between the SCD and SCT groups and their respective matched control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Operative mortality following cardiothoracic procedures in patients with SCD and SCT appeared similar to our control patients. While these patients may require unique peri-operative management, they can undergo cardiac surgery without an observed increase in mortality.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Perfusion Modalities in Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery Patients

BACKGROUND

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effects of perfusion modalities on cerebral hemodynamics, vital organ injury, quantified by the Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 (PELOD-2) Score, and clinical outcomes in risk-stratified congenital cardiac surgery patients.

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial included 159 consecutive congenital cardiac surgery patients in whom pulsatile (n = 83) or nonpulsatile (n = 76) perfusion was used. Cerebral hemodynamics were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Multiple organ injury was quantified using the PELOD-2 score at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Clinical outcomes, including intubation time, intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and mortality, were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The Pulsatility Index at the middle cerebral artery and in the arterial line during aortic cross-clamping was consistently better maintained in the pulsatile group. Demographics and cardiopulmonary bypass characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. While risk stratification with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Mortality Categories was similar between the groups, Mortality Categories 1 to 3 demonstrated more patients than Mortality Categories 4 and 5. There were no differences in clinical outcomes between the groups. The PELOD-2 scores showed a progressive improvement from 24 hours to 72 hours, but the results were not statistically different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The Pulsatillity Index for the pulsatile group demonstrated a more physiologic pattern compared with the nonpulsatile group. While pulsatile perfusion did not increase plasma-free hemoglobin levels or microemboli delivery, it also did not demonstrate any improvements in clinical outcomes or PELOD-2 scores, suggesting that while pulsatile perfusion is a safe method, it not a "magic bullet" for congenital cardiac operations.

Risk Stratification for Congenital Heart Surgery for ICD-10 Administrative Data (RACHS-2)

BACKGROUND

As the cardiac community strives to improve outcomes, accurate methods of risk stratification are imperative. Since adoption of International Classification of Disease-10th Revision (ICD-10) in 2015, there is no published method for congenital heart surgery risk stratification for administrative data.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to develop an empirically derived, publicly available Risk Stratification for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-2) tool for ICD-10 administrative data.

METHODS

The RACHS-2 stratification system was iteratively and empirically refined in a training dataset of Pediatric Health Information Systems claims to optimize sensitivity and specificity compared with corresponding locally held Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Congenital Heart Surgery (STS-CHS) clinical registry data. The tool was validated in a second administrative data source: New York State Medicaid claims. Logistic regression was used to compare the ability of RACHS-2 in administrative data to predict operative mortality vs STAT Mortality Categories in registry data.

RESULTS

The RACHS-2 system captured 99.6% of total congenital heart surgery registry cases, with 1.0% false positives. RACHS-2 predicted operative mortality in both training and validation administrative datasets similarly to STAT Mortality Categories in registry data. C-statistics for models for operative mortality in training and validation administrative datasets-adjusted for RACHS-2-were 0.76 and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72-0.80 and 0.80-0.89); C-statistics for models for operative mortality-adjusted for STAT Mortality Categories-in corresponding clinical registry data were 0.75 and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79 and 0.79-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

RACHS-2 is a risk stratification system for pediatric cardiac surgery for ICD-10 administrative data, validated in 2 administrative-registry-linked datasets. Statistical code is publicly available upon request.

Mortality Prediction Following Cardiac Surgery in Children - An STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database Analysis

BACKGROUND

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS CHSD) provides risk-adjusted operative mortality rates to approximately 120 North American congenital heart centers. Optimal case-mix adjustment methods for operative mortality risk prediction in this population remain unclear.

METHODS

A panel created diagnosis-procedure (D-P) combinations of encounters in the CHSD. Models for operative mortality using the new D-P categories, procedure-specific risk factors, and syndromes/abnormalities included in the CHSD were estimated using Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) and lasso models. Performance of the new models was compared to the current STS-CHSD risk model.

