Factors influencing the spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defect in infants

This study is to prospectively evaluate the potential value of maternal and infantile variables as predictors for the spontaneous ventricular septal defects (VSD) closure in infants. Methods: Consecutive infants less than six-month-old when diagnosed with VSD, were followed-up for at least 5 years. Demographic, clinical and maternal factors were evaluated for the possible associations of the incidence of spontaneous VSD closure Of the 425 eligible infants, 93 had spontaneous VSD closure, 78.50% of which occurred when the patients were under 3 years of age. Diameter of the defect (D_VSD), ratio between diameter of the defect and aortic root diameter (D_VSD/D_AR), left atrium sizes, left ventricle sizes, main pulmonary forward blood flow, infection scores, shunt ratio (Qp/Qs), VSD locations, and comorbidities including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and membranous septal aneurysm were independent predictors of spontaneous closure. However, maternal factors during the first 3 months of pregnancy and VSD infants with Down syndrome did not affect the spontaneous closure of infants with VSD. Conclusion: D_VSD, D_VSD/D_AR, left atrium sizes, left ventricle sizes, main pulmonary forward blood flow, infection scores, Qp/Qs, VSD location, comorbidities including PDA, or membranous septal aneurysm may be used as potential independent predictors of spontaneous VSD closure in infants.     

Significance of the output of the right and left ventricles in the formation of the IJ waves of the ballistocardiogram

Summary Ballistocardiography applied to patients with patent ductus arteriosus or atrial septal defect showed an increased IJ wave in cases where the left systolic volume was increased, an effect which was independent of the right ventricular output. It is concluded that it is the activity of the left ventricle which is of principal importance in the genesis of the IJ wave.(Presented by Active Member AMN SSSR A. A. Vishnevskii) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 8–11, April, 1964     

Echocardiographic features of adult tetralogy of Fallot with natural palliative correction by patent ductus arteriosus

A thirty-year-old man with the diagnosis of the tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus was admitted to our hospital because of a syncope. He reported no previous symptoms. We diagnosed adult tetralogy of Fallot, which included all four characteristic anomalies: ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, pulmonary artery stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. The associated persistent ductus arteriosus and the presence of compensatory arteriovenous communications produced a continuous flow load on the left ventricle, which resulted in moderate left ventricular hypertrophy, but without symptoms of pulmonary congestion or cardiac decompensation. Anatomic diagnosis and hemodynamic assessment were established by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, with incidental finding of a quadricuspid aortic valve. To the best of our knowledge, our case of the adult form of Fallot's tetralogy associated with both patent ductus arteriosus and quadricuspid aortic valve is the first one ever described. It is well known that patients with tetralogy of Fallot who do not undergo operation in childhood have short survival, which depends predominantly on the degree of pulmonary artery stenosis and early development of collateral circulation to the lungs. Long-term persistence of natural aortopulmonary anastomosis with systemic collateral circulation to the lungs and remodeling of the heart, with better hemodynamic balance as well as the presence of mild pulmonary artery stenosis probably enhanced the survival of our patient.     

Pulmonary hypertension and patent ductus arteriosus in an 82-year-old female patient

An 82-year-old female patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis presented with progressive dyspnea. Echocardiogram demonstrated significant pulmonary hypertension and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There was considerable debate regarding the role of PDA in the patient's pulmonary hypertension. The patient died of heart failure a few months later. Autopsy demonstrated extensive chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease. Pulmonary thromboemboli continue to be a diagnostic challenge despite modern diagnostic modalities. Autopsy continues to play a role in investigating unexplained clinical findings and in determining cause of death.     

A QUANTITATIVE STUDY ON PRE- AND POSTNATAL GROWTH OF HUMAN HEART

Hearts of newborns, children and adults of autopsied cases without cardiac diseases were studied quantitatively. In prenatal term, the growth rate of ventricular weight is higher than that of body weight, but after birth vice versa. Abrupt change from fetal to adult circulation has a prolonged effect on the morphological growth of the heart at least 1 to 2 years after birth. Newborns who died of pulmonary diseases have more hyperplastic right ventricle or more hypoplastic left one than those who died of non-cardiopulmonary diseases. Widely patent ductus arteriosus is more frequently observed in the former than in the latter. Proportion of both ventricular masses was studied in relation to the width of ductus arteriosus and preponderance of the left ventricular mass was suggested to be a requirement for closure of ductus arteriosus     

