Ventricular Fibrillation and Myocardial Depression Following Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Tetralogy of Fallot With an Intramural Coronary Artery and Coronary Artery Compression by Chest Tube

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2020 Jul;11(4):NP77-NP79. doi: 10.1177/2150135117716421. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Abstract

We describe the case of a 10-year-old male with a history of repaired Tetralogy of Fallot and known intramural right coronary artery (RCA) who presented for bioprosthetic pulmonary valve replacement. The operation was complicated by postoperative ventricular fibrillation arrest. Selective coronary angiography revealed external compression of the mid-RCA by a mediastinal chest tube that improved immediately upon removal of the tube. Ultimately, the patient required additional unroofing of the intramural coronary for full recovery. This case highlights the need to thoroughly investigate malignant ventricular dysrhythmias following pediatric cardiac surgery and to rule out coronary insufficiency, which may be due to both extrinsic and/or intrinsic lesions.

Keywords: arrhythmia; congenital heart surgery; coronary artery imaging; surgery complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Chest Tubes / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Coronary Occlusion / etiology*
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Pulmonary Valve / surgery*
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / surgery*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / diagnosis
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / etiology*
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology