Anesthetic management of a child with double outlet right ventricle and severe polycythemia: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare and complex congenital heart defect, and the surgical repairs vary with type and pathophysiology consequences. Due to prolonged progressive hypoxemia, severe polycythemia is common in patients with DORV, which ultimately leads to coagulation dysfunction and increases the risk of thrombosis and infarction. Consequently, the anesthetic management is challenging and how to manage severe polycythemia and avoid hypoxia-related complications in such patients is of great significance.

CASE SUMMARY

Herein, we report the anesthetic management of a 10-year-old female patient with a DORV. She lived in the low-oxygen Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and presented with severe polycythemia (hemoglobin, 24.8 g/dL; hematocrit, 75%). She underwent a modified Fontan surgery, which was satisfactory and without any perioperative complications. Our anesthetic management highlights the importance of perioperative hemodilution in decreasing the risk of thromboembolism and the importance of correcting coagulopathy in preventing hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Anesthetic management is challenging in rare cyanotic congenital heart disease patients with severe polycythemia. It is important to adopt perioperative hemodilution and correction of coagulopathy in preventing thrombosis and hemorrhage.

Key Words: Cyanotic congenital heart diseases, Double outlet right ventricle, Modified Fontan surgery, Anesthesia, Erythrocytosis, Case report

Core Tip: We present the successful anesthetic management of a double outlet right ventricle (DORV) patient with severe polycythemia. Anesthetic management is challenging in rare cyanotic congenital heart disease patients with severe polycythemia. A thorough understanding of the physiopathology of DORV and polycythemia is essential for successful anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION

Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare and complex conotruncal malformation, which occurs in approximately less than 1% of all congenital heart defects[1]. Children with DORV are often diagnosed because of progressive cyanosis and pronounced murmurs. They will suffer from tachypnea and poor growth, and ultimately develop pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger’s syndrome if not treated. DORV has different classification schemes, and surgical plan depends on specific type of DORV and other associated anomalies, such as Nikaidoh procedure, Rastelli procedure, switch procedure, and modified Fontan operation[2]. Although erythrocytosis frequently occurs in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), DORV patients with a hemoglobin (Hb) level ≥ 24 g/dL are still rare. It is worth noting that severe decompensated erythrocytosis can dramatically increase the risks of thrombosis and infarction, and cause coagulation disorders. Herein, we present the case of 10-year-old girl from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with a DORV and an elevated Hb level of 24.8 g/L, who underwent a modified Fontan operation. Written authorization for the case report was obtained from the patient’s family.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 10-year-old girl from the Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan Province, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, presented to Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of our hospital complaining of cardiac murmurs for 6 years.

History of present illness

The patient was diagnosed with DORV and advised to undergo surgical treatment 6 years ago. However, she did not have the surgery because of economic reasons. Her situation progressively worsened, and she was eventually admitted to our center.

Personal and family history

The patient had a disease-free personal and family history.

Physical examination

The physical examination revealed delayed growth (height, 119 cm; weight, 19 kg), a blood pressure of 94/65 mmHg, a pulse rate of 98 beats per min, and a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min. Her baseline oxygen saturation was maintained at about 80%.

Laboratory examinations

Blood tests showed an Hb level of 24.8 g/dL, hematocrit (Hct) of 75%, mean corpuscular volume of 93.3 fL, mean corpuscular Hb of 31 pg, mean corpuscular Hb concentration of 33.2 g/dL, and a platelet count of 108 × 10⁹ cells/L. The blood coagulation test was also abnormal, with a prothrombin time of 16.7 s, active partial thrombin time of 61.8 s, and an international normalized ratio of 1.51. Other blood tests showed no significant abnormalities.

Imaging examinations

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a DORV, a ventricular septal defect (VSD) with a bidirectional shunt at the ventricular level, an atrial septal defect (ASD) with a right-to-left shunt at the atrial level, severe pulmonary valve stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, and transposition of the great arteries, but with normal left ventricular functions (ejection fraction, 66%) (Figure 1). Chest radiography demonstrated an abnormal cardiac morphology (Figure 2), while chest computed tomography showed a DORV with a VSD, an ASD, subvalvular pulmonary artery stenosis, and transposition of the great arteries (Figure 3). Right cardiac catheterization was performed after admission. Angiography showed normal distal pulmonary artery development, and multiple aorta pulmonary collateral arteries, two of which were successfully occluded during the procedure. The mean pulmonary artery pressure was measured as 13 mmHg.

