Indications for and limitations of minimally invasive cardiac surgery with the lower ministernotomy approach

The chief benefits of small skin incisions are reduced patient discomfort, accelerated recovery, and cosmetic satisfaction without compromising the quality of surgery. Since April 1997, the lower ministernotomy approach without femoral cannulation has been performed in 43 patients in the authors' institutions. The indications for this approach were initial single valve surgery and secundum-type atrial septal defect. Cases of aortic valve regurgitation that could be repaired, and aortic stenosis that necessitated annular enlargement were excluded. Among patients with mitral valve disease, those with chronic atrial fibrillation were excluded frpm undergoing the Maze procedure and those reguiring chordal reconstruction for anterior leaflet were also excluded. Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation was performed in 8 patients, and open mitral commissurotomy in 2. Mitral valve replacement was performed in 3 patients and aortic valve replacement in 13. Closure of an atrial septal defect was carried out in 18 cases. An approximately 10-cm median skin incision was made, and a ministernotomy with a lower semitransverse division (inverted L-shape) was carried out. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated with ascending aortic cannulation and right-angled venous cannulae in the superior and inferior vena cava for mitral valve disease. Single venous cannulae from the right atrial appendage was used for aortic valve disease. Surgery was performed with mild hypothermia and intermittent tepid blood cardioplegia with diltiazem. A rigid 30-degree angle scope held by a videoscope holder with a flexible arm was used for mitral valve surgery. There were one hospital death due to perioperative myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. There was one reopening for bleeding which resulted in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis. However, the patients was discharged after rectal muscle flap repair. There was one reoperation for mitral valve repair due to hemolysis. The improvement of surgical instruments and materials will further facilitate this procedure.     

全机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术

目的 总结使用"达芬奇S"(da Vinci S)机器人手术系统,心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术的经验体会.方法 2009年3月至2010年12月,使用da Vinic S机器人系统,心脏不停跳下完成继发孔型房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术40例.患者女23例,男17例;年龄平均(38±13)岁.房间隔缺损直径为1.5～3.5 cm,平均(2.8±1.3)cm,无右向左分流,伴有或不伴有三尖瓣重度关闭不全.手术经股动、静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立体外循环.于右侧胸壁打直径为0.8 cm的器械臂孔3个,直径为2 cm工作孔1个,术中不阻断升主动脉,经内窥镜套管持续给予二氧化碳,心脏跳动下,术者于操作台前遥控机器人进行房间隔缺损修补,三尖瓣重度关闭不全患者同期行三尖瓣成形术.其中直接缝合房间隔缺损22例,心包补片修补房间隔缺损18例,同期三尖瓣成形9例.术中食管超声评估修补及三尖瓣成形效果.对比不停跳与心脏停跳下全机器人房间隔缺损修补术的手术时间及体外循环时间.结果 所有患者均成功接受全机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术,无体循环气体栓子及残余分流等并发症.不停跳组的手术时间、机器人使用时间或体外循环时间少于停跳组.结论 机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术无需阻断升主动脉,简化了全机器人手术过程,手术效果安全可靠.

Abstract：

Objective To Summary the first 40 cases underwent robotic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure or atrial septal defect closure combined bicuspid valve plasty (TVP) using "da Vinci S" surgical System on beating heart. Methods 40 cases of atrial septal defect or combined sever tricuspid valve regurgitation were repaired using "da Vinic S" surgical system on beating heart from March 2009 to December 2010 in cardiovascular department of PLA general hospital. The average age was (38 ± 13) yeas old. 23 cases were female and 17 cases were male. All patients were ostium atrial septal defect with or without pulmonary hypertension. The atrial defect diameter was 1.5 -3.5 cm, and the mean diameter was(2. 8 ±1.3)cm. 9 patients had sever tricuspid valve regurgitation. Without sternotomy, the extracorporeal circulation was established through groin artery,groin vein and internal jugular vein cannulation with the guidance of transeophageal echocardiography. 3 ports of 8 mm and 1 working port of 2 cm were made in the right chest wall. After "da Vinci S" syetem was set up, with the assistant of bed-side surgeon, the surgeon completed the atrial septal defect closure or combined tricuspid valve plasty in the surgeon console with three dimensions visualization. During the operation, without cardioplegia administrated and aortic occlusion, the procedure was completed through right atriotomy. The pleural space was insufflated with carbon dioxide to avoid the air embolism. The direct suturing was used in 22 cases and pericardial patch were used in 18 cases. 9 patients accepted concurrent De Vega tricuspid valve plasty. The transesophageal echocardiography were used to evaluate the result of atrial defect closure or tricuspid valve repair. The operation time, robotic using time and cardiopulmonary time were compared with totally robotic atrial defect repair in arrested heart. Results All cases were accomplished successfully without complication. There was no residual shunt and air embolism. The operation time, robotic using time and cardiopulmonary time were less than the arrested group. Conclusion Robotic atrial septal defect closure or combined tricuspid valve repair on beating heart can avoid aortic ocllusion and can be utilized effectively and safely.     

