Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of eccentric occluder for the treatment of ventricular septal defect(VSD)without distance from the aortic valve.Methods:This analysis included 16 patients(9 males and 7 females)with VSD without distance from the aortic valve,who were treated at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from February 2022 to June 2024.Ten cases had mild right coronary sinus prolapse,and 2 had mild aortic valve regurgitation.All patients were diagnosed with VSD located zero-distance from aortic valve through transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)and left ventricular angiography.Eccentric occluder was used for interventional closure.TTE and 12-lead electrocardiography(ECG)were performed at 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after surgery to observe the presence of residual shunt,aortic valve regurgitation,and cardiac electrical conduction abnormalities.Results:Transcatheter closure was successful in 15 patients,procedure failed in one patient due to the unstable fixation of the occluder.Average diameter of the defect is(4.37±1.53)mm,and the diameter of the occluder is 6.5(6.0,8.0)mm.Postoperative left ventricular angiography showed minimal residual shunt in 3 cases,and no complications such as pericardial tamponade,hemolysis,thromboembolism,or infection,were observed.At one month after occlusion,TTE results showed that residual shunt disappeared in 3 patients with residual shunt.During 3-month and 6-month follow-up,all the occluders were well-positioned with no new aortic valve regurgitation or worsening of the original regurgitation,and no atrioventricular block or bundle branch block and other electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities.Conclusions:The use of eccentric occluder for intervention of ventricular septal defect patients without distance from the aortic valve is safe and effective.

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 evaluate the effect of intraoperative optimization of regional cerebral oxygen saturation(rSO 2C) intervention on postoperative delirium(POD) in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Methods:Two hundred and seventy-three pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 28 days-6 yr, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ≤Ⅳ, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery under CPB, were divided into intervention group( n=136) and control group( n=137) based on the computer random coding. In intervention group, optimized intervention measures were given when rSO 2C was below 75% of the baseline value for more than 1 min. In control group, rSO 2C was not monitored during operation, and intraoperative management was performed according to the routine monitoring indicators of pediatric cardiac surgery under CPB. The occurrence of POD within 7 days after operation was evaluated, and the duration and first occurrence time of POD were recorded. Results:Compared with control group, no significant change was found in the incidence of POD( P>0.05), the first occurrence time of POD was significantly prolonged, and the duration of POD was shortened in intervention group( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intraoperative optimization of rSO 2C intervention can delay the time to the first occurrence of POD and shorten the duration in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery under CPB.

Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of eccentric occluder for the treatment of ventricular septal defect(VSD)without distance from the aortic valve.Methods:This analysis included 16 patients(9 males and 7 females)with VSD without distance from the aortic valve,who were treated at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from February 2022 to June 2024.Ten cases had mild right coronary sinus prolapse,and 2 had mild aortic valve regurgitation.All patients were diagnosed with VSD located zero-distance from aortic valve through transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)and left ventricular angiography.Eccentric occluder was used for interventional closure.TTE and 12-lead electrocardiography(ECG)were performed at 1 month,3 months,and 6 months after surgery to observe the presence of residual shunt,aortic valve regurgitation,and cardiac electrical conduction abnormalities.Results:Transcatheter closure was successful in 15 patients,procedure failed in one patient due to the unstable fixation of the occluder.Average diameter of the defect is(4.37±1.53)mm,and the diameter of the occluder is 6.5(6.0,8.0)mm.Postoperative left ventricular angiography showed minimal residual shunt in 3 cases,and no complications such as pericardial tamponade,hemolysis,thromboembolism,or infection,were observed.At one month after occlusion,TTE results showed that residual shunt disappeared in 3 patients with residual shunt.During 3-month and 6-month follow-up,all the occluders were well-positioned with no new aortic valve regurgitation or worsening of the original regurgitation,and no atrioventricular block or bundle branch block and other electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities.Conclusions:The use of eccentric occluder for intervention of ventricular septal defect patients without distance from the aortic valve is safe and effective.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intraoperative optimization of regional cerebral oxygen saturation(rSO 2C) intervention on postoperative delirium(POD) in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Methods:Two hundred and seventy-three pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 28 days-6 yr, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ≤Ⅳ, scheduled for elective cardiac surgery under CPB, were divided into intervention group( n=136) and control group( n=137) based on the computer random coding. In intervention group, optimized intervention measures were given when rSO 2C was below 75% of the baseline value for more than 1 min. In control group, rSO 2C was not monitored during operation, and intraoperative management was performed according to the routine monitoring indicators of pediatric cardiac surgery under CPB. The occurrence of POD within 7 days after operation was evaluated, and the duration and first occurrence time of POD were recorded. Results:Compared with control group, no significant change was found in the incidence of POD( P>0.05), the first occurrence time of POD was significantly prolonged, and the duration of POD was shortened in intervention group( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intraoperative optimization of rSO 2C intervention can delay the time to the first occurrence of POD and shorten the duration in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery under CPB.