Assessment of PDA shunt and systemic blood flow in newborns using cardiac MRI

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) remains common in preterm newborns, but uncertainty over optimal management is perpetuated by clinicians' inability to quantify its true haemodynamic impact. Our aim was to develop a technique to quantify ductal shunt volume and the effect of PDA on systemic blood flow volume in neonates. Phase contrast MRI sequences were optimized to quantify left ventricular output (LVO) and blood flow in the distal superior vena cava (SVC) (below the azygos vein insertion), descending aorta (DAo) and azygos vein. Total systemic flow was measured as SVC + DAo ? azygos flow. Echo measures were included and correlated to shunt volumes. 75 infants with median (range) corrected gestation 33⁺⁶ (26⁺⁴–38⁺⁶) weeks were assessed. PDA was present in 15. In 60 infants without PDA, LVO matched total systemic flow (mean difference 2.06 ml/kg/min, repeatability index 13.2%). In PDA infants, ductal shunt volume was 7.9–74.2% of LVO. Multiple linear regression analysis correcting for gestational age showed that there was a significant association between ductal shunt volume and decreased upper and lower body flow (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001). However, upper body blood flow volumes were within the control group 95% confidence limits in all 15 infants with PDA, and lower body flow volumes within the control group limits in 12 infants with PDA. Echocardiographic assessment of reversed diastolic flow in the descending aorta had the strongest correlation with ductal shunt volume. We have demonstrated that quantification of shunt volume is feasible in neonates. In the presence of high volume ductal shunting the upper and lower body flow volume are somewhat reduced, but levels remain within or close to the normal range for preterm infants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

镜面右位心的诊断和外科治疗——附11例临床分析

目的：分析镜面有位心病理解剖特点，探讨其临床诊断及外科治疗方法。方法：总结11例镜面右位心临床资料，对其主要的合并畸形、诊断方法和其中6例外科治疗的效果进行比较分析。结果：本组患者包括右心室双出口4例，单心室合并单心房2例，法乐四联征3例，完全性房室间隔缺损2例。合并畸形包括双上腔静脉3例，房间隔缺损3例，部分性肺静脉异位引流2例，三房心1例，动脉导管未闭1例。10例患者合并肺动脉狭窄或右室流出道狭窄，1例重度肺动脉高压。主要根据胸部X线片，超声心动图（UCG）及心导管明确诊断。行右心室双出口矫正术2例，法乐四联征根治术3例，右心室流出道疏通1例。4例存活，2例死亡。结论：（1）镜面右位心多存在复杂心内畸形。（2）UCG仍然是最基本有效的诊断方法，心导管检查是明确诊断的必要辅助手段。（3）外科治疗必须严格把握手术指征。     

The three fetal shunts: A story of wrong eponyms

The fetal circulatory system bypasses the lungs and liver with three shunts. The foramen ovale allows the transfer of the blood from the right to the left atrium, and the ductus arteriosus permits the transfer of the blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta. The ductus venosus is the continuation of the umbilical vein, allowing a large part of the oxygenated blood from the placenta to join the supradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava, bypassing the fetal liver and directly connecting the right atrium. These structures are named after the physicians who are thought to have discovered them. The foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus are called the “foramen Botalli” and the “ductus Botalli,” after Leonardo Botallo (1530–c. 1587). The ductus venosus is styled “ductus Arantii” after Giulio Cesare Arantius (1530–1589). However, these eponyms have been incorrectly applied as these structures were, in fact, discovered by others earlier. Indeed, the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus were described by Galen of Pergamon centuries earlier (c. 129–210 AD). He understood that these structures were peculiar to the fetal heart and that they undergo closure after birth. The ductus venosus was first described by Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564) 3 years before Arantius. Therefore, the current anatomical nomenclature of the fetal cardiac shunts is historically inappropriate.     

