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An intraoperative method was developed for direct investigation of the coronary arteries using an epicardial high-frequency two-dimensional Doppler ultrasound transducer. This fingertip 7.5-MHz transducer was used in 30 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery to measure blood flow in the coronary arteries and bypass grafts. In all the patients, clear images of the coronary arteries and the bypass grafts were obtained in the beating heart, and coronary blood flow could be measured to evaluate the degree of stenosis. There were no significant differences between the measurements obtained with the Doppler transducer and a transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter of blood flow in the left internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery, indicating that the Doppler method produces accurate and reproducible measurements. This method can provide useful intraoperative information about the coronary artery system in emergency operations such as acute aortic dissection.

Objective: We evaluated the long-term outcome of aortic valve after arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods: A retrospective review of 324 hospital survivors after ASO was performed. Echocardiographic findings and incidence and progression of aortic regurgitation (AR) were investigated. Endpoints of the study were the first documented occurrence of moderate or severe AR or need for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Results: Upon discharge from hospital 5.2% of the patients showed mild AR, progressing to 11.4% after 1 year. At a mean follow-up time of 14.4 ± 0.54 years, AR was absent in 307 (94.7%), trivial in six (1.8%), mild in nine (2.7%), and moderate-to-severe in two (0.6%) patients. There is a progression of AR with time after ASO (p < 0.001). A total of two patients reached the combined endpoint, both of whom underwent AVR at a mean time of 10.82 years after ASO. Freedom from aortic valve reoperation was 98.7 ± 0.9% at 5 and 10 years and 94.7 ± 4% at 15 years. Univariate analysis identified the following risk factors: ventricular septal defect (VSD) (p = 0.005), prior pulmonary artery banding (p < 0.003), and postoperative incidence of mild AR (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: AR is not rare after ASO, but it is stable without progressive intensity; new AR developed in 5.2% after 10 years, and is present only in 2.7% after a median follow-up 14.4 ± 0.54 years. If trivial AR is excluded, it is present only in 0.9%. New AR can develop even up to 15 years. However, severe AR and need for AVR are rare. (J Card Surg 2010;25:730-736)

Background— The purpose of the study is to report major cardiac and cerebrovascular events after the Ross procedure in the large adult and pediatric population of the German-Dutch Ross registry. These data could provide an additional basis for discussions among physicians and a source of information for patients. Methods and Results— One thousand six hundred twenty patients (1420 adults; 1211 male; mean age, 39.2±16.2 years) underwent a Ross procedure between 1988 and 2008. Follow-up was performed on an annual basis (median, 6.2 years; 10 747 patient-years). Early and late mortality were 1.2% (n=19) and 3.6% (n=58; 0.54%/patient-year), respectively. Ninety-three patients underwent 99 reinterventions on the autograft (0.92%/patient-year); 78 reinterventions in 63 patients on the pulmonary conduit were performed (0.73%/patient-year). Freedom from autograft or pulmonary conduit reoperation was 98.2%, 95.1%, and 89% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Preoperative aortic regurgitation and the root replacement technique without surgical autograft reinforcement were associated with a greater hazard for autograft reoperation. Major internal or external bleeding occurred in 17 (0.15%/patient-year), and a total of 38 patients had composite end point of thrombosis, embolism, or bleeding (0.35%/patient-year). Late endocarditis with medical (n=16) or surgical treatment (n=29) was observed in 38 patients (0.38%/patient-year). Freedom from any valve-related event was 94.9% at 1 year, 90.7% at 5 years, and 82.5% at 10 years. Conclusions— Although longer follow-up of patients who undergo Ross operation is needed, the present series confirms that the autograft procedure is a valid option to treat aortic valve disease in selected patients. The nonreinforced full root technique and preoperative aortic regurgitation are predictors for autograft failure and warrant further consideration. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00708409.

