Long-term results of anatomic correction for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: A 19-year experience

Results of the Double Switch Operation in Patients Who Previously Underwent Left Ventricular Retraining

BACKGROUND

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CC-TGA) is a complex form of congenital heart disease that has numerous subtypes. While most patients with CC-TGA have a large ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary stenosis, there are some patients who have either no VSD or a highly restrictive VSD. These patients will require left ventricular (LV) retraining prior to double switch. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the double switch procedure in patients who had previously undergone LV retraining.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of a single institution experience with the double switch procedure in patients who had undergone LV retraining (2002-present).

RESULTS

Forty-five patients underwent double switch following LV retraining. Of these, 39 had an arterial switch with hemi-Mustard/bidirectional Glenn and six had a Senning. The median cross-clamp time was 135 min (range 71-272) and median bypass time was 202 min (range 140-430 min). Median hospital length of stay was eight days (range 4-108). There were no in-hospital deaths. Median duration of follow-up was 30 months (range 0-175). One patient subsequently underwent heart transplantation and died 65 months following double switch. At follow-up, 41 of the 44 survivors (93%) have normal or low normal LV function and 40 of the 44 survivors (91%) have no or trace mitral regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

The data demonstrate early and mid-term survival of 100% and 97%. Ninety-three percent had preserved LV function. These results suggest that patients with CC-TGA who undergo LV retraining and double switch can have excellent clinical outcomes.

Outcomes of neo-aortic valve and root surgery late after arterial switch operation

BACKGROUND

Neo-aortic root dilatation and valve regurgitation are emerging problems late after arterial switch operation (ASO). We sought to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of neo-aortic root or valve reoperation after ASO.

METHODS

All patients with biventricular circulation who underwent an ASO between 1983 and 2015 were included at a single institution.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 782 late ASO survivors, the median duration of follow-up was 18.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.3-25.6 years). During follow-up, 47 patients (6.0%) underwent 60 reoperations on the neo-aortic valve/root. The first neo-aortic valve/root reoperation occurred at a median of 15.2 years (IQR, 7.8-18.4 years) after ASO. Operations included mechanical Bentall (31.9%; n = 15), aortic valve repair (25.5%; n = 12), mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) (21.3%; n = 10), valve-sparing root replacement (19.1%; n = 9), and the Ross procedure (2.1%; n = 1). There was 1 late death (2.1%). Multivariable predictors of neo-aortic valve/root reoperation were bicuspid valve (hazard ratio [HR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-10.7; P < .001), Taussig-Bing anomaly (HR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.2-7.4; P < .02), previous pulmonary artery band (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.3; P < .01) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction before ASO (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-5.8; P < .04). Freedom from neo-aortic valve or root reoperation was 98.0% (95% CI, 96.7%-98.8%) at 10 years, 93.3% (95% CI, 90.8%-95.2%) at 20 years, and 88.5% (95% CI, 84.1%-91.8%) at 30 years after ASO. Among the 47 patients who underwent neo-aortic reoperation, freedom from AVR was 82.3% (95% CI, 67.7%-90.7%) at 10 years, 58.0% (95% CI, 41.8%-71.2%) at 20 years, and 43.2% (95% CI, 27.0%-58.3%) at 25 years after ASO.

CONCLUSIONS

The need for neo-aortic valve or root reoperation surpasses 10% by 30 years post-ASO. Evolving understanding of the mechanisms of neo-aortic valve insufficiency and techniques of neo-aortic valve repair may decrease the need for AVR.

Long-term outcomes of pacemaker implantation in children with univentricular versus complex biventricular surgical repair

Objective

Pacing in a univentricular circulation has been associated with worsened outcomes. We investigated the long-term outcomes of pacing in children with a univentricular circulation compared to a complex biventricular circulation. We also identified predictors of adverse outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study of all children with major congenital heart disease who underwent pacemaker implantation under the age of 18 years between November 1994 and October 2017.

