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Biomedical subjects

C E Mullins

Publications and source records attributed to C E Mullins.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

18-year experience with transseptal procedures through baffles, conduits, and other intra-atrial patches.

The presence of an intra-atrial patch (IAP) has been considered a relative contraindication to transseptal puncture (TSP). The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of the TSP through baffles, conduits, pericardial patches and other prosthetic materials in the intra-atrial septum. We reviewed the records of all pediatric patients with IAP who underwent TSP at Texas Children's Hospital from November 1979 through February 1998. The review included the cardiac diagnoses, indications for TSP, technical difficulties and follow up echocardiograms specifically addressing residual atrial shunts A total of 1958 TSP were performed. Thirty-nine patients had IAP. Cardiac diagnoses in those 39 patients included D-transposition of the great arteries after Mustard (10) or Senning procedure (6), single ventricle variant post-Fontan operation (4), total anomalous venous return repair (4), atrioventricular canal repair (9) and atrial septal defect with patch repair (6). Patients' age ranged from 1-31 years (median 7 years). The duration from the time of surgical repair to TSP ranged from 0.1-21 years (median 5 years). Indications for TSP included diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for pulmonary venous obstruction (12), creation of a baffle fenestration (2), prosthetic mitral valve evaluation (1), left ventricular outflow tract evaluation (1), access the left heart for hemodynamic evaluation (23). The IAP was traversed in 38/39 patients (97.5%), followed by diagnostic or therapeutic prograde left-heart catheterization. No complications were encountered. Follow up echocardiography in 30/38 PTS demonstrated no residual shunting across the atrial septum except for two cases in which the atrial baffle had been intentionally fenestrated. Transseptal puncture through an intra-atrial patch is a safe procedure. This technique is effective in permitting diagnostic and therapeutic left heart catheterization and does not result in residual shunting through the patch.

Adolescent↗

Cardiac catheterization in diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease in thoracopagus conjoined twins.

Over the last two decades, surgical separation of thoracopagus conjoined twins has become increasingly feasible. Delineation of the degree of cardiac involvement is essential to establish the feasibility of surgical separation. We describe our experience of cardiac catheterization both in the diagnosis and management of nine sets of thoracopagus twins who presented to a single center over three decades and discuss its role in conjunction with other modern diagnostic modalities.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Steerable control of the eustachian valve during transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects.

Over the past decade there has been increased use of transcatheter devices for closure of secundum atrial septal defects. The presence of a large eustachian valve complicating transcatheter closure has not been described. We describe four patients with prominent eustachian valves, in three of whom we employed a simple technique to obtain control of the eustachian valve during device placement using transesophageal echo guidance.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Intravascular stents in congenital heart disease: short- and long-term results from a large single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: This report describes the results of the Food and Drug Administration's phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of intravascular stents at Texas Children's Hospital. BACKGROUND: Since the late 1980s, intravascular stent implantation for the treatment of arterial and venous stenoses in congenital heart disease has been highly successful. METHODS: Stents were placed in postoperative pulmonary artery (PA) stenoses, congenital PA stenoses or stenoses of systemic veins/venous anastomoses. Prospective collection of data according to protocol was done before intervention, after stent implantation and at follow-up catheterization. RESULTS: At stent implantation, pressure gradients decreased significantly in all three groups (mean +/- SD): from 46 +/- 25 to 10 +/- 13 mm Hg in postoperative PA stenoses (p < 0.001); from 71 +/- 45 to 15 +/- 21 mm Hg in congenital PA stenoses (p < 0.001); and from 7 +/- 6 to 1 +/- 2 mm Hg in stenoses of systemic veins/venous anastomoses stenoses (p < 0.001). Vessel diameters markedly increased: from 6 +/- 3 to 12 +/- 3 mm in postoperative PA stenoses (p < 0.001); from 3 + 1 to 9 + 1 mm in congenital PA stenoses (p < 0.001); and from 3 +/- 4 to 12 +/- 4 mm in stenoses of systemic veins/venous anastomoses (p < 0.001). In the postoperative and congenital PA stenoses groups, right ventricular pressure decreased (right ventricular pressure indexed to femoral artery pressure ratio): from 0.63 +/- 0.2 to 0.41 +/- 0.02 (p < 0.001) and from 0.71 +/- 0.3 to 0.55 +/- 0.35 (p = 0.04), respectively. Perfusion to a single affected lung increased from 31 +/- 17% to 46 +/- 14% (p < 0.001). On recatheterization (mean 14 months), results varied minimally. Repeat angioplasty of residual stent stenoses was safe and effective. Complications included four early patients with stent migration, three with stent thrombosis and two deaths. There were no late complications. Significant restenosis occurred in only three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular stents for the treatment of vascular stenoses in congenital heart disease provide excellent immediate and long-term results.