Background Weaning from left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) after myocardial recovery in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a clinical option. With the broad application of continuous-flow pumps, we observed a decrease in the numbers of possible LVAD explantations due to myocardial recovery in these particular patients. We investigated this phenomenon and its causes. Methods Between July 1992 and December 2009, 387 patients (age, 0.1 to 82 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent LVAD implantation at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they were weaned from the LVAD (group A) or not (group B). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on 24 different factors with a possible influence on myocardial recovery. Results In 34 patients, LVAD removal due to myocardial recovery was performed with long-term stable cardiac function (weaning rate, 8.8%). Patients with a pulsatile-flow LVAD had an almost threefold chance for myocardial recovery (odds ratio, 2.719; 95% confidence interval, 1.182 to 6.254) than patients who received continuous-flow devices. Younger patients had significantly higher recovery rates than older patients (odds ratio, 1.036; 95% confidence interval, 1.016 to 1.057). Conclusions Pulsatile-flow LVADs and young age were important factors for myocardial recovery in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients in our analysis. Further studies should investigate whether pulsatility in itself or the different degrees of left ventricular unloading by the two types of systems play a role in myocardial recovery.

Objective: Early and late mortality have significantly improved during recent decades in pediatric patients after heart transplantation (HTx). Nevertheless early and late morbidity and mortality are influenced by acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), malignancy, renal failure, and graft failure. Methods: We evaluated our results after HTx in children under the age of 18 years with 23 years of follow-up. Perioperative characteristics, probability of survival, and time-related morbidity were retrospectively analyzed. Results: We included 169 pediatric HTx recipients, transplanted between 05/1986 and 05/2010. One hundred and one were males with a median age of 8.7 (0.02—23.2) years at the time of HTx. Main preoperative diagnoses were cardiomyopathy (CMP) (n = 139) with a median survival of 7.0 (0—23.2) years and congenital heart disease (CHD) (n = 30), median survival 11.3 (0—19.9) years. Overall survival at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years was 87%, 76%, 68%, and 50%, respectively. Patient survival was signifi cantly reduced in patients with 0—1 year at the time of HTx versus 1— 10 and 11—18 years: 2.3 (0—13.2) years versus 1—10 years = 8.6 (0—23.2) years; 11—18 years = 5.9 (0.003—18.5) years. Fifty-one patients were on mechanical circulatory support as a bridge-to-HTx with increased early but not late mortality. Ten patients underwent retransplant due to acute or chronic graft failure after a median posttransplant time of 12.25 (0.3—17.45) years. Late mortality was influenced by rejection, infection, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) (11.8%), or CAV with an incidence of 25% at 5 years, 50% at 10 years, and approximately 75% at 15 years. Conclusions: Pediatric HTx is a safe and effective treatment for terminal heart failure. In our experience, there is no adverse effect of previous cardiac assist device implantation in long-term follow-up. Virtually all anatomic malformations are amenable to orthotopic HTx. Significant progress has been achieved in controlling rejection through improved immunosuppression and noninvasive rejection monitoring. # 2011 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Purpose We have introduced a new surgical technique for aortic root remodeling in aortic root aneurysm, comprised of aortic annuloplasty, reduction of sinus of Valsalva, and wrapping of the aortic root. Description At the level of the basal ring, the aortic annulus is fixed with the collar of a Gelweave Valsalva vascular graft (Vascutek, Ltd, Inchinnan, UK). After plication of the dilated sinuses of Valsalva from outside the aorta, the aortic root is wrapped with this prosthesis. The distal end of the graft and the transected aortic wall are sutured together with running sutures. Evaluation Since September 2006, 10 patients suffering from aortic root aneurysm were successfully operated on using this technique. After a median follow-up of 20.7 months, there were no early deaths and no reoperations due to failure of remodeling surgery. Median diameter of the sinus of Valsalva was reduced from 49.5 mm to 34.0 mm. All patients showed aortic regurgitation of grade 0 or grade 1 at follow-up. Conclusions Long-term follow-up is necessary to prove the durability of this operation.

We present a patient who was evaluated for heart transplantation, but because of acute cardiac decompensation with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and multiorgan failure, had the indication for biventricular mechanical circulatory support. The patient was maintained on mechanical circulatory support for more than 4 years until he became eligible to receive a heart allograft.

