BACKGROUND:Echocardiography parameters of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, fractional area change (RVFAC), and global longitudinal strain during the first interstage have been shown to be associated with death or transplantation in patients with HLHS. However, both parameters lack adequate discriminatory characteristics. This study sought to examine global post-systolic contraction (PSC), a marker of myocardial inefficiency, as a predictor of death or transplantation (Tx) in patients with classic hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). METHODS:We performed a post-hoc analysis of 62 prospectively recruited patients with HLHS prior to the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA) surgery. We measured RV function parameters: RVFAC, global longitudinal strain, strain rate, mechanical dispersion index (MDI), and PSC. For each parameter, the receiver operating characteristic analysis determined the optimal cut-offs for the primary endpoint of death/Tx, followed by a Kaplan-Meier analysis. Parameters interobserver variability testing was performed. RESULTS:Median follow-up from pre-BCPA echocardiogram was 7.4 years. HLHS with outcome of death/Tx (n = 14) had lower RVFAC, longitudinal strain and strain rate, and increased PSC when compared with survivors. PSC of >5% performed the best, with the greatest area under the curve 0.75, sensitivity 64% and specificity 83%, hazard ratio 5.54 (95% CI 1.63-18.66), for the primary endpoint of death/Tx. PSC and strain parameters had excellent reproducibility. CONCLUSION:Increased global post-systolic contraction during the first interstage is associated with an outcome of death or transplantation in the medium term follow up of patients with HLHS. PSC has a greater specificity and reproducibility than global longitudinal strain and RV FAC. Investigation into its use in clinical practice as a predictor of outcome is warranted.

PURPOSE:Right atrial volume (RAV) and function have proven prognostic value in the assessment of cardiac disease and may be more accurately assessed using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). Normal 3DE reference values for the right atrial (RA) volume and function in healthy children have not yet been published. Furthermore, current methods of indexing cardiac measurements to body surface area (BSA) alone may be insufficient. We aimed to develop reference values for 3DE-derived RAV and function in the pediatric population, to provide a comparison of regression methods using BSA, height, weight, and sex, and to compare 3DE values to two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) derived volumes. METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 187 3DE datasets acquired for a multi-center study on healthy children at two international centers. 3DE volumes were measured with vendor-agnostic software (Tomtec), and 2DE endo-diastolic volume (EDV) using the area-length single-plane approach. Regression curve-fitting of height (Ht), weight (Wt), BSA, and sex were explored to optimize Pearson coefficient and homoscedasticity. RESULTS:The relationship of 3DE RAVs to BSA alone was heteroscedastic, with a residual positive relationship on indexing (R2 = 0.2506). Optimal regression of Ln (Volume) = b0 + x*Ln (Ht) + y*Ln (Wt) + z*Sex was homoscedastic. Total RA emptying fraction (EF) did not vary across age or sex, however active and passive emptying was best fit by a spline curve with a knot at approximately BSA = 1 m2. Strong agreement with 2DE-derived EDV was present (r2 = 0.83). CONCLUSION:We provide reference values for RA size and function in the pediatric population and provide a comparison of methods for indexing these values.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes after the repair of aortic arch using a standard patch augmentation technique. The collaborators in the QPCR Group are listed in the Acknowledgements section. Presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Barcelona, Spain, 13–16 October 2021. C O N G EN IT A L VC The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oup.com Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2022, 35(3), ivac135 ORIGINAL ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac135 Advance Access publication 28 May 2022 METHODS: The study included all patients who underwent repair of a hypoplastic/interrupted aortic arch (IAA) in a single institute from June 2012 to December 2019 by a standardized patch augmentation (irrespective of concomitant intra-cardiac lesions). End points evaluated were reintervention for arch obstruction and persistent/new-onset hypertension. RESULTS: The study included 149 patients [hypoplastic aortic arch, n = 92 (62%), IAA, n = 9 (6%), Norwood procedure, n = 48 (32%)]. The patch material used for augmentation of the aortic arch included pulmonary homograft (n = 120, 81%), homograft pericardium (n = 18, 12%), CardioCel R (n = 9, 6%) and glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium (n = 2, 1%). The median age and weight at surgery were 7 days [interquartile range (IQR) 5–17 days] and 3.5 kg (IQR 3–3.9 kg), respectively. The median follow-up was 3.27 years (IQR 1.28, 5.08), range (0.02, 8.76). Freedom from reintervention at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 89%, 98%], 93% (95% CI = 86%, 96%) and 93% (95% CI = 86%, 96%) respectively. One patient (0.6%) had persistent hypertension 8 years after correction for interrupted arch with truncus arteriosus. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of hypoplastic/IAA by transection and excision of all ductal tissue and standardized patch augmentation provide good mid-term durability. The freedom from reintervention at 5 years is >90%. The incidence of persistent systemic hypertension following arch reconstruction is low. The technique is reproducible and applicable irrespective of underlying arch anatomy.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes after the repair of aortic arch using a standard patch augmentation technique. METHODS The study included all patients who underwent repair of a hypoplastic/interrupted aortic arch (IAA) in a single institute from June 2012 to December 2019 by a standardized patch augmentation (irrespective of concomitant intra-cardiac lesions). End points evaluated were reintervention for arch obstruction and persistent/new-onset hypertension. RESULTS The study included 149 patients [hypoplastic aortic arch, n = 92 (62%), IAA, n = 9 (6%), Norwood procedure, n = 48 (32%)]. The patch material used for augmentation of the aortic arch included pulmonary homograft (n = 120, 81%), homograft pericardium (n = 18, 12%), CardioCel(R) (n = 9, 6%) and glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium (n = 2, 1%). The median age and weight at surgery were 7 days [interquartile range (IQR) 5-17 days] and 3.5 kg (IQR 3-3.9 kg), respectively. The median follow-up was 3.27 years (IQR 1.28, 5.08), range (0.02, 8.76). Freedom from reintervention at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 89%, 98%], 93% (95% CI = 86%, 96%) and 93% (95% CI = 86%, 96%) respectively. One patient (0.6%) had persistent hypertension 8 years after correction for interrupted arch with truncus arteriosus. CONCLUSIONS Repair of hypoplastic/IAA by transection and excision of all ductal tissue and standardized patch augmentation provide good mid-term durability. The freedom from reintervention at 5 years is >90%. The incidence of persistent systemic hypertension following arch reconstruction is low. The technique is reproducible and applicable irrespective of underlying arch anatomy.

