Ahmet Vedat Kavurt's research while affiliated with T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Ankara Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi and other places

Transcatheter closure of VSD remains a complex procedure in infants with technical challenges and carries the risk of significant complications, due to its complex anatomical morphology and closed proximity to the atrioventricular valves and the conduction system. In this article, we presented transcatheter VSD closure in infants under 10 kg using the Lifetech Konar-MF device via only venous route without TEE guidance and arterial access. Between January 2021 and May 2023, a total of 34 patients weighing less than 10 kg who underwent transcatheter VSD closure antegradely with Lifetech™ Konar-Multifunctional (MF) occluder were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 8.1 (3.5–35) months. Average weight was 6.5 kg (range 4.5–10 kg). VSD was perimembranous in 27 patients (79.4%). Successful device placement was achieved in all 34 patients. However, device embolization occurred in three patients. One of the patients was successfully implanted with a one size larger device, the surgical closure was performed other two cases. TR occurred in seven patients (20.6%) after releasing devices. None of the patients developed complete heart block. Right bundle branch block developed in two patients. Residual shunt was observed in 9 patients (six small, two moderate, and one large). During follow-up, residual shunt disappeared in six of these patients and only mild residual shunt remained in the other four patients which have not required any further intervention. Transcatheter closure of VSD with Lifetech Konar-MF device is safe and effective in infants less than 10 kg via only venous access with a high success rate and low complication rate. In these patients, transcatheter VSD closure can be performed by excluding the risk of complications that may occur due to AV loop formation, arterial intervention, endotracheal intubation and TEE use.

We present our experience of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure with AmplatzerTM Piccolo Occluder in infants weighing less than 2 kg. The data of 19 infants <2 kg who underwent transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) between December 2019 and October 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. The transvenous antegrade approach was performed in 15 patients, guided by fluoroscopy, venous angiography, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with the placement of the entire device within an intraductal position. The retrograde approach via the femoral artery was performed in 4 patients. Transcatheter closure was attempted in 19 babies with a median gestational age of 27 weeks {interquartile range (IQR) 25-28 weeks}, median birth weight 905 g (IQR 770-1180 g) and was successfully performed in 16 (84%). The median procedural age was 28 days (IQR 36-47 days), and the median procedural weight was 1480 g (IQR 1155-1800 g). The median procedure and fluoroscopic time were 35 min (IQR 30-60 min) and 12 min (IQR 7-19 min) respectively. After the unsuccessful procedure, PDA closed spontaneously in three patients in short-term follow-up. Three procedural complications were device embolization, pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade, and femoral artery thrombosis. In our hospital, TCPC was performed with a high degree of success and an acceptable complication rate in infants <2 kg. Based on our initial experience, early and short-term follow-up is encouraging. Even with less invasive different techniques, the retrograde transarterial approach must be avoided. Mechanical stimulation can effectively promote the closure of the PDA after a failed procedural closure.

Transcatheter closure of VSD remains a complex procedure in infants with technical challenges and carries the risk of significant complications, due to its complex anatomical morphology and closed proximity to the atrioventricular valves and the conduction system. In this article, we presented transcatheter VSD closure in infants under ten kilograms using the Lifetech Konar-MF device via only venous route without TEE guidance and arterial access. Between January 2020 and January 2023, a total of 34 patients weighing less than 10 kg who underwent transcatheter VSD closure antegradely with Lifetech Konar-MF device were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 8.1 (3.5–35) months. Average weight was 6.5kg (range 4.5–10 kg). VSD was perimembranous in 27 patients (79.4%). Successful device placement was achieved in all 34 patients. However, device embolization occurred in three patients. One of the patients was successfully implanted with a one size larger device, the surgical closure was performed other two cases. TR occurred in seven patients (20.6%) after releasing devices. None of the patients developed complete heart block. Right bundle branch block developed in two patients. Residual shunt was observed in 9 patients (six small, two moderate and one large). During follow-up, residual shunt disappeared in six of these patients and only mild residual shunt remained in the other four patients which have not required any further intervention. Transcatheter closure of VSD with Lifetech Konar-MF device is safe and effective in infants less than ten kilograms via only venous access with a high success rate and low complication rate. In these patients, transcatheter VSD closure can be performed by excluding the risk of complications that may occur due to AV loop formation, arterial intervention, endotracheal intubation and TEE use.

