Temporal and Regional Differences in Congenital Heart Surgery in China(2017-2022):Trends and Implications

Background:With the decline of birth population and the development of medical technology in China,studies assessing how these changes have affected the adoption of congenital heart disease surgery at the national or regional scale are lacking.Methods:We investigated the status of congenital heart surgery in China in the period from 2017-2022,through investigation of the total rates of cardiac surgeries,cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB),adult congenital heart surgeries(CHS),and pediatric CHS(<18 years old),as recorded by the Extracorporeal Cir-culation Branch of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering.Subsequently,we evaluated correlations between these factors with economic,demographic,and other factors.Results:From 2017 to 2022,the total num-ber of cardiac operations increased from 230,772 to 263,292,representing an increase of 14.09%over 6 years;the CHS dropped from 76,365 to 68,940(10.19%decrease),and the proportion of CHS in the total cardiac surgeries dropped from 33.26%to 26.18%(7.08%decrease).Finally,cases of pediatric CHS decreased from 61,825 to 38,174(38.25%decrease).The annual percentage change(APC)of the total amount of pediatric CHS cases was-10.03(-15.95 to-3.69,p=0.013).Adult CHS increased from 14,940 to 30,766(105.93%increase).The proportion of adult CHS cases of the total number of cardiac surgeries increased from 6.47%to 11.68%(5.21%increase).From a regional perspective,the APC for the proportion of pediatric CHS in the local population was generally lower in western China.The proportion of CHS in the local population generally decreases from the north to the south,although the lowest incidence is found in the northeast region.Conclusions:Due to demographic changes,med-ical technology and economic factors,the number of surgical operations for congenital heart disease(CHD)in children decreased significantly from 2017 to 2022,and may decline further in the future.Nevertheless,in the same period,a significant increase in the number of operations for CHD in adults was observed,which brings new opportunities and challenges to the development of congenital cardiac surgery and cardiac critical care.

Failure to Rescue as a Quality Metric in Congenital Heart Surgeries in a High-Complexity Service Provider Institution Located in a Middle-Income Country

Background:Failure to rescue has been an effective quality metric in congenital heart surgery.Conversely,mor-bidity and mortality depend greatly on non-modifiable individual factors and have a weak correlation with better-quality performance.We aim to measure the complications,mortality,and risk factors in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery in a high-complexity institution located in a middle-income country and compare it with other institutions that have conducted a similar study.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted in a high-complexity service provider institution,in Cali,Colombia.All pediatric patients undergoing any congenital heart surgery between 2019 and 2022 were included.The main outcomes evaluated in the study were complication,mortality,and failure to rescue rate.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with mortality as the outcome variable.Results:We evaluated 308 congenital heart sur-geries.Regarding the outcomes,201(65%)complications occurred,23(7.5%)patients died,and the FTR of the entire cohort was 11.4%.The presence of a postoperative complication(OR 14.88,CI 3.06–268.37,p=0.009),age(OR 0.79,CI 0.57–0.96,p=0.068),and urgent/emergent surgery(OR 8.14,CI 2.97–28.66,p<0.001)were the most significant variables in predicting mortality.Conclusions:Failure to rescue is an effective and comparable quality measure in healthcare institutions and is the major contributor to postoperative mortality in congenital heart surgeries.Despite our higher mortality and complication rate,we obtained a comparable failure to rescue rate to high-income countries’health institutions.

