Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2022 Cases of SCMR case series

"Cases of SCMR" is a case series on the SCMR website (https://www.scmr.org) for the purpose of education. The cases reflect the clinical presentation, and the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. The 2022 digital collection of cases are presented in this manuscript.

Accuracy of routine 2D echocardiography to estimate PDA type and dimension and predict device selection for successful PDA occlusion

Background

Assessment of the shape and dimensions of PDA is usually done angiographically and in the majority of cases need arterial access. Our aim was to evaluate the value of routine 2 D echocardiography (ECHO) in predicting type, dimensions of PDA and to anticipate device size to be used during the intervention.

Material and methods

The charts of all patients who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA between January 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Their pre-procedure ECHO and catheterization details at the time of device closure were analyzed.

Results

Total of 139 patients were reviewed and 8 were excluded because of lack of adequate echocardiographic or angiographic images. The mean age and weight of the study population were 2.6 ± 2.5 years (range 0.2–14 years) and 11.2 ± 7.8 kg (range: 1.5–57 kg), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in PDA narrowest diameter (p = 0.99) and predicted device type (p = 0.54) between Echo and angiography. Echo slightly overestimated PDA length (p = 0.01) and aortic ampulla dimension (p = 0.047), while morphology of PDA was correctly identified in the majority of cases (82%).

Conclusions

Pre-procedure echocardiography correlates well with angiographically obtained measurements and hence can be used to estimate PDA diameter, shape and guide device decide selection. Routine echocardiography can be used successfully to plan the intervention and in some cases to guide transcatheter closure.

Mitral valve replacement in dilated cardiomyopathy: A valid option?

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular dilation and dysfunction. The association with significant mitral regurgitation worsens the prognosis.

Case report

A 2-year-old girl presented with DCM and severe mitral regurgitation. She had a history of viral myocarditis at the age of 4 months, necessitating recurrent hospital admissions for management of intractable heart failure, pneumonia, and failure to thrive. The decision was taken to proceed for mitral valve surgery, which ended with mitral valve replacement. Over 3 years of follow-up after surgery, there was significant improvement in her weight gain and she improved clinically. There were still recurrent admissions, but mostly for adjustment of her deranged anticoagulation medications.

Conclusion

Mitral valve surgery might be indicated in selected patients with DCM.

Influence of Associated Defects and Type of Surgery in Neonatal Aortic Coarctation

We reviewed our 12-year experience of surgical treatment for aortic coarctation in 86 neonates. Twenty-three patients had simple coarctation, 38 had an associated large ventricular septal defect, and 25 had complex intracardiac defects. The surgical techniques included subclavian flap angioplasty in 54 (63%), combined resection with end-to-end anastomosis augmented by a subclavian flap in 22 (26%), resection with extended end-to-end anastomosis in 7 (8%), and patch aortoplasty in 3 (3%). Five patients required additional transverse aortic arch augmentation. Hospital mortality was 14% (12/86) and was not related to the type of repair but associated pathology increased the operative risk. Late mortality was 11% (8/74) within one year of repair. Recoarctation developed in 5 patients (7%) within one year. No recoarctation was observed in the group repaired by end-to-end anastomosis augmented by a subclavian flap (p = 0.04).

Percutaneous Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Under Echocardiographic Guidance

Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is done in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, usually under fluoroscopic and angiographic guidance. The aortogram is used for assessing PDAsize and shape the pre-device implantation. Additionally, post-device aortograms are applied for the assessment of device position, profile and residual shunt. Angiograms expose patient to radiation and possible untoward effects of contrast media. Recently, transthoracic echocardiography has been utilized to guide in PDAclosure to avoid radiation exposure as well as contrast material. On two occasions, we were obligated by special circumstances to close the PDAunder echocardiography guidance. First case was a 6-month baby girl with mild signs of heart failure having moderate size PDA. She underwent device closure under transthoracic echocardiogram as the angiographic system had stopped working during the procedure. Second case was a 6-year girl, weighting 16-kg with chronic renal failure. She had moderate size PDAclosed by device under transthoracic echocardiographic, guidance avoiding the use of contrast agent due to chronic renal failure.

