Catheterization in small children should be performed with the lowest diameter introducer sheaths to prevent permanent vessel damage. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the Glidesheath Slender in small children.

We present a group of 52 patients (male: n = 36) with median age 118.5 days (min. 3; max. 1302), median weight: 5.3 kg (min. 1.4; max. 14.0), median height: 60.5 cm (min. 39; max. 102), and median body surface area 0.28 m2 (min. 0.12; max. 0.63) in whom percutaneous catheter interventions (n = 55) were performed via a Glidesheath Slender. In 49 children, the intervention was performed from femoral access (artery n = 35; vein n = 14) in 2 from the axillary arterial access and in 1 from the jugular venous access. In all patients, the vessel access was obtained under ultrasound guidance. After the catheterization, the pulse on the peripheral arteries (posterior tibial artery or radial artery) was palpable in all patients, and no signs for vessel dysfunction were present.

The Glidesheath Slender effectively reduces the outer sheath diameter for various types of interventions in small children by one French, reducing the risk of vessel complications (stenosis, occlusion). Interventions via Glidesheath Slender in small patients are safe and feasible and extend the transcatheter possibilities in small children with congenital heart diseases.

This study aimed to develop a method for retrieval of the new meshed nitinol atrial septal defect occluders – Ceraflex and Occlutech.

The newly developed atrial septal defect occluders have potential benefits considering implantation, but concerns regarding their removal in case of embolisation have been raised.

Over 21 years, 1449 patients underwent interventional atrial septal defect occlusion in our institution. We reviewed the cases of embolisation of the device, developed a strategy for device removal, and tested it on the benchside and in animal tests.

In 11 patients (0.8%), the intended atrial septal defect occlusion was complicated by an embolisation of the device. In contrast to the Amplatzer septal occluders, retrieval of Occlutech devices larger than 16 mm with snare techniques was impossible. In benchside tests, this was confirmed and a new method for removal of large meshed devices was developed. This involved the commercially available Maslanka® biopsy forceps. The feasibility of this technique in vivo was tested in a pig model. During animal tests, using the Maslanka biopsy forceps it was possible to interventionally retrieve embolised Ceraflex and Occlutech devices of different sizes – 10, 16, 30, and 40 mm – into a 12-F sheath.

It was impossible to retrieve Occlutech and Ceraflex devices larger than 16 mm into a large sheath in vivo and during benchside tests. However, this was feasible on the bench and in vivo using the Maslanka biopsy forceps even with the largest available devices.

We aimed to investigate whether early postoperative extubation following the Fontan operation is universally feasible and can be used as a management tool in unstable patients.

All patients undergoing the Fontan operation in our centre between 2004 and 2013 (n=253) were analysed. Until 2008, patients were extubated according to standard criteria and comprised group 1. Group 2 included all patients presenting after 2009, when early extubation was always aimed regardless of the haemodynamic status. Patients who exceeded the 75th percentiles for volume requirements and inotrope scores for the respective group were defined as unstable. Comparisons of outcomes between groups and subgroups and analysis of the changes in haemodynamic and treatment parameters with extubation in unstable patients after 2009 were performed.

Compared with group 1, patients from group 2 were ventilated for shorter duration (p<0.001), had similar re-intubation rates (p=0.50), and needed less volume (p=0.01). In group 2, the unstable patients were not ventilated for longer durations (p=0.19), but had higher re-intubation rates (p=0.03) than the stable patients. Compared with the unstable patients from group 1, the unstable patients from group 2 were ventilated for shorter duration (p<0.001), had similar re-intubation rates (p=0.66), and needed less volume (p=0.006). There was a significant acute and sustained increase in mean arterial pressure with extubation and a parallel reduction in volume requirements and inotrope scores in the unstable patients from group 2.

Timely extubation is universally applicable following the Fontan operation. Early postoperative extubation can be valuable for improving Fontan haemodynamics.