Objective To evaluate the outcomes of cardiac surgery in neonates weighing less than 2500g and premature infants. Methods From January 2000 through March 2005, 36 consecutive critically symptomatic neonates (26 males, 10 females) weighing less than 2500g underwent cardiac surgery at our center. Median gestational age was 34 weeks with 24 (70.6%) premature (≤37 weeks). Median age at operation was 15.5 days (from 4 days to 68 days). Median weight was 2120g (from 700g to 2500g). Indications for surgery were: persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA, n=15), coarctation of the aorta (CoA, n=3), transposition of great arteries with severely hypoplastic aortic arch (TGA/HAA, n=1), ventricular septal defect (VSD, n=10), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS, n=5), total abnormal pulmonary venous return (TAPVR, n=2). The heart functions of all patients were assessed in NYHA class IV and 7 patients (19.4%) were intubated pre-operatively. 18 cases (50%) needed extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest was used in 6 patients. Results The overall mortality was 11.1%. The causes of death were left heart failure in 1 patient and multiorgan failure in 2 and hypoxmia in 1. Mean extracorporeal circulation time was 92 min (from 72 min to 198 min). Mean aortic cross-clamping time was 76 min (from 46 min to 158 min). Mean deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest Peritoneum dialysis was carried out in 5 cases. Mean follow-up period was 22. 3 months (from 2 months to 46 months). 2 patients underwent reoperation and catheter intervention respectively. The heart functions of 26 patients (81.4%) were in NYHA class I at the latest clinical examination. Conclusion This study suggests that complete repair of simple and complex congenital heart diseases can be performed effectively in low birth weight neonates with acceptable mortality and morbidity. Low weight alone should not be considered as a contraindication to surgery in these patients. It is recommended that such neonates undergo early surgical correction rather than prolonged conservative palliation.

Objective The feasibility of constructing endothelialized vascular graft by using cryopreserved HUVCs was studies. Methods Forty-two human umbilical cords were used in this study. HUVECs were isolated by means of filling umbilical veins with digestive enzyme solution. HUVECs were then cultured and observed. Endothelial cells were identified by von Willebrand factor immunofluorescence staining and scanning electron microscope examination. Endothelial cells were suspended in cryopreserving solution which contains 10% DMSO and 10% fetal bovine serum in M199 and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Post-thawed cells and non-frozen cells proliferation was evaluated by measuring the metabolic activity of tetrazolium compound. The endothelial cell growth characteristics were determined by daily observation using phase contrast microscope. Post-thawed endothelial cells viability was determined by trypan blue staining test. Flow cytometry were applied to determine the apoptosis rate of post-thawed cells. Cryopreserved endothelial cells morphological examinations such as hematoxylin and eosins staining and scanning electron microscope examination were carried out in this study. After cell culture and amplification, cryopreserved HUVCs were seeded on the inner surface of Gore-Tex graft to construct tissue engineered vascular graft. Results Extreme high-purified endothelial cells could be isolated by infusing digestive solutions to the lumen of human umbilical veins. Compared with non-frozen endothelial cells, Post-thawed endothelial cells showed 95% of vitality. Post-thawed HUVEC growth curve was similar to non-frozen ones'. Post-thawed HUVEC apoptosis rate (5.85? 0.56) % was higher than non-frozen ones (5.34?0.49)%; however, the difference was not statistically different. Endothelialization of vascular graft was carried out successfully. Cryopreserved cells on Gore-Tex surface showed a good growth trend. Conclusion Cryopreserved HUVCs may be taken as a cell choice for tissue engineering. Enough high pure endothelial cells could be isolated by digestive solutions infusion of human umbilical veins. Post-thawed endothelial cells are proved to have high vitality and growth potential on Gore-Tex surface in vitro.

Objective A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of the newborns with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum(PAIVS),in order to delineate strategies for the optimal management of PAIVS. Methods From July 2003 to July 2008,17 neonates with PAIVS underwent surgical treatment.The mean age at operation was(1 5.6±8.6)d and the mean weight was(3.54±0.44)kg.Initial surgical treatment included:Blalock-Taussig shunt (BT shunt)in 2 cases,closed pulmonary valvotomy and BT shunt in 1 case,right ventricular outlet tract reconstruction(RVOTR)in 2 cases,RVOTR and BT shunt in 11 cases. Results The mean duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay were(35.5±35.1)h and(8.7±5.9)d,respectively.Two early deaths were reported inside the hospital(2/17,11.8%).Multivariable analysis demonstrated that mechanical ventilation before surgery was the risk factor for in-hospital mortality(r=1.02,P<0.01).The rest 15 cases were followed up with the average time of 19 months(2 months to 5 years)and no death was reported. Conclusions Neonates with PAIVS should be operated early.Individualized treatment strategy and regular follow-up are helpful to achieve better short-term outcome.

