Introduction Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract during primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot often requires the placement of a transannular patch which results in pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We compared the short-term outcomes of bicuspid polytetrafluoroethylene membrane valve versus transannular pericardial patch reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. Methods Thirty consecutive patients undergoing primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot were randomly allocated to two groups - polytetrafluoroethylene valve (PTFEV) group (n=15) and transannular pericardial patch (TAP) group (n=15). The two groups had similar preoperative demographic characteristics. We compared the short-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes between these groups. The transthoracic echocardiographic follow-up was performed at one week, one month and six months after surgery. Results The PTFEV group had significantly lower central venous pressure in the immediate postoperative period compared to the TAP group (7.60±2.06 vs . 10.13±1.73, P =0.002). Extubation time was significantly shorter in the PTFEV group compared to the TAP group (12.93±7.55 hrs vs . 22.23±15.11 hrs, P =0.04). PR in the PTFEV group was absent in five patients at 24 hours post-surgery. At the study endpoint, PR was absent in six, trivial in one and mild in eight patients in the PTFEV group compared to TAP group, where all 15 patients had severe PR. Conclusion The bicuspid polytetrafluoroethylene membrane valves significantly decrease the central venous pressure in the immediate postoperative period, facilitate early extubation and, thus, prevent ventilator-related comorbidities. They achieve a high degree of pulmonary competence and do not increase the right ventricular outflow tract gradient in short-term follow-up.

Aortopulmonary window associated with tetralogy of Fallot is a rare cardiac anomaly. An 8-month-old boy presented with failure to thrive and recurrent chest infections. Echocardiography and imaging studies revealed a type II aortopulmonary window with tetralogy of Fallot. Corrective surgery in the form of patch closure of the aortopulmonary window and intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot was carried out successfully.

Aim Treatment of complications due to pulmonary infections usually involves lung resection with or without debridement. Managing residual intrathoracic defects, chronic empyema, and bronchopleural fistulae after such resections poses unique challenges. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of all 9 patients referred to us with complications due to pulmonary infections, including the surgical procedures, flaps used, and their outcomes between 2018 and 2019. Results The mean age of the patients was 30 years (range 9?48 years). The primary disease was tuberculosis in 6 (66%) patients. Complications of primary infections were pneumothorax ( n = 3), auto-pneumonectomy ( n = 2), organized empyema ( n = 3), and recurrent hemoptysis ( n = 1). Initial interventions included lobectomy ( n = 2), tracheoesophageal repair ( n = 1), bronchial artery embolization ( n = 1), intercostal tube drainage ( n = 4), and decortication( n = 1). Complications after primary interventions included bronchopleural fistula ( n = 4, 45%), recurrent empyema ( n = 3, 33%), tracheal stump dehiscence ( n = 1, 11%) and non-resolving hemoptysis ( n = 1, 11%). Pathological microorganisms were isolated in 8 (88%) patients. Secondary corrective surgical interventions along with pedicled muscle flap interposition and reinforcement were undertaken. Nine flap procedures with or without thoracoplasty were performed. There was no open thoracostomy conversion. There was one death postoperatively. Conclusion A locoregional pedicled flap with or without thoracoplasty is an effective option to manage complications of pulmonary infections. The cardiothoracic surgeon should have a knowledge of the locoregional flaps of the thorax and abdomen to address such complications.

Introduction Here we describe our technique and results of beating heart pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in four patients for treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Methods Retrospective analysis of data from patients who underwent PTE for CTEPH between January 2019 and September 2020. Patients were followed up with clinical assessment, 2D echocardiography, and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. Results Four patients were operated for CTEPH using our technique. Moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and severe TR were found in two patients each. Severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction was found in all cases. Thrombi were classified as Jamieson type II in three cases and type I in one case. Postoperative median direct manometric pulmonary artery (PA) pressures decreased (from 46.5 mmHg to 23.5 mmHg), median CPB time was 126 minutes, and median temperature was 33.35 °C. Mechanical ventilation was for a median of 19.5 hours. There was one re-exploration. Median intensive care unit stay was 7.5 days. There was no mortality. Postoperative 2D echocardiography revealed decrease in median PA systolic pressures (from 85 mmHg to 33 mmHg), improvement in RV function by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (median 14 mm vs . 16 mm), and improved postoperative oxygen saturations (88.5% vs . 99%). In follow-up (ranging between 2-15 months), all patients reported improvement in quality of life and were in New York Heart Association class I. Conclusion With our described simple modifications, advances in perfusion, and blood conservation technologies, one can avoid the need for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during PTE.

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