One-Stage Repair of an Interrupted Aortic Arch with an Aortopulmonary Window in a Premature Neonate

Results and Complications After Single-Stage Repair of Aortopulmonary Window and Interrupted Aortic Arch in a 32-Week Preterm and a Full-Term Neonate

BACKGROUND An aortopulmonary window (APW) is an uncommon congenital defect of the septation between the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. The combination of APW and interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is even rarer, with the hallmark characteristics of high peri-operative mortality and postoperative obstruction of the aortic arch, pulmonary artery, and left main bronchus. These complications often need re-interventions. CASE REPORT We present 2 cases with diagnoses of APW and IAA that were treated with single-stage repair. Case 1: A male 32-week premature newborn (weight 1789 g) had APW type I and IAA type A. He had severe postoperative aortic arch obstruction on postoperative day 1, and we re-intervened promptly. He was still asymptomatic after 6 years. Case 2: A male term neonate had APW type III and IAA type A. He had left vocal cord paralysis and left bronchial compression postoperatively. We applied prolonged noninvasive respiratory supports. The complications resolved without re-intervention on postoperative day 66. Progressive arch stenosis at anastomosis after operation required close follow-up with echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS These 2 reports highlight the feasibility of single-stage surgical repair while addressing 2 challenges: (1) Recurrent arch stenosis: Lower body weight and direct end-to-side anastomosis without patch augmentation could be risk factors for re-intervention. (2) Bronchial compression: Presentation of the second reported case implied that bronchial compression may not warrant immediate re-intervention unless there is complete obstruction, persistent atelectasis, or recurrent infection. Further studies on long-term outcomes of different surgical procedure would help us to clarify the proper way to avoid re-intervention.

Berry syndrome; a successful one-stage repair in neonate periods, evaluation result after 9 years, a case report

Backgroud

IAA with an intact ventricular septum is distinctly unusual. Combination with an Aortopulmonary Window (APW), ascending aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery and PDA may be present which is called as Berry syndrome, a rare combination of cardiac anomalies, reported to be 0.046%, lethal combination and die shortly after birth.

Case Report

We report a 9 days-old male neonates weighing 3.85 kg was referred by local hospital to our center and was ventilated with history of respiratory distress and severe infection since he was born. Admitted to our PCICU, 2D echo showed an IAA type A associated with a huge APW type II and restrictif PDA. A PGE1 infusion was started, during the following days the baby experienced several epileptic episodes. After improvement of the clinical condition, surgery was performed on the 20th days of life on year 2011. A successful one-stage repair of such anomalies in which cutting of PDA that arised from PA trunk and distally becoming into descending aorta, extended end to end anastomosis to conduct the ascending aortic blood flow into the descending aorta and intra arterial baffle was used. A 4-0 Gore-Tex baffle was used both to close the APW and separated the RPA from aortic origin with a good result, as his recently grown up as a cheerful 9 year old child who is growing actively and has entered elementary school in grade 2.

Conclusion

Berry syndrome is a rare but well‐identified and surgically correctable anomaly. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment to avoid irreversible pulmonary hypertension is mandatory.

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Berry syndrome, a rare combination of cardiac anomalies, reported to be 0.046%, lethal combination and die shortly after birth. But well‐identified and surgically correctable anomaly.

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Early diagnosis and surgical treatment to avoid irreversible pulmonary hypertension is mandatory.

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Successful one-stage repair was done in a 20-days-old neonate using an alternative technique without circulatory arrest (performed on year 2011).

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Currently on year 2021, (after 9 years of evaluation) the patient has grown up as a cheerful 9 year old child who is growing actively and has entered elementary school in grade 2.

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During this patient last follow up on March 2019 at NCHHK Pediatric Cardiology clinic, echo result showed no residual AP Window, minimal pressure gradient of 18 mmHg across the aortic reconstruction with good LV function of 70%, good RV function, intact inter atrial & ventricular septum with TVG 20 mmHg. The latest echo follow up with the pediatric cardiologist showed good LV function with EF of 70%, no residual pumnonary hypertension was detected.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of aortopulmonary window: Our single-center experience

Background

In this study, we aimed to report our single-center experience in aortopulmonary window and review clinical signs, symptoms, surgical correction techniques, and long-term outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a total of 30 patients who were followed with the diagnosis of aortopulmonary window in our hospital between May 1998 and June 2016. The clinical characteristics of the patients, echocardiographic and angiographic findings, surgical treatment outcomes, and medical problems during follow-up were reviewed.

Results

The most common signs and symptoms were murmur, dyspnea, tachypnea, growth retardation, and signs of congestive heart failure. The mean age at the time of surgery was 8.2±14.4 months (7 days to 60 months). Eighteen patients (60%) had additional congenital cardiac anomalies. Eleven patients had simple congenital heart diseases, and seven patients had complex congenital heart diseases. Four patients were unable to be operated due to Eisenmenger syndrome (n=3) and complex congenital heart disease (n=1). No early or late postoperative death was observed. The mean follow-up was 6.4±4.8 years (range, 5 months to 16 years). In addition to aortopulmonary window repair, an additional cardiac anomaly modifying surgical intervention was corrected in nine patients (34.6%). One patient was reoperated for residual aortopulmonary window and another patient for pulmonary stenosis (valvular, supravalvar) after three years. One of these patients underwent pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty after two years. The reoperation rate was 7.7% (n=2) during follow-up.

Conclusion

Aortopulmonary window is a rare cardiac anomaly which may be overlooked by echocardiographic study, and which is amenable for repair with low-surgical risk. It is, therefore, imperative to diagnose and treat this condition, before pulmonary vascular disease develops.