Biomedical subjects

Anthony P Salmon

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony P Salmon.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Medium term outcome for infant repair in tetralogy of Fallot: Indicators for timing of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of early corrective surgery on the short and medium term outcome in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients under 12 months of age undergoing correction of isolated TOF between February 1997 and July 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Outcome data for mortality, post-operative care management, major morbidity and clinical follow-up were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-two operations were performed. The mean age at surgery was 5 months (range 1-12) of whom 16 (30.8%) were less than 3 months old, including 2 neonates, 22 (42.3%) were 3-6 months old and 14 (26.9%) were 7-12 months old. There was 1 (1.9%) early death caused by a cerebro-vascular accident and 1 (1.9%) late death secondary to acute infective endocarditis. There were no differences in post-operative morbidities attributable to age. Patients under 3 months old required greater duration of post-operative ventilation, ITU stay and in-hospital stay. At a mean follow-up of 4.0 years (range 1.5-8.0), 33 (63.5%) patients had well-tolerated pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and 3 (5.8%) patients required re-operation for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO). All patients had right bundle-branch-block but with QRS < 150 ms. CONCLUSION: Early definitive repair of TOF can be performed safely on patients under 6 months old. Age at surgery does not appear to affect the medium term haemodynamic outcome. However, early surgery does escalate the need for ICU care. This data suggests repair in asymptomatic patients be delayed until 3-6 months of age.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2006

Sildenafil therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with atrial septal defects.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence for beneficial effects of the type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor, sildenafil, in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The effects of sildenafil in severe PAH associated with an atrial septal defect (ASD) have not been clearly delineated. METHODS: This extended case series reviews our experience with sildenafil treatment in three patients with severe PAH and Eisenmenger syndrome associated with an ASD. Case notes were reviewed for baseline and follow-up anatomic, clinical and haemodynamic characteristics. RESULTS: Of three patients identified, median age 44.3 years (range, 28 to 59 years), two had large secundum ASDs and the other a sinus venous defect. All patients had severe PAH and were desaturated at rest and/or during exercise. Sildenafil was started because of progressive and severe effort intolerance. All patients experienced symptomatic improvement, had higher arterial saturations (range 8-19%) and improvement in effort tolerance (88 m and 56 m improvement in 6-min walk test distance (MWTD) in two patients). Right ventricular (RV) function and Doppler derived RV systolic pressure improved in two patients. Pulmonary arterial pressures decreased in two patients who had cardiac catheterization (range 4 to 14 mm Hg). Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 7.58 to 3.8 Wood's units in one patient who is now awaiting surgery. Another patient developed significant pulmonary vasoreactivity (8.3 to 6.2 Wood's units with 100% oxygen) after 16 months of sildenafil therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil not only relieves symptoms associated with severe PAH in patients with large ASDs, but also improves pulmonary arterial hemodynamics and RV function.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Hepatic changes in the failing Fontan circulation.

