BackgroundRight ventricular (RV) volume overload increases morbidity and mortality after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. Surgical strategies like pulmonary leaflets sparing and tricuspid valve repair at time of primary repair may decrease RV overload. Our objective is to evaluate early and midterm results of pulmonary leaflets sparing with infundibular preservation and tricuspid valve repair in selected TOF patients with moderate pulmonary annular hypoplasia.MethodsFrom 2011 to 2016; 46 patients with TOF and moderate pulmonary annular hypoplasia had surgical repair with sparing of the pulmonary valve leaflets. Concomitant tricuspid valve repair was performed in 33 patients (71.8%). Mean age was 13.1 ± 4.8 months, 68% were males (n = 31) and mean weight was 9.5 ± 2.3 kg. Preoperative McGoon ratio was 1.9 ± 0.4 and pulmonary valve z-score ranges from − 2 to − 3. Preoperative pressure gradient of RVOT was 80.9 ± 7.7 mmHg and 10.9% had minor coronary anomalies (n = 5).ResultsAll repairs were performed through trans-atrial trans-pulmonary approach. 87% had pulmonary valve commissurotomy (n = 40). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 71 ± 6.3 min and ischemic time 42.4 ± 4.9 min. Hospital mortality occurred in 4.3% (n = 2). Mean RVOT pressure gradient decreased significantly postoperatively (28.8 ± 7.2 mmHg, p-value< .001) and at the last follow up (23.6 ± 1.8 mmHg, p-value< .001). Pulmonary regurgitation progressed by one grade in 2 patients compared to the postoperative grade. 1 patient (2.5%) had late mortality and reintervention was required in 5 patients (12.5%).ConclusionPulmonary leaflets sparing, and tricuspid valve repair are safe for TOF repair with no added morbidity or mortality. These procedures could contribute to reducing right ventricular volume overload over time after TOF repair.

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Background: Arrhythmias may complicate congenital heart diseases, such as secundum atrial septal defects. We aimed at following up the rhythm changes in children after closure of ostiumsecundum atrial septal defects. Methods: The current study was conducted in the Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Tanta University, on 60 pediatric patients who had undergone either trans-catheter or surgical closure of secundum atrial septal defects. Complete history taking and full clinical assessment were done. Echocardiographic assessment was performed to detect any residual defects, and assess chamber dimensions, and cardiac functions. Electrocardiographic assessment including Holter monitoring was performed within two months after the procedure, after six months, and after one year. Arrhythmias were classified into major and minor types. All results were statistically analyzed and tabulated. Results: There were no significant differences between the pre-closure rhythm and the rhythm after closure of the defects throughout the follow-up. The percentage of patients with major arrhythmias has increased from 6.7% of the total sample to 13.3%, 11.6%, and 11.6% in the early, midterm and late follow up respectively. The significant risk factors for postoperative arrhythmias were; pre-closure arrhythmia, right atrial dilatation, and serious hemodynamic instability in the early follow up. Conclusions: We concluded that arrhythmias were common before and after atrial septal defect closure, without significant differences. Pre-closure arrhythmia, right atrial dilatation, and serious hemodynamic instability are considered important risk factors of arrhythmias after secundum atrial septal defect’s closure in pediatric patients.

Background: Surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) can be either with a total primary repair or staged repair. The superiority of one technique over the other is still debatable, especially in developing countries with late presentation and limited resources. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with tetralogy of Fallot and borderline pulmonary anatomy defined as McGoon ratio between 1.2 and 1.6 who underwent primary versus staged repair. Results: The patients were divided into two groups: group A included patients who underwent primary repair (n = 120) and group B included patients who underwent repair after previous modified Blalock-Taussig (MBT) shunt operation (n = 100). Patients in group B were significantly older (11 ± 2.6 vs. 7 ± 3.1 months; p < 0.001) and had higher McGoon ratio (1.61 ± 0.07 vs. 1.5 ± 0.08; p < 0.001). In group B, the total operative time (277 ± 21.3 vs. 232 ± 24.6 min; p < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass time (81 ± 13.7 vs. 60 ± 11.2 min; p < 0.001), and ischemic time (64 ± 12 vs. 53 ± 7.1 min; p < 0.001) were significantly higher. There was no difference in postoperative complications between both groups. In-hospital mortality was nine patients (7.5%) in group A and 6 (6%) in group B (p = 0.791). Conclusion: Primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot in patients with borderline McGoon ratio is safe with low morbidity and mortality. It has the potential of decreasing hospital stay, cost, and resource utilization of the two-stage repair.

Background: In patients with aortic coarctation, it is important for preoperative detection of associated cardiac anomalies. MDCT and echocardiography are currently the most reliable methods of diagnosis. Aim of Study: To evaluate the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in assessment of associated cardiac anomalies in cases of aortic coarctation as compared to echocardiography. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients that were known to have aortic coarctation underwent MDCT for assessment of associated cardiac anomalies. MDCT angiography findings were compared with both Doppler echocardiography and surgical results. Results: There was a 30% agreement between the findings of MDCT angiography and echocardiography in detection of extracardiac vascular anomalies and a 68% agreement in detection of intracardiac anomalies. Conclusion: Considering MDCT angiography the modality of choice in detection of extracardiac vascular anomalies showing higher sensitivity (100%) while the echocardiography is of choice in detection of intracardiac anomalies with 100% sensitivity.