Results

Eighty-nine patients were included; 19 with a univentricular and 70 with a complex biventricular circulation. A total of 96% of pacemaker systems were epicardial. Median follow up was 8.3 years. The incidence of adverse outcome was similar between the two groups. Five (5.6%) patients died and two (2.2%) underwent heart transplantation. Most adverse events occurred within the first 8 years after pacemaker implantation. Univariate analysis identified five predictors of adverse outcomes in the patients in the biventricular but none in the univentricular group. The predictors of adverse outcome in the biventricular circulation were a right morphologic ventricle as the systemic ventricle, age at first congenital heart disease (CHD) operation, number of CHD operations, and female gender. The nonapical lead position was associated with a much higher risk of an adverse outcome.

Conclusions

Children with a pacemaker and a complex biventricular circulation have similar survival to the ones with a pacemaker and a univentricular circulation. The only modifiable predictor was the epicardial lead position on the paced ventricle, emphasizing the importance of apical placement of the ventricular lead.

Heart failure in systemic right ventricle: Mechanisms and therapeutic options

d-loop transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (cc-TGA) feature a right ventricle attempting to sustain the systemic circulation. A systemic right ventricle (sRV) cannot support cardiac output in the long run, eventually decompensating and causing heart failure. The burden of d-TGA patients with previous atrial switch repair and cc-TGA patients with heart failure will only increase in the coming years due to the aging adult congenital heart disease population and improvements in the management of advanced heart failure. Clinical data still lags behind in developing evidence-based guidelines for risk stratification and management of sRV patients, and clinical trials for heart failure in these patients are underrepresented. Recent studies have provided foundational data for the commencement of robust clinical trials in d-TGA and cc-TGA patients. Further insights into the multifactorial nature of sRV failure can only be provided by the results of such studies. This review discusses the mechanisms of heart failure in sRV patients with biventricular circulation and how these mediators may be targeted clinically to alleviate sRV failure.

Outcomes After Anatomic Versus Physiologic Repair of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Surgical treatment for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is widely debated, with both physiologic repair and anatomic repair holding advantages and disadvantages. This meta-analysis, which includes 44 total studies consisting of 1857 patients, compares mortality at different time points (operative, in-hospital, and post-discharge), reoperation rates, and postoperative ventricular dysfunction between these two categories of procedures. Although anatomic and physiologic repair had similar operative and in-hospital mortality, anatomic repair patients had significantly less post-discharge mortality (6.1% vs 9.7%; P = .006), lower reoperation rates (17.9% vs 20.6%; P < .001), and less postoperative ventricular dysfunction (16% vs 43%; P < .001). When anatomic repair patients were subdivided into those who had atrial and arterial switch versus those who had atrial switch with Rastelli, the double switch group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (4.3% vs 7.6%; P = .026) and reoperation rates (15.6% vs 25.9%; P < .001). The results of this meta-analysis suggest a protective benefit of favoring anatomic repair over physiologic repair.

Contemporary outcomes of the double switch operation for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries

OBJECTIVE

To determine the contemporary outcomes of the double switch operation (DSO) (ie, Mustard or Senning + arterial switch).

METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective review of all patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries undergoing a DSO.

RESULTS

Between 1999 and 2019, 103 patients underwent DSO with a Mustard (n = 93) or Senning (n = 10) procedure. Segmental anatomy was (S, L, L) in 93 patients and (I, D, D) in 6 patients. Eight patients had heterotaxy and 71 patients had a ventricular septal defect. Median age was 2.1 years (range, 1.8 months-40 years), including 34 patients younger than age 1 year (33%). Median weight was 10.9 kg (range, 3.4-64 kg). Sixty-one patients had prior pulmonary artery bands for a median of 1.1 years (range, 14 days-12.9 years; interquartile range, 0.7-3.1 years). Median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 5 and 10 days, respectively. Median follow-up was 3.4 years (interquartile range, 1-9.8 years) and 5.2 years (interquartile range, 2.3-10.7 years) in 79 patients with >1 year follow-up. At latest follow-up, aortic, mitral, tricuspid valve regurgitation, and left ventricle dysfunction was less than moderate in 96%, 98%, 96%, and 93%, respectively. Seventeen patients underwent reoperation: neoaortic valve intervention (n = 10), baffle revision (n = 5), and ventricular septal defect closure (n = 4). At latest follow-up, 17 patients (17%) had a pacemaker and 27 (26%) had cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. There were 2 deaths and 2 transplants. Transplant-free survival was 94.6% at 5 years. Risk factors for death or transplant included longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and older age at DSO.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of the DSO are promising. Earlier age at operation might favor better outcomes. Progressive neoaortic regurgitation and reinterventions on the neo-aortic valve are anticipated problems.

