Long-term outcome after senning operation for transposition of the great arteries

Pulmonary venous baffle obstruction following senning procedure - Role of transesophageal echocardiography

We present a case of D-transposition of great arteries with atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus electively posted for Senning's operation at 10 months of age. The patient developed signs of lung congestion immediately after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. A stenosis in the pulmonary venous baffle was detected in transesophageal echocardiography showing a peak gradient of 10 mmHg and a mean gradient of 5 mmHg. Hence, revision of baffle was planned. The stenotic area was excised and augmented with homologous pericardium. Post-correction, lung compliance improved and the peak and mean gradient decreased to 3 and 1 mm Hg, respectively. The patient was extubated in the intensive care unit after 36 h and shifted to ward after 5 days with stable hemodynamics.

Predictors of Late Mortality in D-Transposition of the Great Arteries After Atrial Switch Repair: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Existing data on predictors of late mortality and prevention of sudden cardiac death after atrial switch repair surgery for D‐transposition of the great arteries (D‐TGA) are heterogeneous and limited by statistical power.

Methods and Results

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 29 observational studies, comprising 5035 patients, that reported mortality after atrial switch repair with a minimum follow‐up of 10 years. We also examined 4 additional studies comprising 105 patients who reported rates of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator therapy in this population. Average survival dropped to 65% at 40 years after atrial switch repair, with sudden cardiac death accounting for 45% of all reported deaths. Mortality was significantly lower in cohorts that were more recent and operated on younger patients. Patient‐level risk factors for late mortality were history of supraventricular tachycardia (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% CI 1.4–10.7), Mustard procedure compared with Senning (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.5) and complex D‐TGA compared with simple D‐TGA (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.2–8.8). Significant risk factors for sudden cardiac death were history of supraventricular tachycardia (OR 4.7, 95% CI 2.2–9.8), Mustard procedure (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1–4.1), and complex D‐TGA (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.8–18.0). Out of a total 124 implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator discharges over 330 patient‐years in patients with implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators for primary prevention, only 8% were appropriate.

Conclusions

Patient‐level risk of both mortality and sudden cardiac death after atrial switch repair are significantly increased by history of supraventricular tachycardia, Mustard procedure, and complex D‐TGA. This knowledge may help refine current selection practices for primary prevention implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantation, given disproportionately high rates of inappropriate discharges.

Imaging the adult with transposition of the great arteries

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with complete and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries commonly survive into adulthood and present with a vast array of clinical residua.

RECENT FINDINGS

Echocardiography remains the primary imaging modality in the routine assessment of the adult with transposition of the great arteries. It provides a comprehensive anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation. Limitations to echocardiography include evaluation of the following: the systemic right ventricle, baffle patency following atrial switch procedure, coronary arteries following arterial switch procedure or Nikadoh, and multilevel right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

SUMMARY

Each form of palliation for transposition of the great arteries results in unique long-term sequelae that affect outcomes. A multimodality approach to imaging is required for a complete evaluation.

Implantable cardiac defibrillator among adults with transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch operation: case series and review of literature

BACKGROUND

The experience with the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and history of atrial switch surgery remains limited.

METHODS

Retrospective evaluation aiming to assess characteristics and outcomes of consecutive TGA patients with history of atrial switch surgery implanted with an ICD between January 2005 and June 2012 in four French centers.

RESULTS

Of the 12 patients (median 34 years [28, 40]; 67% male), 4 patients (33%) were implanted for secondary prevention after symptomatic documented sustained ventricular tachycardia or sudden cardiac arrest. ICDs were implanted for primary prevention in 8 patients (67%), including cardiac resynchronization in 3 patients; severe systemic ventricle dysfunction was present in all cases (median ejection fraction 27% [20, 40]). Overall, one patient died during the ICD implantation secondary to refractory cardiac arrest after defibrillation testing. Over a median follow-up of 19 months [10, 106], 6 patients out of 11 (54%) experienced worsening of congestive heart failure, including 5 who were eventually transplanted. Overall, 3 patients (27%) experienced significant ICD-related complications, whereas only one patient (primary prevention indication) developed appropriate ICD therapy (successful anti-tachycardia pacing without shock). Half of the patients presented with at least one episode of sustained (≥ 5 min) atrial arrhythmia during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underline the key role of progressive heart failure in dictating outcomes among TGA patients with prior atrial switch repair. Our results also underline the need of better risk-stratification for sudden cardiac death in those patients.

