Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in patients with congenital heart disease have been associated with interruption of hepatic venous return to the lungs. We report a novel technique to improve systemic saturation using a modified covered stent in a patient with unilateral left pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in the setting of a Fontan circulation.

Obstruction of the reconstructed aortic arch, or the neoaortic arch, is now known to be an important factor increasing mortality after the Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Transcatheter balloon angioplasty has been shown to provide effective relief of both native aortic coarctation and obstructions of the aortic arch occurring subsequent to therapeutic intervention. We sought to determine the outcomes of balloon angioplasty used as an initial treatment for obstruction of the neoaortic arch occurring after the Norwood operation. We gathered the characteristics of 58 patients with such obstruction from 8 institutions, noting procedural factors and outcomes of initial balloon dilation. Obstruction occurred at a median interval of 4 months, with a range from 1.5 months to 6.3 years, after a Norwood operation. Ventricular dysfunction was present before dilation in 13 patients. Mean peak to peak systolic pressure gradients were acutely reduced from 31±20 mm Hg to 6±9 mmHg (p<0.001), with outcome subjectively judged to be successful in 89%- Three patients with pre-existing ventricular dysfunction died within 48 hours of dilation. There were 10 additional deaths during the period of followup, with Kaplan Meier estimates of survival after intervention of 87% at 1 month, 77% at 12 months, and 72% after 15 months. In addition, 9 patients required re-intervention during the period of follow-up, with Kaplan Meier estimates of freedom from re-intervention after dilation of 87% at 6 months, 78% at 12 months and 74% after 18 months. Although transcatheter dilation of neoaortic arch obstructions after Norwood operation is successful, there is a high risk of re-intervention and ongoing mortality in this subgroup of patients. Close follow-up is recommended.

The long-term outcome of patients with congenitally malformed hearts involving abnormal right ventricular morphology and haemodynamics is variable. In most instances, the patients are at risk for right ventricular failure, in part due to morphological differences between the right and left ventricles and their response to chronic volume and pressure overload. In patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, and after balloon valvotomy for valvar pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary regurgitation is the most significant risk factor for right ventricular dysfunction. In patients with a dominant right ventricle after Fontan palliation, and in those with systemic right ventricles in association with surgically or congenitally corrected transposition, the right ventricle is not morphologically capable of dealing with chronic exposure to the high afterload of the systemic circulation. In patients with Ebstein’s malformation of the tricuspid valve, the degree of atrialisation of the right ventricle determines how well the right ventricle will function as the pump for the pulmonary vascular bed.

Implantation of the Rashkind double umbrella device for closure of the persistently patent arterial duct is now routine in many units. The use of this device in non-ductal positions, however, has been reported in only a limited number of patients, and its impact on the subsequent clinical course has not been established. A retrospective review of all such occlusions, therefore, was undertaken to address the early results and impact on clinical management. From 9/1988 through 2/1994, implantation of a double umbrella device was attempted in 21 patients (eight female, 13 male) with cardiovascular communications other than a persistent arterial duct excluding the intentional fenestrations made in the modified Fontan procedure. Median age at implantation was 2.6 years (three months-12.4 years) and weight was 11.6 kg (4.1–45) kg. Lesions included four ventricular septal defects, an aortopulmonary window, an aortopulmonary collateral artery, an atrial septal defect, four Gore-tex® shunts, and a residual persistent communication between the superior caval vein and the right atrium following either a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis, or a classical Glenn operation. Eight patients underwent occlusion of unintentional residual right-to-left (six) or left-to-right (two) communications following the Fontan procedure. Implantation was accomplished in all without mortality, utilizing either 12 mm (13) or 17 mm (eight) devices. Surgical removal of the device was required in one patient four weeks subsequent to implantation. At latest follow-up (1–66 months, median four months), color-flow Doppler studies revealed complete occlusion in 17 (77%) patients. Implantation of the double umbrella in sites other than the duct is, therefore, feasible and simplified technically with a modification of the delivery system. Such novel applications of transcatheter intervention using double umbrella devices may avoid or complement subsequent surgery.