BACKGROUND:Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) evaluation of right ventricular (RV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) is increasingly used for clinical serial assessments and management in children. This study aims to generate sex-specific reference values and z-score equations for RV volumetric parameters, independent of age and body size indices, derived from multiple populations across North America. METHODS:We prospectively recruited 455 healthy children (ages 0 to 18 years) from 5 centres. 3DE of the RV were acquired using various vendors with analyses performed offline using vendor-independent software. 3DE datasets with all walls of the RV endocardium visible were included. We reported data on RV EF, and generated z scores for end-systolic volumes (ESV), end-diastolic volumes (EDV) and stroke volume (SV). Differences between the sexes were explored. RESULTS:Of 455 3DE datasets, 312 (68%) met imaging criteria for analysis. Median age was 10.1 years (interquartile ratio [IQR]: 5.6, 14.0) with 17% being younger than 3 years of age. The mean and standard deviation for RV EDV, ESV, and SV for male and female patients were reported. We provided a downloadable z-score calculator with height and weight as independent variables to facilitate clinical utility. Although statistically significant differences between male and female RVEF was present (female 52.9 ± 3.9% vs male 51.6 ± 3.5%, P = 0.006), after adjusting for age, height, and weight, the magnitude of difference was clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS:Sex-specific reference values for pediatric RV volumes and EF, and z-score equations were derived from children 3DE datasets across 5 centres in North America.

Branch pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis due to ductus arteriosus (DA) tissue (DA-PS) contributes to the morbidity associated with pulmonary atresia (PAtr). We sought to identify preoperative echocardiographic features predictive of DA-PS. Patients consecutively encountered with PAtr and a DA-dependent pulmonary circulation at birth who underwent intervention in our program over a 5-year period were identified and records reviewed. Preoperative echocardiograms were reviewed to identify features that predicted postoperative DA-PS. Seventy patients with PAtr met inclusion criteria and 36 (51%) had DA-PS. At preoperative echocardiography, the proximal diameter of the PA ipsilateral to the DA was smaller in those with versus without DA-PS (Z-score − 4.8 ± 1.7 vs − 1.1 ± 1.7, respectively p < 0.001). PA origins could not be imaged on the same axial plane in 21/36 (58%) with versus 2/34 (6%) without DA-PS. Patients with DA-PS had an obtuse posterior angle of the PA bifurcation compared to those without (128 ± 17° and 87 ± 21°, p < 0.001), and a posterior angle of > 100° best predicted DA-PS with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 76%. An abnormal PA relationship and/or an obtuse posterior bifurcation angle had a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for DA-PS of 78%, 94%, 90% and 86%, respectively. Finally, DA insertion was into the ipsilateral PA in 26/36 (72%) of cases with DA-PS. A smaller proximal ipsilateral PA diameter, inability to image the PAs in the same plane, a posterior PA bifurcation angle of > 100°, and insertion of the DA in the ipsilateral PA demonstrated by echo are useful in identifying patients at risk for DA-PS.

