Long-Term Outcome and Risk Factor Analysis of Surgical Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Congenital Heart Disease

Objectives:To establish long-term outcome of surgical pulmonary valve replacement(PVR)in congenital heart disease(CHD)and to identify risk factors for overall mortality,operative mortality,and repetitive PVR.Methods:This is a retrospective study of 375 surgical PVR in 293 patients who underwent surgical PVR for CHD between January 2000 and May 2020.We only included patients with index PVR with previous open-heart surgery regardless of the number of PVRs.The previous surgical history of patients who underwent PVR during the study period was also included.Patients who underwent the Rastelli operation,and those who underwent single PVR without previous open-heart surgery were excluded.Results:The median age of the patients at the time of surgical PVR was 14.9 years(Interquartile range,IQR,11.0–22.0).The median follow-up duration was 10.5 years(IQR,5.5–14.8 years).There were 3 patients with operative mortality(1.0%)and 15 patients with overall mortality(5.1%).The survival rate was 95.1%over 20 years follow-up period.Multivariate analysis demonstrated that more than 3 times of previous open-heart surgeries before surgical PVR,older age at the first operation,longer cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)time and longer intensive care unit(ICU)stay were predictors for overall mortality.Patients who underwent surgical PVR after more than 3 times of previous open-heart surgeries had significantly higher mortality than those who underwent open-heart surgeries less than 3 times(P<0.001).Age younger than 10 years,male,multiple valve problems and longer ICU stay were significant predictors for repetitive PVR by multivariate analysis.Conclusions:Though surgical PVR has excellent long-term outcome,it should be performed with caution for those who previously underwent multiple open-heart surgeries,especially if patient received more than 3 times of open-heart surgeries.

Coronary Artery Complications after Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction Surgery

Background:Mechanisms and clinical manifestations of coronary artery complications after right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction surgery are not well known.Methods:Patients who had coronary artery complications after pulmonary valve replacement or the Rastelli procedure at a single tertiary centre were retrospectively analysed.Results:Coronary artery complications were identified in 20 patients who underwent right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction surgery.The median age at diagnosis of coronary artery complication was 21 years(interquartile range:13–25 years).Mechanisms of coronary artery complications were compression by adjacent materials in 12 patients,dynamic compression of intramural course of coronary artery in two patients,and intraoperative injury in six patients.Congenital coronary artery anomalies were identified in 50%(10/20)of patients.Four patients presented with early postoperative haemodynamic instability.Fourteen patients showed late onset symptoms or signs of coronary insufficiency,including chest pain,ventricular dysfunction,or ventricular arrhythmias.Coronary artery stenosis was incidentally found on cardiac computed tomography angiography in two asymptomatic patients.Four patients underwent surgical interventions,and one patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary stenosis.One patient with recurrent ventricular tachycardia required an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.There were two deaths in patients with intraoperative coronary injury.Conclusion:Preoperative coronary evaluation and long-term follow-up for the development of coronary artery complications are required in patients undergoing right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction surgery to prevent ventricular dysfunction,arrhythmias,and death,especially among those with congenital coronary anomalies.