Congenital Heart Disease Referred for Surgery: Analysis and Epidemiological Description in the Cardiology Department of CHU Ignace Deen

Introduction: Congenital heart disease includes all cardiac and vascular malformations. It accounts for approximately one third of all congenital malformations and is a public health problem, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical aspects of congenital heart disease. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study based on the records of 135 patients referred for surgery and followed up in the cardiology department of the Ignace Deen University Hospital, collected in November 2022. Results: Hospital prevalence was 5%. The mean age was 71 months, ranging from 1 month to 19 years. The age group over 24 months was the most represented (62%). The M/F sex ratio was 1.36. Urban origin was predominant (58%). The rate of children not attending school or dropping out was high (16%). Siblings with fewer than 4 children were the most common (88%). A heart murmur was the most frequent sign (78%), followed by cyanosis (36%) and heart failure (29%). The association between heart murmurs and CHD was proven with a p-value Conclusion: CHDs represent the main indication for paediatric cardiac surgery and follow-up (95%). We stress the importance of implementing a screening and management strategy for congenital heart disease.

The Application Effect of Predictive Nursing on Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation of Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery with Extracorporeal Circulation

Objective:To evaluate the application effect of predictive nursing on patients undergoing heart valve surgery with extracorporeal circulation(ECC).Methods:92 ECC patients admitted to the hospital between July 2021 and July 2023 were selected and grouped by random number table method;the observation group practiced predictive nursing,while the reference group practiced conventional nursing.The cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and other indexes were compared between the groups.Results:The postoperative rehabilitation time of the observation group was shorter than that of the reference group,the treatment compliance was higher than that of the reference group,the cardiopulmonary function indexes were all better than that of the reference group,and the complication rate was lower than that of the reference group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The implementation of predictive nursing for ECC patients can promote postoperative rehabilitation,improve patients’treatment compliance,and enhance the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation effect,and nursing safety is high.

Effect of nursing intervention based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs in patients with coronary heart disease interventional surgery

BACKGROUND It is very important to provide effective nursing programs to regulate the physical and mental state of patients and to improve treatment compliance after interventional surgery for coronary heart disease(CHD).AIM To explore the effect of a nursing intervention based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory on patients with CHD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.METHODS Ninety-four patients with CHD undergoing interventional surgery in our hospital from January 2020 to February 2021 were randomly divided into a research group(n=47)and a control group(n=47).The control group received routine nursing,and the research group received a nursing intervention based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory.The scores of self-efficacy,negative emotion[depression(SDS),anxiety(SAS)],intervention compliance(standardized medication,moderate exercise,healthy diet,and regular review),and nursing satisfaction were calculated before and after intervention for the two groups.RESULTS Before intervention,there was no significant difference in the scores of disease general management self-efficacy,disease management self-efficacy,and total self-efficacy between the two groups(P=0.795,0.479,and 0.659,respectively).After intervention,these three scores in the research group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.001).Before intervention,there was no significant difference in the scores of SAS and SDS between the two groups(P=0.149 and 0.347,respectively).After intervention,the scores of SAS and SDS in the research group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.001).The standardized drug use rate(97.87%),moderate exercise rate(97.87%),healthy diet rate(95.74%),and regular reexamination rate(97.87%)in the research group were higher than those in the control group(85.11%,82.98%,80.85%,and 87.23%,respectively)(P=0.027,0.014,0.025,and 0.049,respectively).Nursing job satisfaction in the research group(93.62%)was higher than that in the control group(78.72%)(P=0.036).CONCLUSION A nursing program based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory can effectively alleviate negative emotion,enhance self-efficacy and intervention compliance,and ensure that the patients are highly satisfied with the nursing work.

Comparison of clinical outcomes and postoperative recovery between two open heart surgeries:minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracomy and traditional median sternotomy