Objective: Different patch techniques were virtually always used in the surgery of pediatric patients with complete atrioventricular septal defects. In this study, we describe our single center, single surgeon experiences and results about the classic single patch and double patch techniques to repair complete atrioventricular septal defects. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 30 patients who underwent intracardiac repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect in …………………………, Department of Paediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, The study was conducted between February 2019 to December 2021. Patients in group S underwent surgery using the traditional single-patch method, while group D included patients who underwent repair using the double patch approach (n = 10). Patients’ demographic and clinical information was taken from institutional databases and medical records.. Postoperative complications were recorded. Results: When the preoperative/postoperative insufficiency levels of the valves were compared with the Wilcoxon Signed rank test, the findings were not statistically significant for the left atrioventricular valves, but were statistically significant for the right atrioventricular valves. (p=0.02) When we compared postoperative valve regurgitation of both techniques with the Kruskall-Wallis test, no significant difference was found between postoperative valve regurgitation and function, independent of preoperative findings. Conclusion: Both operation techniques did not make a difference between operative or late mortality and morbidity. Depending on the surgeon's experience, ventricular septal defect size does not play a restrictive role in the selection of the technique to be used. The single-patch and double patch method as described here is methodical, comprehensible, repeatable, and reasonably long-lasting.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of adaptation of right ventricular (RV) risk scores used in adult patients to pediatric age group undergoing LVAD implantation. Methods: Twenty-two pediatric patients who underwent LVAD implantation were retrospectively reviewed from January 2014 to September 2018. Preoperative patient characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, and echocardiographic data were collected. Adult RV risk scores were calculated for all patients. Effects of all the parameters on RV function were also investigated. Study endpoints were RVF and in-hospital mortality. Results: Eleven (50%) of 22 patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 13.4 ± 3.8 years. The mean body surface area of the patients was 1.4 ± 0.4 m2. In five patients BiVAD implantation was performed. Of these five BiVAD patients two underwent successful heart transplant; two weaned from temporary RVAD and last patient died due to multi-organ failure. Four patients showed signs of early RVF; one patient was transplanted successfully while on medical support. Three patients developing RVF did not respond medical therapy necessitating ECMO and died in the early postoperative period. All risk scores and potential predictive factors were evaluated individually and in combination of several parameters. No significant predictor for RVF in pediatric patients that underwent LVAD implantation was found (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Neither an adult risk score nor a predictive factor was successful in predicting RVF, alone or in combination due to limited number of patients and events. Large further investigations are needed to identify the predictors or scoring system in pediatric population.

To evaluate the general characteristics of pediatric Behçet's disease (BD) patients with thrombus and to present the clinical features, treatment responses and prognosis of patients with intracardiac thrombus. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of 15 patients with thrombus among 85 pediatric BD patients followed in the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology were evaluated retrospectively. Of the 15 BD patients with thrombus, 12 (80%) were male, 3 (20%) were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.9 ± 1.1 years. Thrombus was present at the time of diagnosis in 12 patients (80%), while thrombus developed in three patients within the first three months after diagnosis. The most common site of thrombus was the central nervous system (n = 9, 60%), followed by deep vein thrombus (n = 6, 40%) and pulmonary artery thrombus (n = 4, 26.6%). Three male patients (20%) developed intracardiac thrombus. The overall intracardiac thrombus rate in the 85 patients was 3.5%. Two of the three patients had thrombus in the right, and one had thrombus in the left heart cavity. In addition to steroids, 2 of the 3 patients received cyclophosphamide, while the patient with thrombus localized in the left heart cavity was given infliximab. In the follow-up, the two patients with thrombus in the right heart cavity were switched to infliximab because of resistance to cyclophosphamide. Complete resolution was observed in 2 of the 3 patients on infliximab; a significant reduction in the thrombus of the other patient was achieved. Intracardiac thrombus is a rare presentation of cardiac involvement in BD. It is usually observed in males and in the right heart. Although steroids and immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide are recommended as first-line treatment, favorable outcomes can be achieved with anti-TNFs in resistant cases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present our experiences on transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure with different devices, mostly the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, in infants weighing between 2-10 kg. Material and Methods: In this study, the files of 31 patients who underwent transcatheter PDA closure between December 2019 and August 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Transcatheter PDA closure was performed on 31(14 female) infants weighing between 2-10 kg. The mean age of patients was 10.7±6.7 months (2-28), and the mean weight was 6.6±2 kg (3-9.9). The median narrowest diameter of the ductus was 2.2 mm (IQR 2-3) and the median ductus length was 6 mm (IQR 4.75-8). The procedural success rate of all interventional procedures was 88% (30 of 34). Complications occurred in a total of four patients including failure of device implantation in one patient, post-procedural device embolization in 2 patients, and the significant residual shunt in one patient. None of the patients required surgery. In 34 interventional procedures, 3 of which were reintervention, 34 devices were used. Twenty-seven (79%) of them were Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder. The median fluoroscopy and procedural times were 10.5 minutes (IQR 7.25-18.5) and 40 minutes (IQR 35-57.5) respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 10.3±8.8 months (1-32 months). Conclusion: In our experience, transcatheter treatment of PDA with the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder device which was our first choice for appropriate duct anatomy and size in infants weighing between 2-10 kg, is safe and effective.

