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Background: The aim of this study is to present our experience regarding the creation of an aortopulmonary window as the initial palliative procedure., Methods: Between February 2016 and February 2021, a total of eight patients (3 males, 5 females; median age: 2 months; range, 0.7 to 6 months) who underwent aortopulmonary window creation were retrospectively analyzed. Data collection was performed by review from our institution., Results: There was no occurrence of early or late mortality in any patient. The median postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay were five and eight days, respectively. No postoperative reperfusion injury or severe pulmonary overcirculation was observed in any of the patients. Four patients achieved complete repair with unifocalization of the major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, one patient had a second procedure, and the remaining three patients waited for complete repair. The median right ventricle-toaortic pressure ratio after complete repair was 0.6 (range, 0.4 to 0.7). The median follow-up after complete repair was 1.4 (range, 0.9 to 2.8) years, and the median follow-up period for all survivors was 2.7 (range, 0.9-5.8) years., Conclusion: Our study results suggest that aortopulmonary window operation can be safely performed in selected patients with good early and mid-term outcomes. Although the central pulmonary arteries are very small, half of the patients underwent complete repair and achieved acceptable right ventricle-to-aortic pressure ratios. Patient selection criteria and early postoperative interventions are of utmost importance to prevent postoperative pulmonary overcirculation., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of additional lower body perfusion, compared to antegrade selective cerebral perfusion, on early postoperative outcomes after aortic arch repair in neonates with biventricular morphology., Methods: Between January 2017 and April 2020, a total of 46 neonates (34 males, 12 females; median age: 10 days; range, 7 to 14 days) with biventricular morphology underwent an aortic arch reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. The effects of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion and additional lower body perfusion techniques on vital organ preservation and mortality were evaluated in these patients who underwent arch reconstruction., Results: In the univariate analysis of the whole cohort, postoperative creatinine level was lower in the additional lower body perfusion group, while there was no significant difference between the other parameters. In the multivariate analysis, intraoperative highest lactate level (odds ratio: 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-2.68; p=0.02) and postoperative 4th t o 6 th h lactate levels (odds ratio: 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-5.09; p=0.03) were independent predictors of early mortality. Mortality rate was higher in the antegrade selective cerebral perfusion group (22% vs. 7%), although it did not reach statistical significance. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value for intraoperative lactate was 6.2 mmol/L (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 71.1%) and the cut-off value for the lactate level at the postoperative 4th to 6th h was 4.9 mmol/L (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 73.7%). Above these lactate levels were found to be associated with mortality., Conclusion: Additional lower body perfusion may have a role in vital organ protection in aortic arch repair of neonates, compared to antegrade selective cerebral perfusion., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: In this study, we aimed to analyze the predictors and risk factors of mortality in patients who underwent Norwood I procedure with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome., Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2020, a total of 139 patients (95 males, 44 females) who underwent Norwood I procedure with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in our center were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The median birth weight was 3,200 (range, 3,000 to 3,350) g and the median age at the time of operation was seven (range, 5 to 10) days. Pulmonary flow was achieved with a Sano shunt in the majority (72%) of patients. Survival rate was 41% after the first stage. Reoperation for bleeding (p=0.017), reoperation for residual lesion (p=0.011), and postoperative peak lactate level (p=0.029), were associated with in-hospital mortality. Nineteen (33%) of 57 patients died before the second stage. Thirty-three (58%) patients underwent second stage, and survival after the second stage was 94%. Thirteen patients underwent third stage, and survival after the third stage was 85%. Estimated probability of survival at six months, and one, two, three, and four years were 33%, 33%, 25%, 25%, and 22% respectively., Conclusion: Hospital and inter-stage mortality rates are still high and this seems to be the most challenging period in term of survival efforts of the patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Early recognition and reintervention of anatomical residual defects, close follow-up in the inter-stage period, and the accumulation of multidisciplinary experience may help to improve the results to acceptable limits., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2022, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Background: We aimed to compare the results of two surgical methods for the treatment of congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis., Methods: From May 2004 to January 2020, 29 patients underwent surgical repair for supravalvular aportic stenosis in a single centre. The perioperative evaluation of the patients was retrospectively reviewed., Results: Fifteen (51.7%) and 14 (48.2%) patients were treated with the Doty and the McGoon methods, respectively. The median age of our cohort was 4.5 (3.0-9.9) years. Ten (34.5%) patients had Williams-Beuren syndrome, and pulmonary stenosis was observed in 12 (41.3%) patients. The median follow-up time was 2.5 (0.7-7.3) years. On follow-up, five patients had residual stenosis with the McGoon technique and one with the Doty technique (p = 0.05). One patient died early in the post-operative period in the Doty group, and three patients were re-operated on due to restenosis in the McGoon group. Freedom from re-operation in the Doty group at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 100%. In the McGoon group, freedom from re-operation rates at the 1-, 3-, and 7-year follow-up were 100, 88.9, and 44.4%, respectively (p = 0.08)., Conclusion: Our results with both surgical techniques suggest that supravalvular aortic stenosis can be treated with good results. The Doty method provided better relief for the supravalvular aortic segment, considering the residual stenosis and the re-operation rates.

