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Biomedical subjects

C Mavroudis

Publications and source records attributed to C Mavroudis.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Left ventricular growth in selected hypoplastic left ventricles: outcome after repair of coarctation of aorta.

BACKGROUND: Models that predict survival in neonates with left ventricular hypoplasia and critical aortic stenosis may not be applicable to neonates with left ventricular hypoplasia and coarctation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report 8 infants with severe aortic coarctation and left ventricular hypoplasia. Mean age was 18 days (range 1-48 days), and mean weight was 3.5 kg (range 2.7-4.3 kg). Associated diagnoses included mild aortic stenosis (4), ventricular septal defect (2), and venous anomalies (2). All had coarctation repair as a primary procedure (3 of these had concomitant intracardiac procedures); 7 had subsequent operations. All are alive and well 1.1-6.7 years (mean 3.1 years) after the first surgery. Progressive increases were observed in aortic and mitral diameters, and in left ventricular dimensions, areas, and volumes when the preoperative, earliest postoperative, and most recent echocardiograms were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Despite severe left ventricular hypoplasia, a two-ventricle repair is possible in selected cases. The prognostic criteria for left ventricular hypoplasia in critical aortic stenosis may not be applicable to infant coarctation. Relief of coarctation may result in the growth of the very small left ventricle, especially when the aortic root and mitral diameters are satisfactory.

Aortic Coarctation↗

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Congenital Heart Surgery Database Report: analysis of the first harvest (1994-1997).

This analysis summarizes the first report of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Congenital Heart Surgery Database Committee in association with Summit Medical Systems. Twenty-four centers joined the program at various dates of entry resulting in 18,894 enrolled patient records. This report compiled the relevant clinical features of 18 congenital heart categories over a 4-year period (1994-1997), which included 8,149 patient records. The data analyses are largely descriptive in character. Missing data points were described and not omitted in the analysis. Statistical analysis was not performed due to missing data points in some categories. Certain trends, however, could be identified and are discussed. The first Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Congenital Heart Surgery Database Report has succeeded in establishing a finite record that can be improved to establish universal national and international utility, risk stratification, and scholarly outcome analyses.

Adolescent↗

Captopril and platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy in rats: role of endogenous PAF and PAF-like compounds.

Accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of late mortality following cardiac transplantation. The vascular lesions are characterized by myointimal proliferation and perivascular mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates. Platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a potent phospholipid mediator produced by inflammatory cells and activated endothelial cells. Angiotensin II is known to activate phospholipase A2, a critical enzyme in PAF synthesis. Using a rat heterotopic cardiac transplant model known to induce graft CAD, we previously reported that chronic administration of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, reduces intimal proliferation and maintains luminal patency. The purpose of the current study was to determine if captopril regulates vascular remodeling by suppressing PAF synthesis and whether administration of a PAF antagonist ameliorates graft CAD. Captopril was found to decrease levels of PAF and PAF-like compounds as well as reduce intimal lesions, decrease cellular rejection grade, and diminish allograft heart weights. Treatment with a PAF antagonist significantly decreased proliferation of the intimal component of the vasculopathy and caused regression of the cardiac hypertrophy, but had no significant effect on cellular rejection. In contrast, untreated animals had elevated plasma PAF levels, elevated heart weights, and severe myointimal proliferation with luminal stenosis 21 days post-transplantation. These observations suggest that graft CAD is mediated, in part, by PAF and PAF-like compounds, and suppression of endogenous PAF may prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Dobutamine stress echocardiography: experience in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Transplant coronary arteriopathy causes late death and is difficult to detect noninvasively. Dobutamine stress echocardiography is being used for risk stratification in adult recipients at some transplant centers, thus we investigated its role in a pediatric population. METHODS: We performed 46 stress echo studies (mean age = 11.8 years; mean years post transplantation = 4.3). An atropine/dobutamine protocol (5-40 mcg/kg/min) was used to attain a predicted target heart rate. Serial echocardiographic images were acquired at baseline and at each increment of dobutamine and recovery, and were digitized online. Data were correlated with endomyocardial biopsy (n = 23), coronary angiography (n = 26) or autopsy (n = 6). All studies were well tolerated. RESULTS: Target heart rate was achieved in 41/46 (89%) studies. The mean heart rate significantly increased from 95 to 169 beats/min and mean systolic blood pressure from 123 to 153 mm Hg (p<.05). The mean peak pressure-rate product was 23,041 beats-mm Hg/min. Coronary arteriopathy was confirmed in 5 patients by angiography (n = 3) explanted heart (n = 1) or autopsy (n = 4). In this group, abnormalities included a new reversible wall motion abnormality (n = 2), left ventricular cavity dilation with stress (n = 3), ischemia (n = 2), increased mitral insufficiency (n = 1) and marked diastolic dysfunction (n = 1). A positive study predicted death or graft failure (p< .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic abnormalities during stress correlated with coronary arteriopathy in this small cohort of patients; however, larger multi-center studies are warranted to assess the utility of dobutamine stress echocardiography for risk stratification for coronary disease in pediatric transplant recipients.