成人先天性心脏病合并冠心病的外科治疗

目的探讨年龄>40岁的先天性心脏病合并冠心病手术治疗的安全性和有效性。方法 2002年2月～2009年5月,26例先天性心脏病(房间隔缺损18例,室间隔缺损4例,房室管畸形3例,三心房1例)合并冠心病(冠状动脉造影显示:单支病变10例,双支病变9例,三支病变7例)接受心脏畸形矫治联合冠状动脉搭桥手术,22例体外循环下行心脏畸形矫治和冠状动脉搭桥术,4例食管超声引导下行房间隔缺损术中伞堵(intraoperative device closure,IODC)及非体外循环冠状动脉旁路移植术(off-pump coronary artery bypass,OPCAB)。冠状动脉旁路移植共完成46处远端吻合,同期行二尖瓣置换术2例,二尖瓣成形术3例,三尖瓣成形术5例,房颤射频消融术2例。结果 1例房室管畸形因肺部感染和多器官衰竭死亡,其余25例康复出院,无手术并发症。术后随访17～105个月,(57.6±24.7)月:1例术后18个月再发心绞痛,未接受再次医疗干预;术后患者心功能和肺动脉高压情况改善;4例杂交手术随访中未发现残余分流、血栓和封堵装置移位等并发症。结论外科治疗成人先天性心脏病合并冠心病效果良好。IODC联合OPCAB治疗房间隔缺损安全、有效。     

Arterial air embolism

The incidence and the outcome of systemic air embolism in 340 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass in this unit for congenital defects of the cardiac septa and diseases involving the aortic and mitral valves have been studied. This was thought to have occurred in 40 patients, of whom 10 died. The distribution of air embolism according to the types of operation undertaken was as follows: six of 127 for atrial septal defect; six of 36 for ventricular septal defect; seven of 42 for mitral valve replacement; seven of 47 for aortic valve débridement; and 14 of 55 for aortic valve replacement. The cause was considered to have been systolic ejection of air into the aorta which, following cardiotomy, had been trapped in the pulmonary veins, the left atrium, the ventricular trabeculae, and the aortic root. Since the adoption of a more rigid `debubbling' routine, air embolism has not occurred. The incidence of pulmonary complications occurring in these patients after bypass was studied. Unilateral atelectasis, which occurred in five patients, resulted from retained bronchial secretions in all and was cured by bronchoscopic aspiration in all. The cause of bilateral atelectases, occurring in nine patients and fatal in eight of these, appeared to be related to cardiopulmonary factors and not to air embolism. Acute air injection made into the pulmonary artery of a dog resulted in pulmonary hypertension and a grossly deficient pulmonary circulation, but changes were largely resolved within a week. In view of this, it is considered that pulmonary air embolism may temporarily embarrass the right heart after the repair of a ventricular septal defect in a patient with an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and diminished pulmonary vascular bed.     

