Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy technique (RVIAT) versus traditional median sternotomy (MS) for ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair in infants weighing ≤5 kg.The study further investigates the safety and feasibility of these two surgical approaches.Methods:Retrospective case-series study.Three hundred and fourteen children weighing no more than 5 kg who received VSD repair in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2020 to June 2024 were analysized.Of these children, 252 cases who underwent RVIAT were included in the RVIAT group, and 62 cases who received traditional MS were classified as the MS group.Clinical data such as day age, body mass, the VSD type and diameter were compared between the 2 groups.The operation time, extracorporeal circulation time, block and postoperative mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) treatment time, 24-hour postoperative chest drainage volume and intraoperative bleeding, postoperative secondary intubation, and cardiac arrhythmia of the 2 groups of patients were recorded.Children with unstable blood pressure and active bleeding after taking vasoactive and hemostatic drugs underwent a secondary surgery.The peak airway pressure, oxygenation index, and lung dynamic compliance of the 2 groups of children were recorded before chest opening, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery. t test, χ2 test and rank sum test were used to compare the clinical data, perioperative results, complications and lung function data of the two groups. Results:(1) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in gender, age, body mass, VSD type and diameter, preoperative pneumonia, and mechanical ventilation rate (all P>0.05).(2) One-stage VSD repair was successfully completed in all cases.In the MS group, 1 infant required a secondary surgery for pericardial tamponade due to excessive bleeding.In the RVIAT group, 1 case necessitated a secondary surgery for third-degree atrioventricular block.Two cases in the MS group and 3 cases in the RVIAT group suffered postoperative arrhythmia, all of who supplemented electrolytes, received a secondary surgery to remove patches and adjust suture positions, and took antiarrhythmic drugs to restore sinus rhythm.(3) The operation time [(137.4±9.1) minutes], hospital stay [(8.2±2.1) days], postoperative mechanical ventilation time [8.0 (6.0, 13.0) hours], postoperative ICU stay [2.9 (2.0, 3.6) days], 24-hour postoperative chest drainage volume [(11.3±1.2) mL], intraoperative bleeding [(11.6±1.2) mL], and hospital costs [(70±7) thousand yuan], the postoperative incidence of incision infection [0.4%(1/252)] and the postoperative incidence of sternal malformation (0) in the RVIAT group were significantly lower than those in the MS group [(151.9±20.2) minutes, (13.1±1.7) days, 12.0 (9.0, 15.0) hours, 2.9 (2.5, 3.7) days, (14.3±1.6) mL, (15.8±2.0) mL, (78±4) thousand yuan, 4.8%(3/62), and 4.8%(3/62), respectively] (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative arrhythmia rate, residual shunt, and atelectasis between the two groups (all P>0.05).(4) The peak airway pressure, oxygenation index and lung dynamic compliance before chest opening, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In infants with low body mass (≤5 kg), RVIAT for VSD repair offers good exposure through a small incision, capable of reducing operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital costs, and facilitating faster recovery.With high safety and effects, RVIAT can be considered as a viable alternative to MS.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy technique (RVIAT) versus traditional median sternotomy (MS) for ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair in infants weighing ≤5 kg.The study further investigates the safety and feasibility of these two surgical approaches.Methods:Retrospective case-series study.Three hundred and fourteen children weighing no more than 5 kg who received VSD repair in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2020 to June 2024 were analysized.Of these children, 252 cases who underwent RVIAT were included in the RVIAT group, and 62 cases who received traditional MS were classified as the MS group.Clinical data such as day age, body mass, the VSD