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy and traditional median stemotomy through right atrium in treatment of common congenital heart diseases. Methods: Clinical data of 59 cases of common congenital heart diseases treated with minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy from May, 2011 to February, 2013 and 77 cases of same diseases with traditional median stemotomy in the past three years were retrospectively analyzed, including atrial septal defect, membranous ventricular septal defect and partial endocardial cushion defect. The results were compared from the two groups, including the time for operation and cardiopulmonary bypass, amount of blood transfusion, postoperative drainage, ventilation time, hospital stay, and prognosis. Results: No severe complications happened in both groups, like deaths or secondary surgery caused by bleeding. No significant differences were in CPB time and postoperative ventilator time between groups (P>0.05), while for all of the operative time, the length of incision, postoperative drainage and hospital stay, minimally invasive right axillary vertical thoracotomy was superior to median stemotomy, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In six month followup after operation, no complications of residual deformity and pericardial effusion were found in both groups by doing echocardiography, but mild pectus carinatum was found in 8 patients in the traditional median sternotomy group (traditional group), whereas patients in another group were well recovered. Conclusions: Minimally invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy for common congenital heart diseases is as safe as traditional median stemotomy, without the increasing incidence of postoperative complications. Additionally, compared with traditional median stemotomy, minimally - invasive right subaxillary vertical thoracotomy is better in the aspects of hidden incision, appearance, and postoperative recovery.

Heart rate variability： a new tool to predict complications in adult cardiac surgery

Heart rate variability （HRV） refers to the variations between consecutive heartbeats, which depend on the continuous modulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. HRV has been shown to be effective as a predictor of risk after myocardial infarction and an early warning sign of diabetic neuropathy, and in the cardiology setting is now recognized to be a useful tool for risk-stratification after hospital admission and after discharge. Recent evidences suggest that HRV analysis might predict complications even in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and the present review summarizes the importance of HRV analysis in adult cardiac surgery and the perspectives for HRV use in current clinical practice. Although future larger studies are warranted before HRV can be included into daily clinical practice in adult cardiac surgery, HRV is a novel tool which might detect autonomic instability in the early postoperative phase and during hospital stay, thus predicting or prompt-diagnosing many of the post-operative complications.

Univariate Risk Factors for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Undergoing Prosthetic Heart Valves Replacement Surgery

Data from 736 patients undergoing prosthetic heart valve replacement surgery and concomitant surgery （combined surgery） from January 1998 to January 2004 at Union Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identity risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation. The results showed that prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration, prolonged aortic cross clamp time and low ejection fraction less than 50 percent （50 %） were found to be independent predictors for prolonged mechanical ventilation. Meanwhile age, weight, and preoperative hospital stay （days） were not found to be associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. It was concluded that. for age and weight, this might be due to the lower number of old age patients （70 years and above） included in our study and genetic body structure of majority Chinese population that favor them to be in normal weight, respectively.

Safety and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cardiac surgery:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Lack of mobilization and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)are major factors resulting in the development of ICU-acquired muscle weakness(ICUAW).ICUAW is a type of skeletal muscle dysfunction and a common complication of patients after cardiac surgery,and may be a risk factor for prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation,associated with a higher risk of readmission and higher mortality.Early mobilization in the ICU after cardiac surgery has been found to be low with a significant trend to increase over ICU stay and is also associated with a reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay.Neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)is an alternative modality of exercise in patients with muscle weakness.A major advantage of NMES is that it can be applied even in sedated patients in the ICU,a fact that might enhance early mobilization in these patients.AIM To evaluate safety,feasibility and effectiveness of NMES on functional capacity and muscle strength in patients before and after cardiac surgery.METHODS We performed a search on Pubmed,Physiotherapy Evidence Database(PEDro),Embase and CINAHL databases,selecting papers published between December 2012 and April 2023 and identified published randomized controlled trials(RCTs)that included implementation of NMES in patients before after cardiac surgery.RCTs were assessed for methodological rigor and risk of bias via the PEDro.The primary outcomes were safety and functional capacity and the secondary outcomes were muscle strength and function.RESULTS Ten studies were included in our systematic review,resulting in 703 participants.Almost half of them performed NMES and the other half were included in the control group,treated with usual care.Nine studies investigated patients after cardiac surgery and 1 study before cardiac surgery.Functional capacity was assessed in 8 studies via 6MWT or other indices,and improved only in 1 study before and in 1 after cardiac surgery.Nine studies explored the effects of NMES on muscle strength and function and,most of them,found increase of muscle strength and improvement in muscle function after NMES.NMES was safe in all studies without any significant complication.CONCLUSION NMES is safe,feasible and has beneficial effects on muscle strength and function in patients after cardiac surgery,but has no significant effect on functional capacity.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patterns of Practice and Outcomes in Europe and China:An Analysis of the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Heart Surgery Database