We report our experience and early outcomes of using the BeGraft aortic stent in children, adolescents, and young adults. BeGraft aortic stent (Bentley InnoMed, Hechingen, Germany) requires a smaller long sheath compared to other covered stents, and it has a low profile and adequate radial power. With these features, it can overcome some limitations in the treatment of coarctation, especially in children. This is a single centre retrospective analysis of 11 implanted BeGraft aortic stents in coarctation of the aorta between July 2020 and November 2021. The eleven stents were successfully implanted in 11 patients (10 males). The median age of the patients was 13.7 years (interquartile range 12–16 years), and the median weight was 43 kg (interquartile range 35–62 kg). In five patients, after the stents were opened completely by the first balloon, they were exchanged with a Z-MED II™ balloon, 1–3 mm larger in diameter, and the stents were redilated. The median catheter-derived systolic peak-to-peak pressure gradient was 23 mm Hg (interquartile range 16–37 mmHg) before the procedure and 3 mm Hg (interquartile range 1–5 mm Hg) after the procedure. Except for the partial femoral artery thrombosis in two patients, no other procedural complications were observed in our study. The median follow-up duration was 5 months (interquartile range 2–12 months). During follow-up, only one patient (9%) had stent narrowing that required dilation. Our initial results and short-term follow-up showed that the BeGraft aortic stent implantation and redilation can be performed effectively, safely, and successfully in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and to present our experiences. Material and Methods: In this study, we evaluated 108 patients’ files taken to the catheter laboratory for transcatheter ASD closure retrospectively. The procedure was abandoned in ten patients because of septum device disproportion (6) and deficient rims (4), mainly inferior vena cava rim. Results: Transcatheter ASD closure guided by TTE was performed in 98 patients (59 female). The mean age of patients was 9.5±6 years (2.6-46), and the mean weight was 30.3±15.3kg (12-80). TTE-guided ASD closure was successfully performed in 92 of 98 (94%) patients. The median largest ASD diameter measured by TTE was 10.75 mm (interquartile range (IQR) 9.12-14. The median stretched balloon diameter measured by fluoroscopy was 14 mm (IQR 12.4-18). The median device waist diameter was 14 mm (IQR 13-18), the median device left atrial (LA) disk diameter was 28 mm (IQR 26-31), and the median ratio of LA disc diameter to total septal diameter was 75% (IQR 68-81). The median fluoroscopy and procedural times were 8 minutes (IQR 5.6-13.75) and 36.5 minutes (IQR 30-49) respectively. Conclusion: Transcatheter ASD closure guided by TTE and fluoroscopy is safe and effective in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve is a congenital cardiac malformation that affects not only the valve and ascending aorta but also the abdominal aorta and large central arter-ies like carotid arteries by damaging the elasticity of the vessel resulting in increased stiffness and reduced distensibility. Deterioration of aortic compliance disturbs functions of the left ventricle and triggers atherosclerosis determined with carotid intima-media thickness. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the bicuspid aortic valve on the elastic properties of these parts of the arterial system in children. Methods: Thirty-four children with bicuspid aortic valves with normal valvular functions or mild valvular dysfunction and a control group of 34 individuals with tricuspid aortic valves were included in the study. Echocardiographic measurements of the left ventri- cle, ascending aorta, and ultrasonographic measurements of the abdominal aorta and carotid arteries were performed, and elasticity indexes were calculated. Results: The bicuspid aortic valve group had higher stiffness and lower distensibility in ascending aorta, abdominal aorta, and carotid arteries with higher carotid intima- media thickness values than the tricuspid aortic valve group. Aortic valvular z scores and ascending aorta and abdominal aorta stiffness were higher in patients with bicus- pid aortic valves irrespective of valvular functions than in controls. Valvular dysfunction affected stiffness in carotid arteries. Dilatation of ascending aorta increased stiffness in the abdominal aorta. Distensibility was lower in ascending aorta and left carotid artery, with increased carotid intima-media thickness independent from ascending aorta dila- tation. Stiffness of abdominal aorta revealed a positive correlation with the stiffness of the ascending aorta and the carotid arteries (P < .05, for all). Conclusions: Elasticity indexes of children with bicuspid aortic valves were impaired in ascending aorta, abdominal aorta, and carotid arteries with an increase in carotid intima-media thickness.