RESULTS

Of 98,825 operative encounters (69,063 training; 29,762 testing), 2,818 (2.85%) STS-defined operative mortalities were observed. Differences in sensitivity, specificity, true and false positive predicted values were negligible across models. Calibration for mortality predictions at the higher end of risk from the lasso and BART models was better than predictions from the STS-CHSD model, likely due to new models' inclusion of diagnosis-palliative procedure variables affecting < 1% of patients overall, but accounting for 27% of mortalities. Model discrimination varied across models for high-risk procedures, hospital volume, and hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall performance of the new models did not differ meaningfully from the STS-CHSD risk model. Addition of procedure-specific risk factors and allowing diagnosis to modify predicted risk for palliative operations may augment model performance for very high-risk surgeries. Given the importance of risk adjustment in estimating hospital quality, a comparative assessment of surgical program quality evaluations using the different models is warranted.

Are outcomes in congenital cardiac surgery better than ever?

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital defect among infants born in the United States. Within the first year of life, 1 in 4 of these infants will need surgery. Only one generation removed from an overall mortality of 14%, many changes have been introduced into the field. Have these changes measurably improved outcomes?

METHODS

The literature search was conducted through PubMed MEDLINE and Google Scholar from inception to October 31, 2021. Ultimately, 78 publications were chosen for inclusion.

RESULTS

The outcome of overall mortality has experienced continuous improvements in the modern era of the specialty despite the performance of more technically demanding surgeries on patients with complex comorbidities. This modality does not account for case-mix, however. In turn, clinical outcomes have not been consistent from center to center. Furthermore, variation in practice between institutions has also been documented. A recurring theme in the literature is a movement toward standardization and universalization. Examples include mortality risk-stratification that has allowed direct comparison of outcomes between programs and improved definitions of morbidities which provide an enhanced framework for diagnosis and management.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall mortality is now below 3%, which suggests that more patients are surviving their interventions than in any previous era in congenital cardiac surgery. Focus has transitioned from survival to improving the quality of life in the survivors by decreasing the incidence of morbidity and associated long-term effects. With the transformation toward standardization and interinstitutional collaboration, future advancements are expected.

Assessment of Current STS Data Elements for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

To identify opportunities for enhanced ACHD data collection, a structured review of existing variables in the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD) and the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) was conducted.

METHODS

A working group was assembled representing multiple STS Workforces and Task Forces. The ACSD was reviewed systematically over eight 90 minute calls. ACSD version 4.20.2 and CHSD version 3.41 were used, and the ACSD was approached in sections. ACSD variables were classified as either: 1) represented in identical form in the CHSD (no further discussion), 2) represented in similar form in the CHSD (discussed for potential harmonization of definitions), or 3) not represented in the CHSD (discussed for potential inclusion). Variables felt to be relevant to ACHD were noted, and special consideration was given to STS required fields and variables utilized in existing STS adult risk models. Other factors that were examined were the frequency, utilization, and capture of existing ACSD variables.

RESULTS

Over 22 weeks (8 calls), the existing 1069 variables in version 4.20.2 of the ACSD were discussed. Ultimately, 539 total variables were found to be both 1) relevant to ACHD and 2) not currently collected in the CHSD. These were recommended for inclusion in the next CHSD upgrade for patients older than 18 years.

CONCLUSIONS

For adult patients having case records entered into the CHSD, the inclusion of a limited set of additional data fields from the ACSD should enhance capture of co-morbidities and other clinical data relevant to the ACHD population.

Psychosocial Impact of Congenital Heart Diseases on Patients and Their Families: A Parent's Perspective

BACKGROUND

Currently, over 90% of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive into adulthood. As a consequence the psychosocial impact on children and their families has become an important outcome measure. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial impact from a parent's perspective and to identify possible predictors.

METHODS

We included all parents of children who underwent open-heart surgery in the years 2010 and 2011 at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at University Hospital Heidelberg and invited them to complete standardized questionnaires. Psychosocial outcome was measured via parent self- and proxy reporting of family burden (Family Burden Questionnaire, FaBel), health-related quality of life (KidScreen-10), developmental problems (Five-to-Fifteen, FTF), and mental health problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ).

RESULTS

In total, 113 families returned the questionnaires completely (71.5%). The Aristotle Basic Complexity score and the STAT 2020 Score overall did not predict the psychosocial impact, whereas the number of surgical operations did significantly predict psychosocial impact across all domains in this study cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the number of surgical operations might be a relevant predictor for the long-term psychosocial impact on families suffering from CHD and a potential connecting factor for specialized psychological support. When setting up screening instruments or support programs the entire family must be considered.