Anomalous coronary artery in Tetralogy of Fallot-Feasibility of right ventricular outflow tract stenting as initial palliation

This study addresses the outcome of right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) stenting in Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) with anomalous coronaries crossing the RVOT. RVOT stenting in ToF patients has emerged as an alternative to Blalock Taussig shunting. This is a single center study of patients who underwent RVOT stenting for symptomatic ToF at Birmingham Children's Hospital between 2005 and 2020. A total of 122 patients underwent RVOT stenting as initial palliation over a 15-year period, 10 patients had anomalous coronaries crossing the RVOT (study group) and 112 not (comparative group). Median age of the study group was 72.5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 28-103) with a weight of 4.7 kg (IQR: 3.5-4.9). No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the patients' weights and ages, procedure and screening times, or hospital stay. Four had valve sparing stenting. Oxygen saturations increased from a median of 75.5% (IQR: 70-82) to 94.5% (IQR: 90-95), p < 0.002. Postprocedure median hospital stay was 3 days (IQR: 2-6). Six patients underwent interstage catheterization reintervention and one needed early surgical palliation due to stent suboptimal position. Complete repair could be delayed for a median of 11.1 months (IQR: 5.6-19.2). At surgical repair, the patients had a median age of 12.3 months (IQR: 7.5-25.6) and weight of 7.7 kg (IQR: 6.8-10.8). There were no deaths. RVOT stenting in ToF with anomalous coronaries is safe and effective. Dilatable stents should be used when two-stage delayed conduit repair is the default approach.

Supravalvular pulmonary stenosis: A risk factor for reintervention in Noonan syndrome with pulmonary valve stenosis

To assess the short- and long-term outcomes of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in children with Noonan syndrome (NS). Pulmonary stenosis (PS) is the most common congenital heart lesion in NS. BPV is the accepted first line treatment in PS. However, BPV in NS patients has been reported to be less effective, without specific factors for the need for reintervention being identified. Retrospective case-note review of all patients with NS who underwent BPV between 1985 and 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with supravalvular pulmonary stenosis (SPS) in addition to valvar PS, and those with isolated valvar PS. A cohort of 54 patients with NS underwent BPV at a median of 275 (interquartile range [IQR]: 108-575) days of age. SPS was present in 32 (59%) patients whereas 22 had (41) isolated PS. The preprocedural invasive gradient was 47 (IQR: 35-69) mmHg, and 44 (IQR: 35-48) mmHg in those with SPS and those without respectively (p = 0.88). Reintervention was required in 22 patients (41%): 17 (77%) -with SPS and 5 (23%) without (p = 0.017). Fourteen patients (11 with SPS) required surgical reintervention and 8 (6 with SPS) required further BPV. There was no significant difference in the age at initial BPV, pre- and postprocedural gradients and interval until reintervention between groups. This is the largest reported cohort of patients with NS undergoing BPV. Although BPV is often successful, the reintervention rates are high. SPS was a risk factor for reintervention.

Use of local anesthetic (0.25% bupivacaine) for pain control after pediatric cardiac catheterization: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of local infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine on post-operative pain and analgesic use in children undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures.

BACKGROUND

In pediatric catheterization procedures performed under general anesthesia, a local anesthetic is often used prior to femoral sheath removal. There are no published reports of the impact of local anesthetic infiltration on pain after pediatric procedures, and mixed reports on its effectiveness in adults.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was undertaken of 140 children, aged 7-18 years undergoing cardiac catheterization under general anesthesia via the femoral vein or artery. Participants received a subcutaneous infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine at the access site prior to sheath removal, or usual care without bupivacaine. Outcomes included patient reported pain scores and analgesic use up to 6 hr after the procedure.

RESULTS

Pain scores were similar between groups through the 6-hr post-procedure period. The proportion of children reporting a maximal pain score of ≤2/10 was higher in the bupivacaine group (64% vs. 44%, P = 0.03). A significantly higher proportion of children in the control group required IV morphine (18.8% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Morphine use can be reduced with the use of 0.25% bupivacaine given prior to femoral sheath removal and should be considered for post-procedural pain control for pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. This study is the first to contribute evidence to the effectiveness of 0.25% bupivacaine after pediatric cardiac catheterization.