Prenatal cardiovascular shunts in amniotic vertebrates

During amniotic vertebrate development, the embryo and fetus employ a number of cardiovascular shunts. These shunts provide a right-to-left shunt of blood and are essential components of embryonic life ensuring proper blood circulation to developing organs and fetal gas exchanger, as well as bypassing the pulmonary circuit and the unventilated, fluid filled lungs. In this review we examine and compare the embryonic shunts available for fetal mammals and embryonic reptiles, including lizards, crocodilians, and birds. These groups have either a single ductus arteriosus (mammals) or paired ductus arteriosi that provide a right-to-left shunt of right ventricular output away from the unventilated lungs. The mammalian foramen ovale and the avian atrial foramina function as a right-to-left shunt of blood between the atria. The presence of atrial shunts in non-avian reptiles is unknown. Mammals have a venous shunt, the ductus venosus that diverts umbilical venous return away from the liver and towards the inferior vena cava and foramen ovale. Reptiles do not have a ductus venosus during the latter two thirds of development. While the fetal shunts are well characterized in numerous mammalian species, much less is known about the developmental physiology of the reptilian embryonic shunts. In the last years, the reactivity and the process of closure of the ductus arteriosus have been characterized in the chicken and the emu. In contrast, much less is known about embryonic shunts in the non-avian reptiles. It is possible that the single ventricle found in lizards, snakes, and turtles and the origin of the left aorta in the crocodilians play a significant role in the right-to-left embryonic shunt in these species.     

Adult patent Ductus Arteriosus complicated by endocarditis and hemolytic anemia

An adult with a large patent ductus arteriosus may present with fatigue, dyspnea or palpitations or in rare presentation with endocarditis. The case illustrated unique role of vegetation of endocarditis in hemolytic anemia in adult with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Despite treatment of endocarditis with complete course of appropriate antibiotic therapy and normality of C- reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocytosis and wellness of general condition, transthoracic echocardiography revealed large vegetation in PDA lumen, surgical closure of PDA completely relieved hemolysis, and fragmented red cell disappeared from peripheral blood smear. The 3-month follow-up revealed complete occlusion of PDA and abolishment of hemolytic anemia confirmed by clinical and laboratory examination.     

Morphometric study of the ductus arteriosus during human development

During prenatal life, the ductus arteriosus connects the left pulmonary artery and the descending aorta. Morphometric features (length, external diameter, volume) of the ductus arteriosus in 131 human fetuses (65 males, 66 females) were studied by means of anatomical, digital and statistical methods. Regression analysis was used to investigate the growth of the ductus arteriosus during gestation. The values of the length of the ductus arteriosus ranged from 3.95 mm for the 15 week gestational group to 12.20 mm for the 34th week of gestation. The length of the ductus arteriosus related to fetal age (x) increased according to the linear function y = -3.0726 + 0.4381x. The mean values of the diameter of the ductus arteriosus ranged from 1.34 to 3.49mm for the 15 and 34 week gestational groups, respectively. The growth of the ductus arteriosus diameter followed in accordance with the linear function y = 0.2072 + 0.0935x. The mean values of the ductus arteriosus volume ranged from 5.08 mm3 for the 15 week group to 117.30 mm3 of the 34 week gestation group. The volume growth increased according to the function y = 0.0007x3.3782. Positive correlation coefficients between arterial parameters and fetal age were statistically significant (P < or = 0.01) and reached the following values: r1 = 0.98 for Length, r2 = 0.90 for diameter and r3 = 0.94 for volume. Despite the increase in absolute diameter, the relative diameter of the ductus arteriosus (ductus arteriosus-to-aortic bulb diameter ratio) decreased from 0.80 to 0.48.     

动脉导管三角的解剖及其临床应用

目的:研究动脉导管三角区,为动脉导管结扎术提供形态学依据。方法:在尸体标本上模拟动脉导管结扎术操作步骤对动脉导管三角进行解剖,并对相关结构进行观察测量,结果进行统计学处理。结果:左支气管动脉在动脉导管下窗发自降主动脉的占28.6%(4例),在动脉导管上窗发自主动脉弓的占7.1%(1例),动脉韧带长(11.1±1.4)mm,主动脉峡部外径(21.9±2.1)mm,二者之比为0.49±0.05,有直线相关性(r=0.892,P<0.001)。左喉返神经跨越动脉韧带的主动脉侧1/3者占57.2%,中间1/3及肺动脉侧1/3者均为21.4%。结论:熟悉动脉导管三角的解剖结构及其量化关系,有助于更好地避免动脉导管结扎术中并发症的发生。     