Background::Due to the wide variety of morphology, size, and dynamics, selecting an optimal valve size and location poses great difficulty in percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI). This study aimed to report our experience with in vitro bench testing using patient-specific three-dimensional (3D)-printed models for planning PPVI with the Venus P-valve. Methods::Patient-specific 3D soft models were generated using PolyJet printing with a compliant synthetic material in 15 patients scheduled to undergo PPVI between July 2018 and July 2020 in Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University.Results::3D model bench testing altered treatment strategy in all patients (100%). One patient was referred for surgery because testing revealed that even the largest Venus P-valve would not anchor properly. In the remaining 14 patients, valve size and/or implantation location was altered to avoid valve migration and/or compression coronary artery. In four patients, it was decided to change the point anchoring because of inverted cone-shaped right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) ( n = 2) or risk of compression coronary artery ( n = 2). Concerning sizing, we found that an oversize of 2-5 mm suffices. Anchoring of the valve was dictated by the flaring of the in- and outflow portion in the pulmonary artery. PPVI was successful in all 14 patients (absence of valve migration, no coronary compression, and none-to-mild residual pulmonary regurgitation [PR]). The diameter of the Venus P-valve in the 3D simulation group was significantly smaller than that of the conventional planning group (36 [2] vs. 32 [4], Z = -3.77, P <0.001). Conclusions::In vitro testing indicated no need to oversize the Venus P-valve to the degree recommended by the balloon-sizing technique, as 2-5 mm sufficed.

Objective:To analyze the short and mid-term efficacy of aortic valvuloplasty with autopericardium on children with aortic valve diseases.Methods:A total of 26 children with aortic valve diseases (stenosis or regurgitation) who underwent aortic valvuloplasty with autopericardium in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from September 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The short-term and mid-term follow-up data were collected.The maximum aortic valve pressure gradient, subaortic regurgitation area, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were compared before and after operation.Paired t test was used to analyze the short-term and mid-term efficacy of aortic valvuloplasty with autopericardium on children with aortic valve diseases. Results:All 26 cases were successfully operated, and there were no deaths and serious complications during the follow-up period of (22.96±6.45) months.There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative maximum aortic valve pressure gradient at 1 month ( t=7.85, P<0.05), 6 months ( t=6.43, P<0.05), 1 year ( t=6.16, P<0.05) and 2 years postoperatively ( t=4.22, P<0.05) in children with aortic stenosis or that combined with mild-to-moderate closure.The follow-up data of 9 children with simple aortic stenosis showed that there was a significant difference between the preoperative (8.87±3.57) cm 2 and postoperative aortic regurgitation area at 1 month ( t=6.85, P<0.05), 6 months ( t=5.13, P<0.05), 1 year ( t=6.62, P<0.05) and 2 years postoperatively ( t=5.41, P<0.05). The LVEDV of 26 children was significantly lower at 6 months[(63.54±27.61) mL], 1 year [(53.61±20.20) mL] and 2 years postoperatively [(64.39±17.78) mL] compared with that of preoperative level[(89.42±45.89) mL]( t=3.89, 4.67, 3.58, all P<0.05). The left ventricular pressure and volume decreased, the enlarged heart was narrowed down, and the geometry of the heart was restored.The LVEF of 26 patients also from (61.65±9.67)% before surgery increased to (67.88±4.69)% 6 months after surgery( t=3.68, P<0.05), and increased to (68.62±4.46)% 1 year after surgery( t=4.01, P<0.05), and increased to (67.55±3.09)% 2 years after operation( t=3.01, P<0.05), and the heart function was improved. Conclusions:Aortic valvuloplasty with autopericardium presents an effective short and mid-term efficacy on children with aortic valve diseases, which prevents or delays the aortic valve replacement.