Louis J, Raghuveer G, Kochilas L. Outcomes Following Aortic Valve Replacement in Children With Conotruncal Anomalies

OBJECTIVE

Conotruncal anomalies can develop aortopathy and/or aortic valve (AV) disease and AV replacement (AVR) is occasionally needed. We report long-term results and examine factors affecting survival following AVR in this group.

METHODS

We queried the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium (PCCC, US database for interventions for congenital heart diseases) to identify patients with repaired conotruncal anomalies and AVR. Long-term outcomes were provided by the PCCC, the US National Death Index, and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Competing risks analysis examined outcomes following AVR (death/transplantation, reoperation) and multivariable regression analysis assessed significant factors.

RESULTS

One hundred six children with repaired conotruncal anomalies underwent AVR (1982-2003). Underlying anomaly was truncus (n = 40), d-transposition (n = 22), type-B interrupted arch (n = 16), double-outlet right ventricle (n = 12), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (n = 9), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 6), corrected transposition (n = 1). 18 (17%) had prior aortic valvuloplasty (surgical = 12, percutaneous = 6). Median age at AVR was 6.9 years (interquartile range = 2.5-12.4). AV pathophysiology was regurgitation (n = 83, 78%), stenosis (n = 9, 9%), and mixed (n = 14, 15%). AVR type was mechanical (n = 72, 68%), homograft (n = 21, 20%), and Ross (n = 13, 12%). Operative mortality was 13(12%). Infant age at AVR was risk factor (odds ratio = 55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6-539, P = .0006). On competing risks analysis, five years after AVR, 6% died or received transplantation, 20% had reoperation. Twenty-five years transplant-free survival was 53%. Factors associated with death after hospital discharge included mitral surgery (hazards ratio [HR] = 11, 95% CI = 3-39, P = .0002), underlying defect (HR = 2, 95% CI = 1-5, P = .446). Twenty years transplant-free survival in conotruncal anomalies group was inferior to matched children undergoing AVR for congenital non-conotruncal disease (61% vs 82%, P = .0012).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival following AVR in children with conotruncal anomalies is inferior to that of isolated congenital AV disease and is linked to an underlying cardiac defect. Although valve type was not associated with survival, infant age was a risk factor for operative mortality. Continuous attrition and high reoperation warrant vigilant monitoring.

Anatomic Repair of Congenitally Corrected Transposition: Reappraisal of Eligibility Criteria

Several criteria to identify suitable candidates for anatomic repair in congenitally corrected transposition (cc-TGA) have been proposed. The purpose of this study was to critically re-evaluate adequacy of these recommendations in our patient cohort. All cc-TGA patients undergoing anatomic repair between 2010 and 2019 were reviewed. Evaluated eligibility criteria for repair included age ≤ 15 years, LV mass index ≥ 45-50 g/m², LV mass/volume ratio > 0.9-1.5 and systolic LV to right ventricle pressure ratio > 70-90% among others. Repair failure was defined as postoperative early mortality or LV dysfunction requiring mechanical circulatory support. Twenty-five patients were included (median [interquartile range] age at surgery 1.8 years [0.7;6.6]; median postoperative follow-up 3.2 years [0.7;6.3]). Median preoperative LV ejection fraction was 60% [56;64], indexed LV mass 48.5 g/m² [43.7;58.1] and LV mass/volume ratio 1.5 [1.1;1.6], respectively. A total of 12 patients (48%) did not meet at least one of the previously recommended criteria, however, all but two patients (92%) experienced favorable early outcome. Of 7 patients (28%) with indexed LV mass < 45 g/m², 6 were successfully operated. There were two early repair failures (8%) with LV dysfunction: one patient died and one required mechanical circulatory support but recovered well. Surgery was performed successfully in patients with LV mass and volume Z-scores as low as - 2 and - 2.5, respectively. Anatomic correction for cc-TGA can be performed with excellent early outcome and is feasible even in patients with LV mass below previously recommended cut-offs. The use of LV mass and volume Z-scores might help to refine eligibility criteria.