Background: Right atrial (RA) size and dysfunction predicts adverse clinical outcomes in adult Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF); however limited normative or TOF data are published in children. We aimed to develop and validate 2-dimensional echocardiography normal values for RA size and function in children, by comparison with the RA of children with TOF and to determine the RA size and functional trajectory in TOF after initial repair. Methods: We prospectively imaged 156 healthy children, 13 days to 18 years, and measured RA area at end systole (RAAs), onset of ECG p wave (RAAp) and at end diastole (RAAd), to calculate total RA emptying fraction (EF) (RAAs - RAAd / RAAs), conduit EF (RAAs - RAAp / RAAs), and active EF (RAAp - RAAd /RAAs). Z-scores were developed using BSA indexing. We analysed studies at <1, 3-4 and 6-7 years of age in 22 patients with TOF with sub-analysis according to degree of pulmonic regurgitation: none to mild (G1 n=7) vs. moderate or greater (G2 n=15). Results: RA area indexed to a best-fit power of BSA was homoscedastic. Normal RA conduit EF increased, and RA active EF decreased until a BSA ~1 m 2 before stabilizing, and was best fit by a linear spline function, node at BSA 1 m 2 (Figure 1). TOF RA was dilated early after repair and normalized by 4 years in G1 but not G2. Total RA EF and conduit EF, but not active EF were persistently reduced (Table 1). Conclusion: Using new z-score formulas for indexed RA size and EF, we demonstrate persistent RA dilation and conduit dysfunction in TOF is associated with significant pulmonary regurgitation. Future work will explore the potential utility of RA size and function in prediction of right heart normalization post-pulmonary valve replacement.

Recent study on mitral valve development in healthy children suggest developmental differences between leaflets, with greater relative expansion of the anterior leaflet while maintaining annular saddle shape. To our knowledge, there is no published literature on developmental changes of the tricuspid valve (TV). In adult tricuspid valves, pathologic series suggest a qualitatively larger anterior leaflet with variability in the size of both posterior and septal leaflets. Using 3DE we aim to quantify developmental changes of the TV annulus and leaflets. This cross-sectional study used prospectively acquired TV 3DE volumetric datasets in 51 healthy children between 0 and 18 years of age. Using a custom designed TV MATLAB software, annular dimensions, sphericity index (lateral width/anteroposterior annular dimension ratio) and bending angle were analyzed in mid-systole. TV leaflets were segmented into anterior (AL), septal (SL) and posterior (PL) to measure regional areas, prolapse and tethering volumes. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-5, 6-12 and 13-18 years. Between group comparison was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with significance at p< 0.05. Between group comparisons for TV annulus and leaflet 3DE parameters were detailed in Table 1. With increasing age and size, TV annulus enlarged in both the anteroposterior and lateral dimensions. This annular growth occurred symmetrically such that annular sphericity index remained unchanged. Furthermore, the “saddle-shape” geometry of the annulus, quantified using the annular bending angle, was also maintained across groups. There was size-proportionate expansion of TV leaflets with increasing age (stable total leaflet area indexed by BSA). Individual leaflets also expanded symmetrically. There was no significant change in leaflet prolapse with increasing age, but a modest increase in leaflet tethering (p=0.01) was demonstrated. This progressive leaflet tethering was more pronounced in the AL and SL over PL. Our study suggests that preservation of annular geometry occurred with normal TV maturation. Contrary to adult TV pathologic series, there was symmetric leaflets expansion during youth. Interestingly, there was also concurrent mild progressive leaflet tethering. Whether leaflet tethering is the result of physiologic differences in growth potential between leaflets and subvalve tensor apparatus or an adaptive biologic stimulus for leaflet growth, warrants further exploration.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the dynamic changes in the vena contracta (VC) and proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) through systole in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and tricuspid regurgitation and to identify the stage of systole (early, mid, or late) in which VC and PISA radius are optimal. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome were prospectively studied using continuous two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. Two-dimensional VC width, 3D VC area, and PISA radii (2D and 3D) were measured frame by frame throughout systole. The maximal 2D VC width, 3D VC area, and PISA radii in the first, middle, and last thirds of systole were compared, and correlations were explored with 3D tricuspid annular areas, right atrial volumes, and right ventricular volumes. Results: In all, 35 data sets that met inclusion criteria were analyzed. On frame-by-frame analysis, maximal 2D VC width and 3D VC area were found in the first third of systole in 17% and 20% of studies, in the second third in 34% and 31%, and in the final third in 49% and 49%. Similarly, the maximal 2D and 3D PISA radii were found in the first third of systole in 26% and 17% of studies, in the second third in 28% and 34%, and in the final third in 46% and 49%. Conclusions: In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, detailed temporal analysis of tricuspid regurgitation- associated VC and PISA by 2D and 3D echocardiography reveals no reliable pattern predicting when in systole these parameters peak. Frame-by-frame measurement is necessary for identification of maximal VC and PISA radius on 2D and 3D color Doppler echocardiography because the severity of tricuspid regurgitation could be underestimated because of temporal variability in VC and PISA. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2021;34:877-86.)