type and diameter were compared between the 2 groups.The operation time, extracorporeal circulation time, block and postoperative mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) treatment time, 24-hour postoperative chest drainage volume and intraoperative bleeding, postoperative secondary intubation, and cardiac arrhythmia of the 2 groups of patients were recorded.Children with unstable blood pressure and active bleeding after taking vasoactive and hemostatic drugs underwent a secondary surgery.The peak airway pressure, oxygenation index, and lung dynamic compliance of the 2 groups of children were recorded before chest opening, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery. t test, χ2 test and rank sum test were used to compare the clinical data, perioperative results, complications and lung function data of the two groups. Results:(1) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in gender, age, body mass, VSD type and diameter, preoperative pneumonia, and mechanical ventilation rate (all P>0.05).(2) One-stage VSD repair was successfully completed in all cases.In the MS group, 1 infant required a secondary surgery for pericardial tamponade due to excessive bleeding.In the RVIAT group, 1 case necessitated a secondary surgery for third-degree atrioventricular block.Two cases in the MS group and 3 cases in the RVIAT group suffered postoperative arrhythmia, all of who supplemented electrolytes, received a secondary surgery to remove patches and adjust suture positions, and took antiarrhythmic drugs to restore sinus rhythm.(3) The operation time [(137.4±9.1) minutes], hospital stay [(8.2±2.1) days], postoperative mechanical ventilation time [8.0 (6.0, 13.0) hours], postoperative ICU stay [2.9 (2.0, 3.6) days], 24-hour postoperative chest drainage volume [(11.3±1.2) mL], intraoperative bleeding [(11.6±1.2) mL], and hospital costs [(70±7) thousand yuan], the postoperative incidence of incision infection [0.4%(1/252)] and the postoperative incidence of sternal malformation (0) in the RVIAT group were significantly lower than those in the MS group [(151.9±20.2) minutes, (13.1±1.7) days, 12.0 (9.0, 15.0) hours, 2.9 (2.5, 3.7) days, (14.3±1.6) mL, (15.8±2.0) mL, (78±4) thousand yuan, 4.8%(3/62), and 4.8%(3/62), respectively] (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative arrhythmia rate, residual shunt, and atelectasis between the two groups (all P>0.05).(4) The peak airway pressure, oxygenation index and lung dynamic compliance before chest opening, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours after surgery did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In infants with low body mass (≤5 kg), RVIAT for VSD repair offers good exposure through a small incision, capable of reducing operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and hospital costs, and facilitating faster recovery.With high safety and effects, RVIAT can be considered as a viable alternative to MS.

Objective To assess the clinic value of three - dimensional(3D)printing models in operation scheme of double outlet right ventricle(DORV). Methods From September 2015 to December 2016,the imaging data of 29 patients (13 males and 16 females)with DORV were acquired using Dual Source CT. And then the cardiac models were generated using 3D printing technology. The cardiac models were used in diagnosing the type of DORV and guiding the surgery scheme. The 3D printed models were compared with two - dimensional imaging in diagnosis and sur-gical scheme of DORV patients. Results Both the two - dimensional imaging and 3D printed models were effective in the diagnosis and typing of DORV. According to 3D printing models,28 cases were consistent with the real operations, and 1 case was inconsistent. According to the two - dimensional imaging data,20 cases of surgical strategies were con-sistent with the real operations and 9 cases were inconsistent. For patients with DORV with non - committed ventricular septal defect (NC - VSD),3D printing models were more accurate in the designing of surgical strategies. Conclusions 3D printing models can display 3D anatomical structures and it is helpful in the diagnosis and making preoperative planning for DORV especially for DORV with NC - VSD,which provides a new method for the assessment of DORV.