Histological changes after pulmonary artery banding for retraining of subpulmonary left ventricle

BACKGROUND

Patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) with intact ventricular septum (IVS) or d-looped transposition of the great arteries (DTGA) with IVS post atrial switch operation often develop left ventricular dysfunction after anatomical repair despite prior retraining of the morphologically left ventricle (mLV) using pulmonary artery banding (PAB). We examined histopathological changes in such mLV.

METHODS

Capillary density, myocyte diameter, and interstitial fibrous area in the mLV were retrospectively evaluated in postmortem or explanted heart specimens obtained from patients with ccTGA/IVS or DTGA/IVS post atrial switch operation after PAB for retraining and compared with those of patients with normal cardiac anatomy, ccTGA/IVS or DTGA/IVS without PAB, and ccTGA or DTGA with high mLV pressure using generalized estimating equations models.

RESULTS

Adjusting for age, capillary density in four patients with ccTGA/IVS or DTGA/IVS after PAB was ∼20% lower than that in eight patients with normal cardiac anatomy (3149 ± 863 / um² vs 3978 ± 1206 /um² (mean, SD); p = 0.039), while myocyte diameter was ∼50% larger (16.2 ± 4.0 um vs 11.7 ± 2.4 um (mean, SD); p < 0.001). Interstitial fibrous area did not differ between the two groups (803 ± 422 um² vs 789 ± 480 um², p = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed significant cardiomyocyte hypertrophy but lower capillary density in patients with ccTGA/IVS or DTGA/IVS after PAB for retraining compared to normal controls. This suggests inadequate capillary growth is a potential pathological basis for mLV dysfunction occurring after retraining or anatomical repair.

Impact of electrophysiological features acquired after anatomical repair of congenital corrected transposition of the great arteries on late mortality and ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

In patients with anatomically repaired congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, the impact of electrophysiological features on postoperative ventricular dysfunction remains less well known. Our goal was to investigate the role of fragmented QRS and QRS duration in mortality and systemic ventricular dysfunction after anatomical repair of corrected transposed great arteries.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent anatomical repair in our institution from January 2005 to December 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Fragmented QRS was defined as ≥1 discontinuous deflections in narrow QRS complexes, and ≥2 in wide QRS complexes, in 2 contiguous electrocardiogram leads. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality and systemic ventricular dysfunction.

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients were included. Among them, 30, 15 and 29 underwent the Senning arterial switch, the Senning Rastelli and the hemi-Mustard/bidirectional Glenn/Rastelli procedures, respectively. The primary end point occurred in 9 (12.2%) patients and included 7 late deaths and 2 cases of late-onset systemic ventricular dysfunction. Fragmented QRS and QRS prolongation were noted in 19 (25.7%) and 21 (28.4%) patients, respectively. In patients with the primary end point, QRS fragmentation (6/9 vs 10/65; P < 0.001) and QRS prolongation (6/9 vs 15/65; P = 0.013) were noted more frequently than in patients without the primary end point. No statistical differences in these electrocardiogram findings were found among patients treated with 3 surgical strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Appearance of QRS fragmentation or QRS prolongation is associated with death or ventricular dysfunction in anatomically repaired corrected transposition of the great arteries. Although there is a trend that QRS fragmentation and QRS prolongation appear more frequently in patients who had the Senning-arterial switch operation, there is no statistically significant difference associated with these electrocardiogram features among varied procedures.