Introduction and Objective: There are various management options for newborns with single ventricle physiology, ventriculoarterial discordance and subaortic stenosis, classically involving the early pulmonary banding and aortic arch repair, the restricted bulboventriculer foramen enlargement or the Norwood and the Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate our preferred technique and comment on the midterm results of our clinical experience with palliative arterial switch operation (pASO) for a certain subset of patients., Method: We hereby retrospectively evaluate the charts of patients who went through pASO, as initial palliation through Fontan pathway, starting from 2014 till today., Results: Ten patients underwent an initial palliative arterial switch procedure. Eight of 10 patients survived the operation and discharged. Seven of 10 patients completed Stage II and 1 patient reached the Fontan completion stage and the other six of ten (6/10) patients are doing well and waiting for the next stage of palliation. There are two mortalities in the series (2/10) and one patient lost to follow-up (1/10)., Conclusion: In our opinion, the pASO can be considered as an alternative palliation option for patients with single ventricle physiology, transposition of the great arteries and systemic outflow tract obstruction despite longer cross clamp times compared to other methods, but It not only preserves systolic and diastolic ventricular function, but also provides a superior anatomic arrangement for following stages., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: This study aims to present the midterm outcomes of surgical correction of the anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) with a focus on mitral regurgitation (MR)., Methods: Medical records of 36 ALCAPA patients who underwent surgery in a single center were retrospectively reviewed., Results: There were one (2.7%) neonate, 19 (52.7%) infants, 15 (41.6%) children, and 1 (2.7%) adult patient operated. Coronary reimplantation, tube reconstruction, and coronary artery bypass surgery techniques were performed in 29 (80.5%), 6 (16.6%), and 1 (2.7%) patient, respectively. Sixteen (44.4%) patients had a low ejection fraction and 13 (36.1%) patients had at least moderate MR preoperatively. None of our patients underwent a concomitant mitral surgery during the initial repair. Three and two patients died in the early and late postoperative period, respectively. Two patients underwent reoperation due to MR and pulmonary stenosis, separately. Preoperative MR was the only factor associated with at least moderate MR at the final follow-up (p < .01) and the presence of preoperative moderate or over-moderate MR estimated at least moderate MR at the final follow-up with 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity., Conclusion: Although the mitral valve was not repaired in the first operation, the reoperation rate is low. However, a moderate or higher preoperative MR predicted MR at the last follow-up. Performing annuloplasty in such patients can be a strategy to be researched., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of COVID-19 outbreak on congenital cardiac surgery practice in a single center., Methods: The first case of COVID-19 in our country was seen on March 11th, 2020. The patients operated between March 11th, 2019-and March 10th, 2020 were taken as the pre-COVID group, and those operated between March 11th and May 11th, 2020 were taken as the COVID group. The data was retrospectively collected, and the two periods were compared., Results: Monthly average number of cases which was 52 patients/month (626 patients in 12 months) before COVID decreased to 35 patients/month (70 patients in 2 months) during COVID periods (P < .01). During the pre-COVID period the median postoperative length of hospital stay was 3 (IQR: 1-5) days. During the COVID period, this decreased to 1 (IQR: 1-3) day (P < .01). During the pre-COVID period, the hospital expenses of 17% (8/47) of the foreign nationals were covered by their homeland. The remaining 83% (39/47) were paid from the asylum seekers' fund. The proportion of foreign nationals operated significantly decreased during the COVID period ([7%; 47/632 vs 1%; 1/70]; P = .04). No significant difference was observed in terms of STAT mortality scores and categories and postoperative results of the operations performed between the two periods., Conclusions: Congenital cardiac surgery practice can be safely maintained with restricted case volume during the pandemic period. It is alarming that patients in the deprived areas cannot access pediatric cardiac surgery and possibly other health services because of closure of the borders between countries., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: This study aims to compare the early- and long-term outcomes of patients who undergo owl's eye pulmonary artery (PA) reconstruction to those of patients who undergo conventional PA reconstruction., Methods: From January 2016 to January 2017, 64 consecutive patients underwent an arterial switch operation. The patients were divided into 2 groups in terms of neo-PA reconstruction method: 30 patients who underwent neo-PA