Adolescent↗

Eradicating acute hemolysis following transcatheter closure of ductus arteriosus by immediate deployment of a second device.

Two patients who underwent transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, one with a Rashkind umbrella device and the other with a coil, suffered from acute hemolysis following the procedure. Hemolysis ceased after deployment of second device(s) within 48 hr without needing to retrieve the first devices in either patient. We conclude that immediate deployment of a second device(s) is an alternative to surgery when acute hemolysis occurs following transcatheter closure of ductus.

Acute Disease↗

Stent dilation of superior vena cava and innominate vein obstructions permits transvenous pacing lead implantation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of stent dilation of venous obstructions/occlusions to permit transvenous pacing lead implantation. Innominate vein or superior vena cava (SVG) obstruction may preclude the implantation of transvenous pacing leads. Patients with d-transposition of the great arteries, after a Mustard or Senning procedure, and children with previously placed transvenous pacing leads are at higher risk for this vascular complication. From May 1993 to January 1996, eight pediatric patients who underwent transvenous pacing lead implantation or replacement were found to have significant innominate vein or SVC obstruction or occlusion. Utilizing intravascular stents, a combined interventional and electrophysiological approach was used to relieve the venous obstruction and to permit implantation of a new transvenous pacing lead. Two patients had complete SVC occlusion requiring puncture through the obstruction with a transseptal needle. Vessel recanalization was achieved with balloon dilation and stent implantation. The remaining six patients had severe venous obstruction with a mean minimum diameter of 3.1 +/- 3.3 mm. The mean pressure gradient across the obstructed veins was 8.6 +/- 7.3 mmHg. Following implantation of 15 Palmaz P308 stents in eight vessels, the mean diameter increased to 14.2 +/- 1.9 mm and the mean pressure gradient across the stented vessels decreased to 1.0 +/- 2.0 mmHg. A transvenous pacing lead was implanted successfully through the stent(s) immediately or 6-8 weeks later. Innominate vein and SVC obstruction can be safely and effectively relieved with intravascular stents and permit immediate or subsequent transvenous pacing lead implantation.

Adolescent↗

Single therapeutic catheterization to treat coexisting coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus.

A case of a pediatric patient found to have coexisting coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus who underwent balloon dilation of the coarctation and coil occlusion of the ductus in a single cardiac catheterization is presented. Review of the English literature revealed no previous reports of this combination of transcatheter interventions during a single catheterization procedure.

Aortic Coarctation↗

Endovascular stent implantation for severe recoarctation of the aorta: case report with angiographic and 18-month clinical follow-up.

A 45-year-old white male, 35-year status postrepair of coarctation of the aorta, presented with symptomatic recoarctation of the aorta. He was treated successfully by implantation of a single Palmaz stent. The pressure gradient was abolished with complete resolution of symptoms. Seven months poststent implant, angiography revealed good lumen diameter and a small pressure gradient. Over an 18-mo follow-up period, there has been no recurrence of symptoms. Primary stenting may have a significant role in the treatment of patients with symptomatic recoarctation of the aorta.

Angiography↗

[The role of the stent in non-coronary cardiopathies].

INTRODUCTION: The stent has demonstrated to be a useful device in the prevention of postangioplasty coronary restenosis and it is expected to have a favourable effect as an alternative or complementary treatment of stenotic lesions in arteries or veins associated with congenital defects. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience in this setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From February 1992 to March 1996, 28 stenting procedures were performed in 26 patients (mean age: 8.6 +/- 0.7 years; mean weight: 26.2 +/- 3 kg). In 12 patients, stenting was single, and a iliac Palmaz stents were always used. Stenting location was: pulmonary artery branches in 17 patients, right ventricular outflow in 2 patients, in the junction of right atrium with pulmonary artery in 2 patients, systemic veins in 2 patients and in post Mustard intratrial channel stenosis in 2 patients. 25 patients had previously undergone at least one surgical procedure. RESULTS: The stenotic diameter of the treated lesions increased significantly after the procedure (4.4 +/- 0.3 mm before stenting vs 11.6 +/- 0.3 mm after stenting, p < 0.0001) and the transtenotic gradient decreased from 38.1 +/- 5 to 12 +/- 3.8 mmHg. Those changes were associated with a diminution of right ventricular pressure (81.6 +/- 3 vs 56.7 +/- 6 mmHg, p < 0.0001) in patients with pulmonary branch stenosis without septal defects. There was no mortality among the percutaneously treated patients and only one patient needed surgery. Nevertheless, one patient died after bilateral intraoperative stenting. CONCLUSION: The treatment of proximal or distal stenotic lesions in the pulmonary tree, systemic veins, and obstructed intraatrial channels with stents, can replace or complement conventional balloon angioplasty. It also offers a useful and effective alternative to surgery, when it is impossible or carries a risk.