Results of surgery after failed mitral percutaneous dilatation

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous balloon mitral valve commissurotomy (BMC) is an alternative to surgical commissurotomy. Complications following BMC includes mitral regurgitation, iatrogenic atrial septal defect, residual mitral stenosis, and pericardial hemorrhage. This study analyzes the outcomes of surgery following failed BMC for mitral stenosis. METHODS: In a series of 298 patients treated with BMC, 53 patients (17.7%) had a complication that necessitated a surgical treatment. Twenty-eight patients needed an immediate surgery before the discharge (group I) and 25 patients were operated on an elective basis (group II). RESULTS: In group I, 27 patients have been operated and one died before the operation. In 21 patients an acute mitral regurgitation occurred, 3 patients had a residual mitral stenosis, and 3 had a left atrial perforation. The operation consisted of 26 mitral valve replacements, 20 concomitant reparations of iatrogenic atrial septal defect, and one open mitral valve commissurotomy. Operative mortality was 3.7% (1 out of 27). In group II, 25 patients have been operated at a mean 18 +/- 14 months after BMC. In the 25 patients the operation was indicated for significant mitral regurgitation (2 + and more). The operation consisted of 25 mitral valve replacements, 9 concomitant reparations of iatrogenic atrial septal defect, 3 patients had also coronary artery bypasses. The operative mortality was 8% (2 out of 25). The echocardiographic score was similar for both groups, it was 8.4 +/- 2.0 in group I and 8.0 +/- 1.5 in group II (P = NS). Despite these complications following failed BMC, surgery appears a safe procedure with an acceptable mortality.     

Secundum Atrial Septal Defect and Cleft Mitral Valve

The association of a secundum atrial septal defect and mitral insufficiency is not uncommon. Five patients with this combination of lesions are presented and the pathological anatomy of the mitral valve is discussed. All 5 patients demonstrated a similar cleft mitral valve; 2 had cleft valves when only mitral valve prolapse was suspected preoperatively. The surgical implication of these lesions is discussed.     

A case report of successful mitral valve replacement for congenital mitral stenosis associated with coarctation of the aorta and ventricular septal defect

A 5-month-old infant with coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect and mitral stenosis known as "Shone's anomaly" is presented. He underwent the repair of coarctation of the aorta by means of the extended aortic arch anastomosis and banding of the pulmonary trunk at 1 month of age and the patch closure of ventricular septal defect and debanding of the pulmonary trunk at 3 months of age in our institution. About 2 months after second surgery, he had been admitted to our institution due to developing tachypnea and he needed the support of mechanical ventilation. The chest X-ray showed pulmonary congestion and the echocardiography revealed only one papillary muscle of mitral valve and pressure gradient about 30 mmHg through mitral valve. Mitral stenosis due to parachute mitral valve was suspected and he was subjected to an emergent surgery. Initially we performed mitral valve repair for parachute mitral valve but echocardiography during the surgery revealed moderate grade of mitral regurgitation and a hemodynamics was not satisfactory. Eventually mitral valve replacement was successfully done with Carbo-Medics mechanical valve (19 mm in diameter) in the position of left atrial wall because his mitral annulus was so small as 10 mm in diameter. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient has been doing well.     

New technique for enlargement of the pulmonary outflow tract in corrected transposition of the great arteries [SLL]--a report of 2 cases

New technique for enlargement of the pulmonary outflow tract was performed in two patients with corrected transposition of the great arteries [SLL] associated with atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis and mitral regurgitation. The middle of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve was incised to the valve annulus towards the mid-point of the mitral-pulmonary fibrous continuity. In this approach, anterior node and anterior atrioventricular conduction bundle were securely protected from the surgical incision. The pulmonary annulus was divided posterolaterally and the incision was further extended into the pulmonary trunk to the bifurcation. The pulmonary trunk was enlarged with a fusiform patch of the xenogenous pericardium bearing monocusp. In case 1, St. Jude Medical valve #31 was implanted in the mitral position. In case 2, mitral valvular annuloplasty with Carpentier ring #36 which was deformed to admit enlarged portion of the pulmonary trunk. The VSD was closed through the right atrium, placing the suture on the left side of the septum. However, complete A-V block ensured temporarily due to retraction at the operation in case 1. No conduction disturbance ensured in case 2. This technique can provide some advantage in avoidance of injuries to the anterior node and the anterior atrioventricular conduction bundle. Application of this technique to the corrected transposition of the great arteries without mitral regurgitation is to be further evaluated.     