BACKGROUND: The failing Fontan circulation is associated with hepatic impairment. The nature of this liver injury is poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: To establish the gross and histological liver changes of patients with Fontan circulation relative to clinical, biochemical and haemodynamic findings. METHODS: Patients were retrospectively assessed for extracardiac Fontan conversion between September 2003 and June 2005, according to an established clinical protocol. Twelve patients, mean age 24.6 (range 15.8-43.4) years were identified. The mean duration since the initial Fontan procedure was 14.1 (range 6.9-26.4) years. RESULTS: Zonal enhancement of the liver (4/12) on CT was more common in patients with lower hepatic vein pressures (p = 0.007), and in those with absent cardiac cirrhosis on histological examination (p = 0.033). Gastro-oesophageal varices (4/12) were more common in patients with higher hepatic vein pressure (21 (6.3) vs 12.2 (2.2) mm Hg, p = 0.013) and associated with more advanced cirrhosis (p = 0.037). The extent of cirrhosis (7/12) was positively correlated with the hepatic vein pressure (r = 0.83, p = 0.003). A significant positive correlation was found between the Fontan duration and the degree of hepatic fibrosis (r = 0.75, p = 0.013), as well as presence of broad scars (r = 0.71, p = 0.021). Protein-losing enteropathy (5/12) occurred more frequently in patients with longer Fontan duration (11.7 (3.2) vs 17.9 (6.1) years, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Liver injury, which can be extensive in this patient group, is related to Fontan duration and hepatic vein pressures. CT scan assists non-invasive assessment. Cardiac cirrhosis with the risk of developing gastro-oesophageal varices and regenerative liver nodules, a precursor to hepatocellular carcinoma, is common in this patient group.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Esmolol-assisted balloon and stent angioplasty for aortic coarctation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of esmolol-induced negative ino- and chronotropism during stent/balloon angioplasty for aortic coarctation. Balloon angioplasty and stent placement have become widely accepted therapies for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Trauma to the vessel wall and stent migration related to forward displacement of the balloon and/or stent by cardiac output, are the most common complications. Controlling stroke volume and heart rate may assist in balloon stability and accurate deployment of stents. All methods currently used to achieve this have significant limitations. We describe our experience using esmolol to control stroke volume and heart rate during balloon/stent angioplasty of CoA. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had intravenous esmolol during percutaneous treatment of CoA. Six interventions were performed in six patients: coarctation stent angioplasty in five patients (two native coarctation) and balloon angioplasty alone in one patient. The median systolic blood pressure achieved during the procedure was 65 mmHg (range, 57-75) representing a median reduction of 40 mmHg (range, 20-80; p = 0.008) from baseline. The median heart achieved was 50 beats/min (range, 20-80), representing a median reduction of 20 beats/min (range, 15-90, p = 0.048) from baseline. Optimal stent position was obtained in all patients. Intravenous esmolol controls periprocedural hemodynamics effectively and safely during percutaneous therapy for aortic coarctation, thereby aiding accurate stent placement. Further evaluation of its use during other percutaneous left heart interventions is required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Correlations with operative anatomy of real time three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of congenital aortic valvar stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To define the anatomic characteristics of the congenitally malformed and severely stenotic aortic valve using trans-thoracic real time three-dimensional echocardiography, and to compare and contrast this with the valvar morphology as seen at surgery. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Tertiary centre for paediatric cardiology. METHODS: All patients requiring aortic valvotomy between December 2003 and July 2004 were evaluated prior to surgery with three-dimensional echocardiography. Full volume loop images were acquired using the Phillips Sonos 7500 system. A single observer analysed the images using "Q lab 4.1" software. The details were then compared with operative findings. RESULTS: We identified 8 consecutive patients, with a median age of 16 weeks, ranging from 1 day to 11 years, with median weight of 7.22 kilograms, ranging from 2.78 to 22 kilograms. The measured diameter of the valvar orifice, and the number of leaflets identified, corresponded closely with surgical assessment. The sites of fusion of the leaflets were correctly identified by the echocardiographic imaging in all cases. Fusion between the right and non-coronary leaflets was identified in half the patients. Dysplasia was observed in 3 patients, with 1 patient having nodules and 2 shown to have excrescences. At surgery, nodules were excised, and excrescences were trimmed. The dysplastic changes correlated well with operative findings, though statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: We recommend trans-thoracic real time three-dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of the congenitally malformed aortic valve, particularly to identify sites of fusion between leaflets and to measure the orificial diameter. The definition of nodularity, and the prognosis of nodules based on the mode of intervention, will need a comparative study of patients submitted to balloon dilation as well as those undergoing surgical valvotomy.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

PubMed2006

New technique for fenestration of the interatrial septum.

Achieving controlled flow between the systemic and pulmonary venous circulations is desirable in many complex congenital heart diseases. This includes the Fontan circulation, primary pulmonary hypertension, double inlet ventricles, or hypoplastic left heart with obstruction to the atrioventricular valve. As no specific device is available for this purpose, we developed a balloon-mounted stent technique to achieve a predetermined-sized fenestration of an atrial baffle in a patient with Fontan circulation. The details of the technique are described.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Annuloplasty of the regurgitant mitral valve after myocarditis in children.

Acute myocarditis is characterized by the development of rapid life-threatening congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. In many cases with hemodynamic compromise, medical therapy and mechanical support alone are not sufficient. Various surgical procedures have been tried to bridge patients with myocarditis to both transplant and recovery. Mitral regurgitation is a frequent association with end stage cardiomyopathy and predicts poor outcome. Mitral annuloplasty is well-established in adults with ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy and the results are superior to medical therapy alone and are comparable to cardiac transplantation. However, its effectiveness and use is not well-established in children with cardiomyopathy. We report our experience in two children.

Female↗

PubMed2004

Intrapericardial giant left atrial appendage.

Contrary to what the name implies, the left atrial appendage is increasingly becoming an organ of clinical importance. Its role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolism is now well established. Enlargement of the appendage due to haemodynamic disturbances or anatomic weakness increases this risk, along with the potential for arrhythmia. We report a rare case of gross enlargement of the left atrial appendage within the pericardial cavity.

Atrial Appendage↗

PubMed2004

A novel use of atrial septostomy and stent implantation in a patient with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease and severe pulmonary hypertension.