外科手术治疗小儿动脉导管未闭合并中、重度二尖瓣返流的疗效观察

目的：观察外科手术治疗小儿动脉导管未闭(patent ductus arteriosus,PDA)合并中、重度功能性二尖瓣返流(mitral regurgitation,MR)的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2006年1月至2009年12月期间行外科手术治疗PDA合并MR的患者12例。分别于动脉导管结扎术后1周、3个月和1年复查心脏超声,观察左室内径、左室收缩功能及二尖瓣返流面积与左房面积之比(MR/LA)的变化。结果：12例术前诊断PDA合并中、重度MR患者均行动脉导管结扎术,术后均无残余分流。术后3月后心脏彩色多普勒测定左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室短轴缩短率(FS)和MR/LA均较术前明显改善(P<0.05);LVEDD术后1年较术后3个月进一步降低(P<0.05)。结论：外科手术治疗中重度功能性MR的PDA安全、有效。     

The Timing of Surgical Ligation for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Is Associated with Neonatal Morbidity in Extremely Preterm Infants Born at 23-25 Weeks of Gestation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors associated with surgical ligation for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely preterm infants born at the limits of viability. Ninety infants who were born at 23-25 weeks of gestation and who received surgical ligation were included and their cases were retrospectively reviewed. Infants were classified into two different groups: survivors with no major morbidity (N), and non-survivors or survivors with any major morbidity (M). Clinical characteristics were compared between the groups. Possible prognostic factors were derived from this comparison and further tested by logistic regression analysis. The mean gestational age and the mean birth weight of M were significantly lower than those of N. Notably, the mean postnatal age at time of ligation in N was significantly later than that of the other group (17±12 vs 11±8 days in N and M, respectively). An adjusted analysis showed that delayed ligation (>2 weeks) was uniquely associated with a significantly decreased risk for mortality or composite morbidity after surgical ligation (OR, 0.105; 95% CI, 0.012-0.928). In conclusion, delayed surgical ligation for PDA (>2 weeks) is associated with decreased mortality or morbidities in extremely preterm infants born at 23-25 weeks of gestation.

Graphical Abstract

相似文献   

The activity of cholinesterase in the wall of the ductus arteriosus

Summary The activity of cholinesterase was determined in the walls of a number of blood vessels (ductus arteriosus, aorta in the vicinity of the ostium of ductus arteriosus, pulmonary trunk and femoral artery). Newborn kittens and puppies served as experimental animals. The cholinesterase activity was the least in the wall of ductus arteriosus. In the author's opinion, the data obtained are of interest from the viewpoint of a neuro-reflex mechanism of closure of the ductus arteriosus.(Presented by Active Member of the Akad. Med. Nauk SSSR A. V. Lebedinskii) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 54, No. 12, pp. 26–28, December, 1962     

Dynamics of the interventricular septum and free ventricular walls during selective left ventricular volume loading in dogs

A previous study suggested that a change in the position of the interventricular septum played an important role in regulating cardiac performance during selective right ventricular volume loading. In the present study the cardiac response to selective left ventricular volume loading induced by a shunt between the subclavian artery and the left atrium was examined in anesthetized open-chest dogs. Opening the shunt increased left and reduced right ventricular stroke volume, particularly after blood volume expansion. The end-diastolic transseptal pressure difference increased. Myocardial segment length in the septum and free walls of both ventricles and the distances between the septum and the free walls were measured by an ultrasonic technique. Comparisons at similar left ventricular stroke volume with the shunt open and closed showed that the Frank-Starling mechanisms of the free wall of the left ventricle and the septum were stimulated less with the shunt open. At similar right ventricular stroke volume the end-diastolic dimension of the right ventricular free wall was larger with the shunt open. The distance decreased across the right ventricle and increased across the left ventricle when the shunt was open. We conclude that a change in the position of the septum improves left and reduces right ventricular performance during selective left ventricular volume loading.     

