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OBJECTIVES Patients after the Norwood procedure are prone to postoperative instability. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can help to overcome short-term organ failure. This retrospective single-centre study examines ECMO weaning, hospital discharge and long-term survival after ECMO therapy between Norwood and bidirectional Glenn palliation as well as risk factors for mortality. METHODS In our institution, over 450 Norwood procedures have been performed. Since the introduction of ECMO therapy, 306 Norwood operations took place between 2007 and 2022, involving ECMO in 59 cases before bidirectional Glenn. In 48.3% of cases, ECMO was initiated intraoperatively post-Norwood. Patient outcomes were tracked and mortality risk factors were analysed using uni- and multivariable testing. RESULTS ECMO therapy after Norwood (median duration: 5 days; range 0–17 days) saw 31.0% installed under CPR. Weaning was achieved in 46 children (78.0%), with 55.9% discharged home after a median of 45 (36–66) days. Late death occurred in 3 patients after 27, 234 and 1541 days. Currently, 30 children are in a median 4.8 year (3.4–7.7) follow-up. At the time of inquiry, 1 patient awaits bidirectional Glenn, 6 are at stage II palliation, Fontan was completed in 22 and 1 was lost to follow-up post-Norwood. Risk factor analysis revealed dialysis (P  < 0.001), cerebral lesions (P  = 0.026), longer ECMO duration (P  = 0.002), cardiac indication and lower body weight (P  = 0.038) as mortality-increasing factors. The 10-year mortality probability after ECMO therapy was 48.5% (95% CI 36.5–62.9%). CONCLUSIONS ECMO therapy in critically ill patients after the Norwood operation may significantly improve survival of a patient cohort otherwise forfeited and give the opportunity for successful future-stage operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aortic arch enlargement in the Norwood procedure is classically carried out using a curved homograft patch on the inner curvature of the neoaortic arch. The study investigates the outcome of a newly used artificial patch from a vascular prosthesis as an alternative to a homograft patch. METHODS Since April 2007, we used curved polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) patches cut out of a prosthesis as an alternative to homograft patches for the aortic arch reconstruction. The decision for either patch material was made due to anatomic reasons, preferring PTFE patches in larger aortas. In this study, 224 Norwood patients, operated between April 2007 and April 2018, were analysed. A total of 104 patients received a PTFE patch (group PTFE), and 120 patients got a pulmonary homograft patch (group homograft). A single-centre retrospective analysis was carried out concerning postoperative course and long-term follow-up regarding aortic arch interventions and reoperations and comparing the 2 material groups. RESULTS There were no material associated operative or postoperative complications. In-hospital mortality was 13% in group PTFE. Six children died late during follow-up (6%). One aortic isthmus dilatation (1%) was carried out 12 months after the Norwood procedure in this group, no arch reoperation was necessary during the complete follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The curved PTFE patch showed good qualities in operative technical demands and excellent long-term results. In selected cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, it can be well used as alternative to the pulmonary homograft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction are commonly called complex transposition. The traditional method of repair is the Rastelli procedure. Aortic translocation (Nikaidoh 1984) provides a more anatomic repair of this malformation. En bloc rotation of the truncus arteriosus (double root translocation, half turn truncal switch procedure) was introduced in 2003 (Yamagishi), and offers a complete anatomic repair with growth potential in all tubular structures. The aim of this study was to analyse our general experience with this method and the mid-term results concerning growth of the tubular structures as well as the function of the semilunar valves, if preserved. METHODS: Nineteen patients with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or similar cases of double outlet right ventricle (DORV) have been treated by an en bloc rotation of the truncus arteriosus in our centre since 2003. Patient age ranged between 4 days and 6.46 years. The median age was 0.39 [0.1; 2.25] years. Weight ranged between 3.1 and 18.8 kg. Median weight was 5.6 [3.6; 9] kg. Five patients had received between 1 and 4 palliative procedures prior to the definitive repair. The pulmonary valve could be preserved in 15 cases, whereas a transannular patch was necessary in 4 cases. RESULTS: One patient died of chronic left ventricular failure during the hospital stay. One patient acquired a severe cerebral haemorrhage 3 weeks after the operation. She was discharged and died 6 months later. One patient is not in a follow-up programme. Sixteen patients are now followed over a period of 153 days to 9.96 years. Aortic and pulmonary valves showed proportional growth during the follow-up period. The preserved pulmonary valves were small for age, but kept their competence satisfactorily. Three patients required a reoperation: one aortic valve repair, 1 permanent pacemaker, VSD closure. CONCLUSIONS: Up to now, reoperations had been caused by technical issues. The reoperation rate can be kept low, by understanding some important features of this procedure and avoiding these problems. Complete anatomic repair with growth potential and satisfactory preserved pulmonary valve function is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES The Norwood procedure is commonly used as first-step palliation in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or related congenital malformations. In most cases, the operation is carried out during the first week of life. Excessive pulmonary blood flow in univentricular physiology can soon lead to compromised cardiac function and pulmonary hypertension and could have an influence on postoperative outcomes. METHODS Between 1997 and 2011, 257 Norwood procedures were performed at the Kinderherz-Zentrum Linz. Twenty-seven patients were older than 20 days at the time of the Norwood operation without previous pulmonary artery banding. A retrospective analysis of the two age groups was carried out concerning early mortality, interstage mortality and major events until the bidirectional Glenn operation. RESULTS Patients older than 20 days had a significantly higher mortality rate before the bidirectional Glenn operation than younger patients (44.4 vs 20.3%; P = 0.002). They also showed a significantly higher need for postoperative inhalative nitric oxide therapy (40.7 vs 14.5%, P = 0.002). Summarized risk for either successful postoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy or mortality before the bidirectional Glenn operation was 59.3% in the older age group vs 23.8% in the younger age group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Age older than 20 days seems to be an independent risk factor for early postoperative mortality and fatal events after the Norwood procedure. Long-persisting excessive pulmonary blood flow and preoperative cardiac decompensation can be the reason for postoperative lethal pulmonary hypertensive crisis and compromised ventricular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]