Management of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries With Intact Ventricular Septum: Anatomic Repair or Palliative Treatment?

[Figure: see text].

Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: Mid-term Outcomes of Different Surgical Strategies

BACKGROUND

Optimal management for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) is controversial. We applied different surgical strategies based on individual variations in our single-centered practice over 10 years, aming to describe the mid-term results.

METHODS

From January 2008 to June 2021, 90 patients with ccTGA were reviewed and grouped by three different surgical strategies: 41 cases with biventricular correction as biventricular group, 11 cases with 1.5 ventricular correction as 1.5 ventricular group, and 38 cases with Fontan palliation as univentricular group. The mean age at primary surgery was 41.4 ± 22.7 months. Patients were followed for mortality, complications, reoperation, cardiac function, and valve status.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 5.1 years (range, 1.5-12.5 years). The overall 10-year survival and freedom from reoperation rate was 86.7 and 82.4%, respectively. There were 3 early deaths and 3 mid-term deaths in the biventricular group, while 2 early deaths and 1 mid-term deaths were reported in the univentricular group. Although 1.5 ventricular group presented no death and the fewest complications, we still found similar mortality (p = 0.340) and morbidity (p = 0.670) among the three groups. The bypass time, aortic-clamp time, and ICU stay length were the longest in the biventricular group, followed by the 1.5 ventricular group (p < 0.001). However, in mid-term follow-up, biventricular and 1.5 ventricular groups both showed excellent cardiac function and obvious improvement of tricuspid regurgitation (p = 0.008 and p = 0.051, respectively). Fontan palliation provided acceptable mid-term outcomes as well, despite a lower ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory mid-term outcomes could be achieved for highly selected ccTGA patients using the whole spectrum of surgical techniques. Moreover, 1.5 ventricular correction, as a new emerging technique in recent years, might hold great promise in future practice.

Prenatal diagnosis, associated findings and postnatal outcome in fetuses with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries

Purpose

To analyze anatomic features and associated malformations in 37 prenatally detected cases of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) and to evaluate the prenatal course, neonatal outcome and mid-term follow-up.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prenatal ultrasound of 37 patients with ccTGA in two tertiary centers between 1999 and 2019. All fetuses received fetal echocardiography and a detailed anomaly scan. Postnatal outcome and follow-up data were retrieved from pediatric reports.

Results

Isolated ccTGA without associated cardiac anomalies was found in 13.5% (5/37), in all other fetuses additional defects such as VSD (73.0%), pulmonary obstruction (35.1%), tricuspid valve anomalies (18.9%), aortic arch anomalies (13.5%), ventricular hypoplasia (5.4%) or atrioventricular block (5.4%) were present. The rate of extracardiac malformations or chromosomal aberrations was low. There were 91.9% (34/37) live births and postnatal survival rates reached 91.2% in a mean follow-up time of 4.98 years. The prenatal diagnosis of ccTGA was confirmed postnatally in all but one documented live birth and the prenatal counselling regarding the expected treatment after birth (uni- versus biventricular repair) was reassured in the majority of cases. The postnatal intervention rate was high, 64.7% (22/34) received surgery, the intervention-free survival was 36.7%, 35.0% and 25.0% at 1 month, 1 year and 10 years, respectively.

Conclusions

ccTGA is a rare heart defect often associated with additional heterogeneous cardiac anomalies that can be diagnosed prenatally. The presented study demonstrates a favorable outcome in most cases but the majority of patients require surgical treatment early in life.

Senning With Aortic Translocation and Anatomic Repair for Congenitally Corrected Transposition

BACKGROUND

Anatomic repair for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonic stenosis has been accomplished with atrial switch and Rastelli. Aortic translocation offers a direct left ventricular outflow without an extraanatomic right ventricular-to-pulmonary conduit, which may lead to decreased reoperations. We reviewed our entire experience performing Senning with aortic translocation (SAT).