Potential of endovascular surgery in children with congenital heart diseases

Bakulev Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery has very broad experience (3,774 cases) in endovascular operations on patients with different congenital heart diseases. 648 patients have undergone atrioseptostomy, 1,500 patients--balloon valvuloplastic, 546 patients--balloon angioplasty, 565 patients--coil embolization; stents have been used in 86 patients; in 114 cases the surgeons of the Center have used different occluders to close pathological communications, in 315 patients others types of treatment have been applied. In many cases of congenital heart diseases (valvular stenosis of pulmonary artery and aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, atrium and ventricular septal defect, coronary-cardial fistula, coarctation and recoarctation of aorta) endovascular techniques present a good alternative to open surgical procedures. In some cases endovascular techniques are palliative (Rashcind's and Park's procedure, balloon valvuloplasty in stenosis of pulmonary artery and angioplasty in stenosis of peripheral pulmonary artery and aorto-pulmonary anastomosis in patient with cyanotic congenital heart disease, stenting of PDA, coil embolization of collateral artery from aorta to pulmonary artery etc.) Multi-stage endovascular and surgical treatment allows radical or hemodynamic correction in patient with complex congenital heart disease. Nowadays the spectrum of endovascular treatment is wide; it is going to develop in the future, which will allow endovascular techniques to be of wide use in treatment of patient with complex heart diseases.     

Congenital absence of ductus arteriosus--an autopsy case

Isolated absence of the ductus arteriosus is extremely rare condition although the ductus arteriosus may be hypoplastic or aplastic in association with other aortic arch anomalies. Authors described a case of isolated agenesis of the ductus arteriosus documented by postmortem examination of a newborn infant who died of pneumonia following operation for a large omphalocele. The heart showed ventricular septal defect. However, no other cardiovascular anomalies were associated in this case. There were three vessels that were taking off from the aorta consisted of the right brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid-artery and left subclavian artery. The anteriorly located pulmonary artery was divided into the right and left pulmonary arteries. There was no connection of vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.     

Early neonatal echocardiographic findings in an experimental rabbit model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

This study aimed to demonstrate that congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) results in vascular abnormalities that are directly associated with the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. These events increase right ventricle (RV) afterload and may adversely affect disease management and patient survival. Our objective was to investigate cardiac function, specifically right ventricular changes, immediately after birth and relate them to myocardial histological findings in a CDH model. Pregnant New Zealand rabbits underwent the surgical procedure at 25 days of gestation (n=14). CDH was created in one fetus per horn (n=16), and the other fetuses were used as controls (n=20). At term (30 days), fetuses were removed, immediately dried and weighed before undergoing four-parameter echocardiography. The lungs and the heart were removed, weighed, and histologically analyzed. CDH animals had smaller total lung weight (P<0.005), left lung weight (P<0.005), and lung-to-body ratio (P<0.005). Echocardiography revealed a smaller left-to-right ventricle ratio (LV/RV, P<0.005) and larger diastolic right ventricle size (DRVS, P<0.007). Histologic analysis revealed a larger number of myocytes undergoing mitotic division (186 vs 132, P<0.05) in CDH hearts. Immediate RV dilation of CDH hearts is related to myocyte mitosis increase. This information may aid the design of future strategies to address pulmonary hypertension in CDH.     

Pulmonary hypertension due to acute respiratory distress syndrome

Our aims were to describe the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), to characterize their hemodynamic cardiopulmonary profiles, and to correlate these parameters with outcome. All consecutive patients over 16 years of age who were in the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of ARDS and an in situ pulmonary artery catheter for hemodynamic monitoring were studied. Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed when the mean pulmonary artery pressure was >25 mmHg at rest with a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure or left atrial pressure <15 mmHg. During the study period, 30 of 402 critically ill patients (7.46%) who were admitted to the ICU fulfilled the criteria for ARDS. Of the 30 patients with ARDS, 14 met the criteria for pulmonary hypertension, a prevalence of 46.6% (95% CI; 28-66%). The most common cause of ARDS was pneumonia (56.3%). The overall mortality was 36.6% and was similar in patients with and without pulmonary hypertension. Differences in patients'' hemodynamic profiles were influenced by the presence of pulmonary hypertension. The levels of positive end-expiratory pressure and peak pressure were higher in patients with pulmonary hypertension, and the PaCO₂ was higher in those who died. The level of airway pressure seemed to influence the onset of pulmonary hypertension. Survival was determined by the severity of organ failure at admission to the intensive care unit.