Adolescent↗

Quantitative echocardiographic analysis of the aortic arch predicts outcome of balloon angioplasty of native coarctation of the aorta.

BACKGROUND: The use of balloon angioplasty for treatment of native aortic coarctation is controversial. Cineangiographic data suggest that aortic arch hypoplasia and isthmic narrowing are associated with angioplasty failure. This study of echocardiographic measurements of preangioplasty aortic arch morphology was performed to identify potential anatomic predictors of outcome noninvasively. METHODS AND RESULTS: The preangioplasty echocardiograms of 105 patients 3 days to 17 years old with native coarctation of the aorta were analyzed off-line. Angioplasty was considered successful if the residual coarctation gradient was < 20 mm Hg and no intervention for recoarctation occurred. Univariate analysis identified young age at angioplasty, presence of a patent ductus arteriosus, and the diameters of the aortic isthmus, distal transverse arch, and aortic valve as predictors of early and late outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed that the preangioplasty aortic isthmus z value was the best independent predictor of outcome, eliminating the effect on outcome of age and associated cardiac defects. An isthmus z value < or = -2.16 predicted early failure with 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that 90% of patients with an isthmus z value > -1.0 remained free of recoarctation at late follow-up, whereas 89% of patients with a preangioplasty isthmus z value < or = -2.0 developed recoarctation within 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic measurements of the aortic arch predict both early and late outcomes of balloon angioplasty for native aortic coarctation, and the preangioplasty aortic isthmus z value was the best independent predictor. Quantitative aortic arch analysis may improve selection of angioplasty candidates who are likely to benefit from the procedure.

Adult↗

Core curriculum for the training of pediatric invasive/interventional cardiologists: report of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions Committee on Pediatric Cardiology Training Standards.

Within the field of pediatric cardiology, a number of subspecialty fields are generally recognized. Some of these overlap. For example, most electrophysiologists also would consider themselves to be clinical cardiologists. Some fields, however, are relatively mutually exclusive. For example, most clinical pediatric cardiologists would not consider themselves to be electrophysiologists and would admit that there is a different knowledge, skill, and experience base that separates an electrophysiologist from other specialists within the broader field of pediatric cardiology. Likewise, it is our opinion that a separate knowledge, skill, and experience base exists among pediatric Invasive/Interventional cardiologists. The purpose of this report is to define the unique knowledge and skill base required for the training of an invasive pediatric cardiologist. The scope of this report is limited to the training of Invasive/Interventional cardiologists dealing with the treatment of pediatric patients and the cardiac diseases most often encountered in these patients. This report describes in detail the core curriculum suggested for the training of an invasive pediatric cardiologist. For these purposes, invasive pediatric cardiology encompasses all aspects of pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization, whether congenital or acquired. Additional curriculum regarding training for therapeutic or interventional procedures is also addressed because of today's needs: most pediatric cardiac catheterizations are performed to acquire specific data that cannot be obtained otherwise by non-invasive technologies and are required for the best medical or surgical management. However, more and more frequently the need for a cardiac catheterization entertains the possibility of having to proceed with an interventional procedure, and therefore, to conserve the vessels of pediatric patients as well as to consider costs, any invasive pediatric cardiologist should be well trained in most of the accepted interventional pediatric cardiology procedures. The curricula is divided here into five major sections followed by a bibliography keyed to those sections. Also included is a suggested format for the objective evaluation and documentation of the progress of invasive pediatric cardiology fellows. It is intended to complement the core curriculum and provide a means for standardizing the evaluation of invasive pediatric cardiology fellows.

Angiography↗