Background:The European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association(ECHSA)Congenital Heart Surgery Database(CHSD)was founded in 1999 and is open for worldwide participation.The current dataset includes a large amount of surgical data from both Europe and China.The purpose of this analysis is to compare patterns of practice and outcomes among pediatric congenital heart defect surgeries in Europe and China using the ECHSA-CHSD.Methods:We examined all European(125 centers,58,261 operations)and Chinese(13 centers,23,920 operations)data in the ECHSA-CHSD from 2006-2018.Operative mortality,postoperative length of stay,median patient age and weight were calculated for the ten benchmark operations for China and Europe,respectively.Results:Benchmark procedure distribution frequencies differed between Europe and China.In China,ventricular septal defect repair comprised approximately 70%of procedures,while Norwood operations comprised less than one percent of all procedures.Neonatal cardiac procedures were rare in China overall.For procedures in STAT mortality category 1,Chinese centers had lower operative mortality rates,while procedures in categories 3 and 5 mortality is lower in European centers.Operative mortality over the time period decreased from 3.89%to 1.64%for the whole cohort,with a sharper decline in China.This drop coincides with an increase of submitted procedures over this 13-year-period.Conclusion:Chinese centers had higher programmatic volume of congenital heart surgeries,while European centers have a more complex case mix.Palliation for patients with functionally univentricular heart was performed less commonly in China.These comparison of patterns of practice and outcomes demonstrate opportunities for continuing bidirectional transcontinental collaboration and quality improvement.

Heart Surgery Practice in Sub Saharan Africa: Single Nigerian Institutional Midterm Results and Challenges

Background: The majority of prospective cardiac surgical patients in sub Saharan Africa lack access to open heart surgery. We reviewed our midterm results to identify the obstacles to growth and challenges with sustainability. Methods: Records of patients undergoing heart surgery at LASUTH from December 2004 to March 2006 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and outcome data. Results: Twenty four patients age 10-50, mean 28.0 +/? 10.49 years and 13 (54.2%) males underwent surgery. 12 (50.0%) patients had mechanical valve replacements, 11 (45.8%) closure of septal defects and 1 (4.2%) left atrial myxoma resection. Logistic euroscore for valve patients was 5.81 +/? 4.74 while observed mortality was 8.3% (1/12). Overall 30 days operative mortality was 8.3% (2/24) and major morbidity 4.2% (1/24). Patients with septal defects closure stopped clinic visits within a year. Valve patients follow up was complete in 90.1% with mean duration of 55.2 +/? 15.3 months. Late events occurred only in females with mitral valve replacements. The 5-year freedom from thromboembolism and bleeding was 74.0% and survival 82.0% in valve patients. Conclusion: Despite limited resources heart surgery can safely be performed with good outcomes by trained local personnel under supervision of visiting foreign teams until they are proficient to operate independently. Patients with less complex congenital defects have excellent postsurgical outcomes, while patients with rheumatic valve replacement are subject to ongoing valve related morbidity and mortality therefore require lifetime follow up. Choice of prosthetic valve for the mostly indigent and poorly educated population remains a challenge. We now prefer stented tissue valve despite its known limitations, in child bearing age females desirous of childbirth and others unlikely to comply with anticoagulation regimen. Barriers to sustainability include poor infrastructures, few skilled manpower, inadequate funding and restricted patient access due to inability to pay without third party insurance or government Medicaid.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Transfer Anxiety among Open Heart Surgery Patients Transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to the General Ward