Background— Autograft reinforcement interventions (R) during the Ross procedure are intended to preserve autograft function and improve durability. The aim of this study is to evaluate this hypothesis. Methods and Results— 1335 adult patients (mean age:43.5±12.0 years) underwent a Ross procedure (subcoronary, SC, n=637; root replacement, Root, n=698). 592 patients received R of the annulus, sinotubular junction, or both. Regular clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was performed (mean:6.09±3.97, range:0.01 to 19.2 years). Longitudinal assessment of autograft function with time was performed using multilevel modeling techniques. The Root without R (Root−R) group was associated with a 6× increased reoperation rate compared to Root with R (Root+R), SC with R (SC+R), and without R (SC-R; 12.9% versus 2.3% versus 2.5%.versus 2.6%, respectively; P Conclusions— For the time period of the study surgical autograft stabilization techniques preserve autograft function and result in significantly lower reoperation rates. The nonreinforced Root was associated with significant adverse outcome. Therefore, surgical stabilization of the autograft is advisable to preserve long-term autograft function, especially in the Root Ross procedure.

When mitral annuloplasty is performed in small children, room for annular growth should be allowed. However, it has not been reported how the valve develops after mitral annuloplasty of the entire posterior annulus. We report a case showing traces of annular growth at redo surgery. A female patient suffering from mitral valve insufficiency due to annular dilatation underwent modified Paneth plasty with Kay-Wooler commissural plication annuloplasty at the age of two years one month. In redo surgery 8.4 years after initial repair, enlargement of the commissural portion of the posterior annulus in addition to enlargement of the anterior leaflet and anterior annulus was observed. Modified Paneth plasty reinforced with a pericardial strip and Kay-Wooler annuloplasty of the posteromedial commissure were performed. Mitral orifice size measured with the Hegar dilator was 18 mm after the re-repair, increasing from 16 mm after the initial repair. Taking into account the normal mitral annulus diameter related to body surface area (BSA) of 16 mm at initial operation and 20 mm at redo surgery, the increase in mitral orifice size from 16 mm to 18 mm in this patient may be regarded as the annular growth in 8.4 years.

Between five and eight percent of all children born with congenitally malformed hearts suffer from coarctations of the aorta. Some severe coarctations can only be treated by surgical repair. Untreated, this defect can cause serious damage to organ development or even lead to death. Patch repair requires open surgery. It can affect patients of any age: newborns with severe coarctation and/or hypoplastic aortic arch as well as older patients with late diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta. Another patient group are patients of varying age with re-coarctation of the aorta or hypoplastic aortic arch after surgical and/or interventional repair. If anatomy is complex and interventional treatment by catheterization, balloon angioplasty or stent placement is not possible, surgery is indicated. The choice of type of surgery depends not only on the given anatomy but also on the experience the surgical team has with each method. One surgical approach is patch repair. A patch of a suitable shape and size is sewed into the aorta to expand the aortic lumen at the site of coarctation. At present, the shape and size of the patch are estimated intra-operatively by the surgeon. We have developed a software application that allows planning of the patch pre-operatively on the basis of magnetic resonance angiographic data. The application determines the diameter of the coarctation and/or hypoplastic segment and constructs a patch proposal by calculating the difference to the normal vessel diameter pre-operatively. Evaluation of MR angiographic datasets from 12 test patients with different kinds of aortic arch stenosis shows a divergence of only (1.5±1.2) mm in coarctation diameters between manual segmentations and our approach, with comparable time expenditure. Following this proposal the patch can be prepared and adapted to the patient's anatomy pre-operatively. Ideally, this leads to shorter operation times and a better long-term outcome with a reduced rate of residual stenosis and re-stenosis and aneurysm formation.

Fig. 2. Completion of modified Paneth plasty with 3-0 Prolene (polypropylene monofilament) sutures. The patient underwent modified Paneth suture plasty, in which two double-armed 3-0 Prolene sutures were anchored at each fibrous trigone, and each second running suture was placed around the first simple running suture already placed on both halves of the posterior mitral annulus. A 23-mm sizer was able to pass through the mitral valve. Intra-operative transoesophageal echocardiography revealed no mitral regurgitation, no mitral stenosis and no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after valve repair.

Early graft failure, particularly right ventricular dysfunction, remains a significant determinant of early morbidity and mortality in heart transplant recipients. If conservative medical management fails to help recover cardiac allograft function, mechanical circulatory support either bridging to recovery or retransplantation remains the last option. We report on a 16-year-old patient with hypertropic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy who was weaned successfully from a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) after extended right ventricular mechanical support for three months following heart transplantation.

