Hagler, Donald J.

ObjectivesOur objective was to determine if technical changes combined with radiation safety initiatives reduced the radiation dose delivered to patients during congenital catheterization.BackgroundUse of ionizing radiation is necessary during cardiac catheterization. Minimizing radiation dose, while maintaining clinically useful image quality, is an important safety issue. In our congenital heart center intentional practice changes, including technical changes and provider awareness initiatives, were implemented to decrease radiation dose.MethodsData were retrospectively collected for all procedures involving children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing catheterization over 45 months. Cases were divided into three categories including: noninterventional (NI), simple intervention (SI), and complex intervention (CI). The change in dose was modeled as log of cumulative air kerma (Ka,r). The change in Ka,r was evaluated for each procedural category as well as changes occurring as a function of age and weight.ResultsConsidering all procedures (n = 1,082), Ka,r decreased by 61%. In the NI group (n = 481), Ka,r decreased by 71%. In the SI group (n = 424), Ka,r decreased by 74%. The Ka,r for the 10–17 year old group (n = 125) and those ≥18 years (n = 709) decreased 74 and 67%, respectively. The Ka,r decreased 72 and 66% for those 20–60 kg and ≥60 kg, respectively. Groups not showing significant change in Ka,r included CI, age ≤9 years, and weight ≤20 kg.ConclusionsThrough technical changes and provider awareness initiatives, our institution dramatically reduced the radiation dose in the majority of pediatric and adult CHD patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

We present the case of a 36‐year‐old woman with increasing shortness of breath, a new 3/4 diastolic murmur, and a complex history of LV outflow tract obstruction. She has undergone multiple surgeries including the replacement of her old LV apex to ascending aorta conduit with a 20‐mm Gore‐Tex tube graft, addition of a 24‐mm homograft sutured between the conduit and the LV apex, and insertion of a 21‐mm Freestyle porcine valve conduit between the Gore‐Tex tube graft and allograft at age 23. The current assessment showed a failing Freestyle conduit prosthesis leading to left heart decompensation. Due to substantial surgical risk, the patient underwent successful implantation of a Melody valve into the Gore‐Tex tube and exclusion of the failing Freestyle bioprosthesis with a NuMed CP stent in a hybrid procedure. The case nicely illustrates the collaborative potential of cardiovascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists in the new arena of a hybrid operating room. Complex hybrid procedures like the current one, especially those including percutaneous placements of valves, offer therapeutic options for patients that are otherwise too high risk for conventional open heart surgery. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

ObjectivesTo compare procedural outcomes of transcatheter balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV) in adults to a concurrent pediatric cohort and to identify whether BPV leads to improvement in symptoms among adults.BackgroundBPV has long been utilized to relieve right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction in neonates and young children. More recently, BPV has been performed in adults, but outcome data are limited in this population.MethodsWe reviewed all cases of BPV performed at Mayo Clinic's Congenital Cardiac Cath Lab from December 1993 to July 2012. Patients were excluded if they had additional congenital heart defects, other than simple left‐to‐right shunt lesions.Results89 children and 40 adults underwent 132 BPV procedures. Among the adults, 78% were symptomatic at the time of BPV. The most common symptoms were dyspnea and fatigue. RVOT systolic gradient was 42 ± 19 mmHg (children) and 54 ± 26 mmHg (adults) prior to BPV (P = 0.002). Adults experienced a greater reduction in gradient following BPV (32 ± 21 mmHg vs. 23 ± 19 mmHg; P = 0.007). No patients exhibited “suicide right ventricle” physiology after BPV. Among adults, mean follow‐up was 1.9 years (30 days–11 years). Symptoms improved in 20 of the 24 previously symptomatic adults for whom follow‐up data were available. Mean NYHA score improved from 2.2 to 1.4 following BPV. At last follow‐up, 52% of adults were free of any symptoms, a significant improvement from pre‐BPV (P = 0.0003). Only one patient described worsening of symptoms after BPV.ConclusionsBPV is an effective procedure for symptomatic adults with pulmonary valve stenosis. In addition to immediate relief of RVOT gradient, adult patients may experience symptomatic improvement following BPV.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BackgroundIn recent years, percutaneous device closure has become commonplace for treatment of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, the effect of device closure on aortic valve regurgitation (AR) has been questioned.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to define changes in AR using echocardiography, before and after device closure of ASD or PFO.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients who had percutaneous device closure of ASD or PFO at our institution between 2005 and 2009. We compared the preprocedure echocardiogram to the most recent follow‐up study. All investigators were blinded to referral diagnosis, patient demographics, and size and type of the device placed. Aortic regurgitation was graded as none/trivial, mild, moderate, or severe.ResultsOverall, 322 patients qualified for inclusion; 204 with PFO and 118 with ASD. Mean age at time of closure was 48 ± 20 years (range 3–85 years). Mean duration of follow‐up was 1.2 years (range 2 months to 5 years). Only two patients (0.6%) demonstrated any appreciable increase in AR severity. However, both of these patients manifested a clinically insignificant change from a trivial to mild grade of aortic regurgitation.ConclusionsPercutaneous device closure of PFO or ASD does not increase the incidence or severity of AR over medium‐term follow‐up. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Implanted cardiac devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, and resynchronization devices, are known to develop thrombus on their intravascular leads. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs in approximately one‐quarter of the adult population. It is unclear whether paradoxical cardioembolism and clinically relevant stroke occur in patients with implanted cardiac leads and PFO. We present a case series of four patients with cardioembolic stroke, presumed to arise from intravascular cardiac leads and associated PFO that required device closure of the PFO.(PACE 2013; 36:50–54)

Background— Percutaneous repair has emerged as a potential therapy for patients with prosthetic paravalvular regurgitation. However, there is a relative paucity of data on the feasibility and outcome of this procedure. Methods and Results— All patients in whom percutaneous paravalvular regurgitation closure was attempted at our hospital were identified and included. Under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance, patients underwent implantation of ≥1 an Amplatzer Septal Occluder, Duct Occluder, Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder, or Vascular Plug II. Percutaneous repair of 141 paravalvular defects was attempted in 115 patients (age, 67±12 years; men, 53%) with heart failure, hemolytic anemia, or both and who were at high risk of open surgery (mean estimated Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality, 6.9%). Devices were implanted in 125 defects (89% of total defects), including in 19 patients with multiple defects. Because of the complexity of the procedures, wire exteriorization was required in 29 patients. Overall, successful percutaneous closure (defined as ≤1+ residual regurgitation) was achieved in 88 (77%) patients. Procedural time decreased with increasing case experience for percutaneous repair of both perimitral and periaortic defects. Overall, the 30-day complication rate was 8.7% (sudden and unexplained death, 1.7%; stroke, 2.6%; emergency surgery, 0.9%; bleeding, 5.2%). Two devices embolized during the procedure and were retrieved without sequelae. No procedural deaths occurred, but 2 (1.7%) patients died by 30 days. Conclusions— Percutaneous repair of paravalvular prosthetic regurgitation can be performed with a reasonable rate of procedural success and may be an initial therapeutic option, particularly in patients at significant risk for open surgery. Increased case experience is associated with shorter procedural time.