Introduction: Patient’s transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward indicates their improving health status. However, the transfer produces anxiety when patients enter an unfamiliar environment with different care protocols and circumstances. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the level of ICU transfer anxiety among open heart surgery patients and determine the psychosocial factors associated with ICU transfer anxiety among open heart surgery patients. Methods: Data were collected in a cardiac center in Kathmandu City, Nepal among 95 open heart surgery patients within 24 hours of their transfer from an ICU to a general ward. The study used four self-reported questionnaires, namely the modified Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adults, modified Brief COPE Inventory, Nurses’ Support Questionnaire, and State Anxiety Inventory. Results: Fifty-two patients (54.7%) had a high level of transfer anxiety. Spearman’s rank correlation showed that uncertainty in illness, coping, and nurses’ support were significantly related to transfer anxiety (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest nurses to address uncertainty in illness of the patients, improve their coping abilities, and provide need-based nursing support to them during the transitional phase. Besides, clinicians and governmental agencies should contribute to implication of transitional guidelines, which can reduce transfer anxiety and promote health and recovery of the patients.

The blossom of “the rose of surgery”——The birth of heart-lung machine

The development of the heart-lung machine made repair of intracardiac lesions possible. One of the key requirements of the heart-lung machine was anticoagulation. Heparin was discovered by a medical student, Jay McLean, working in the laboratory of Dr. William Howell at Johns Hopkins. John Gibbon contributed more to the successful development of the heart-lung machine than anyone else. His interest began as a young doctor since 1930s. Gibbon＇s work on the heart-lung machine took place over the next 20 years in laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University In 1937, he reported the first successful demonstration that life could be maintained by an artificial heart and lung, and the native heart and lungs could resume fimction. After World War II, Dr. Gibbon resumed his work and received support from IBM to build a heart-lung machine on a more sophisticated scale. Eventually, the team developed a larger oxygenator that the IBM engineers incorporated into a new machine. On May 6, 1953, Dr. Gibbon performed the first successful operation using an extracorporeal circuit on an 18-year-old girl with a large atrial septal defect. It wasn＇t until 1958, when a system that involved bubbling blood was perfected, that ＂heart-lung＂ machines came of age. Despite so many chill winds and cold rains, ＂heart-lung＂ machine, the budding rose of surgery, was eventually blossom brightly in the radiant rays of sunlight. John Gibbon＇s dream had become a reality. His work serves as an important example to surgeons who are struggling today with the surgical therapies and technologies of tomorrow.

Do Patients with Asymptomatic Congenital Complete Heart Block Require a Pacemaker for Non-Cardiac Surgery?

The appropriate preparation of the patient with asymptomatic congenital complete heart block (CCHB) and a narrow QRS complex for elective non-cardiac surgery is controversial. Prophylactic temporary pacemaker insertion is associated with well-defined risks, and less invasive techniques exist to treat transient, hemodynamically significant intraoperative brady-arrhythmias. The present case report details the performance of general anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery in an adult patient with this condition without a pacemaker. Documentation of preoperative chronotropic competence with isoproterenol may be of value in deciding whether to proceed without temporary pacing capability in this setting.

A New Three-Dimensional(3D)Printing Prepress Algorithm for Simulation of Planned Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Background:Three-dimensional printing technology may become a key factor in transforming clinical practice and in significant improvement of treatment outcomes.The introduction of this technique into pediatric cardiac surgery will allow us to study features of the anatomy and spatial relations of a defect and to simulate the optimal surgical repair on a printed model in every individual case.Methods:We performed the prospective cohort study which included 29 children with congenital heart defects.The hearts and the great vessels were modeled and printed out.Measurements of the same cardiac areas were taken in the same planes and points at multislice computed tomography images(group 1)and on printed 3D models of the hearts(group 2).Pre-printing treatment of the multislice computed tomography data and 3D model preparation were performed according to a newly developed algorithm.Results:The measurements taken on the 3D-printed cardiac models and the tomographic images did not differ significantly,which allowed us to conclude that the models were highly accurate and informative.The new algorithm greatly simplifies and speeds up the preparation of a 3D model for printing,while maintaining high accuracy and level of detail.Conclusions:The 3D-printed models provide an accurate preoperative assessment of the anatomy of a defect in each case.The new algorithm has several important advantages over other available programs.They enable the development of customized preliminary plans for surgical repair of each specific complex congenital heart disease,predict possible issues,determine the optimal surgical tactics,and significantly improve surgical outcomes.