Port-Access cardiac surgery using endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass: theory, practice, and results

BACKGROUND: Reduction of surgical trauma is the aim of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. This can be achieved by reducing the size of the incision or by eliminating or changing the cardiopulmonary bypass system. However, certain cardiac surgical procedures, such as valvular surgery and complex multivessel coronary artery surgery, are not feasible without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Therefore endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass may allow reduction of surgical trauma for these patients. METHODS: Since its first application in April 1995, more than 1100 procedures have been performed worldwide using the EndoCPB endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system. The authors' experience consists of 60 Port-Access coronary artery bypass grafting procedures, 34 Port-Access mitral valve procedures (18 replacements, 16 repairs), 5 atrial septal defect closures, and 3 atrial myxoma removals. RESULTS: The patient survival rate was 99%, the incidence of perioperative stroke was 1%, and the incidence of aortic dissection was 1%. In the Port-Access mitral valve and atrial septal defect patients, the survival rate was 100% with no peri- or postoperative complications. Peri- and postoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed no perivalvular leak or remaining mitral insufficiency after valve repair. CONCLUSIONS: The EndoCPB endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system allows the application of true Port-Access minimally invasive cardiac surgery in procedures that require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest. Sternotomy and its potential complications can be avoided, and the surgical procedures can be performed safely on an empty, arrested heart with adequate myocardial protection.     

Complete atrioventricular septal defect repair: Simplified single patch technique

Background: There has been a rekindling of interest in alternatives to conventional two patch technique for the repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect in infancy in the recent past. We applied the simplified single patch technique to 15 consecutive infants and herein report our intermediate term results. Methods: Between March 1998 and September 2001, fifteen patients underwent repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect with this technique (mean age 6 months, mean weight 5.4 kg). Downs syndrome was present in 11 patients. Repair was done in all patients by direct suturing of the common atrioventricular valve leaflets to the crest of the ventricular septum irrespective of the size of the ventricular septal component. The cleft in the anterior mitral leaflet was closed in all patients. The atrial septal component was closed by a pericardial patch. Results: There was no mortality. There were no pulmonary arterial hypertensive crises or heart block. The mean follow up was 13.2 months. One patient underwent mitral valve replacement after one year due to severe mitral regurgitation. The remaining fourteen patients had no significant mitral regurgitation, residual ventricular septal defect or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction on echocardiography. Conclusion: Simplified single patch technique is an easily reproducible method for surgical repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect. It is less time consuming and minimises ischaemic time. Atrioventricular valve function is preserved and there is no incidence of obstruction to left ventricular outflow tract. The intermediate term results are encouraging. Presented in the poster session of the 37^th Annual Meeting of Association for European Paediatric Cardiology (AEPC) at Porto, Portugal, May 2002     

66例部分性房室管畸形的外科治疗

目的总结部分性房室管畸形手术治疗的经验,以提高治疗效果。方法回顾性分析我院1984年1月－2007年12月经外科治疗部分性房室管畸形患者66例的临床资料,对二尖瓣大瓣裂的处理：单纯裂缺缝合52例,缝合加交界折叠缝缩8例,加小瓣成形1例,加缝置St．Jude软质人工成形环3例,人工机械瓣置换术2例;对原发孔型房间隔缺损的修补：采用涤纶补片修补12例,自体心包54例;采用Kirklin法将冠状静脉窦口隔入左心房5例,MeGoon法将冠状静脉窦口隔入右心房61例;同期处理其他合并畸形。结果术后早期死亡2例（3．03％）,1例死于心律失常,另1例死于呼吸功能衰竭。术后发生Ⅲ°房室传导阻滞2例,均安装永久性心脏起搏器。术后随访52例（81．3％）,随访时间5个月～22年,平均15年,心功能均有明显改善,尤其是术前心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级的19例患者,术后改善为Ⅰ～Ⅱ级。再次手术4例,其中1例经再次行二尖瓣置换术治愈;术后死亡3例,1例死于急性。肾功能衰竭,2例死于低心排血量综合征。结论早期手术治疗可以保全房室瓣结构、功能,避免发生肺动脉高压和降低死亡率。手术治疗的关键是消除二尖瓣关闭不全、修补原发孔型房间隔缺损和避免损伤传导组织,术后近、中期疗效良好;有残留中度以上二尖瓣反流者,远期效果不满意。     