Objective:To evaluate the medium-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) using a domestic Venus-P self-expanding valve in the treatment of severe pulmonary regurgitation after Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).Methods:Retrospective study.From December 2017 to December 2020, 13 TOF patients with (17.8±4.7) years old and (50.2±12.3) kg underwent PPVI using the Venus-P self-expanding valve in the Department of Children′s Heart Center, Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital were recruited.The mean valve size was (31.9±3.1) mm.All patients received the transannular patch surgery and developed severe pulmonary regurgitation.After PPVI, 13 patients were followed up for at least 12 months.The operation-related complications, improvement of valve and heart function and the durability and reintervention of the Venus-P self-expanding valve were analyzed.The right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVi) before and after operation was compared by the paired t-test, and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was compared by the paired Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Results:PPVI was successfully performed in all 13 patients without death.At 6 months post-PPVI, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings showed that RVEDVi was significantly reduced[(145.7±9.6) mL/m 2vs.(100.2±12.2) mL/m 2, P<0.05], and the NYHA class was significantly improved ( P<0.05). One patient presented moderate pulmonary valve regurgitation at 12 months postoperatively.No vegetation was found on echocardiography, and blood culture was negative in this case.Six patients did not have postoperative pulmonary valve regurgitation, and the remaining presented mild or less pulmonary regurgitation.One patient had sudden ventricular tachycardia on the 6 th day postoperatively, which was converted to sinus rhythm after synchronous electrocardiography.Only one case underwent appendectomy 7 months after operation due to acute appendicitis, and the remaining did not require valve-related reintervention after implantation.During the follow-up for (22.8±8.0) months, no patients had perivalve leakage, stent migration and rupture.Complications like embolization and coronary artery compression were not reported. Conclusions:PPVI using the Venus-P self-expanding valve is safe and effective in patients with severe pulmonary valve regurgitation after TOF surgery, showing an acceptable medium-term follow-up outcome.Studies with a large sample size and long follow-up period are still needed to validate our findings.

Objective:To discuss the treatment strategies and experiences of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) and study the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO).Methods:Clinical data of 125 children with TAPVC in the Children Heart Center of Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were included in this study and analyzed retrospectively.Of the 125 cases, 116 were treated surgically.They were divided into 2 groups according to whether PVO appeared after repair of TAPVC.The t-test or chi- square test was used to compare the clinical data of the 2 groups, and Logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyze the risk factors for postoperative PVO. Results:Among the 116 patients undergoing surgery, including 73 males (62.9%) and 43 females (37.1%), and according to Darling′s classification, there were 58 cases (50.0%) of supracardiac, 35 cases(30.2%)of intracardiac, 15 cases(12.9%) of infracardiac and 8 cases (6.9%) of mixed.The median age and body weight during surgery were 3.0 (1.2, 7.0) months and 5.0 (4.0, 6.8) kg.There were 13 deaths (11.2%), and recurrent PVO was observed in 18 patients (15.9%). Statistically significant diffe-rences were observed in terms of Darling′s classification (supracardiac 27.8% vs.56.6%, intracardiac 27.8% vs.31.6%, infracardiac 27.8% vs.10.5%, mixed 16.6% vs.5.3%, χ2=8.571, P=0.036) of PVO group and non-PVO group after operation preoperative PVO (83.3% vs.21.1%, χ2=25.293, P<0.01), with confluence (55.6% vs.81.1%, χ2=6.049, P=0.014), preoperative critical state (83.3% vs.31.6%, χ2=12.938, P<0.01), cardiopulmonary bypass time[ (128.800±47.254) min vs.(106.700±37.288) min, t=-2.094, P=0.039 ], delayed thoracic closure(27.8% vs.5.3%, χ2=6.227, P=0.013), and anastomotic velocity at 1 day after operation[1.0(0.9, 1.4) m/s vs.0.9(0.8, 1.1) m/s, Z=-2.004, P=0.045], anastomotic velocity at 1 week after operation[1.4 (1.3, 1.8) m/s vs.0.9 (0.7, 1.1) m/s, Z=-4.446, P<0.001], and mechanical ventilation time[121.0 (76.8, 246.9) h vs.91.5 (60.4, 135.9) h, Z=-1.989, P=0.047]. All of these data were included in the Logistic regression analysis.The results showed that preoperative PVO ( OR=797.179, 95% CI: 8.074-78 712.270, P=0.004) and increased anastomotic flow velocity at 1 week after operation ( OR=11 848.376, 95% CI: 23.746-5 912 017.803, P=0.003) were associated with postoperative PVO. Conclusions:Surgical correction in patients with TAPVC with a biventricular anatomy in this center is satisfactory.Preoperative PVO and early anastomotic flow velocity increase after operation are the high risk factors for postoperative PVO.