reconstruction by owl's eye technique were defined as group 1 and 34 patients who underwent neo-PA reconstruction by the conventional approach were defined as group 2. In the final model, after propensity matching, 23 patients from each group with similar propensity scores were included in the study., Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding patient characteristics and operative findings. In the early period, the duration of intensive care unit and hospital stays and the rate of mild neo-pulmonary stenosis (neo-PS) were significantly higher in the owl's eye group (P = 0.04, 0.04 and 0.03). In the late period, the rate of severe neo-PS and reintervention was significantly higher in the owl's eye group (P = 0.02 and 0.04). Furthermore, the rates of 3-year freedom from pulmonary reintervention and freedom from moderate-severe neo-PS were significantly lower in group 1 (P = 0.04). In addition, the owl's eye reconstruction was the only factor independently related to moderate-severe neo-PS in the long term (hazard ratios = 11.2, P = 0.02)., Conclusions: We have abandoned the owl's eye method for neo-PA reconstruction of the neo-PA because of serious complications. According to our series and the literature, reconstruction of the neo-PA with an oversized, pantaloon-shaped fresh autologous pericardial patch is still superior to the other techniques., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the early and long-term results of patients in whom was performed modified closed coronary transfer with the results of patients in whom was performed trap-door transfer techniques by utilizing propensity-matching analysis to provide optimal identical patient matching for the groups., Methods: From August 2015 to December 2017, 127 consecutive patients underwent arterial switch operation due to simple and complex transposition of the great arteries, with or without additional arch and complex coronary pattern, by a single surgical team included into the study. Of these, in 70 patients it was performed modified closed coronary transfer technique and in 57 patients it was performed trap-door style coronary transfer technique. The patients were divided into two groups in terms of coronary transfer method. In the final model, after propensity matching, 47 patients from each group having similar propensity score were included into the study., Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding patient characteristics. Cross-clamp time and operation time were significantly lower in the modified technique group compared with the other group (P=0.03 and P=0.05, respectively). When compared the early and late postoperative outcomes, there was no significant difference between the groups. Postoperative echocardiographic findings were mostly similar between the groups., Conclusion: The patients in whom was performed our modified technique demonstrate overall good outcomes and the current technique ensures shorter arterial cross-clamp and operation times. It may be an alternative method to the trap-door technique for the coronary transfer during the arterial switch operation.

An eight-year-old boy with tricuspid atresia was found to have atretic coronary sinus ostium during cardiac catheterization. Single-stage extracardiac fenestrated Fontan operation was performed with surgical unroofing of the coronary sinus into the left atrium to avoid the risk of cardiac congestion.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictability of postoperative pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) using intraoperative flow study in patients undergoing bidirectional Glenn operation., Methods: Patients who underwent Glenn operation under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included in the study. During the operation, after the completion of additional procedures under CPB, an intraoperative flow study was performed prior to Glenn anastomosis. After the completion of bidirectional Glenn, the patient was separated from the CPB and PAP was measured. The relationship between this pressure and flow study measurement was analyzed., Results: Nine patients who underwent bidirectional Glenn operation with additional procedures under CPB between July 2018 and January 2019 were included in the study. The median PAP was 9 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR]: 7-10 mm Hg) in the flow study and 10 mm Hg (IQR: 8-11 mm Hg) after CPB, and the median difference between these pressures was 1 mm Hg (IQR: 1-3 mm Hg). There was a strong correlation between these two measurements ( r = 0.732; P = .025)., Conclusion: The results of this study show that PAP after the Glenn procedure can be estimated using an intraoperative flow study. We believe that this method may be useful in intraoperative decision-making for Glenn operation in single ventricular patients who require extensive pulmonary artery (PA) reconstruction due to limited PA development, branch PA stenosis, or nonconfluent PAs. Also, this method can be used as a sort of intraoperative pulmonary resistance reversibility study in patients with high preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance due to surgically correctable pulmonary venous hypertension.