右腋下直小切口在婴儿心脏直视手术中的应用

目的总结右腋下直小切口在婴儿常见先天性心脏病（先心病）心内直视手术中的应用经验。方法回顾性分析解放军第153中心医院2009年4月至2013年4月采用右腋下直小切口施行婴儿心脏直视手术369例患者的临床资料,其中男191例、女178例,年龄3～12（8.2±3.1）个月,体重4.5～11.2（7.8±4.5）kg。行室间隔缺损（VSD）修补术290例,房间隔缺损（ASD）修补术16例,VSD＋ASD修补术34例,VSD修补术＋二尖瓣成形术（MVP）4例,肺动脉瓣狭窄（PVS）交界切开术9例,ASD修补术＋PVS交界切开术6例,部分肺静脉异位引流（PAPVC）4例和部分房室管畸形（PECD）6例均行手术治疗。结果手术死亡6例（1.6%）。术后发生右肺不张3例,右侧气胸2例,肺部感染16例,切口液化12例,Ⅲ°房室传导阻滞1例,脑气栓1例,二次开胸止血3例。术后6个月至1年门诊随访295例,发现VSD残余漏4例,二尖瓣轻度关闭不全2例。结论在婴儿常见先心病直视手术中,采用右腋下直小切口可获得满意的临床效果,但需要严格把握手术适应证,熟练掌握手术要点。     

Surgery for mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect

Pure mitral insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect is not an unusual finding. Thirteen patients with significant mitral insufficiency and an associated secundum defect were operated upon. Two of these patients also had severe tricuspid insufficiency. The mitral valve was repaired in 12 patients and replaced in one. The tricuspid valve was reapired in the two patients with associated tricuspid insufficiency. There were two early deaths due to mediastinitis and one late death due to a cerebral embolus in the only patient who had valve replacement; this patient died 3 years after the operation. It is concluded that mitral and tricuspid valve repair should be performed for patients with significant mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with atrial septal defect of the secundum variety. Replacement of the values should be avoided if possible.     

Combined ablation of atrial fibrillation and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: a case report

A partial lower inverted J sternotomy and an extended transseptal incision provide excellent exposure for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. However, the extended trasnsseptal incision causes dividing the sinus node artery, which may result in conduction system disturbance and need for permanent pacemaker implantation. Therefore, there is a challenge in the patient who requires concomitant ablation for atrial fibrillation because of possible conduction system disturbance caused by extended transseptal incision. We describe a new strategy for combined ablation of atrial fibrillation with minimally invasive cardiac surgery by a transseptal approach to the mitral valve through a partial lower sternotomy incision. Cryoablation was performed using a T-shaped cryoprobe with a lesion set of pulmonary vein isolation and ablation of the left and right isthmus in performing mitral annuloplasty, tricuspid annuloplasty, and atrial septal defect closure through a limited sternotomy incision. This technique might minimize possible conduction system disturbance and provide good surgical result for the patients who undergo mitral valve surgery and ablation of atrial fibrillation.     

Three-dimensional echocardiography-guided beating-heart surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND: There is no current acceptable approach for intracardiac beating-heart interventions. We have adapted real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography with specialized instrumentation to facilitate beating-heart repair of atrial septal defects and mitral valve plasty to investigate the feasibility of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography-guided cardiac surgery. METHODS: In experiment I a modified real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography system with x4 matrix transducer was compared with 2-dimensional echocardiography in the performance of common surgical tasks. Completion times, deviation from an ideal trajectory, and an echogenic target were measured. In experiment II porcine atrial septal defects were closed with an original semiautomatic suturing device (n = 4) and with a 5-mm endoscopic stapler and a pericardial or polytetrafluoroethylene patch (n = 4). In experiment III a pulsatile porcine mitral valve model was developed, and suture placement through the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets was performed (n = 8). During all experiments, the operator was blinded to the target and operated on only with ultrasonic guidance. RESULTS: In experiment I, compared with 2-dimensional echocardiographic guidance, completion times improved by 21% ( P <.01) with high-trajectory accuracy, and suture deviation was significantly smaller (2-dimensional echocardiography, 5.4 +/- 2.7 mm; 3-dimensional echocardiography, 1.7 +/- 0.7 mm; P <.05) in real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography-guided tasks. In experiments II and III in both atrial septal defect closure and mitral valve plasty, real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography provided satisfactory images and sufficient anatomic detail for suturing and patch deployment. All surgical tasks were successfully performed with accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography provides adequate imaging and anatomic detail to act as a sole guide for surgical task performance. These initial experiments demonstrate the feasibility of beating-heart direct or patch closure of atrial septal defects and mitral valve plasty without cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Right axillary incision: a cosmetically superior approach to repair a wide range of congenital cardiac defects