Figure 1 Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed a double outlet right ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis. RA: Right atrium; RV: Right ventricle; TV: Tricuspid valve; Ao: Aorta; PA: Pulmonary artery.

Figure 2 Chest radiography demonstrated an abnormal cardiac morphology.

Figure 3 Chest computed tomography. A-C: Both the aorta and pulmonary artery were connected to the right ventricle, and the aorta was anterior to the pulmonary artery; D-F: Significant right ventricular enlargement, atrial septal defect (width, 1.4 cm), and ventricular septal defect (width, 1.7 cm).

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

The final diagnosis of the present case was DORV, VSD, ASD, transposition of the great arteries, and severe pulmonary valve stenosis.

TREATMENT

Considering normal distal pulmonary artery development, normal left ventricular function, and acceptable pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), a modified Fontan operation was then planned. General anesthesia was selected because of the patient’s severe and complicated condition. Routine monitoring was performed. After anesthesia, induction was performed with sufentanil (12.5 μg), midazolam (1.5 mg), and cisatracurium (6 mg), and the patient was smoothly intubated without a marked decrease in oxygen saturation. The radial artery and internal jugular vein were then catheterized to monitor blood pressure and central venous pressure (CVP), respectively. Continuous transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination was performed to assess cardiac function and volume status throughout the procedure (Figure 4) (Videos 1-4). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (1%-3%), propofol (2-6 mg/kg/h), and remifentanil (0.1-0.2 μg/kg/min). Intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategies included a tidal volume of 6-8 mg/kg and maintaining an end-tidal CO₂ between 25-30 mmHg. After induction, preoperative hemodilution was performed by infusing crystalloid solution (350 mL) over 1 h to decrease blood viscosity and prevent thrombotic complications. Tranexamic acid was administered before incision to inhibit the fibrinolytic process and prevent bleeding. Crystalloid solution and human albumin were also added to priming solution used for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to further dilute circulating red blood cells. Hct was maintained at 45% to 55% in the CPB. A fenestration modified Fontan operation was performed. After performing a total cavapulmonary connection, the surgeon implemented a right atrium fenestration about 3 millimeter. The surgical procedure was uneventful. The left atrium was then catheterized to continuously assess left atrial pressure prior to discontinuing CPB. After discontinuing CPB, sufficient blood volume (based on dynamic TEE monitoring and blood gas analysis) and a higher CVP were maintained to provide adequate preload for the right ventricle, to facilitate blood flow towards the pulmonary circulation. The patient received 670 mL of crystalloid solution, 200 mL of plasma, 1 unit of platelets, and a 300 mL transfusion of autologous recovered blood. The patient was then shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Fortunately, postoperative bleeding was mild and she was continuously administered plasma and platelets to correct coagulation disorder. Changes in Hb levels and coagulative function are shown in Table 1. In the ICU, the patient was placed in a head-high position to facilitate vena cava reflux. The tracheal tube was extubated on postoperative day 1, and she underwent thoracentesis and drainage on postoperative day 2.

Figure 4 Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram . A: Ventricular septal defect was evident; B: Both the aorta and the pulmonary artery evolved from the right ventricle, with significant pulmonary artery stenosis. LA: Left atrium; LV: Left ventricle; RA: Right atrium; RV: Right ventricle; Ao: Aorta; PA: Pulmonary artery; VSD: Ventricular septal defect.

Table 1 Variation of hemoglobin and coagulation function.

Variable	Preoperative	Postoperative day 1	Postoperative day 4	Postoperative day 8
Hb (g/dL)	24.8	16.7	15.7	15.3
PT (s)	16.7	18.6	29.7	15.5
INR	1.51	1.70	2.77	1.4
APTT (s)	61.8	56.9	51.6	43.8

Hb: Hemoglobin; PT: Prothrombin time; APTT: Active partial thrombin time; INR: International normalized ratio.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

The patient was transferred to general ward on postoperative day 4 and was discharged from the hospital 1 wk after surgery without complications.

