[Surgical strategies in Ebstein anomaly: 28 years' experience in a pediatric hospital]

Objectives

Ebstein anomaly is a congenital defect characterized by a lack of delamination and apical displacement of the tricuspid valve, tricuspid insufficiency, right atrial enlargement, and ventricular dysfunction. To analyze the results and evolution of the different surgical strategies, data were collected from 45 patients operated on during 1990-2018. Twenty-six patients were included with a median age at initial surgery of 11.3 years (range: 13 days-18.6 years).

Method

Procedures were plastic 10 patients (38%), cone technique reconstruction 11 (42%), and replacement 5 (19%). Additional interventions were required in 7 patients: cavo-pulmonary anastomosis 4 and Cox-maze 4. Nine patients (34.6%) required reoperation due to severe tricuspid insufficiency. Six had previous plastic, two bioprothesis, and one, cone.

Results

Overall mortality was 11.5% (3)at a median of 10.1 years post-surgery (range: 5.7-10.12) associated with arrhythmias (p = 0.05), right (p = 0.008), left (p = 0.0001) ventricular dysfunction and reoperations (p = 0.03). None were previous conus. Median follow-up was 6.5 years (range: 1-29.1). Ninety-one-point-six percent were in functional class I/II and 79.2% in sinus rhythm.

Conclusions

The results of the different classic techniques were similar, although not free of complications and reoperations. Cone reconstruction proved to be effective, with low surgical mortality, less need for reoperations, and durability in the medium term.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries outcomes of different surgical techniques in a paediatric population: A single-centre report

BACKGROUND

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is a complex pathology characterised by atrioventricular and ventriculo-arterial discordance. Optimal surgical approaches are still a matter of debate.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of different surgical treatments in a single centre.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2020, 89 patients were studied. The cohort was divided into three groups: physiologic, anatomic, and univentricular repair.

RESULT

Physiologic correction (56.18%) was associated with significant tricuspid valve regurgitation progress (42%) and complete AV block (30%) compared to anatomic repair. Right ventricular systolic dysfunction was developed in 14%. Instead, anatomic correction (30.34%) (double switch 59% and Rastelli type 40.7%) presented moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (4%) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (11%). Complete AV block was developed in 14.8%. Rate of reintervention was 34% for physiologic and 26% for anatomic. Univentricular palliation (13.8%) presented no complications or late mortality during the follow-up. The overall survival at 5 and 10 years, respectively, was 80% (95% CI 69, 87) and 75% (95% CI 62, 84). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the groups (p log-rank = 0.5752).

CONCLUSION

Management of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries remains a challenge. In this cohort, outcomes after physiologic repair were satisfactory in spite of the progression of tricuspid regurgitation and the high incidence of AV block. Anatomic repair improved tricuspid regurgitation but increased the risk of aortic regurgitation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The Fontan group showed the lowest incidence of complications.

[Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis in a child: a case report]

INTRODUCTION

the incidence of invasive infections caused by pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) has declined since generalized vaccination with pneumococcal conjugated vaccine, but it is still a prevalent pathogen in children. Amongst pneumococcal invasive infections, IE (infectious endocarditis) is rare, with an incidence between 1 and 7%.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a previously healthy 4 year old boy, who had received one dose of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine who presents with fever, a new heart murmur and heart failure. Blood cultures were posi tive for penicillin susceptible pneumococcus. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed tricuspid and pulmonary valve vegetations. The patient received 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment for pneumo-coccal IE. He presented secondary valve damage that needed surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

IE should be considered as a differential diagnosis of children presenting with fever and a newly diag nosed heart murmur, and pneumococcus as an etiologic agent in non hospitalized febrile patients with severe infections.

[Endovascular intervention in Takayasu Arteritis. Case report]

A four year old patient with no medical history was admitted to our hospital's Emergency Department, suffering from edema and hypertension. During physical examination a low pulse was detected in the left arm and a lack of pulses in lower limbs, with a blood pressure difference greater than 10 mm Hg between both arms. An echocardiogram demonstrated severe aortic abdominal coarctation and ventricular dysfunction. Takayasu arteritis was diagnosed and cardiac angiography was performed. Disconnection of left subclavian artery and severe tightness at the abdominal aorta were confirmed. The definitive diagnosis was Takayasu arteritis. Angioplasty with stent was performed in abdominal aorta, with good subsequent results. The pulses improved in the lower limbs, and normal blood pressure values without gradient between all members were registered. The echocardiogram improved ventricular function and the gradient in the coarctation area was significantly reduced.

Unique combination of atrioventricular septal defect with cor triatriatum and complete vascular ring

Atrioventricular septal defect can present with one or more associated anomalies. Cor triatriatum (subdivided left atrium) and vascular rings are among the less frequent. We describe a two-month-old patient with these three cardiovascular anomalies. This case highlights the importance of exhaustive preoperative evaluation in order to achieve successful surgical correction in one stage.