Adolescent↗

Transmural atrial pacing in patients with postoperative congenital heart disease.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients with postoperative congenital heart disease require permanent cardiac pacing, but the use of transvenous or epicardial pacing leads may be limited by type of cardiac malformation, venous connections, body size, or fibrosis. Transmural atrial pacing may provide an alternative in difficult patients, but to date has been described in only a few articles with small patient numbers, and data from lead performance are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS: Records were reviewed in 18 consecutive patients (4 months to 21 years old) with postoperative congenital heart disease receiving transmural atrial pacing leads from July 1994 to December 1996. Implantation materials and techniques were described. Lead sensing and capture thresholds obtained acutely and during short-term follow-up (mean: 11.0 months) were evaluated, and comparisons were made between patients with postoperative Fontan anatomy and non-Fontan patients, and between patients receiving steroid-eluting and nonsteroid leads. Overall, the median acute sensing and capture thresholds of transmural leads were 4.1 m V and 0.7 V at 0.5 msec, respectively. Median follow-up thresholds were 2.8 m V and 0.8 V, respectively. Performance of leads in Fontan patients was similar to those in non-Fontan patients. Steroid-eluting leads had a chronic capture threshold of 0.6 V versus 0.9 V for nonsteroid leads (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Transmural atrial pacing leads were successfully implanted in patients with diverse ages and types of postoperative congenital heart disease. Lead performance was acceptable both acutely and during the first year of follow-up.

Adolescent↗

Repair of mitral valve and subaortic mycotic aneurysm in a child with endocarditis.

Endocarditis requiring surgical intervention in children is uncommon. Individualized operative therapy must be fashioned to the particular pathology of each case. In this case we describe mitral anterior leaflet homograft patch augmentation valvuloplasty, subaortic homograft patch closure of a large mycotic aneurysm, and homograft aortic root replacement in a 3-year-old patient with endocarditis after remote repair of complete atrioventricular canal.

Aneurysm, Infected↗

Traumatic left ventricular aneurysm and tricuspid insufficiency in a child.

We describe a rare combination of left ventricular aneurysm and severe tricuspid valve insufficiency in a 9-year-old boy who sustained blunt chest trauma in a motor vehicle accident. The child underwent successful aneurysmorrhaphy and tricuspid valve replacement 9 months after the accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Axillary thoracoscopy.

Thoracoscopy can be done safely and effectively through working ports placed in the axilla in patients whose pathology is in the upper half of the thorax. We have used this technique successfully in 37 patients with no complications. Advantages include superior cosmesis, optimal access to the apex of the chest, and, if necessary, easy conversion to axillary thoracotomy.