METHODS

From 2007 to 2017, 8 patients (mean age, 14.1 months; size, 8.86 kg) underwent SAT. Associated anomalies included situs inversus (n = 2), dextrocardia (n = 6), multiple muscular VSDs (n = 2), abnormal or straddling atrioventricular valve chords (n = 5), and branch pulmonary artery stenosis (n = 3). Four of 8 had previous systemic arterial shunts. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass was 487 minutes, and mean cardiac ischemic time was 307 minutes. Additional procedures included repair of branch pulmonary artery stenoses and closure of multiple muscular VSDs.

RESULTS

There was no hospital death. One patient was supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation because of junctional tachycardia on postoperative day 5. One patient required pacemaker placement for first-degree heart block. Median hospital length of stay was 31 days. Mean length of follow-up was 52 months. All patients remain well with mild or no aortic regurgitation. The first patient underwent a repeat surgical operation for pulmonary venous baffle obstruction 2 years after SAT.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the technical complexity, patient outcomes have been satisfactory. We believe SAT provides a superior anatomic repair in these complex defects. Longer-term follow-up is needed regarding late intervention.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes of anatomic repair in congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries

BACKGROUND

Treatment of congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (cc-TGA) with anatomic repair strategy has been considered superior due to restoration of the morphologic left ventricle in the systemic circulation. However, data on long term outcomes are limited to single center reports and include small sample sizes.

AIM

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis for observational studies reporting outcomes on anatomic repair for cc-TGA.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Scopus databases were queried using predefined criteria for reports published till December 31, 2017. Studies reporting anatomic repair of minimum 5 cc-TGA patients with at least a 2 year follow up were included. Meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive meta-analysis v3.0 software.

RESULTS

Eight hundred and ninety-five patients underwent anatomic repair with a pooled follow-up of 5457.2 patient-years (PY). Pooled estimate for operative mortality was 8.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0%-11.4%]. 0.2% (CI: 0.1%-0.4%) patients required mechanical circulatory support postoperatively and 1.7% (CI: 1.1%-2.4%) developed post-operative atrioventricular block requiring a pacemaker. Patients surviving initial surgery had a transplant free survival of 92.5% (CI: 89.5%-95.4%) per 100 PY and a low rate of need for pacemaker (0.3/100 PY; CI: 0.1-0.4). 84.7% patients (CI: 79.6%-89.9%) were found to be in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I or II after 100 PY follow up. Total re-intervention rate was 5.3 per 100 PY (CI: 3.8-6.8).

CONCLUSION

Operative mortality with anatomic repair strategy for cc-TGA is high. Despite that, transplant free survival after anatomic repair for cc-TGA patients is highly favorable. Majority of patients maintain NYHA I/II functional class. However, monitoring for burden of re-interventions specific for operation type is very essential.

Modification of the Senning procedure in the double-switch operation: The triangular double-door technique

We developed a modified Senning procedure in the double-switch operation for the patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA). In our technique, the right atrial (RA) free wall is not used as a baffle for draining systemic venous blood to the left atrium. Instead, a patch material is used for the baffling. A wide communication between the pulmonary venous chamber and RA is created by making the triangular double door with the RA-free wall, and the window is closed with in situ pericardial flap. We have successfully adopted this technique in our recent two consecutive ccTGA patients.

The science and art of aortic and/or pulmonary root translocation

This review aims to present and compare different surgical techniques of root translocation of the great arteries except the Ross procedure. The historical aspects, technical considerations, and results are briefly elucidated.