DISCUSSION

Perioperative management of polycythemic CCHD patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery requires adequate planning and careful implementation. The present study demonstrated the successful anesthetic management of a rare DORV patient with severe polycythemia who underwent a modified Fontan surgery. The patient showed a favorable postoperative course without any complications. In this case, hemodilution and management of coagulation functions were key goals. Because of chronic slow progressive hypoxemia and central cyanosis, patients with DORV may experience serious erythrocytosis and coagulation disorders. Additionally, our patient had lived in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China for 10 years. The low-oxygen environment of the plateau may have also contributed to the severe erythrocytosis (Hb levels up to 24.8 g/dL). Under such conditions, thrombosis and infarction can be clinically-devastating complications. However, phlebotomy is not recommended for the prevention of cerebrovascular events, as it can cause iron deficiency, reduce exercise tolerance, and impair oxygen transport capacity[3]. In the present case, we performed hemodilution rather than phlebotomy to ameliorate hyperviscosity. Crystalloid solution was administrated to maintain blood volume and decrease blood viscosity from the beginning of anesthesia. During extracorporeal circulation, hemodilution was also adopted throughout. Intraoperative volume management was constantly regulated according to dynamic TEE monitoring and blood gas analysis to maintain the balance between adequate blood viscosity and appropriate volume load. Sahoo et al[4] showed that hemodilution in CCHD patients has beneficial effects including improved shunt patency and less postoperative blood loss, and it is safe to reduce Hct to 45%[4]. Coagulation dysfunction is also common in cyanotic patients, and involves a multi-systemic mechanism including thrombocytopenia, shortened platelet survival, and deficiencies in coagulation factors[5-11]. Therefore, an individualized intraoperative anticoagulation and antifibrinolytics strategy should be adopted for children with cyanosis. As an alternative treatment, measuring preoperative antithrombin activity and supplementing its activity prior to CPB can preserve the efficacy of heparin during CPB. In addition, epsilon aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are two widely available lysine analogs used to inhibit the fibrinolytic process to reduce clinical bleeding[12]. In the present case, postoperative management of coagulation functions was refractory and tenacious. Her coagulopathy suggested an increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage, and for another, anticoagulation should be implemented as soon as possible after surgery to prevent thromboembolic complications. The coagulation disorders were corrected until well after surgery following repeated transfusions. Thromboelastography (TEG) can also be used to monitor perioperative coagulation function for TEG can substantiate changes in coagulation status produced by hemodilution. TEG measurements have become an accepted measure to assess changes in coagulation after volume replacement[13,14]. Maintenance of perioperative hemodynamics is also vital to the success of surgery. Adequate preoxygenation, proper sedation, and prevention of hypoxic crisis before induction should be implemented. Perioperative fluid management is critical for adequate volume control, and is required to maintain sufficient CVP to facilitate blood flow towards the pulmonary circulation while maintaining sufficient colloid osmotic pressure. After CPB, maintaining low pulmonary vascular resistance while maintaining a high right atrial pressure and a low left atrial pressure is key for hemodynamic stability[15,16]. Hypercapnia must be prevented, and any drugs that may increase PVR should be avoided. Adequate hyperventilation and use of positive vasoactive agents can enhance myocardial systole, decrease PVR, and maintain cardiac output. Postoperatively, we ensure that patients smoothly adapt to their unique Fontan circulation hemodynamics. Since positive pressure mechanical ventilation increases intra-alveolar pressure, which can increase PVR and decrease cardiac output, positive end-expiratory pressure can be avoided and the lowest possible inspiratory pressure should be maintained.

CONCLUSION

We present the anesthetic management of a high-risk CCHD patient with severe polycythemia who underwent a modified Fontan surgery. Our anesthetic management highlights the importance of hemodilution for ameliorating hyperviscosity to decrease the risk of thromboembolism. Furthermore, it is equally important to correct coagulopathy to prevent hemorrhage. Maintenance of stable intraoperative hemodynamics to help the patient adapt smoothly to their unique Fontan circulation is also vital to the success of the surgery.