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in the Treatment of Neonates with Intracardiac and Great Vessels Thrombosis

Life-threatening intracardiac and great vessels thrombi are rare in neonates. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) is used in adults to stimulate fibrinolysis and facilitate thrombus resolution. Its use in neonates, along with heparin, remains controversial because of potential risk of serious bleeding. We aim to present our experience with the use of thrombolytic agents in seven neonates and young infants. In a retrospective study, over a period of 6 years, the medical records of neonates and young infants, who were diagnosed with intracardiac and great vessels thrombi, were reviewed. The following factors were collected: demographic data, primary diagnosis, thrombus site, risk factors, method of diagnosis, thrombolytic and/or anticoagulation agent, route, dose and duration of treatment, complications, and outcome. Six neonates and one 45-day-old infant were analyzed. Age ranged from 5 to 45 days (median age 12 days), and median weight was 2.9 kg (range 0.9-3.8 kg). The thrombi were diagnosed by echocardiography in five and by angiography in two cases. All patients had life-threatening thrombi; four were treated with rTPA (0.5 mg kg(-1) h(-1)) and heparin infusions with complete dissolution of the thrombi, within a median time of 60 h (6-72 h), and without complications. The remaining three patients (two who were premature, at 28 and 34 weeks of gestation, and the third who had a deranged coagulation profile) were treated with unfractionated heparin due to fear of bleeding. The thrombi dissolved in the premature babies (within 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively) but embolized and resulted in the death of the third infant after 2 weeks of treatment. The current case series confirmed the effectiveness and safety of intravenous rTPA infusion, at the dosages used, in neonates and young infants with life-threatening thrombi.

Pulmonary valvuloplasty in a pregnant woman using sole transthoracic echo guidance: technical considerations

An 18-year-old pregnant woman with severe pulmonary valve stenosis and exertional dyspnea underwent balloon dilation during pregnancy using sole echocardiographic guidance to protect the baby from radiation. The main technical difficulty encountered was during advancement of the catheter across the right ventricular outflow tract into the pulmonary valve. This was overcome using a wedge balloon catheter over a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) wire. Using echo guidance, the balloon was positioned across the pulmonary valve and inflated. Pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty can be performed safely using sole transthoracic echocardiography guidance without fluoroscopy.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect with situs solitus and dextrocardia

Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect associated with situs solitus and dextrocardia has not been reported previously. We describe the technical difficulties encountered during transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect in a 19-month-old girl with situs solitus and dextrocardia.

Transcatheter closure of residual postinfarction ventricular septal defect after dehiscence of surgical patch repair

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a life-threatening complication of transmural myocardial infarction. Urgent surgical repair and concomitant revascularization are the standard of care. Percutaneous catheter-based closure techniques have been reserved for patients with a high-risk surgery or a failed surgical procedure with residual shunting. This case report demonstrates the successful transcatheter closure of residual VSD using the Amplatzer muscular VSD device (Amplatzer, Minnesota, USA) after surgical patch dehiscence for postinfarction VSD and 3-and-a-half years' post-intervention follow-up.

Paediatricians' referral preference of patients with embolised intravascular foreign bodies: a survey-based study

BACKGROUND

Central line insertion is a routine procedure in medical practice. Dislodgement of lines into the vascular system is a rare complication. We noticed that paediatric health care providers (PHCP) contact the cardiac or general paediatric surgeon for extraction of dislodged lines more frequently than using the less invasive percutaneous approach.

AIM

To study the referral preference of PHCP for patient with embolised intravascular foreign bodies.

METHODS

A questionnaire with three questions was distributed to PHCP of all paediatric subspecialties, including surgery, in two tertiary care centres. The questions were about the total number of patients seen with central line, experience with complications, and preferred specialty for removal of dislodged central lines.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was distributed to 128 professionals. The response rate was 79% (n=101). Incomplete answers (n=14) were excluded. The grades of responders were senior consultants 18%, junior consultants 38%, and residents 43%. Thirty nine percent of care providers experienced dislodgement or fragmentation of central lines. The majority (82%) prefer to refer the patients for surgical removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Most PHCP in the selected hospitals prefer to refer patients with embolised foreign bodies in the vascular system for surgical removal. The local health policy should be updated for the use of the alternative percutaneous approach.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, cor triatriatum and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection: Imaging of a very rare association

A newborn is presented with an association of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, cor triatriatum and partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. The diagnosis was established with echocardiography and further confirmed with computed tomography. To our knowledge the images of such an association have never been reported before.

