Exploration to the Application of Hybird Technology in Special Types of Congenital Heart Diseases in Children

Abstract Background Hybrid technology has become a hot topic in cardiovascular surgery,has been widely used in the minimally invasive closure of simple coronary heart diseases (CHDs). For some children with special CHDs, it is still impossible to avoid the huge trauma caused by cardiopulmonary bypass. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility、safety and efficacy of hybrid technology in the treatment of several specific CHDs. Methods A total of 29 children with specific CHDs hospitalised in the Cardiac Surgery Department of Dalian Children’s Hospital from July 2014 to June 2019 were enrolled. There were 2 cases of right coronary artery-right ventricular fistula, 17 cases of neonatal critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS), 9 cases of neonatal pulmonary atresia-intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS), and 1 case of giant aortopulmonary window (APW). All of them underwent surgical treatment with hybrid technology guided by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The TEE enabled immediate evaluation of the surgical curative effect. Further chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram were performed in the outpatient department after discharge. Results The surgical treatment with hybrid technology was smooth except that 1 CPS patient was converted to open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to a torn right ventricular outflow tract after balloon dilatation. No complication, such as wound or intracardiac infection, arrhythmia or pericardial effusion occurred. No children have been lost to follow-up and the investigation results and prognosis remain satisfactory. Conclusions the use of hybrid technology is a safe and effective alternative therapy for specific paediatric CHD cases. It has significant advantages in alleviating trauma and reducing medical costs and, therefore, has good prospects for broad application in the future.