BACKGROUND:Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is associated with morbidity and mortality. TR mechanisms and the impact of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) are unclear. We examined HLHS TR mechanisms, TVR's impact on tricuspid valve (TV), and features of poor TVR durability.METHODS:We retrospectively compared 35 HLHS TVR cases and 35 age/stage-matched HLHS controls who do not undergo TVR. Pre-operative 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) assessed overall TV morphology (prolapse, normal, tethered), leaflet morphology, vena contracta area, and TR location. Two-dimensional echocardiography measured TV annulus diameter, RV fractional area change (RVFAC), sphericity, and TR grade at three time points (pre-op, early post-op, and latest follow-up).RESULTS:Pre-op, TVR group, and controls had no difference in age, RV function or shape, or TV dimension. TVR group most commonly had anterior leaflet prolapse followed by septal leaflet prolapse or tethering. TR jet arises centrally (63%) and anterior septally (26%). Posterior annuloplasty (69%), commissuroplasty (37%), and leaflet repair (37%) were surgical techniques commonly performed. At early post-op, TR grade and TV annulus decreased. At latest follow-up, TV annulus remained reduced; however, 50% had significant TR. 25% required TV reoperation. Larger vena contracta at TVR was associated with significant TR.CONCLUSION:HLHS patients undergoing TVR had more anterior leaflet prolapse and central TR. While TVR initially reduces annular size and TR grade, 50% redevelop significant TR despite maintained annular reduction. The association of greater TR severity prior to repair with post-op recurrence raises the consideration for earlier repair of TR in HLHS patients.

Background: Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Surgical tricuspid valve (TV) repair is common, but durable repair remains challenging. The aim of this study was to examine mechanisms of TR requiring surgery, features associated with unsuccessful repair, and TV changes after surgical repair. Methods: Thirty-six patients with HLHS requiring TV repair (TVR) and 36 matched control subjects with HLHS were assessed using two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiography. Using three-dimensional echocardiography, TV coordinates from the annulus, leaflet, and ventricle were used to measure annular, leaflet, prolapse, and tethering values and anterior papillary muscle angle. TR grade and ventricular size, function, and shape were assessed using two-dimensional echocardiography. Results: Patients requiring TVR had greater total leaflet prolapse, larger TV annular and leaflet areas, and flatter annuli, with no difference in tethering, coaptation index, or anterior papillary muscle angle. In patients with HLHS, successful TVR at follow-up (58%) was associated with preoperative total leaflet prolapse (especially posterior). Unsuccessful repair was associated with preoperative tethering of the septal leaflet. TVR in patients with HLHS caused a reduction of total annular and leaflet size and reduced prolapse and tethering of the posterior leaflet but did not affect anterior leaflet prolapse or septal leaflet tethering. Conclusions: Features associated with TVR include a flattened and dilated TV annulus with leaflet prolapse. The additional presence of a tethered septal leaflet before TVR is associated with significant postoperative TR. Current surgical techniques, predominantly posterior annuloplasty and commissuroplasty, adequately address annular size and posterior leaflet pathology, but not septal leaflet tethering. Individualized and innovative surgical techniques are vital to improve surgical repair success. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2021;34:1199-210.)