Patients with unpalliated complex cyanotic congenital heart may have significant morbidity resulting from severe pulmonary hypertension. In late stages, medical management is often difficult, and worsening right heart failure is resistant to medication. The risk of complications and early death can be averted by detailed evaluation and prompt intervention to identify the reversible elements that compound their physiology. It is vital to address any treatable issue to improve a patient's quality of life while awaiting heart-lung transplantation. Our case is a good example of such an approach, where the identification and treatment of reversible pulmonary venous hypertension in the background of irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension, by offloading the left atrium by atrial septostomy and stent implantation, resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life for the patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Reoperations and survival after primary repair of congenital heart defects in children.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to evaluate the incidence of reoperation and the associated risk and survival after primary repair of congenital heart defects using cardiopulmonary bypass in children. METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of 1220 consecutive children under 16 years [649 (53%) under 1 year] operated on between 1976 and 2001 by 1 surgeon (J.L.M.). RESULTS: The early (30-day) mortality was 6.9%; 171 patients had 206 reoperations. The early mortality for the first reoperation was 10.4% and for second reoperation, 3.8%. Of the first-time reoperations 63% were inevitable, 15% were planned, and 22% were unexpected. The overall 20-year freedom from reoperation was 83% and survival (including early mortality) was 86%. The 10-year freedom from reoperation and survival, respectively, was as follows: aortic valvotomy, 77% and 92%; pulmonary valvotomy, 90% and 95%; atrial septal defect, 99% and 100%; partial atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), 81% and 94%; complete AVSD, 74% and 70%; VSD, 95% and 97%; double-outlet right ventricle, 66% and 68%; truncus arteriosus, 54% and 71%; Mustard, 85% and 86%; arterial switch, 78% and 74%; Fontan, 77% and 66%; Fallot, 91% and 93%; and total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, 89% and 84%. Of those undergoing aortic valvotomy, 53% were infants, but when aortic valve replacement became necessary an adult valve could be inserted. Introduction of the total cavopulmonary connection to the Fontan procedure in 1990 with prior cavopulmonary anastomoses has greatly improved outcome, with only 1 reoperation and no deaths since then. Patients with AVSD required 12 reoperations for mitral regurgitation, mostly through the "cleft," the closure of which in the past 5 years has provided promising results. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of reoperations after repair of congenital heart defects in children are inevitable, and their incidence varies for different types of procedures. These findings will help in informing parents about the possible outcome of surgery, but the introduction of newer techniques may reduce the need for reoperation further. The survival is encouraging.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Obstructed hemianomalous pulmonary venous drainage: is intervention necessary?

Obstructed infradiaphragmatic hemianomalous pulmonary venous drainage is associated with high mortality and morbidity, and treatment is best tailored to the individual patient. Resolution of an obstructed scimitar vein through collateralization has rarely been reported. We report two such cases and review the literature.

Female↗

PubMed2002

Repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy with a transventricular or a transatrial approach.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal time and approach of repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome following repair of TOF in infants with particular regard to the surgical approach used. PATIENTS: One hundred and sixty infants (mean age 195+/-89 days, range 11-364 days) undergoing repair of a simple TOF were studied. Between 1974 and 2000, a transventricular approach (RV) was used in 91 and between 1988 and 2000, a transatrial (RA) approach in 69 infants. Ten of these infants (6.2%) had a previous palliative shunt (four in the RV versus six in the RA group). A transannular patch (TAP) was inserted in 96 (60%) infants (76 versus 20). Follow-up was complete (mean 14.5+/-5.2 versus 6+/-1 years). RESULTS: There were three operative deaths (1.9%), (two in RV versus one in RA group). A re-operation for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) was performed in 19 patients (3 versus 16). Ten-year freedom from re-operation for RVOTO (+/-standard error of the mean) was 88+/-4% (98+/-2 versus 72+/-6%, P<0.0001). Within the RA group, 5-year freedom from re-operation for RVOTO for those who had a TAP was 79+/-9% and it was 75+/-4% for those having a simple repair. Six patients in the RV group required pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Ten-year freedom from PVR was 98+/-1% (97+/-2 versus 100%, P=0.3). There were two late deaths, one in each group. Ten-year survival was 97+/-1%. One patient in the RV group developed late recurrent ventricular tachycardia requiring the implantation of a defibrillator. At most recent echocardiography, all but the patient who had the defibrillator had good right and left ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: Transventricular and transatrial repair of TOF in infancy, are associated with an acceptable operative risk, low incidence of late arrhythmia, good bi-ventricular function and excellent survival. In our experience, however, transatrial repair has a disturbing incidence of early and mid-term residual or recurrent RVOTO, even when a TAP has been used.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2002

Different techniques for closure of multiple interatrial communications with the Amplatzer septal occluder.

We present three cases of multiple interatrial communications to illustrate the extended use of the Amplatzer septal occluder and to highlight procedural techniques. The first case demonstrates how a single device can be used to close two adjacent defects. It is important to balloon size both defects and to note if balloon occlusion of one defect closes the other and vice versa. The second case demonstrates closure of multiple atrial septal defects using two devices. The technique needed to obtain an "interleaved" position of the two devices is detailed. This technique allows for a lower profile that reduces stress on the devices and surrounding structures and may decrease the risk of thromboembolism and device embolization. The third case describes device closure of a residual defect adjacent to a previous device implanted at an earlier sitting. In this situation, an overlapping position without the option for "interleaving" is inevitable.

Child↗