Postnatal Outcome Following Prenatal Diagnosis of Discordant Atrioventricular and Ventriculoarterial Connections

Discordant atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connection(s) (DAVVAC) are a rare group of congenital heart lesions. DAVVAC can be isolated or associated with a variety of other cardiac abnormalities. Previous studies examining the outcome of prenatally diagnosed DAVVAC have described only fetal and early postnatal outcome in small cohorts. We aimed to describe the medium-term outcome of these fetuses. Cases were identified by searching the fetal cardiac databases of two centers. Follow-up data were collected from the electronic patient records. We identified 98 fetuses with DAVVAC. 39 pregnancies were terminated and 51 resulted in a liveborn infant. Postnatal data were available for 43 patients. The median length of follow-up was 9.5 years (range 36 days to 22.7 years). The overall 5-year survival of the cohort was 80% (95% confidence interval 74-86%), no deaths were seen after this period. Associated cardiac lesions had a significant effect on both survival and surgery-free survival. Isolated DAVVAC and DAVVAC with pulmonary stenosis ± ventricular septal defect had a low mortality (89% and 100% 5-year survival, respectively). Poorer survival was seen in the group with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, and other complex cardiac abnormalities. Antenatal tricuspid regurgitation had a significant negative impact on postnatal survival. In conclusion, the short- and medium-term outlook for fetuses with isolated DAVVAC, and those with DAVVAC and pulmonary stenosis are good. Antenatal risk factors for postnatal mortality include Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve, especially if associated with tricuspid regurgitation, and the presence of complex associated lesions.

Trends in Long-Term Mortality After Congenital Heart Surgery

BACKGROUND

Congenital heart surgery has improved the survival of patients with even the most complex defects, but the long-term survival after these procedures has not been fully described.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term survival of patients (age <21 years) who were operated on for congenital heart defects (CHDs).

METHODS

This study used the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data, a U.S.-based, multicenter registry of pediatric cardiac surgery. Survival analysis included 35,998 patients who survived their first congenital heart surgery at <21 years of age and had adequate identifiers for linkage with the National Death Index through 2014. Survival was compared to that in the general population using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 18 years (645,806 person-years), 3,191 deaths occurred with an overall SMR of 8.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.0 to 8.7). The 15-year SMR decreased from 12.7 (95% CI: 11.9 to 13.6) in the early era (1982 to 1992) to 10.0 (95% CI: 9.3 to 10.8) in the late era (1998 to 2003). The SMR remained elevated even for mild forms of CHD such as patent ductus arteriosus (SMR 4.5) and atrial septal defects (SMR 4.9). The largest decreases in SMR occurred for patients with transposition of great arteries (early: 11.0 vs. late: 3.8; p < 0.05), complete atrioventricular canal (31.3 vs. 15.3; p < 0.05), and single ventricle (53.7 vs. 31.3; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large U.S. cohort, long-term mortality after congenital heart surgery was elevated across all forms of CHD. Survival has improved over time, particularly for severe defects with significant changes in their management strategy, but still lags behind the general population.

Biventricular repair versus Fontan completion for patients with d- or l-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

OBJECTIVES

D-transposition of the great arteries and l-transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction are complex biventricular congenital heart diseases for which decision-making regarding surgical strategy remains challenging. We investigated the intermediate-term outcomes of Fontan versus biventricular procedures in these patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 129 patients with d-transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect/left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 85) or l-transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect/left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 44) and 2 functional ventricles from Australia who had primary surgical management (29 Fontan, 100 biventricular repair) undertaken between 1990 and 2015.

RESULTS

Median operative age of patients was 2.9 years (range, 0.2-26.8 years). During a median follow-up of 6.2 years (range, 2 days to 25.8 years), 9 patients died after biventricular repair (3 early and 6 late deaths). One patient received a transplant 1.2 years after Fontan completion. Overall transplant-free survivals at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years were 95%, 93%, 92%, and 90%, respectively. Overall reintervention-free survivals at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years were 79%, 64%, 45%, and 29% respectively. Biventricular repair tended to be associated with a higher rate of death, transplantation, or reintervention than the Fontan pathway (hazard ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-3.71; P = .10). Some 73% of transplant-free survivors had New York Heart Association class I. Functional status was similar between the Fontan and biventricular groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Intermediate-term outcomes were comparable between patients with d-transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect/left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and patients with l-transposition of the great arteries/ventricular septal defect/left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Both Fontan and biventricular pathways are associated with excellent mortality and functional outcomes. Biventricular patients have a greater risk of reintervention. The Fontan procedure is a viable option when anatomic risk factors preclude biventricular repair.