Introduction: Historically, prenatal detection of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) was poor and around 60% had major extracardiac (ECA) or genetic anomalies. Recently, prenatal detection of ToF has improved, along with a wider range of genetic testing options. Knowledge of outcomes and risk of associated anomalies is crucial for prenatal counselling. We hypothesize that prenatal ToF now has a different risk profile for ECAs and genetic anomalies than previously reported. Methods: A retrospective study of all fetuses with a diagnosis of ToF in our Fetal Cardiology program from 2012-2019. ToF type double outlet right ventricle was excluded. Pre and postnatal charts and imaging reports were reviewed for ToF subtype, additional cardiac and non-cardiac diagnoses and outcomes. Results: Of 83 cases, 49 had standard ToF, 24 pulmonary atresia (14 with major collateral arteries, 10 without), and 10 absent pulmonary valve. There was ≥1 ECA in 41% (34/83), including 6% (5/83) with 2 and 4% (3/83) with 3. ECA sub-types were: 10 gastrointestinal, 8 neurological, 8 pulmonary, 7 renal, 4 musculoskeletal, and 8 others. Of 76 with genetic testing, 37% (28/76) had genetic anomalies (32% (9/28) Trisomy 21, 29% (8/28) 22q11 deletion, 7% (2/28) Trisomy 18, 7% (2/28) Trisomy 13, and 25% (7/28) other). Additional diagnoses: 4% (3/76) VACTERL spectrum, 1% (1/76) possible teratogenic effect. Right aortic arch was associated with 22q11 deletion (28% (7/25) vs 2% (1/51) p<0.001). ToF with atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) was strongly associated with Trisomy 21 (100%, 3/3 tested). Those with ≥1 ECA were more likely to have a genetic abnormality (52% (17/33) vs 24% (9/37), p<0.05). Outcomes were: 22% (18/83) termination, 5% (4/83) intrauterine fetal deaths and 72% (60/83) livebirths, with 1 lost to follow-up. Of live births, there were 3% (2/60) neonatal and 7% (4/60) late deaths, and 90% (54/60) were alive at last follow-up (mean age 3.5±2.4 years). Conclusion: ECAs are less common in prenatally diagnosed ToF in the modern era, however the rate of genetic diagnoses is similar to previously published data. ToF with right aortic arch and ToF with AVSD in particular have strong genetic associations. Additionally, genetic diagnoses are more common in those with an ECA.

BACKGROUND:Twenty-five percent of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) require tricuspid valve (TV) repair. The location of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is important in determining the type of repair performed. Studies using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) have reported a high incidence of error on two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for the identification of TV leaflets. The aim of this study was to compare assessment of TR on 3DE and 2DE in patients with HLHS (jet location, TR grade, and reproducibility). METHODS:A retrospective, single-center review was performed. Fifty-six patients with HLHS with available two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiograms, and mild or greater TR, were included. TR location, grade, vena contracta area, and TV annular diameter were measured on 2DE and 3DE. Reproducibility was assessed by blinded reviewers. RESULTS:Three-dimensional echocardiography identified the primary jet location as central (57%) followed by anteroseptal (36%). There was poor agreement between findings on 3DE and 2DE for jet location (κ = 0.05; 95 CI, -0.08 to 0.19). Interobserver reproducibility for location on 3DE was excellent (κ = 0.8), whereas reproducibility for 2DE was poor (κ = 0.32). The most common jet location pre-Norwood and pre-Glenn was central (70%), whereas pre-Fontan and post-Fontan, jet location was central (45%) and anteroseptal (48%). Vena contracta area on 2DE correlated moderately with vena contracta area on 3DE (r = 0.60, P < .0001). TV annular diameters on 2DE and 3DE for lateral (r = 0.85, P < .0001) and anteroposterior (r = 0.74, P = .001) dimensions were strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS:In children with HLHS, assessment of TR location on 2DE had poor agreement with assessment on 3DE and was poorly reproducible. In contrast, TR jet location on 3DE was highly reproducible. Pre-Glenn, a central TR jet was the most common, while post-Glenn, central and anteroseptal locations were equal, highlighting the importance of preoperative identification of TR jet location in patients with HLHS.

Heart conditions in which the tricuspid valve (TV) faces either increased volume or pressure stressors are associated with premature valve failure. Mechanistic studies to improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology responsible for the development of premature TV failure are lacking. Due to the inability to conduct these studies in humans, an animal model is required. In this manuscript, we describe the protocols for a novel chronic recovery infant piglet heart model for the study of changes in the TV when placed under combined volume and pressure stress. In this model, volume loading of the right ventricle and the TV is achieved through the disruption of the pulmonary valve. Then pressure loading is accomplished through the placement of a pulmonary artery band. The success of this model is assessed at four weeks post intervention surgery through echocardiography, intracardiac pressure measurement, and pathologic examination of the heart specimens.

