Percutaneous Closure of Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in a Child Using a Patent Ductus Arteriosus Device

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is rare, although if left untreated, potentially fatal disease. Surgical approach has been the main treatment in most series; nevertheless, percutaneous closure has been described in selected cases. We report a 5-year-old boy presenting with rapid clinical deterioration who underwent percutaneous closure using a patent ductus arteriosus device, with the resolution of symptoms. Descriptions of this technique being utilized in children are infrequent in the literature.

Bailout procedure in obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage

Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a rare and diverse anomaly, accounting for 1% to 3% of patients with congenital heart disease. Newborns with diagnosis of an obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous dainage are extremely ill soon after birth and often present with severe cyanosis, pulmonary hypertension and low cardiac output requiring urgent surgical intervention. Transcatheter palliative stenting of the obstructive vertical vein can be an acceptable alternative as a bailout intervention before complete surgical correction is undertaken. This report of two cases highlights the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of the interventional palliative procedure and confirms that this technique can be an acceptable and attractive bridge in the algorithm of medical decisions during the evaluation of these critical patients.

Percutaneous closure of the patent ductus arteriosus using the Nit-Occlud PDA-R (reverse) device: initial experience reporting immediate and short-term results

PURPOSE

To review the initial clinical outcomes of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure using the new Nit-Occlud PDA-R device (NOPDA-R).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The NOPDA-R is a self-expandable, nitinol-made, premounted and cone-shaped device with two distinctive features: reverse reconfiguration of the distal disc and a peculiar "snare-like" release mechanism. From May to December 2010, 20 consecutive patients were included.

RESULTS

Median age was 4.7 years (range, 6 months to 21 years) and weight was 16.4 kg (range, 6-49 kg). Mean PDA diameter at its narrowest point, usually the pulmonary end, was 2.92 ± 0.61 mm (range, 2.1-4.5 mm), length was 7.05 ± 1.17 mm (range, 4.7-9.2 mm) and diameter of the aortic ampulla was 9.52 ± 1.62 mm (range, 6-13 mm). Pulmonary artery mean pressure was 20.6 ± 4.49 mmHg (range, 14-28 mmHg) and Qp/Qs ratio was 2.0 ± 0.29 (range, 1.6- 2.5). Implantation success rate was 100%. The median cylinder diameter of the device was 6.53 ± 1.05 mm (range, 5.5-8.5 mm) leading to a final selected device 124% larger (cylinder diameter) than the narrowest PDA diameter. Assessed by transthoracic color-Doppler echocardiography at 24 hours, 1 month, and 3 months after implantation, complete closure was achieved in 60%, 90%, and 95% of patients, respectively. There were no complications and all patients were discharged home the next day.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous PDA closure using the new NOPDA-R device was feasible, safe, and effective. Longer follow-up time and a larger number of patients are required to assess long-term performance.

[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in nine pediatric intensive care units of the Argentine Republic]

INTRODUCTION

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a common setting in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). There are very few reports or publications that evaluate the form of CPR administered in children.

OBJECTIVES

1) Identify the etiology and epidemiology of the CPR in the PICU. 2) Describe how to conduct CPR. 3) Describe the drugs used. 4) Knowing the patient outcomes. 5) Knowing CPR training of physicians in the PICU.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All children with cardiopulmonary arrest who were resuscitated in the PICU between 01/04/2004- 31/03/2005. A prospective cohort study.

RESULTS

There were 2065 admissions in nine 9 PICU and CPR was conducted in 132 patients (6.39%). Most common etiologies of PCR were hypoxia and hypotension (65.9% of total). The initial rates of PCR were 43.94% bradycardia, asystolia 43.18%, 9.85% ventricular arrhythmias. The average beginning of time of CPR was 0.08 minutes (SD 0.25) and the average total duration was 25.91 minutes (SD 18.56). Patients who require drugs were 131. The number (mean) dose of adrenaline was 4.03 (SD 2.78). Increased number of doses of adrenaline was associated with less chance of recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), OR 0.48 95% CI 0.37-0.63. (p= 0.000). The duration of CPR was inversely associated and significantly related to achieve ROSC, OR 0.93 95% CI 0.87-0.99. One hundred and four (78.79%) patients died and 28 survived. All survived were discharged from PICU, but 26 from hospital. In 22 patients there were not evidence of severe neurological damage when discharged home.

CONCLUSIONS

Most common etiologies of PCR were hypoxia and shock. Most children received drugs. The drugs most used were the association adrenaline-bicarbonate and adrenaline alone. The chances of recovery were not favorable when CPR was conducted for over sixty minutes or more than six doses of adrenaline were given, without response. CPR in PICU children has a high mortality. Most patients discharged from hospital, had neurological normal state or slight disability. PICU physicians were highly trained in CPR with resuscitation courses.