Effect of Oxygen Therapy by Venturi Mask versus Non Invasive Ventillation on the Outcome of Patients Who Devolope Hypoxia after Open Heart Surgery

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery is a common cause of acute respiratory failure and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the outcomes of open heart surgery patients treated using oxygen delivery devices with patients who receive NIV as a first-line therapy for hypoxemic respiratory failure. Materials and Methods: 40 patients who developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure after open heart surgery and admitted to cardiothoracic ICU 20 patients received NIV and 20 patient received oxygen by venture mask. For all patients the following measurements were performed before and after CPAP AND Venture use: CBC, blood urea, serum creatinine body temperature, chest X-ray, Arterial blood gases (arterial pH, sodium bicarbonate, pcO2, SpO2 and PaO2-to-FiO2 ratio). Results: Mean PO2 and SO2 have increased after using of both venture and Cpap, increase in both PCO2 and HCO3 levels after using Venturi mask, CPAP mask was superior to venturi mask in avoiding the need of intubation, decreasing The ICU stay median length and also median length of hospitalization, all were lower in CPAP group than venture group. Also the mortality rate was lower in CPAP group than the venturi group. Conclusion: Using CPAP mask in severe AHRF following open heart surgery can avoid intubation, decreases the levels of tachypnea and arterial hypoxemia, decreases ICU stay, the length of hospitalization and also decreases the mortality rate compared with patients receiving high-concentration oxygen therapy with venture mask.

Intraoperative Blood Glucose Levels and Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Pediatric Patients Having Congenital Heart Surgery under Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Purpose:This study sought to explore the effect of intraoperative mean blood glucose levels and variability on postoperative acute kidney injury(AKI)in children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery.Methods:We conducted a prospective nested case-control study in children(age<18 years)undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)at the Fuwai Hospital between April 01,2022 and July 30,2022.Cases were individuals who developed AKI within the first postoperative 7 days(AKI group)and controls were those without AKI(Non-AKI group)according to KDIGO criteria.AKI and Non-AKI groups unmatched and 1:1 matched by age,sex,and baseline serum creatinine were separately analyzed.Multivariate logistic and conditional logistic regressions were used to assess the associations between blood glucose variables and AKI.Results:688 consecutively approached patients were included in the final analysis.On multivariate analysis,intra-CPB(adjusted odds ratio[OR]0.802;95%confidence interval[CI],0.706 to 0.912;p=0.001)and post-CPB(adjusted OR 0.830;95%CI,0.744 to 0.925;p=0.001)blood glucose levels were associated with postoperative AKI.There were no significant differences in pre-CPB blood glucose(adjusted OR 0.926;95%CI,0.759 to 1.129;p=0.446)or intraoperative glycemic fluctuations(adjusted OR 0.905;95%CI,0.723 to 1.132;p=0.382)between AKI and Non-AKI groups.Results based on matched cases and controls were consistent with those from the unmatched analyses.Conclusion:Higher intraoperative blood glucose levels during and after CPB were protective factors against postoperative AKI in pediatric patients after congenital heart surgery.

