Background: Secondary subaortic stenosis (SSS) is a rare heart disease of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). It usually occurs after cardiovascular correction with or without initial left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Because most patients with SSS are asymptomatic, many do not realize the need for reoperation until the obstruction worsens. Few studies suggest the characteristics and reasons of SSS without initial SAS. We conducted a retrospective study to describe the characteristics and surgical outcomes of these patients. Methods: In this study, we examined a single-center retrospective cohort of SSS patients without initial SAS undergoing resection from 2010 to 2019. Patients are defined as secondary subaortic obstruction requiring surgery after cardiovascular correction. Demographics, perioperative findings, and clinical data were analyzed. Results: Twenty-three patients had undergone secondary cardiac surgery for SSS without initial SAS during 10 years in our center. The median age at operation was 7.3 (4.0-13.5) years. In this study, the most commonly associated cardiac lesions were ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and coarctation arch hypoplasia (COA). The surgical techniques included membranous resection of five patients, fibromuscular resection of 17 patients, and reconstruction of the intraventricular baffle of one patient. The results of surgery in these patients are satisfied. The average LVOT gradient at the last follow up was 14.9 (7.8-26.2) mmHg. There was no operative mortality. Two patients had postoperative complications. The median follow-up period was 2.9 (1.1-4.3) years with one late death. Two patients (8.7%) had recurrence of stenosis. Conclusions: Secondary subaortic stenosis is an uncommon heart disease. The reason is related to several causes, including missed diagnosis, unnoticed abnormalities of LVOT, and further changes of geometric morphology by intracardiac surgery. The results of surgery in these patients are satisfied. However, the recurrence of stenosis is still frequent.

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is the second leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. While anomalous aortic origin o

Objective: To summarize the experience in the treatment of repair ventricular septal defect with left superior vena cava (LSVC) through right axillary thoracotomy. To explore the surgical strategy of treating VSD with LSVC through right axillary thoracotomy. Methods: right axillary thoracotomy and median sternotomy were performed in 73 cases of ventricular septal defect with LSVC in our center from 2018 to 2019. Perioperative data and surgical information were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 54 cases of R-group and 19 cases of S-group with median age of 0.8 years (0.5-1.6years). In the 73 patients, 21(38.9%) were men and 52 (61.1%) women. The operation time of R-group was shorter than S-group, p<0.05. The postoperative drainage in R-group was less than S-group, p<0.05. The mechanical ventilation time was longer in the S-group than in the R-group, p<0.05. There were no deaths, serious complications and readmission in the follow-up 6 months(3-10months). Conclusion: Right axillary thoracotomy is a safe procedure with excellent cosmetic and clinical results for ventricular septal defect with left superior vena cava. It has the advantages of short operation time, less bleeding and short postoperative time.

(1) Background: Functional pulmonary atresia (FPA) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS) are rare neonatal congenital heart diseases with similar early clinical manifestations but distinct pathophysiology and treatment strategies, making early and accurate differentiation clinically important. (2) Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 43 neonates diagnosed with FPA (n = 12) or PA/IVS (n = 31) between December 2016 and March 2025. Echocardiographic parameters and clinical data were compared between groups, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the usefulness of selected echocardiographic indices for differentiation in clinical practice. (3) Results: Compared with PA/IVS, neonates with FPA exhibited significantly larger right atrial area, relatively better preserved right ventricular development, larger patent ductus arteriosus diameter, and lower peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity. Several parameters, including right atrial area and the right-to-left ventricular ratio, demonstrated strong between-group discrimination in this cohort. Clinically, most FPA neonates were managed conservatively with favorable outcomes, whereas PA/IVS neonates required surgical intervention and experienced higher perioperative mortality. (4) Conclusions: FPA and PA/IVS differ significantly in right heart morphology, hemodynamic characteristics, and management strategies. A comprehensive multi-parameter echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated discriminatory ability in this cohort, facilitating appropriate treatment decisions and potentially helping to avoid unnecessary high-risk surgical interventions.

Subarterial ventricular septal defect (sVSD) has a relatively high incidence in the Asian population. Surgical repair remains the preferred treatment. This research aims to report on the application of a modification of the surgical approach in the treatment of sVSD in adolescents and adults; (2) METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 74 consecutive patients aged 14 years or older with sVSD who underwent surgical repair between January 2016 and December 2024.Patients were divided into Group A (right axillary thoracotomy) and Group B (median sternotomy). Perioperative data and long-term follow-up outcomes were analyzed and compared; (3) Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The right axillary thoracotomy group had longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times but significantly lower postoperative drainage volumes. No significant differences were observed in mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, hospital length of stay, or pre-discharge ventricular function. During long-term follow-up, no deaths, reinterventions, residual shunts, or complete atrioventricular block occurred in either group; (4) Conclusions: In patients aged 14 years or older with sVSD, right axillary thoracotomy achieves perioperative and long-term outcomes comparable to conventional sternotomy, while offering advantages in reduced surgical trauma.