To assess the clinical impact of percutaneously implanted balloon expandable endovascular stents on patient management, we reviewed 20 children aged 14 days to 4.8 years (median 1.3 years) with residual vascular obstructions in the immediate postoperative period. Patients included 11 with pulmonary arterial stenosis, five with stenosis of venous pathways after a modified Fontan procedure or bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis, and four with a restrictive modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Placement of the stent was optimal in 18 of 20 patients (24 of 26 Palmaz or Palmaz-Schatz implants). In two patients, rupture of the balloon resulted in malposition of the stent. Reoperation was avoided and symptomatic improvement was noted in 11 of 20 patients (55%), while procedural complications occurred in eight patients. Seven of 10 patients presenting with a low cardiac output syndrome died despite relief of the obstructions. This early experience supports consideration of the application of these devices in the management of significant vascular obstructive lesions in the immediate postoperative period, thus avoiding early reoperation in this profoundly compromised population.

We describe what is, to the best of our knowledge, a previously unreported association in patients with similar facial features, skin and joint laxity, of lengthening and tortuosity of systemic, pulmonary and coronary vessels. We evaluated 12 patients with similar phenotypes, from eight different families. Detailed echocardiographic and angiographic evaluations were performed in all, and biopsies of the skin in seven. All patients have elongated facies, prominent ears, micrognathia and laxity of their joints. Angiographic pictures showed a varying degree of lengthening and tortuosity of systemic, pulmonary, and coronary arteries. Pulsatile carotid arteries formed cervical masses in 2 patients, and three had severe renal arterial stenoses. All showed varying degrees of branch and peripheral pulmonary arterial stenosis, necessitating placement of stents in six. Biopsy of the skin proved normal in all seven patients studied, thus excluding cutis laxa, Ehlers-Danlos and Marfan syndromes. The constellation of abnormalities suggests a genetic syndrome of connective tissue etiology. Further genetic studies, and gene mapping, are underway.

Hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch is commonly associated with aortic coarctation. Persistent or recurrent obstruction can occur at this level after successful repair of the native coarcted segment. The purpose of this report is to present a new technique to treat such lesions, namely with implantation of a balloon-expandable stent. This approach was used successfully in 4 children with such hypoplasia occurring after repair of coarctation. Implantation led to both anatomical and physiological relief of obstruction in all. The patients tolerated the procedure, and there were no major adverse events.

The coronary arteries, the vessels through which both substrate and oxygen are provided to the cardiac muscle, normally arise from paired stems, right and left, each arising from a separate and distinct sinus of the aortic valve. The right coronary artery runs through the right atrioventricular groove, terminating in the majority of instances in the inferior interventricular groove. The main stem of the left coronary artery bifurcates into the anterior descending, or interventricular, and the circumflex branches. Origin of the anterior descending and circumflex arteries from separate orifices from the left sinus of Valsalva occurs in about 1% of the population, while it is also frequent to find the infundibular artery arising as a separate branch from the right sinus of Valsalva.

Anomalies of the coronary arteries can result from rudimentary persistence of an embryologic coronary arterial structure, failure of normal development or normal atrophy as part of development, or misplacement of connection of a an otherwise normal coronary artery. Anomalies, therefore, can be summarized in terms of abnormal origin or course, abnormal number of coronary arteries, lack of patency of the orifice of coronary artery, or abnormal connections of the arteries.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk occurs with an incidence of approximately 1 in 300,000 children. The degree of left ventricular dysfunction produced likely relates to the development of collateral vessels that arise from the right coronary artery, and provide flow into the left system. Anomalous origin of either the right or the left coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva can be relatively innocuous, but if the anomalous artery takes an interarterial course between the pulmonary trunk and the aorta, this can underlie sudden death, almost invariably during or immediately following strenuous exercise or competitive sporting events. Distal anomalies of the coronary arteries most commonly involve abnormal connections, or fistulas, between the right or left coronary arterial systems and a chamber or vessel.

We discuss the current techniques available for imaging these various lesions, along with their functional assessment, concluding with a summary of current strategies for management.