Objective To summarize the outcomes and the median follow －up finding of stage 1 surgical approaches of coarctation of aorta(CoA)combined with cardiac anomalies.Methods A retrospective study was per-formed for summarizing the operative and follow－up finding of 82 patients(40 males and 42 females)of CoA combined with cardiac anomalies,who underwent stage 1 repair from February 2013 to December 2016 at the Department of Cardio-vascular Surgery,Henan Provincial People's Hospital.The operative age was ranged from 1 month to 8 years old[mean (11.92 ± 22. 51)months]and the weight was (7.31 ± 6.79)kg. Forty －five cases had ventricular septal defect (VSD)or atrial septal defect (ASD).Septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus were found in 31 patients.CoA was associated with aortic arch hypoplasia in 5 patients.Complex cardiovascular deformity was found in 7 cases.The surgical methods included end－to－end anastomosis,end－to－side anastomosis and patch augmentation of the coarctation seg-ment.Results Seven patients died after operation,3 cases of them died of low cardiac output syndrome amd circulatory failure,1 case died of circulatory failure and respiratory failure,1 patient died of malignant arrhythmia,and 2 cases died of respiratory failure.Postoperative echocardiogram suggested that anastomosis maintained patency in all the patients. The follow－up time was 8 months to 4 years,63 patients were followed up,and follow－up rate was 77%.No death or aneurysm occurred during follow－up period.Recoarctation was found in 5 cases.Conclusions Stage 1 repair for CoA combined with cardiac anomalies is effective,and has low complications during postoperative and median follow－up period.Long－term results need further study.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of surgical device closure of doubly committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defect via left sub-axillary.Methods A total of 45 patients diagnosed as doubly committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defect (dcVSD) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) were enrolled from June 2014 to August 2016 in Henan Children Heart Center,Henan Provincial People's Hospital.There were 39 males and 6 females,with the mean age of (2.2 ±2.1) years old(0.5-8.0 years),the body weight (13.8 ± 7.1) kg(7.0-34.1 kg),the defect size (4.5 ± 1.0) mm (3.0-8.0 mm).After general anesthesia,the patients were in supine and evaluated by TEE which indicated whether they were fit to closure.Then,they were turned to the right lateral position while this technique was determined.A vertical incision of 2-3 cm was made between the third and the fifth intercostal space and invasion in thoracic space via fourth intercostal space.Puncture was done at the anterior surface of right ventricular outlet tract to build a delivery tract.The occluder was released and the VSD was occluded under transesophageal echocardiography guidance.Results Forty-one patients had a successful surgical dcVSD closure with asymmetric occluders sized (6.0 ± 1.5) mm(4-10 mm).Among 4 failure cases,2 cases (4.4％) were switched to open-heart surgical repair,1 case (2.2％) due to device related aortic regurgitation,the rest 1 case (2.2％) experienced a dislocation of occluder into pulmonary artery and was converted to surgical repair after retrieve of occluder.Trivial residual shunt was detected in 2 cases (4.4％) postoperatively,a spontaneous closure was observed by 1 month follow-up and 3 months follow-ups,respectively.All the patients were discharged 5 to 8 days after the operation.With a follow-up of (10.4 ±5.0) months [3-24 months],there were no complications such as pericardial effusion,displacement of device,atrioventricular block or new valvular dysfunction.Conclusions Minimally invasive device closure of doubly committed sub-arterial ventricular septal defect via left sub-axillary is a feasible and safe treatment for closure of dcVSD.This technique has advantages of minor wound,less exudation,covert incision,however,long term follow-up is necessary.

Objective: To summarize the clinical experience and short-term outcome of minimally invasive occlusion in patients with peri-membranous ventricular septal defect (PmVSD) via right subaxillary route under trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance.
Methods: A total of 122 PmVSD patients treated in our hospital from 2014-01 to 2015-07 were summarized. There were 54 male and 68 female with the mean age of (2.7±2.2, 0.5-9.7) years, mean body weight of (13.9±6.0, 6.1-38.0) kg and mean PmVSD diameter of (3.8±0.8, 2.5-7.0) mm. The patients were taken left lateral position, a (2-3) cm incision was performed along right mid-axillary line between the 3rd rib and 4th rib, the thoracic entrance was at 4th inter-costal space. A purse-string suture was conducted on right atrial surface, a special hollow probe was inserted into right atrium and crossed tricuspid into right ventricle under TEE guidance; the probe was adjusted to the point or crossed VSD into left ventricle followed by guide wire insertion to establish a deliver pathway, and ifnally, occlusion device was regularly deployed to close the defect. Post-operative ECG, TEE and chest X-ray were conducted for followed-up study.
Results: There were 119/122 (98.4%) patients occluded successfully and 3 failed patients were converted to cardiopulmonary bypass surgery at the original incision. The average size of occluder was (4.9±1.1, 4-10) mm and all devices were concentric. The patients were followed up at the mean of (8.3±5.0, 1.0-19.8) months, during that period, 12/119 (10.1%) had new mild tricuspid regurgitation, 16 (13.4%) suffered from incomplete right bundle branch block, 4 (3.4%) had small residual shunt and 2 of them were self-closed at 1 and 3 months after operation respectively. There were no complete atrio-ventricular block, no new aortic valve regurgitation and no device dislocation.
Conclusion: Minimally invasive occlusion of PmVSD via right subaxillary route under TEE guidance was a safe, effective, feasible and better cosmetic method for treating relevant patients; while its long-term outcome should be further observed.