Stent angioplasty: an effective alternative in selected infants with critical native aortic coarctation

Management of native aortic coarctation during early months of life poses therapeutic challenges, and there is no consensus among medical professionals regarding a management plan. Much can be argued about the benefits, limitations, and/or complications of transcatheter versus surgical intervention in such cases. Occasionally, the complexity of the lesions limits management options. Therefore, each patient requires individual management decisions because there is no one therapeutic plan that satisfies all patients. In this report, four critically ill infants who had complex native coarctation are presented. Surgical repair was not possible because of relative contraindications. The patients underwent transcatheter stent implantation (six procedures and seven stents) as a nondefinitive procedure with acceptable results. Three patients improved. One patient did not survive, mainly due to other major complications. Multiple reexpansions of the stents were carried out when indicated. After a mean follow-up of 45 months (range, 41-49), the three survivors were doing fine and had gained an average weight of 9.7 kg (range, 6.6-13.3). At the time of reporting, the relative contraindications no longer exist and the final surgical repair can be carried out. Our experience suggests that in certain situations and in critically ill infants with complex form of coarctation, stent angioplasty can be used as a life-saving palliative procedure. Further reexpansions can be done when required. This may serve as a bridge to major surgical repair in the future.

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction after transcatheter closure of a large patent ductus arteriosus

A 12-year-old boy reported in outpatient department with history of shortness of breath and dyspnoea on moderate exertion. Physical examination was significant for bounding pulses and for a continuous murmur III/VI, best heard at the left upper sternal border. Echocardiography confirmed a large patent arterial duct with shortening fraction of 33%. He underwent successful transcatheter closure of the patent arterial, using Amplatzer duct occluder 12/10. Few hours later echocardiography revealed an unexpected, yet important depression of left ventricular systolic function with shortening fraction decreasing to 24% and then two weeks later decreasing further to 20%. At a follow-up after four months, he had improved clinically but left ventricular dysfunction still persisted with shortening fraction of 24%.

Phentolamine as a treatment for poor mixing in transposition of the great arteries with adequate intraatrial communication

Patients with transposition of the great arteries often show poor mixing for different reasons, even after adequate balloon atrial septostomy. We present a patient with such a lesion whose clinical status improved dramatically after phentolamine was applied. We believe this improvement is due to reduction in afterload caused by the alpha(2) blocker and also possibly as a response to a presumptive effect of the drug on the diastolic function of the right ventricle, allowing more left-to-right shunt across the atrial septal defect. Both phenomena can improve cardiac output in such a situation.

Transcatheter occlusion of a large left coronary artery to right superior vena cava fistula using the Amplatzer duct occluder device

Transcatheter embolization has become the therapy of choice for most coronary artery fistula. We report a 5.9-kg infant with a coronary artery fistula from the left coronary artery to the right superior vena cava with significant congestive heart failure. The infant underwent successful complete occlusion using the Amplatzer duct occluder.

Balloon dilation of native aortic coarctation in infancy

Balloon dilation of aortic coarctation in neonates and infants remains controversial. Between 2/1985 and 8/1999, 80 patients <12 months of age, with native aortic coarctation underwent balloon dilation. The systolic pressure gradient across the stenosed area was reduced significantly acutely from a mean of 45.6+/-19.4 mmHg to 17.9+/-13.8 mmHg. In 55 (68.8%) patients, the procedure was initially successful with a residual gradient of <20 mmHg. In 12.5% of patients, intimal tears were detected after dilation. In 21.3% of patients, obstruction of the femoral artery occurred, which responded to heparin or streptokinase in all. Two patients developed aneuryms immediately after the first intervention. In 1 case, surgery was performed with a successful aneurysmectomy. Severe complications or death in relation to the procedure were not detected. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 66 of 80 (82.5%) patients in a period between 6 to 174 months (median 29 months). In 22/66 (33%) of the infants, within a mean period of 10.9+/-15.2 months after first intervention, a redilation was necessary. Sixteen of 22 were successful procedures. In the remaining six patients, surgery was performed electively. A total of 30/66 who had follow-up (45%) patients remained free from reintervention or surgery after the first procedure. Further analysis of the data according to age showed that neonates and infants < or =3 months of age had a 90% and 62% higher residual stenosis rate, respectively, than infants >3 months. In this young age group, balloon dilation can only be recommended as palliation in young infants with severe left venticular dysfunction or in the case surgery is prohibitive for other reasons.