Duration and dispersion of the P wave after the Senning operation

We studied the duration and dispersion of the P wave in patients after a Senning operation, assessing its value in detecting the risk of atrial tachycardias.We measured the duration and dispersion of the wave in surface 12 lead electrocardiograms obtained from 18 patients with sinus rhythm, having a mean age of 12.8 years, with 13 being males and 5 females, who had undergone a Senning operation, comparing the values obtained in 35 age and gender-matched healthy people. The patients had undergone repair at a mean age of 13.4 months, and had a mean duration of follow-up of 12.8 years after the procedure. We also made 24 hour Holter recordings.The maximal duration of the P wave, at a mean of 129.3 milliseconds, and dispersion with a mean of 78 milliseconds, were both significantly increased in the patients compared with their controls, the mean values for the normal subjects being 103.7 and 54 milliseconds. Supraventricular tachycardia was detected in 1 of 3 patients with dispersion greater than 100 milliseconds, and in 2 of 15 patients (13%) with dispersion less than 100 milliseconds as measured from the Holter recordings (p > 0.05).Thus, the maximum duration and dispersion of the P wave were increased in patients after a Senning operation, but we were unable to establish any relationship between these measurements and atrial tachycardias as observed using Holter monitoring.

Assessment of right ventricular function by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography improves accuracy and decreases interobserver variability compared with conventional two-dimensional views

AIMS

Two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is difficult, often resulting in inconsistent RV evaluation. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) allows the RV to be viewed in multiple planes, which can potentially improve RV assessment and limit interobserver variability when compared with 2DE.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-five patients underwent 2DE and RT3DE. Views of 2DE (RV inflow, RV short axis, and apical four-chamber) were compared with RT3DE views by four readers. RT3DE data sets were sliced from anterior-posterior (apical view) and from base to apex (short axis) to obtain six standardized planes. Readers recorded the RV ejection fraction (RVEF) from 2DE and RT3DE images. RVEF recorded by RT3DE (RVEF(3D)) and 2D (RVEF(2D)) were compared with RVEF by disc summation (RVEF(DS)), which was used as a reference. Interobserver variability among readers of RVEF(3D) and RVEF(2D) was then compared. Overall, mean RVEF(DS), RVEF(3D), and RVEF(2D) were 37 +/- 11%, 38 +/- 10%, 41 +/- 10%, respectively. The mean difference of RVEF(3D)-RVEF(DS) was significantly less than RVEF(2D)-RVEF(DS) (3.7 +/- 4% vs. 7.1 +/- 5%, P = 0.0066, F-test). RVEF(3D) correlated better with RVEF(DS) (r = 0.875 vs. r = 0.69, P = 0.028, t-test). RVEF(3D) was associated with a 39% decrease in interobserver variability when compared with RVEF(2D) [standard deviation of mean difference: 3.7 vs. 5.1, (RT3DE vs. 2DE), P = 0.018, t-test].

CONCLUSIONS

RT3DE provides improved accuracy of RV function assessment and decreases interobserver variability when compared with 2D views.

Long-term prognosis of congenital heart defects: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

In the large and expanding population of adults with congenital heart disease, little is known about their long-term outcome. By means of a systematic literature search, we aimed to assess the quantity and quality of data on long-term survival and morbidity in adults with common congenital heart defects.

METHODS

All literature on MEDLINE from January 1980 to January 2007 was searched, using a broad range of keywords for atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, aortic coarctation, and transposition of the great arteries. After study selection using pre-specified criteria and quality assessment, data were extracted and weighed according to number of patients. Pooled estimates were obtained.

RESULTS

We identified 322 articles. Selection yielded 35 articles comprising 7894 patients. Data on survival were mainly available up until 40 years of age. In this young population, survival varied from 87.4% in aortic coarctation to 99.6% in atrial septal defect. Data on morbidity were sparse. Based on these data, morbidity was substantial.

CONCLUSIONS

Until the age of 40 years, survival is decreased in patients with congenital heart defects, albeit most pronounced among patients with complex heart defects. Moreover, morbidity is considerable in all defects. Sufficient data on long-term survival and morbidity beyond the age of 40 years are lacking, yet crucial for optimal clinical care.

