The Use of the CardioCel 3D 60° Patch for Aortic Arch Reconstruction in Infancy—A Word of Caution

BackgroundThere are limited data on outcomes after implantation of the CardioCel 3D 60° patch in great vessel repair. After anecdotally witnessing an increase in negative outcomes, we reviewed our experience using this patch in our neonate and infant patients undergoing aortic arch repair.MethodsAortic arch repair with implantation of the CardioCel 3D 60° patch was performed in 24 patients between July 2018 and July 2021. Dominant cardiac morphologies were hypoplastic left heart syndrome (66%), atrioventricular canal defects (13%), and other (21%). Median age at implantation was 44 days (interquartile range [IQR], 6-112 days). Recurrent obstruction was defined as the need for reoperation or catheter intervention or recurrent peak pressure gradient of descending aorta ≥25 mm Hg on echocardiography.ResultsFive deaths occurred after a median of 217 days (IQR, 69-239 days). Twelve patients (50%) had recurrent obstruction. Three patients (13%) required redo aortic arch operation after a median of 148 days (IQR, 128-193 day), with extensive fibrous coating of the patch interior causing obstruction. Eleven patients (46%) required at least 1 balloon angioplasty on their aorta after a median of 102 days (IQR, 83-130 days) after repair, and 3 needed >1 catheter intervention. The estimated probability of having recurrent obstruction was 85% at 6 months and 71% at the 1-year follow (P = .06).ConclusionsRecurrent aortic obstruction occurred in half of our patients shortly after repair. The use of the CardioCel 3D 60° patch for aortic arch reconstruction in neonates and infants should be reevaluated.