Adolescent↗

Does banding the pulmonary artery affect pulmonary valve function after the Damus-Kaye-Stansel operation?

BACKGROUND: The Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) operation can be an effective palliation in patients who have single-ventricle physiology and systemic outflow obstruction. Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) may be used as a preliminary procedure in these patients to limit overperfusion of the pulmonary circulation. In some series, the DKS operation has been associated with pulmonary insufficiency (PI). We retrospectively analyzed medical records of our patients who had PAB and later DKS to determine the incidence of PI in these patients. METHODS: Between 1982 and 1996, 15 patients underwent PAB before DKS. Median age at PAB placement was 7 days and median duration of PAB was 7 months. Echocardiograms obtained before PAB, before DKS, and at the most recent post-DKS follow-up were reviewed. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 1 to 15 years (mean follow-up, 7.5 years). One patient had trivial PI before PAB, which progressed to moderate PI at the last follow-up. Only 1 other patient had mild PI, but only at the last follow-up after DKS. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that prior PAB does not appear to cause significant PI in patients slated for DKS, and the incidence of significant PI after the DKS operation is relatively low.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Repair of coarctation with resection and extended end-to-end anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Our surgical strategy for infant coarctation changed from subclavian flap aortoplasty to resection with extended end-to-end anastomosis in 1991. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the results of that strategy. METHODS: From 1991 through 1997, 55 infants underwent repair of coarctation of the aorta using resection with extended end-to-end anastomosis. Isolated coarctation of the aorta was present in 26 patients, 20 patients had a ventricular septal defect, and 9 patients had other associated intracardiac lesions. Mean age at surgery was 0.20+/-0.24 years (median, 21 days). In 34 patients (62%), arch reconstruction was performed through a left thoracotomy. Twenty patients (36%) had median sternotomy with simultaneous repair of coarctation of the aorta and intracardiac repair of associated lesions. One patient had recoarctation repair through a median sternotomy. All coarctation and ductal tissue was resected and the anastomosis was constructed starting opposite the left carotid artery with running polypropylene suture. RESULTS: There was one early death 26 days after coarctation of the aorta and ventricular septal defect repair in a child on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for meconium aspiration and 2 late deaths owing to pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension (1) and interventricular hemorrhage (1). There were no instances of paraplegia. Follow-up in survivors ranges from 10 to 76 months (mean, 39.8+/-17.2 months). Recoarctation has developed in 2 patients, who have had successful balloon dilation 6 and 14 months after the operation. This yields a low recoarctation rate of 3.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Resection with extended end-to-end anastomosis yields a low mortality and particularly a low recoarctation rate and is our procedure of choice for infants with coarctation of the aorta.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Surgical repair of the congenitally malformed mitral valve in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve remodeling techniques were applied to 26 infants and children (mean age, 6.0 years, range, 0.4 to 15.9 years) with various forms of congenital mitral valve disease over a 7-year period. Patients with atrioventricular canal, L-transposition and single ventricle were excluded. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was utilized to assess the repair and guide the need for immediate intervention. METHODS: Twenty-one patients had mitral regurgitation: 10 with cleft anterior mitral leaflet, 7 with annular dilatation, 1 with normal leaflets with an obstructing cord, 2 with prolapsed leaflets and elongated cords, and 1 with restricted leaflet motion, normal papillary muscles, and shortened cords. Of the 5 mitral stenosis patients, 3 had supravalvular mitral ring, 1 had midvalvular mitral ring, and 1 had a parachute valve. Three of the mitral stenosis patients had additional stenotic lesions. Concurrent repair of associated lesions was performed in 21 patients (78%). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 3.8% (n = 1). There were no late deaths. Immediate rerepair in 4 patients resulted in improved function. All mitral stenosis patients improved. A total of 20 mitral regurgitation patients (95%) improved; 1 required mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up is 31 months (range, 2 to 81 months). All patients are in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair can be successfully performed in infants and children with excellent short- and midterm results. Assessment using transesophageal echocardiography can guide the necessity for immediate rerepair to achieve improved function.