Early Cardiac Catheterizations within 30 Days Post Congenital Heart Surgery in Children

Background:This study set out to assess the indications,feasibility,safety,and outcome of early cardiac catheterizations(CC)within 30 days after congenital heart surgery(CHS)in children.Methods and Results:This is a retrospective,single-center case review study of all CC within 30 days after CHS between 1/2010-12/2020.A total of 317(138 diagnostic,179 interventional)CC were performed in 245 patients at a median of 4 days(IQR 13)after CHS.The median age was 3 months(IQR 6),and body weight was 5 kg(IQR 4).A total of 194(61.2%)CC were performed in patients with univentricular hearts.CC revealed significant pathologies leading to early redo-surgery in 37 patients(12%).The transcatheter interventions primarily were needed in patients after cavo-pulmonary connection(n=69%,21.8%),right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit(n=39%,12.3%),and Norwood-I surgery(n=34%,10.7%)presenting with hypoxemia,prolonged postoperative course,and suspected arterial stenosis on echocardiography.The clinical impact of an early postoperative transcatheter intervention for the following clinical course was high in most cases.There were nine(2.8%)major and 20(6.3%)minor intra-procedural complications.Risk factor analysis revealed no difference for the occurrence of complications for patients’age,weight,and time from initial CHS,underlying uni-vs.biventricular heart disease,or ECMO.Conclusion:Early CC within 30 days after CHS in children can be performed safely with a high diagnostic and therapeutic value.The rate of complications is low,while the therapeutic consequence is relevant.

“I Dread the Heart Surgery but it Keeps My Child Alive”—Experiences of Parents of Children with Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Anomalies during the Assessment for Cardiac Reoperation

Background:Parents of children with complex right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT)anomalies are confronted with their child’s need for heart surgery early in life and repeated reoperations later on.Preoperative assessment needs to be performed whenever an indication for reoperation is suspected.The aim was to illuminate the experiences of parents of children diagnosed with RVOT anomalies,in particular,how they experience their child’s heart disease and everyday life during the assessment and after the decision on whether to perform a reoperation.Method:Individual interviews(n=27)were conducted with nine parents on three occasions between 2014 and 2016 and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results:The analysis resulted in the following five main coexisting themes:The heart surgery keeps my child alive illuminates parents’experiences during and after the assessment and emphasizes that heart surgery,although dreaded,is central for their child’s survival;Everyday struggles illuminates the different struggles parents had to face to ensure that their child would be in the best possible condition;the remaining three themes,Unconditional love,Trust in life,and Togetherness,illuminate the ways in which the parents gained inner strength and confidence in their everyday lives.Conclusion:Although the parents were grateful for the assessment and had learned to navigate among the fears it aroused,they experienced several distressing situations during the assessment process that should be addressed.By inviting both the parents and their child to participate in the child’s care,individualized support can take into account the needs of both parents and child.

Renal Outcomes and Myocardial Performance after On-Pump Beating Heart versus Conventional On-Pump Surgery in Patients with Preoperative Low Glomerular Filtration Rate

Objective: Acute kidney disease develops 16% - 30% of patients with preoperative impaired renal functions. Our aim of this study was to compare postoperative renal outcomes using two open heart surgery techniques, on-pump beating heart (OPBH) and conventional on-pump (COP), in patients who have preoperative low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an indicator of creatinine clearance. Methods: From 2004 to 2015, 341 patients with preoperative creatinine clearance were lower than 90 ml/min/1.73m2 were selected for this study. On-Pump beating heart was performed in 111 patients (Group I). Conventional on-pump technique was used in 200 patients. In the remaining patients, we measured postoperative Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-alpha), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), Brain natriuretic peptid (NT-Pro- BNP), creati-nine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and postoperative eGFR daily until day four after surgery. Results: There were no differences in baseline levels of TNF-alpha, NT-Pro-BNP, BUN, cTn-I, Cr levels between the groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time were much longer and cumulative inotrope use was significantly higher in patients underwent COP (P Conclusion: Our study showed that on-pump beating heart CABG technique provides a morbidity benefit and is associated with a lower risk of peroperative LOS in patients with mild renal disfunction. Our study results suggest that OPBH is superior to the COP in terms of postoperative renal injury and cardiac mediators.