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Mitral valve replacement using a Melody valve is a promising solution to the challenge of surgical mitral valve replacement in infants with a hypoplastic annulus. We report the creation of a landing zone in the mitral valve annulus using a Cheatham-Platinum (CP)-covered stent that facilitates Melody valve placement, helps prevent paravalvular leak, minimizes left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and allows for potential future dilation of the valve.

Coronary artery transfer is a critical step of the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Strategies for coronary transfer include open transfer before neoaortic anastomosis and closed transfer after neoaortic anastomosis. This study reports outcomes of ASO with closed coronary transfer at a single institution.A retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing ASO for TGA from November 2006 to September 2015. Closed coronary transfer was universally employed. Patients were assigned to simple vs complex coronary anatomy groups. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included reoperation-free survival, coronary reintervention, and aortic insufficiency.Ninety-six consecutive patients underwent ASO for TGA. Median follow-up was 5.8 years. Thirty-five (36%) patients had complex coronary anatomy, which was associated with significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp time. Overall survival was 97.4%, and reoperation-free survival was 83.6%. There was no difference in survival or reoperation-free survival of patients with simple vs complex coronary anatomy. Hispanic ethnicity, side-by-side great arteries, and urgent or emergent operation were significantly associated with the composite outcome of reoperation or mortality. There were no coronary interventions after ASO, and the incidence of moderate or greater aortic insufficiency was 2.1% at hospital discharge and 1.5% in follow-up.Closed coronary transfer during ASO has excellent short-term and midterm results. Despite variable and often complex coronary anatomy, coronary ischemic events after ASO are avoidable. Closed coronary transfer has a low risk of aortic valve injury or insufficiency.

Van Praagh (VP) A3 variant of truncus arteriosus (or common arterial trunk) is defined by only one pulmonary artery (usually the right) originating from the common trunk, while the other lung is supplied either by collaterals or a pulmonary artery arising from the aortic arch. This report describes a staged approach to manage a VP-A3 variant truncus arteriosus with ductal origin of the left pulmonary artery (LPA), a hypoplastic right pulmonary artery, and cyanosis. Initially, the ductal portion of the proximal LPA was stented with a Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent. The pulmonary arteries grew and at four months of age had an acceptable McGoon ratio and Nakata index. The patient then underwent repair which included unifocalization of the branch pulmonary arteries, closure of the ventricular septal defect, and placement of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery homograft conduit.

Background: Neonatal myocardial infarction is rare and is associated with a high mortality of 40% to 50%. We report our experience with neonatal myocardial infarction, including presentation, management, outcomes, and our current patient management algorithm. Methods: We reviewed all infants admitted with a diagnosis of coronary artery thrombosis, coronary ischemia, or myocardial infarction between January 2015 and May 2021. Results: We identified 21 patients (median age, 1 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.25–9.00] day; weight, 3.2 [IQR, 2.9–3.7] kg). Presentation included respiratory distress (16), shock (3), and murmur (2). Regional wall motion abnormalities by echocardiogram were a key criterion for diagnosis and were present in all 21 with varying degrees of depressed left ventricular function (severe [8], moderate [6], mild [2], and low normal [5]). Ejection fraction ranged from 20% to 54% (median, 43% [IQR, 34%–51%]). Mitral regurgitation was present in 19 (90%), left atrial dilation in 15 (71%), and pulmonary hypertension in 18 (86%). ECG was abnormal in 19 (90%). Median troponin I was 0.18 (IQR, 0.12–0.56) ng/mL. Median BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) was 2100 (IQR, 924–2325) pg/mL. Seventeen had documented coronary thrombosis by cardiac catheterization. Seventeen (81%) were treated with intracoronary tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) followed by systemic heparin, AT (antithrombin), and intravenous nitroglycerin, and 4 (19%) were treated with systemic heparin, AT, and intravenous nitroglycerin alone. Nineteen of 21 recovered. One died (also had infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return). One patient required a ventricular assist device and later underwent heart transplant; this patient was diagnosed late at 5 weeks of age and did not respond to tPA. Nineteen of 21 (90%) regained normal left ventricular function (ejection fraction, 60%–74%; mean, 65% [IQR, 61%–67%]) at latest follow-up (median, 6.8 [IQR, 3.58–14.72] months). Two of 21 (10%) had residual trivial mitral regurgitation. After analysis of these results, we present our current algorithm, which developed and matured over time, to manage neonatal myocardial infarction. Conclusions: We experienced a lower mortality rate for infants with neonatal infarction than that reported in the literature. We propose a post hoc algorithm that may lead to improvement in patient outcomes following coronary artery thrombus.

We describe the management of an infant presenting with severe heart failure at 6 weeks of age found to have an anomalous single coronary artery originating from the main pulmonary artery (MPA). This patient was transferred to our hospital and ultimately had their coronary artery translocated to the ascending aorta successfully. Preoperative severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (MR) improved to normal function and mild-to-moderate MR 6 weeks postrepair. Three-dimensional CT reconstructions proved valuable and allowed for accurate preoperative planning leading to successful coronary transfer.

We describe our management of a 2-year-old patient with Kawasaki disease with a giant proximal right coronary artery (RCA) aneurysm and a >99% RCA ostial stenosis. After median sternotomy and cardioplegic arrest of the heart, we opened the aorta and cut into the RCA ostium past the stenosis and giant aneurysm. The RCA was reconstructed with an autologous pericardial patch. Cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times of 84 minutes and 114 minutes, respectively, were required. Our approach avoids mammary harvesting and grafting in such small patients while successfully treating ischemia and hopefully prevents further aneurysmal dilation over time.

Background: Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is rare. Unique anatomical characteristics observed include tethering secondary to the extensive collateral vessels, severe native coronary tortuosity, and massive dilation of the coronary arteries. This requires specific technical consideration to ensure safe translocation. Methods: A single-center retrospective review of six patients with ARCAPA was performed. Echocardiographic and computerized tomography scan data were analyzed for anatomical and functional cardiac characteristics. Operative techniques were analyzed, which reflected an evolution toward a modified-trapdoor technique. Results: Five children presented with asymptomatic murmurs and one adult patient with unstable angina. All patients underwent successful surgical correction. The modified trapdoor technique provided the most ideal geometry for coronary transfer secondary to its anatomical characteristics. Two patients had coronary button transfers above the sinotubular junction using vertical stab incisions, one had the button implanted after excising part of the aortic wall, and last three patients had modified trapdoor incisions. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 170 ± 27 minutes and 99.5 ± 29 minutes respectively. The average hospital stay was five days and there were no mortalities. Conclusions: Anomalous right coronary from the pulmonary artery’s unique anatomical characteristics require a coronary transfer technique different from that performed in aortic root replacement. In some respects, our modified technique resembles coronary transfers used in difficult arterial switch operations. The use of a modified trapdoor incision simplifies coronary transfer and may minimize coronary kinking and subsequent complications related to coronary transfer.

We report a case of successful reuse of a previously transplanted heart. The organ was retransplanted 16 days after the initial transplantation into a 60-year-old man who had previously received a left ventricular assist device.