Balloon dilation of coarctation of the aorta has been found to be an effective modality for treatment. Recently, in the older child and adult, implantation of endovascular stents has been considered a clinical alternative to dilation alone. Little is known, however, of the effect of implantation of stents on aortic compliance. To investigate this impact of implantation, we studied 18 piglets, divided into experimental and control groups. At median weight of 14 kg, 2 pairs of ultrasonic crystals were implanted on the aortic wall. After 1 week, all animals underwent catheterization. In the experimental group, a 3 cm long balloon expandable stent was implanted in the descending thoracic aorta between the pairs of crystals. Measurements of arterial pressure and dimensions were performed before implantation and immediately thereafter, and at follow-up catheterization. The index of stiffness, β, and the the elastic modulus of aortic pressure-strain, were calculated as indexes of arterial compliance. The change in compliance during the period of study was not different between groups. At follow-up, no difference was observed between groups in the velocity of the aortic pulse wave, the augmentation index, or the maximum velocity of flow of blood. The stents remained patent and did not affect aortic growth or medial wall thickness. There was no difference between groups in levels of plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone. In this animal model studied over the short term, therefore, implantation of stents does not affect aortic compliance. Further studies are required to elucidate the long term effects of stents on the hemodynamics affecting the aortic wall and local flow dynamics.

A baby presented at term with respiratory distress was managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Bronchoscopy revealed tracheal hypoplasia, complete tracheal rings, and agenesis of the right main bronchus. Echocardiography showed a left pulmonary arterial sling arising from the proximal part of the right pulmonary artery. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated abnormal pulmonary vasculature in the left lung which would have prevented survival, even after surgical repair. Diagnostic catheterization was important in delineating the anatomy, and aided in the decision not to proceed with surgical repair.

The Helex Septal Occluder is a new device used to close atrial septal defects via interventional catheterization. In order to study the role of echocardiography during its use, and to describe the morphologic variants of defects suitable for closure with this occluder, we evaluated all patients undergoing intended closure of an atrial septal defect with the Helex occluder. A combination of transthoracic, transesophageal, three-dimensional, and intracardiac echocardiography were used before, during, and after the procedure to characterize anatomy, assess candidacy for closure, guide the device during its deployment, and evaluate results. Among the 60 candidates included in the study, 11 were excluded because of transesophageal echocardiographic and/or catheterization data obtained in the laboratory. Attempts at closure were successful in 46 patients, and unsuccessful in 3. We successfully treated four types of defects. These were defects positioned centrally within the oval fossa with appreciable rims along the entire circumference of the defect, defects with deficient or absent segments of the rim, defects with aneurysm of the primary atrial septum, and defects with multiple fenestrations. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiograms taken at a median of 7 months demonstrated no residual defects in 21, trivial residual defects in 17, and small residual defects in 8 patients. In 20 patients, three-dimensional reconstructions were used to characterize the morphology of the defect and the position of the device. Because transesophageal echocardiography was often limited by acoustic interference from the device, intracardiac echocardiography was utilized in 3 cases to overcome this limitation.

Objectives: To determine the long-term outcomes and risk factors for, reintervention after balloon dilation of congenital aortic stenosis in children aged 6 months or older. Background: Although balloon dilation of congenital aortic stenosis has become a primary therapeutic strategy, few data are available regarding long-term outcomes. Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of 87 children who had undergone balloon dilation of the aortic valve at median age of 6.9 years. Results: The procedure was completed in 98% of the children, with an average reduction in the gradient across the valve of 64 ± 28%, and without mortality. Of the children, 76 had been followed for a mean of 6.3 ± 4.2 years. Reintervention on the aortic valve was required in 32 children, with 12 undergoing reintervention within 6 months, with 1 death. Another patient had died over the period of follow-up due to a non-cardiac event. Estimated freedom from reintervention was 86% at 1 year, 67% at 5 years, and 46% at 12 years. Parametric modeling of the hazard function showed a brief early phase of increased risk, superimposed on an ongoing constant risk. The only incremental risk factor for the early phase was a residual gradient immediately subsequent to the procedure greater than 30 mmHg. Incremental risk factors for the constant phase included the presence of symmetric valvar opening, and greater than moderate regurgitation immediately after dilation. Conclusion: Long-term survival was excellent, albeit that the need for further reintervention was high due to the palliative nature of the procedure.