Adolescent↗

Fontan conversion to cavopulmonary connection and arrhythmia circuit cryoblation.

OBJECTIVES: We review our surgical experience patients with atriopulmonary Fontan operations who had obstructive or arrhythmia indications for conversion to total cavopulmonary artery connections, arrhythmia circuit cryoablation, and placement of atrial antitachycardia pacemaker. METHODS: Fourteen patients (mean age 14 +/- 4 years) had conversion to total cavopulmonary artery connection 8 +/- 3 years after the original atriopulmonary Fontan operation primarily for atrial arrhythmias in 11, obstructive lesions in 2, and bradycardia with cyanosis in 1. Arrhythmia circuit cryoablation was performed on 11 patients and 10 had atrial antitachycardia pacemakers. Preoperative functional New York Heart Association class was IV in 9, III in 4, and II in 1. RESULTS: One patient had brain death (7%) presumably caused by resternotomy complications despite an excellent hemodynamic result. Another required reoperation for a maldeployed clamshell device after attempted fenestration closure. Average length of stay was 10 +/- 3 days; chest tubes were removed on day 7 +/- 3. There were no long-term deaths (mean follow-up 1.7 years, range 5 months to 5 years). Postoperative arrhythmias occurred in five patients, three of whom had successful termination by antitachycardia pacemaker and two who had pharmacologic control of their respective junctional ectopic and slow atrial tachycardia. All patients have improved to New York Heart Association class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Total cavopulmonary artery conversion in association with arrhythmia circuit cryoablation and atrial antitachycardia pacemaker placement can be accomplished with low morbidity and mortality, oftentimes resulting in dramatic increases in functional class and control of life-threatening arrhythmias.

Adolescent↗

Repair of congenital tracheal stenosis with a free tracheal autograft.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the results of a technique for repair of congenital tracheal stenosis by use of a free tracheal autograft. METHODS: Between January 1996 and July 1997, six infants with congenital tracheal stenosis resulting from complete tracheal rings underwent repair with a free tracheal autograft. Mean age at the time of repair was 4.9 months; mean weight was 5.4 kg. The approach was through a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass for respiratory support. The trachea was incised anteriorly through the area of stenosis, the midportion of the stenotic trachea was excised, and an end-to-end anastomosis was carried out posteriorly. The excised tracheal segment (1.3 to 2.2 cm long) was used as a free autograft to patch the lower trachea anteriorly. In four infants the autograft was augmented in the upper trachea with pericardium; in two patients with a shorter length of stenosis, the autograft completed the repair. Simultaneous pulmonary artery sling repair (4), ligation and division of patent ductus arteriosus (3), cricoid split (2), atrial and ventricular septal defect repair (1), and complete atrioventricular canal repair (1) were performed at the time of tracheal repair. RESULTS: The infants were extubated and discharged at a mean of 13 and 23 days postoperatively, respectively. One infant had recurrent tracheal stenosis related to the pericardial patch and required a tracheal stent and tracheostomy 4 months postoperatively. Our mean follow-up is 11 months. Bronchoscopic findings currently show widely patent tracheal lumina in all infants. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of free tracheal autograft with and without pericardial augmentation was successful in opening the airway of six infants with congenital tracheal stenosis and is currently our procedure of choice for children with this diagnosis.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Histopathologic changes after pericardial patch tracheoplasty.

