Early and late results of 43 infants (35 under 3 months of age) who underwent different surgical repairs (29 Waldhausen subclavian flap method, 11 resection and end-to-end-anastomosis, 1 Clagett method, 2 Goretex patch) for coarctation of the aorta during the years 1970-1982 are reported. Only one patient had isolated coarctation, five patients had coarctation with patent duct (PDA). Associated cardiac anomalies were found in 37 patients. 17 (39,5%) infants died early after surgery. All were under 3 month of age with severe cardiac anomalies (16x intracardiac, 1x PDA). There were two late deaths after correction of intracardiac defects. In 6 out of 24 surviving patients restenosis developed 1-10 years after repair (3 of 6 patients with end-to-end-anastomosis = 50%, 2 of 10 patients with subclavian flap method = 20%, 1 patient with Goretex-patch). Our results show that coarctation with associated cardiac anomalies in patients under 3 month present higher surgical risk. Subclavian flap technique ist the method of choice for preductal coarctation. Technical difficulties related of this method are discussed in detail.

Aortic Coarctation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Divalent ions and myocardial function during cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB). Changes of total calcium, ionized calcium, and magnesium in plasma.

In 17 patients who underwent openheart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass using heparinized fresh blood for priming the heart-lung machine the following investigations were done: Blood samples taken at different periods of surgery were assayed for total calcium (Catot), ionized calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg), hemoglobin, total pasma proteins, and the acid-base-status. Considering the different kinds of cardiopulmonary bypass the patients were divided into three groups: In the first group the results ofsurgical procedure with and without hemodilution perfusion were compared. During hemodilution perfusion Catot decreased markedly whereas Ca++ remained nearly constant. In the second group the influence of different calcium concentrations of the prime solution on Catot and Ca was tested. A low calcium content of 2.8 mEq/1 lowered Catot and Ca++ to subnormal levels. In the third group results of Mg-induced cardioplegia were compared with findings during surgical procedure with anoxic cardiac arrest. A remarkable increase of magnesium at the perfusion onset could be observed. Magnesium remained within the upper level of normal range until surgery end and decreased to normal values in the postoperative stage. Since energy requirements of the arrested heart and thus the velocity of ATP-breakdown during ischemia are closely related to the Ca++ concentration of the extracellular space low plasma calcium levels are considered to be advantageous during cardiopulmonary bypass. Only at the end of partial bypass before the heart fully takes over circulating work a sufficient calcium substitution is recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aortic valve reconstruction in Rubinstein-Taybi-syndrome: the valuable aid of transesophageal echocardiography.

A fourteen year old boy with Rubinstein-Taybi-syndrome presented with a severe congenital subvalvular fibrous aortic stenosis with associated aortic regurgitation. Transthoracic echocardiographic imaging and left heart angiography showed a transvalvular peak systolic pressure gradient of 90 mmHg and a regurgitant fraction of 30%. The surgical treatment consisted of resection of the subvalvular fibrous tissue and subsequent aortic valvuloplasty. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a wide systolic opening of the aortic valve and good coaptation of the aortic valve leaflets in diastole. Two-dimensional color-coded and contrast echocardiography were successfully used to confirm a satisfactory reconstruction. Transesophageal echocardiography therefore represents a valuable tool in the assessment of the morphologic and haemodynamic status, especially in rare cases of congenital heart disease in older children.

Adolescent↗