Studies of larger patient groups for systematic assessment of the anatomical accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) have been performed so far only in adults. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether MRI can precisely depict pulmonary venous anatomy in infants and young children. Data on 26 children under 10 years old that underwent MRI over the past 2 years for suspected PAPVD were assessed. The MRI protocol included shunt quantification by velocity-encoded cine as well as morphological and functional assessment by multislice multiphase and contrast-enhanced MR techniques. MRI was performed in the compliant patient in breath-hold (n = 8; age range, 4.6-9.5 years) and in the noncompliant patient in conscious-sedation free breathing (n = 18; age range, 0.4 to 7.5 years). In 22 patients, PAPVD was diagnosed with MRI and confirmed during surgery. In four patients with large atrial septal defects not accessible to percutaneous closure, normal pulmonary venous return was demonstrated by MRI and confirmed during surgery. MRI under conscious sedation accurately specifies the anatomy of pulmonary veins in infants and small children. Therefore, we suggest performing MRI in patients with inconclusive transthoracic echocardiographic results in the preoperative assessment of PAPVD.

Intraoperative stent implantation into a stenotic left pulmonary artery branch and surgical creation of a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis resulted in avoidance of aortic cross-clamping and transection of the aorta for surgical patching of the pulmonary artery. The hybrid approach thereby reduced the complexity of the surgical procedure, facilitated the use of a minimized cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, reduced the degree of hemodilution and blood trauma and resulted in transfusion-free surgery and excellent clinical outcome in an 11 kg child.

Performing cardiac surgery on pediatric Jehovah’s Witness patients is a great challenge for the surgical team and especially for the perfusionist. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject blood transfusions on the grounds of their literal interpretation of passages of the Bible. In accordance with this belief, Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that it is also forbidden to retransfuse autologous blood that has been separated from their own circulatory system. We report the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during open-heart surgery in three infants with a body weight of 4.5 kg, 3.5 kg, and 3.1 kg, respectively, without transfusion of blood components. A small-volume CPB circuit with a priming volume of 200 mL, including the arterial line filter, was designed to decrease the degree of hemodilution. A dedicated pediatric heart lung machine console with remote pump heads and intensive blood conservation efforts allowed the operation without the use of donor blood. The CPB circuits were primed with crystalloid solution only. The procedures were performed in normothermia or in moderate hypothermia. Pre-CPB hemoglobin levels were 10.8 g/dL, 10.6 g/dL, and 8.5 g/dL. The hemoglobin concentrations measured during CPB ranged from 5.9 to 6.5 g/dL, 6.4 to 6.8 g/dL, and 5.5 to 5.9 g/dL, respectively. The patients did not receive any blood or blood products during their entire hospital stay.

Conflicting results have been reported with regard to the neuroprotective effects of steroid treatment with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). We evaluated the mode and severity of neuronal cell injury in neonatal piglets after prolonged DHCA and the possible neuroprotective effect of systemic pretreatment (>6 h before surgery) with large-dose methylprednisolone (MP). Nineteen neonatal piglets (age

Purpose Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the main cause of graft failure in heart transplant (HTx) recipients. Coronary angiography remains the principal tool for CAV in most institutions. However, coronary angiography might miss CAV. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) might be used for visualisation of coronary pahtology in HTx recipients. Methods and Materials OCT is using near infrared light capturing micrometer resolution with three-dimensional imaging. OCT was used with the 5 Fr. Guiding catheter over a 0.014inch guide wire in the left and right coronary artery. OCT was used with a blood free pullback (20 mm/sec) with 100 frames per second, where axial resolution was 15 μm. Angiographic and histological assessment of coronary vascular status was performed. Results We report our initial experience (n=7) with intracoronary OCT in pediatric HTx-recipients. Median age was 7.8 (4.6 – 10.9) years; median posttransplant time was 6.9 (4.5-10.2) years. OCT was performed in all patients without complications. We could detect intimal thickening (see figure ), medial hypertrophy and overall luminal changes several patients, whereas all lesions were not detectable by angiography. These lesions still have to be analyzed for clinical relevance. Conclusions It is possible to perform OCT in pediatric Htx recipients above 15kg of BW. OCT delivers impressive and promising insight into the coronary arteries besides angiography and with an improved resolution, if compared to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Vascular pathology hidden for angiographic detection might be illuminated with this method and its clinical relevance needs to be studied.