Adaptation of baroreflex function to increased carotid artery stiffening in patients with transposition of great arteries

We have shown previously that TGA (transposition of great arteries) is associated with increased carotid artery stiffness. It has been established that stiffening of the barosensory vessel wall results in reduced baroreceptor activation and impaired BRS (baroreflex sensitivity). In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the increased carotid artery stiffness in TGA patients was associated with reduced cardiovagal BRS. We studied 32 TGA patients aged 9–19 years, 12±3 years after surgical repair and 32 age-matched healthy control subjects. Carotid artery diastolic diameter and pulsatile distension was determined by echo wall tracking; carotid blood pressure was measured by tonometry. BRS was measured using spontaneous techniques [BRSseq and LFgain (low-frequency transfer function gain)] and by the phenylephrine method (BRSphe). Carotid artery distensibility was markedly reduced in patients as compared with controls (5.6±1.9×10−3 compared with 8.7±2.7×10−3/mmHg P<0.05, as determined using an unpaired Student's t test), but BRS was not different in patients and controls (20.3±14.7 compared with 21.7±12.7 for BRSseq; 13.1±9.2 compared with 10.6±4.5 for LFgain; and 19.1±8.6 compared with 24.8±7.2 for BRSphe respectively). Carotid artery elastic function was markedly impaired in patients with TGA, but the increased stiffness of the barosensory vessel wall was not associated with reduced BRS. It appears that attenuation of baroreceptor stimulus due to arterial stiffening may be compensated by other, possibly neural, mechanisms when it exists as a congenital abnormality.

Presence of a ventricular septal defect and the Mustard operation are risk factors for late mortality after the atrial switch operation: thirty years of follow-up in 417 patients at a single center

BACKGROUND

Survival and functional status of patients with transposition of the great arteries treated by atrial switch are reported to be reasonably good within the first 15 postoperative years. However, in some patients, the function of the systemic right ventricle deteriorates, leading to significant morbidity or even to late mortality. This study seeks to identify risk factors for late death.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Records of 329 patients after the Senning operation and 88 after the Mustard operation at a single center were retrospectively reviewed for demographic, anatomic, and echocardiographic predictors and outcomes. Mean follow-up interval was 19.1+/-6.5 years and was 95% complete. Survival 25 years after the Mustard procedure was 75.9+/-4.8% and after the Senning procedure was 90.9+/-2.3% (P=0.002). Mustard patients died more often of arrhythmia than Senning patients (P<0.001) and needed more baffle-related reoperations (P<0.0001). Ventricular septal defect closure at the time of the atrial switch operation (hazard rate=2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 4.7; P=0.025) and the Mustard operation (hazard rate=2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 3.8; P=0.045) emerged as independent risk factors for late mortality in multivariate analysis. At follow-up, 85.8% of the patients led a normal life with full-time work, and 11.8% were able to do part-time work. Only 2.4% experienced noticeable limitation of activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient data reveal satisfactory results at long term in this historic collective. Patients who had undergone ventricular septal defect closure at the time of the atrial switch operation and those who had undergone a Mustard operation are at higher risk for late death. Close follow-up, especially of these subgroups, is warranted.

Arterial switch operation using aortic homograft for transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary regurgitation

We report a case of a 15 month-old boy who underwent the arterial switch operation using cryopreserved aortic homograft for transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary regurgitation, with coexisting right ventricular outflow tract obstruction precluding atrial switch operation. Follow-up echocardiography at 6 months showed trivial neoaortic valve regurgitation, no significant systemic outflow obstruction, with good cardiac function. In small children, the choice of material for left ventricular outflow tract reconstruction is one of the most crucial issues. Cryopreserved homograft has been one of the primary options for the aortic valve replacement in small children because of the ease of suturing and excellent hemostasis.

Transposition of the great arteries: long-term outcome and current management

There is a large group of young adults who survived atrial baffle repair of transposition of the great arteries. Most survivors are asymptomatic, although nearly all have decreased exercise capacity. Loss of sinus rhythm and atrial arrhythmias are common and increase with age. There is concern about the ability of the right ventricle to function long term as a systemic pump, and recent publications have highlighted right ventricular dysfunction in this patient population. Sudden death and congestive heart failure are the main causes of death, and outcomes beyond 30 years are unknown. Pulmonary artery banding, late arterial switch, and cardiac transplantation are employed when intractable arrhythmias or right ventricular failure threaten survival or quality of life.