Background/aim: The data on the Nikaidoh procedure is limited in the literature. This study presents our experiential findings with aortic translocation (Nikaidoh) procedure and its modifications., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of all the patients who underwent aortic translocation in our institution., Results: Between September 2014 and November 2018, eight patients underwent aortic translocation surgery. The median age was 3.2 years (14 months and 9 years). The diagnosis was transposition of the great arteries (TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in five patients (63%); double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), VSD, and LVOTO in two patients (25%) and DORV and remote VSD in one patient (12%). Additionally, two patients had tricuspid straddling. In terms of surgical procedures, six patients underwent standard Nikaidoh procedures, while one patient underwent double root translocation and one patient underwent a half-turned truncal switch operation. Hospital mortality was recorded for one patient (12.5%). Median intensive care and hospital stay duration was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-5 days) and 11 days (IQR: 8-17 days). Median follow-up duration was 10 months (IQR: 10-24 months). One of the patients, who underwent standard Nikaidoh procedure, died in the late follow-up., Conclusions: Aortic translocation procedure is an option for TGA, VSD, and LVOTO patients with a distal VSD or tricuspid straddling and DORV patients with a small VSD. Avoiding the use of a conduit through modifications, such as double root translocation and half-turned truncal switch operation, may decrease the risk of long-term recurrent interventions., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: This study aims to present our experience with single-stage complete unifocalization and intraoperative flow study for the repair of ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries., Methods: This study was conducted through retrospective chart review of all the patients who underwent complete single-stage midline unifocalization in a single tertiary-care institution., Results: Twenty-two patients underwent midline single-stage unifocalization. The median age was 11 months (IQR: 5-21 months). The number of collateral arteries unifocalized was between one and three (median two). In-hospital mortality was 5%. Follow-up was complete; and the median follow-up regarding survival was 20 months (IQR: 10-28 months). There were three late deaths, and the estimated survival rate was 80% at 10 months and on. Out of 22 patients, ventricular septal defect was closed in the first surgery in three patients (14%) and the second surgery in four patients (19%). Total seven patients underwent surgical total repair (32%). Additionally, one out of four patients whose ventricular septal defects were closed with a fenestrated patch is under follow-up with a small ventricular septal defect, while two are waiting for ventricular septal defect closure. Therefore, total eight patients (36%) have reached total correction., Conclusion: Single-stage unifocalization is a feasible treatment option in ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. This cohort had unfavorable results regarding the rate of complete repair. The pitfalls encountered were related to problems with meticulous surgical technique, complete unifocalization, and correct implementation of the flow study.

Objective: The Ross procedure has been cited as the procedure of choice for young patients requiring aortic valve replacement. However, potential for reintervention requirement in both left and right ventricular outflow tracts can be a source of concern. The aim of the present study was to describe our experience with this procedure., Methods: A retrospective chart review of all the patients who underwent the Ross procedure in a single institution was performed. National death registry records were used for late mortality., Results: Eighteen Ross procedures between May 2003 and May 2018 were performed. The median age of the cohort was 15 [interquartile range (IQR): 12-18] years. The pulmonic conduit was a homograft in 11 patients, Labcor in 5 patients, Contegra in 1 patient, and Medtronic Freestyle Valve in 1 patient. There were three early deaths. The median follow-up of 15 hospital survivors was 11 (IQR: 3-14) years. Any late mortality was not observed. In the two surviving patients with infective endocarditis, there was no recurrent infective endocarditis. Freedom from reintervention was 80% at 8 years and onward. Any risk factors associated with reintervention could not be identified. However, freedom from autograft dilatation at 10 years was 45%., Conclusion: Autograft failure is a potential problem in the long-term follow-up of Ross patients. Freedom from reintervention was satisfactory, and the type of pulmonic conduit did not affect the mid-term outcomes. In patients with infective endocarditis, the Ross procedure has a low recurrence rate, but it might have an increased risk of mortality.

Background: This study aimed to describe the learning curve of the extracardiac Fontan procedure in a single center and to analyze the changes in clinical applications and outcomes., Methods: A retrospective chart review of all extracardiac Fontan patients in a single tertiary care center was undertaken. Patients with a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and those who had undergone a lateral tunnel modification, intra/extracardiac Fontan, Kawashima procedure, or inferior vena cava-to-azygous vein connection were excluded from the analysis., Results: Between May 2004 and February 2018, data of 159 extracardiac Fontan patients were analyzed. The median age was 5.5 years (range 4.5-8.2 years). Based on a cumulative sum analysis, a hinge point was determined to divide the cohort into 2 phases. Phase 1 ( n = 70) represented the first learning phase and phase 2 ( n = 89) represented the later phase. Mortality decreased in phase 2 (2/89; 2%) compared to phase 1 (10/70; 14%; p = 0.004). Two (3%) patients had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in phase 1, and 5 (6%) in phase 2 ( p = 0.47). More patients in phase 2 underwent a prior bidirectional Glenn procedure (83/89 vs. 57/70; p = 0.02), fenestration (80/89 vs. 9/70; p < 0.001), and pulmonary artery reconstruction (37/89 vs. 2/70; p < 001)., Conclusions: This study shows that increased use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, strict implementation of the three-stage management plan, routine fenestration, and a low threshold for pulmonary artery reconstruction may be associated with decreased mortality in the extracardiac Fontan procedure.

Background: We planned a prospective study to evaluate the regression of left ventricular mass one year after surgery in older patients (