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Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect. Since the first radical correction in 1954, treatment strategy has been constantly improving. Current treatment of ToF ensures the long-term survival (30-year survival ranges from 68.5% to 90.5%), yet it is still challenging in underweight patients. Here we present a clinical case of two-step surgery which included right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting and further radical correction in an underweight child who was then followed-up for six years. RVOT stenting is an appropriate alternative to the bypass surgery which has higher risk of perioperative complications. RVOT stenting significantly reduces hypoxia, enhances the development of the pulmonary vasculature and increases end-diastolic index ultimately permitting efficient radical correction after 4 months. The described approach resulted in a favorable outcome and quality of life after 6 years of follow-up.

Isolated atrial septal defect is the second leading congenital heart defect after ventricular septal defect. To date, there are few studies showing the range of changes both before and after the defect closure, except single studies with limited data. Therefore, the optimal timing for the ASD closure is not clearly defined. The review presents an update on heart remodeling in children under 18 years of age after endovascular closure of atrial septal defects.

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Highlights. The article presents the outcomes of endovascular and minimally invasive atrial septal defect closure in children under the age of 3 and aged 3 to 18 years with subsequent assessment of heart remodeling.Aim. To compare the outcome and features of cardiac remodeling (CR) in children under and over 3 years of age after minimally invasive (MI) and endovascular closure of atrial septal defect (ASD).Methods. The retrospective single-center study included 100 children with secondary ASD who underwent endovascular and MI ASD closure. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (n = 42) included children under the age of 3 years after MI and EC, the median age was 2 years [1.5; 3], and the second group (n = 58) included children aged 4-18 years after MI and EC, the median age was 7 years [6; 12], respectively, p = 0.001. According to the design of the study, the groups statistically differed in height and body weight (p = 0.001). According to the ASD diameter, there were no differences between the groups (p<0.05) in the number of patients with perforated atrial septal aneurysms and aortic rim deficiency. During inpatient care and 3–4 months after surgery, the outcome and indices of CR obtained by echo imaging were assessed.Results. Surgical outcomes and medium-term follow-up analysis revealed that all children in both groups successfully underwent ASD closure in the absence of residual shunts. There were no hospital-acquired and medium-term complications. The length of hospital stay of children under 3 years was 7.5 days. [3; 9], which was significantly longer in comparison with the children of the older age group (3 days. [3;7]), (p = 0,001). ICU length of stay in the younger group of children was 24 hours [0; 24], while in the older group it was 0 days. [0; 24], p = 0,001. In the postoperative period, hemoglobin levels significantly decreased in children under 3 years of age (from 124.5 [119; 130] g/L, to 105 [97; 122] g/L, (p = 0.001)), while in the older age group this indicator remained the same. The analysis of features of CR during 3-4-month follow-up in both groups revealed that the initial changes indicating pathological CR were more pronounced in children older than 3 years. Significant dynamics of echocardiographic indices were observed in both groups during follow-up period, it manifested in the form of an increased volume and size of the left heart, and decreased volume and size of the right heart.Conclusion. Endovascular  and  minimally  invasive ASD  closure  is  an  effective and  safe technique of ASD closure in children of various ages. In children over 3 years of age, pathological CR is initially more pronounced than in children under 3 years of age, indicating the expediency of an early ASD closure. At the same time, younger children  more  often  require  mechanical  ventilation,  cardiopulmonary  bypass, and a longer hospital stay and ICU stay. Higher number of EC performed in the group of young children could offset these negative consequences. Changes in CR indices after ASD closure in groups of children of different ages demonstrates comparable positive trends.