Use of low-dose ketamine and/or midazolam for pediatric cardiac catheterization

Ketamine and midazolam are commonly used in children undergoing cardiac catheterization. However, there is controversy regarding the safety of administering these agents in the absence of an anesthesiologist. We retrospectively reviewed pediatric cardiac catheterization procedures at our institution between 1996 and 1997. A total of 154 patients (0.3-192 months) underwent a total of 205 procedures. They received ketamine (n = 79, 1.05 +/- 0.88 mg/kg/hr), midazolam (n = 35, 0.14 +/- 0.09 mg/kg/hr), or both (n = 91; ketamine, 1.13 +/- 0.84 mg/kg/hr; midazolam, 1.57 +/- 1.03 mg/kg//hr). In 18.5% of patients there were complex cardiac lesions. Mean procedure time was 79 +/- 36.2 minutes. Pre- and postprocedure systolic and diastolic mean blood procedure 72 +/- 14 and 68 +/- 12 mmHg, respectively. Pre- and postprocedure O2 saturation was 93.19 +/- 8.72 and 93.63 +/- 8.3, respectively. One patient required intubation, and 15% required oxygen therapy. The mortality rate was zero. The anesthesiologist's assistance was requested by the cardiologist in 21 procedures (group A) and not requested in 184 procedures (group B). The two groups were not different in relation to the drug used (p = 0.283) or the complexity of the cardiac lesions (p = 0.051). However, there was significant difference between the two regarding the need for supporting drugs (3/21 vs 3/184, p = 0.02) or oxygen treatment (7/21 vs 26/184, p = 0.014). No patients in group B required intubation, whereas 14% and 1.6% required oxygen therapy and supporting drugs, respectively. We conclude that low-dose ketamine and midazolam can be administered safely to most pediatric patients by the cardiologist, who can safely predict the need for an anesthesiologist.

Arterial complications following cardiac catheterization in children less than 10 kg

We sought to determine if a higher dose of heparin would reduce arterial complications in patients weighing 10 kg or less undergoing cardiac catheterization to investigate congenital heart disease. Sixty patients were given either 100 (group A) or 150 (group B) IU x kg(-1) of heparin in a double-blinded randomized manner. Initial arterial access was established using a 4F cannula in all patients. Mean activated clotting time measured 20 minutes following heparin administration was significantly lower in group A than in group B (199 versus 251 seconds). Only 3 out of 60 patients (5%) required treatment for loss of femoral pulse. The age, weight, activated clotting time, length of catheterization procedure, time taken to establish arterial access, and the duration of arterial cannulation were comparable between the groups. Weight under 4 kg, age under 1 month, and cannula size larger than 4F were identified as independent risk factors for the development of arterial complications. Arterial access using a 4F cannula is a safe procedure in children weighing 10 kg or less. The incidence of significant arterial complications is low, and they do not appear to be preventable by a higher dose of heparin.

Accessory mitral valve tissue in combination with subaortic membrane and significant impairment of left ventricular function

A 6-year-old girl was found to have a combination of accessory mitral valve tissue and subaortic membrane. The association caused left ventricular outflow tract obstruction leading to severe left ventricular dysfunction. Surgical relief of the obstruction resulted in immediate improvement of ventricular function.

Comparison between the safety profile and clinical results of the Cook detachable and Gianturco coils for transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in 272 patients

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the occlusion rate and safety of Cook detachable coils versus Gianturco coils in transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

BACKGROUND

The Cook detachable coil recently was introduced in an attempt to improve the safety of transcatheter closure of PDA.

METHODS

Between January 1994 and September 1998, 272 patients underwent transcatheter PDA closure. Cook detachable coils were used in 137 patients, with a mean age of 43.9 months and weight of 13.8 kg. In 135 patients, Gianturco coils were used, with a mean age of 56.8 months and weight of 17.8 kg. The mean narrowest diameter of the PDA in the Cook detachable coil group was 2.85 mm versus 2.32 mm for the Gianturco coil group.