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the safety of a right axillary incision, a cosmetically superior approach than anterolateral thoracotomy, to repair various congenital heart defects. METHODS: All the patients who were approached with this incision between March 2001 and October 2004 were included in the study. There were 80 patients (median age, 4 years) with atrial septal defect closure (38 patients), repair of partial abnormal pulmonary venous return (14 patients), partial atrioventricular canal (16 patients), and perimembranous ventricular septal defect (12 patients). The surgical technique involved peripheral and central cannulation for institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. Electrically induced ventricular fibrillation was used for defects located in front of the atrioventricular valves, and cardioplegic arrest was used for those located at the level or behind these valves. RESULTS: The repair was possible without need for conversion to another approach. One patient sustained a transient neurologic deficit. The patients were all in excellent condition after a mean follow-up of 14 months. The cardiac defect was repaired with no residual defect in 75 patients and with trivial residual defect in 5 patients (3 with mitral valve regurgitation, 1 with atrial septal defect, and 1 with ventricular septal defect). The incision healed properly in all, and the thorax showed no deformity. CONCLUSION: The right axillary incision provides a quality of repair for various congenital defects similar to that obtained by using standard surgical approaches. Because it lies more laterally and is hidden by the resting arm, it provides superior cosmetic results compared with conventional incisions, including the anterolateral thoracotomy. Finally, the incision is unlikely to interfere with subsequent development of the breast.     

Secundum atrial septal defect and mitral valve incompetence.

Mitral regurgitation associated with secundum atrial septal defect is described in 4 patients, each with a different mitral lesion: rheumatic valvular disease, congenitally cleft valve, subacute bacterial endocarditis with disruption of the chordae tendineae, and traumatic valve rupture. The pathological spectrum of mitral valve disease associated with atrial septal defect is reviewed, and it is suggested that structural abnormality of the mitral valve may accompany the atrial septal defect. More general awareness of this association will allow the surgeon more accuracy in defining and repairing this rather unusual combination of lesions.     

Surgical management of aortopulmonary window.

OBJECTIVE: Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital malformation involving a window-like communication between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery. Here, we present our experience regarding the surgical repair of an aortopulmonary window, and also assess the long-term outcome. METHODS: Thirteen children with an aortopulmonary window associated with various congenital lesions underwent a repair of the defect. The age at operation ranged from 3 days to 1 year (median age, 19 days). The patient's weight ranged from 2.1 to 7.0 kg (mean weight, 3.6 kg). The associated lesions included an interrupted aortic arch (5 patients), a ventricular septal defect (2), an atrial septal defect (1), mitral valve regurgitation (1), and tricuspid atresia [Ic] with mitral valve regurgitation (1). The aortopulmonary window was repaired with a cardiopulmonary bypass in 11 patients, and 2 patients were ligated without a cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: One patient associated with tricuspid atresia died (mortality rate of 7.7%). There has been no late death during a mean follow-up of 7 years and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical results for an aortopulmonary window are encouraging, even if such patients are associated with major cardiac anomalies and an interrupted aortic arch. Most have shown a good long-term outcome.     

A surgical case of atrial septal aneurysm associated with rheumatic mitral and tricuspid disease and coronary-pulmonary artery fistula

A case of atrial septal aneurysm associated with combined valvular disease and coronary-pulmonary fistula (C-PA fistula) was presented. The patient successfully underwent mitral valve replacement, excision and closure of the aneurysm, tricuspid annuloplasty and closure of C-PA fistula. Atrial septal aneurysm is a rare anomaly and its natural course is thought to be generally good without significant clinical symptoms. However, complications such as cerebral and pulmonary embolism, or occlusion of the atrioventricular vales by the prolapsed aneurysm were reported to occur in small number of cases. In this case, diagnosis of the aneurysm was made by 2-D and Doppler echocardiography and further confirmed by cineangiography. Routine echocardiographic examinations will serve as useful noninvasive method for detection and follow up study of this anomaly.     

Complicated unroofed coronary sinus syndrome

A young boy planned for the surgical closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and mitral valve regurgitation (MR) was found peroperatively as having a complete unroofed coronary sinus (URCS). Intracardiac re-routing of left superior vena cava (LSVC) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) were performed concomitantly with success.