Objective Ductus arteriosus (DA)-related branch pulmonary stenosis (PS), due to ductal tissue migration into the proximal pulmonary artery (PA) ipsilateral to the DA, is common in newborns with pulmonary atresia (PAtr) and contributes significantly to their mortality and morbidity. We sought to define fetal echocardiographic predictors of DA-PS in PAtr.Methods This was a study of all neonates diagnosed prenatally with PAtr and a DA-dependent pulmonary circulation, with a DA that joined the underbelly of the arch, who had undergone surgical or catheter intervention in our hospital between 2009 and 2018. The postnatal echocardiograms and clinical records were reviewed to confirm the presence or absence of DA-PS based on the need for angioplasty at initial intervention and/or development of proximal PA stenosis post intervention. Fetal echocardiograms were examined for the features of DA-PS.Results Of 53 fetuses with PAtr, 34 (64%) had analyzable images, including 20/34 (59%) with and 14/34 (41%) without DA-PS. An inability to visualize the branch PAs in the same plane, largely associated with abnormal DA insertion into the ipsilateral PA (85% of cases), had sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of 75%, 100%, 100% and 74%, respectively, for the prediction of postnatal DA-PS. The mean branch PA posterior bifurcation angle was more obtuse in cases with DA-PS compared to cases without DA-PS (117 degrees +/- 17 degrees vs 79 degrees +/- 17 degrees, P<0.001), and an angle of > 100 degrees, the preoperative cut-off observed previously in affected newborns, had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 88%, 79%, 82% and 85%, respectively. The receiver-operating-characteristics curve revealed an angle of >= 105 degrees to have a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 93%, respectively, for prenatal prediction of DA-PS. The presence of one or both features (inability to image in the same plane and the posterior bifurcation angle of >= 105 degrees) had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 100%, 93%, 95% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion An inability to visualize the branch PAs in the same plane, associated with abnormal insertion of the DA in most cases, and/or the presence of a posterior PA bifurcation angle of >= 105 degrees are predictive features of postnatal DA-PS in fetuses with PAtr. (C) 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Right ventricular (RV) remodeling in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) begins prenatally and continues through staged palliations. However, it is unclear if the most marked observed remodeling post-Norwood is secondary to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) exposure or if it is an adaptation intrinsic to the systemic RV. This study aims to determine the impact of CPB on RV remodeling in HLHS. Echocardiograms of HLHS survivors undergoing stage 1 Norwood (n = 26) or Hybrid (n = 20) were analyzed at pre- and post-stage 1, pre- and post-bidirectional cavo-pulmonary anastomosis (BCPA), and pre-Fontan. RV fractional area change (FAC), vector velocity imaging for longitudinal & derived circumferential deformation (global radial shortening (GRS) = peak radial displacement/end-diastolic diameter), and deformation ratio (longitudinal/ circumferential) were assessed. Both groups had similar age, clinical status and functional parameters pre-stage 1. No difference in RV size and sphericity at any stage between groups. RVFAC was normal (> 35%) throughout for both groups. Both Norwood and Hybrid patients had increased GRS (p = 0.0001) post-stage 1 and corresponding unchanged longitudinal strain, resulting in decreased deformation ratio (greater relative RV circumferential contraction), p = 0.0001. Deformation ratio remained decreased in both groups in subsequent stages. Irrespective of timing of the first CPB exposure, both Norwood and Hybrid patients underwent similar RV remodeling, with relative increase in circumferential to longitudinal contraction soon after stage 1 palliation. The observed RV remodeling in HLHS survivors were minimally impacted by CPB.

Heart conditions in which the tricuspid valve (TV) faces either increased volume or pressure stressors are associated with premature valve failure. Mechanistic studies to improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology responsible for the development of premature TV failure are lacking. Due to the inability to conduct these studies in humans, an animal model is required. In this manuscript, we describe the protocols for a novel chronic recovery infant piglet heart model for the study of changes in the TV when placed under combined volume and pressure stress. In this model, volume loading of the right ventricle and the TV is achieved through the disruption of the pulmonary valve. Then pressure loading is accomplished through the placement of a pulmonary artery band. The success of this model is assessed at four weeks post intervention surgery through echocardiography, intracardiac pressure measurement, and pathologic examination of the heart specimens.