Objective To evaluate early and mid-term results in infants,weighing less than 2 500 g,who underwent early cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Method Since November 2003 to December 2007,28 consecutive infants of less than 2 500 g underwent early cardiac surgery on CPB in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.Sixteen infants were male,and 12 infants were female.The mean pregnancy period was 34 weeks (30 to 41 weeks) ,and 14 patients were premature,and the mean birth weight was 2 010 g(1 370-2 500 g).Mean age at operation was 27.46 d (range 1～61 d),and mean weight was 2 391 g (range 1 500～2 500 g).Deep hypothermia circulatory arrest was used in 9.Indications for surgery were:ventricular septal defect (10 infants),transposition of great arteries (6 iofants),totally anomalous pulmonary venom return (5 infants),pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum(2 infants),coarctation of aorta (1 infants) ,interrupted aortic arch (1 infants),cortriatriatum(1 infants),abnormal original of fight pulmonary artery (1 infants).Resuits Two (7.14%) infants died after operation at early phase.Mean duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay were 113.9 h and 14.4 d,respectively.During follow-up (mean 16.87 months),one died.Two patients needed reintervention.About 84.4% infants didn' t need reintervention at the end of 12-month followup.Conclusions If medicine is aseless,infants woth low birth weight and congenital heart defect can obtain satisfactory outcome after CPB.Perioperative proration for virtual organs should be payed attention to.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of real-time 3 dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) for measurement of right ventricular function in the repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) compared to cine magnetic resonance imaging (c-MRI).Methods Thirty-seven randomly selected patients with repaired TOF from Jan.2000 to Jun.2007 in Children's Hospital,Fudan University underwent both RT-3DE and c-MRI for the data of right ventricular enddiastolic volume (RVEDV),right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV),right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF),which were compared to evaluate the reproducibility and correlation of two ways on right ventricular function.Results All the patients completed both RT-3DE and c-MRI on the same day.The correlation for RVEDV,RVESV,RVEF measured by 2 methods was high (r =0.933,0.943,0.911,P =0.000,0.000,0.105),and it showed that consistency existed in RVEF,as difference was only (1.2 ± 4.5) ％.Comparison with c-MRI,RVEDV and RVESV measured by RT-3DE was underestimated,in which difference was (-17.4 ± 16.9) mL,(-9.3 ± 10.5) mL.Conclusions RVEF with RT-3DE can be assessed with acceptable accuracy,but it is not so good for RVEDV and RVESV.Further study needs to be performed to make sure the value of RT-3DE on the assessment of right ventricular function in repaired TOF.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of urgent surgical correction for infra-cardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) in infants and children. Methods From July 2000 to April 2009, seventeen patients with infra-cardiac type of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection received surgical correction in our department. The age of patients ranged from 15 days to 3.7 months at admission, 9 patients ( 52.9 % ) were younger than 1 month of age. The mean body weight was (4.10 ±0.95) kg and was less than 5 kg in 15 patients (88.2%). Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) without cerebral perfusion was used in 13 patients (76%), and continuous hypothermic low-flow perfusion was used in4 (24%). Incisions on the left atrium and pulmonary veins were sutured without tension, and the width of the anastomosis was 2.5 to 4.0 cm. Results Urgent operations were performed in all patients and no early death occurred during surgery.Mean bypass time was 121.9 minutes ( ranging from 70 to 277 minutes) and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 44 minutes ( ranging from 30 to 74 minutes). 6 neonates had delayed wound closure after surgery and 4 had obvious pulmonary edema. Inhalation of nitric oxide was given to 5 cases for the management of significant postoperative pulmonary hypertension, while peritoneal dialysis was performed in 2 cases with temporary renal failure. Transient atrioventricular block of grade 3 occurred in 2patients and acute renal failure occurred in 2 cases. All patients were uneventfully discharged. The mean ventilation time was 45 h (ranging from 12 to 430 h). Mean duration in ICUs and hospitals were 15 days ( ranging from 4 to 40 days) and 22. 5days ( ranging from 10 to 42 days), respectively. During the period of follow up, one patient presented with pulmonary venous obstruction and recurrent pulmonary infection with increased flow speed at the site of anastomosis, pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation on echocardiogram. No improvement was observed in the patient spite of medical treatment and he was lost during follow up one year after operation. 16 patients received postoperative follow up for 1 month to 9 years, mean (51.8 ± 35.0) months. Echocardiography, chest radiography, and ECG were performed during this period. As a result, most children had good cardiac function, with sinus rhythm on ECG and apparently reduced pulmonary congestion on radiography.No obstructive pulmonary venous return was observed on echocardiography. Most patients had good cardiac functions. Conclusion Corrective operation for infra-cardiac TAPVC on urgent basis may provide favorite outcomes. The prognosis is associated with the size of anastomosis between the pulmonary vein and left atrium, as large anastomosis may prevent the obstruction of pulmonary venous retum.

Objective To explore the characteristics of ischemia-reperfusion induced infant lung damage and the potential mechanisms of the injuried.Methods Both infant (15-21 days old) and adult (5-6 months old) rabbits were subjected to either ischemia-reperfusion or sham operation.Ischemia-reperfusion was induced by clamping the right pulmonary hilum for 1 hour and then removal of the clamp for 4 hours under anesthesia.The lung tissue were sampled for histological examination by light and electron microcopies and for biological evaluation of mitochondrial alterations.Production and expression of free radical species-hydroxyl radical (ROS-HR),malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX),myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD-88),and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lung tissue were also examined.In addition,circulating levels of interleukin-β and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured during the ischemia-reperfusion process.Results In comparison to adult lungs,the infant lungs had more increased neutrophil infiltration,edema,swelled alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells,and severer mitochondrial impairment reflected by damage of the inner membrane as well as decrease in the membrane potential after ischemia-reperfusion.The lungs in infant animals subjected to sham operation displayed higher levels of ROS-HR and MDA and lower levels of SOD and GSH-PX than those in adult controls.The lungs in infants with ischemia-reperfusion were found to further produce more ROS-HR,and MDA,and less SOD and GSH-PX than the ischemia-reperfused adult lungs.Moreover,the circulating levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were elevated during the period of ischemia-reperfusion,particularly in the infant animals,which appeared to be associated with the expression of MyD-88 and NF-κB in the lungs.Conclusion Lung ischemia-reperfusion causes more severe lung damage in infants than in adults,probably due to combination of low antioxidant capacity and overproduction of ROS in infants.

No abstract available.
Fontan Procedure* ; Heart*