Complex cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass normally requires the transfusion of autologous blood components, particularly in neonates. This is predominately caused by the relatively high priming volume of the circuit with subsequent extreme hemodilution and the often extended and complex perfusions leading to progressive consumption of platelets and coagulation factors. We report on a strategy to minimize the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit and adjust the perfusion technique that resulted in transfusion-free correction of tetralogy of Fallot with an absent pulmonary valve and an aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery in a 3.55 kg Jehovah's Witness neonate boy.

Brain injury and altered psychomotor development in infants, children and adults after cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is still a matter of concern. Early diagnosis and identification of brain injury that has occurred or is ongoing by measurement of biochemical markers in serum may have diagnostic and prognostic value. The aim of the experimental studies in an animal model was therefore to investigate the release patterns of astroglial and neuronal markers in serum and to determine the morphological and immunohistochemical changes in the brain of animals undergoing similar perfusion conditions of CPB and a period of DHCA.Fourteen New Zealand rabbits, (weight, 3.1 +/- 0.25 kg) were anesthetized, intubated and mechanically ventilated. Four animals were sham operated and served as controls. After median sternotomy the animals were connected to CPB by cannulation of the aorta and right atrium. Full flow CPB (200-250 ml/kg/min) was initiated to achieve homogeneous systemic cooling. Circulatory arrest of 60 minutes was induced when rectal and nasopharyngeal temperature of 14 degrees C was achieved. After rewarmed reperfusion and establishment of stable cardiac ejection the animals were weaned from CPB and monitored for 6 hours. Then the animals were killed, the brain was immediately removed and cut in standardized sections. These were fixated, embedded in paraffin and stained for further quantitative histological studies. In the brain astrocyte reactivity for S-100B was assessed immunocytochemically (DPC Immustain Los Angeles, USA). Monoclonal mouse anti-human neurospecific enolase (NSE) antibody was used for the localization of NSE in the fixed and paraffin embedded brain (NSE-DAKO, H14). The concentrations of S-100B protein and neurospecific enolase (NSE) in the serum were analyzed using a commercially available immunoluminometric assay (LIA-mat, Sangtec 100, Byk-Sangtec). Immunospecific monoclonal anti-parvalbumin antibody was used for the detection of parvalbumin in the brain. Serum concentrations of parvalbumin were analyzed using a newly developed ELISA method.In all experimental animals a significant increase of the serum concentration of the astroglial protein S-100B was found immediately after reperfusion and the termination of CPB. In contrast the serum levels of the neuronal proteins parvalbumin and NSE were not increased, but rather decreased. Light microscopy and electron microscopy revealed perivascular astrocytic swelling and minor neuronal cell injury. In comparison to the sham operated animals, increased immunohistochemical staining of S-100B was found. This increased reactivity of S100B antibody was found in the astrocytic processes with immediate connection to the perivascular space and around the perivascular oedema. The immunocytochemical stainings for NSE and parvalbumin in the neuronal cells was not different from that of sham-operated animals and indicated well preserved neurons.

Mechanical Circulatory Support for the Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock in Children and Adolescents with Acute Fulminant Myocarditis S. Buz, Y. Weng, M. Huebler, T. Drews, C. Knosalla, H. Lehmkuhl, M. Dandel, F. Berger, R. Hetzer, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Congenital Heart Defects/Pediatric Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Background: Sildenafil (Viagra®) has been shown to be a specific and effective pulmonary vasodilator and is increasingly used in patients with pulmonary hypertension. We investigated the effect of sildenafil medication on cerebral oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in children with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance after cardiac surgery.

a calcified tear in the noncoronary leaflet with perforation was observed. It is difficult to determine whether the tear was primary or calcium related. Probably, the presence of these calcium depositions encouraged tearing. We speculate that the postoperative finding of elevated peak transvalvular gradient was associated with a dynamic obstruction in the left ventricular outlet, and this situation led to mechanical stress during the systolic phase. The right coronary leaflet had intrinsic and vegetating calcifications with stiffness but without tearing. In addition, the commissural areas were severely calcified. These areas are designed to absorb and distribute the mechanical stress during the cardiac cycle. Thus when the leaflets are opened, they are completely free of stresses. Although a stent distortion is extremely rare and unusual, we can not reject this possibility completely.