RESULTS

The Cook detachable coil group was younger and weighed less than the Gianturco group (P < 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). Their narrowest PDA diameter was larger (P < 0.01). Embolization rate was significantly lower in the Cook coil group (9[6.5%] of 137 vs 22 (16.3%) of 135; P = < 0.013). The mean follow-up for the Cook coil group was significantly shorter (0.55 years) than for the Gianturco coil group (1.18 years; P < 0.001). On an intention-to-treat basis, complete occlusion by echocardiography was achieved in 99 (72.3%) of 137 patients in the Cook detachable coil group, which was significantly less than the Gianturco coil group (114 [84.4%] of 135; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

Cook detachable coils for transcatheter closures of the PDA are safer than Gianturco coils. Hence, children with large ductal can be treated earlier in life. Short-term complete occlusion rate was lower in the Cook detachable coil group. This rate can be explained by a shorter follow-up time, larger ductal diameter, and the different materials used for the detachable coils.

Recanalization of an occluded modified Blalock-Taussig shunt by balloon angioplasty within 12 hours of its construction

An infant developed severe desaturation within a few hours of construction of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Echocardiography revealed that the shunt had become occluded, and this was confirmed angiographically. At catheterisation, therefore, we passed a 0.014" percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty wire through the occluded shunt into the right pulmonary artery and then dilated the shunt successfully using a 5 mm coronary angioplasty balloon. Six weeks later, the shunt remained patent.

Radiographic characteristics of Cook detachable and Gianturco coils as well as clinical results of transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus

PURPOSE

To describe the radiographic appearance of the Gianturco and the Cook detachable coils and present the clinical results in patients who underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1994 and June 1997, eighty-two patients underwent closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using either Gianturco or Cook detachable coils. The chest x-ray and echocardiography of all patients were reviewed and the following parameters were evaluated: 1) the size of the heart (cardiothoracic ratio), 2) the position and the type of the coils in the postero-anterior and the lateral projection, 3) the number of coils used, 4) the existence of residual ductal flow, 5) Doppler velocity in the left pulmonary artery.

RESULTS

Complete occlusion was achieved in 94%, and cardio-thoracic ratio regressed from 0.57 to 0.53 (p < 0.01), after a mean follow-up of 1.2 years. The identification of the different coils on the chest radiograph was successful in only 47% of cases, difficulties arising especially, when multiple coils were used. In 55 patients (67%) the coil position was judged to be optimal, in 27 patients (33%) suboptimal. The latter correlates with the presence of residual shunt. Multiple coils correlated more with a left pulmonary artery flow velocity exceeding 1.5 m/s.

CONCLUSION

Coil-occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus is effective and leads to reduced cardio-thoracic ratio. Radiographic coil identification is possible but may be difficult if multiple coils are deployed. Suboptimal coil position led more often to residual PDA shunt. Multiple coils are more commonly associated with increased LPA velocities, but hemodynamic significant obstruction to flow is rare.

Peri-operative complications following surgical closure of atrial septal defect type II in 232 patients--a baseline study

This study intends to provide a detailed overview of the types and rates of peri-operative complications after surgical correction of an isolated ASD II. The transvenous approach to the occlusion of atrial septal defects has yielded promising results during its first 5 years of clinical trials, but before it can be established as a routine measure, definite proof is needed to demonstrate that its rate of serious complications does at least not exceed that of the surgical closure. Between 1985 and 1992, 232 consecutive patients underwent surgical closure of a secundum atrial septal defect. Among the patients 118 were children (< 18 years; 79 girls and 39 boys) with a mean age of 8.9 +/- 5.2 years (4 months-17 years) and 114 adults (74 women and 40 men) with a mean age of 28.5 +/- 10.8 years (18-69 years). Pre-operatively eight children (6.8%) and eight adults (7%) were treated for right heart failure. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was 20.4 +/- 10.4 mmHg for the children and 19.3 +/- 7 mmHg for the adults. The average pulmonary artery to systemic flow ratios were 2.9:1 and 3:1 for children and adults, respectively. Thirty children (25.4%) and 15 adults (13.2%) underwent patch closure while direct suture was the method used for the remaining patients. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 35.7 +/- 17.9 min for the children and 41.5 +/- 19.9 min for the adults. The length of the procedure (skin to skin) was a mean of 116 min in the young group, and 141 min in the adult group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)