Pericardial patch tracheoplasty has been used for surgical correction of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis caused by complete tracheal rings in infants. The case histories of 2 infants with descriptions of the histopathologic changes in their respective tracheas are presented. Complete reepithelialization of the graft site with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium was found, suggesting the likelihood of normal mucociliary flow in the trachea. The pericardial patches were replaced by mature scar tissue in the graft site, establishing a functional tracheal lumen. Wound healing in the trachea is reviewed. Obstruction by exuberant granulation tissue is an ongoing concern. Pericardium continues to be an important option as graft material for tracheal reconstruction in infants with long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Coronary artery fistulas in infants and children: a surgical review and discussion of coil embolization.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare congenital anomaly that can be complicated by intracardiac shunts, endocarditis, myocardial infarction, or coronary aneurysms. Recent reports have emphasized the efficacy of percutaneous transcatheter techniques. The purpose of this article is to review a 28-year surgical experience with CAF as a standard for comparison and to discuss the emergence and efficacy of transcutaneous catheter coil embolization as an alternative form of therapy. METHODS: From 1968 to 1996, 17 patients (age, 6 weeks to 16.5 years; mean age, 5.5 years) were diagnosed with CAF: 8 of 12 by echocardiography and 17 of 17 by cardiac catheterization. All patients with isolated CAF (n = 13) were asymptomatic despite significant clinical, electrocardiographic, and chest roentgenographic findings in 10. Sixteen had congenital CAF and 1 had acquired CAF after tetralogy of Fallot repair with injury of the anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery. Associated anomalies included tetralogy of Fallot (2), atrial septal defect (1), and patent ductus arteriosus (1). Nine fistulas originated from the right coronary artery and eight from the left. Drainage was to the right ventricle (9), right atrium (4), pulmonary artery (3), and left atrium (1). RESULTS: All patients had a median sternotomy with epicardial or endocardial ligation. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in 8; 1 of these (iatrogenic CAF) required distal internal mammary artery bypass graft. There were no operative or late deaths. Follow-up evaluation by physical examination (17), echocardiography (8), and catheterization (2) showed no evidence of recurrent or residual CAF. A retrospective review of the 16 available cine cardioangiograms showed that coil embolization was possible in, at most, 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical management of CAF is a safe and effective treatment resulting in 100% survival and 100% closure rate. Transcatheter embolization is a reasonable alternative to standard surgical closure in only a very small, select group of patients. These surgical results should be considered the standard against which transcatheter techniques are compared.

Adolescent↗

Reoperation after pericardial patch tracheoplasty.

Between 1982 and 1995, 28 infants underwent pericardial tracheoplasty for long-segment tracheal stenosis. Seven of these infants required reoperation or stenting for residual or recurrent tracheal or bronchial stenosis. Revisions were performed 2 to 6 months after the original procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass and bronchoscopic guidance. Two patients underwent repeat pericardial patch tracheoplasty, and four patients underwent insertion of a rib cartilage graft. Two of these patients required Palmaz wire expandable stents and one other patient also underwent stent placement. There was one late death 1 year after cartilage graft insertion. The authors identified three risk factors for reoperation after tracheoplasty; younger age at initial surgery and associated pulmonary artery sling or tracheal right upper lobe bronchus. Good intermediate results are possible in this difficult group of children using a selective and inclusive strategy for tracheal enlargement that includes repeat pericardial tracheoplasty, autologous cartilage grafts, and expandable wire stents.

Age Factors↗

Slide tracheoplasty in the management of congenital tracheal stenosis.

Long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) is a rare condition. Originally, it was felt to be uniformly fatal; however, advances in technique have made surgical repair and survival possible. Our objective is to report results and technique of slide tracheoplasty for the treatment of LSCTS in the context of the overall experience at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. We reviewed 37 cases of infants and children with LSCTS. Thirty of the 37 infants underwent surgical intervention. Slide tracheoplasty resulted in survival in 1 of 2 infants, and pericardial patch tracheoplasty resulted in survival in 21 of 28 (75%). Of the 30 patients who had surgical repair, 7 (23%) have died, and 1 has been lost to follow-up (3%). Follow-up has ranged from 6 months to 13 years. Slide tracheoplasty is a satisfactory adjunct to existing techniques. With early diagnosis and appropriate management of LSCTS, survival is possible in a majority of patients.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