Left Ventricular Re-training: Feasibility and Effectiveness-What Are the Limits?

The concept of 're-training' the morphologic left ventricle (mLV) is based on the crude principle of applying a fixed afterload by means of pulmonary artery banding. The complex physiological, molecular and structural responses to banding are poorly understood, and complicated by the fact that re-training is undertaken in a variety of different morphological settings and age-groups. This article reviews the evidence for re-training in different situations with particular focus on the age at banding and on the best ways to assess suitability for subsequent repair. Particular importance is placed on the role of re-training in congenitally corrected transposition as this is the commonest current indication - looking at better ways to train the mLV, the role of combined pressure and volume loading, and more sophisticated ways of assessing the adequacy of training. Current evidence suggests that age at banding has a fundamental impact on ability to re-train and long-term mLV function with the best results being achieved in infancy and concerns at any attempt beyond 2 years of age.

Congenitally Corrected Transposition Presenting in the First Year of Life: Survival and Fate of the Systemic Right Ventricle

Introduction:

Knowledge gaps exist in the life expectancy and functional outcome of patients with congenitally corrected transposition (ccTGA) presenting early in life, which is relevant in the evaluation of early anatomic repair.

Methods:

In a single-center analysis, 91 patients with ccTGA were identified over 25 years, of which 31 presented with biventricular anatomy in the first year of life and formed the study cohort. End points for analysis included survival, moderate or worse tricuspid valve regurgitation, and systemic right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. Median follow-up was 4.9 years (range: 7 days to 20 years).

Results:

Among 31 patients presenting in the first year of life, 9 (29%) never received cardiac surgery, while 22 (71%) underwent 36 cardiac operations. Overall freedom from moderate or severe systemic RV dysfunction was 75% at 10 years. Overall survival was 82% at 10 years. Surgical mortality was 5.6% (2/36). Among survivors with a systemic RV, 23 (100%) of 23 were Ross or NYHA class I or II at last follow-up.

Conclusions:

Congenitally corrected transposition presenting in the first year of life and maintaining a systemic RV can expect (1) long-term survival of more than 80% at 10 years, (2) low expected surgical mortality (overall 6%), and (3) 75% late freedom from major RV dysfunction at 10 years. Pending multi-institutional analyses, this experience with a systemic RV in ccTGA provides an initial benchmark for comparison when considering early elective anatomic correction.

Hemi-Senning as an Alternative to Hemi-Mustard in Double Discordance With Small Right Ventricle

This report presents a case of anatomic repair in a young child with double discordance, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary atresia. A novel technique of hemi-Senning is described, combined with a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and Rastelli repair. The possible advantages and applications of this technical modification are briefly discussed.

Systemic Right Ventricle in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

The systemic right ventricle (SRV) is commonly encountered in congenital heart disease representing a distinctly different model in terms of its anatomic spectrum, adaptation, clinical phenotype, and variable, but overall guarded prognosis. The most common clinical scenarios where an SRV is encountered are complete transposition of the great arteries with previous atrial switch repair, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, double inlet right ventricle mostly with previous Fontan palliation, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome palliated with the Norwood-Fontan protocol. The reasons for the guarded prognosis of the SRV in comparison with the systemic left ventricle are multifactorial, including distinct fibromuscular architecture, shape and function, coronary artery supply mismatch, intrinsic abnormalities of the tricuspid valve, intrinsic or acquired conduction abnormalities, and varied SRV adaptation to pressure or volume overload. Management of the SRV remains an ongoing challenge because SRV dysfunction has implications on short- and long-term outcomes for all patients irrespective of underlying cardiac morphology. SRV dysfunction can be subclinical, underscoring the need for tertiary follow-up and timely management of target hemodynamic lesions. Catheter interventions and surgery have an established role in selected patients. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is increasingly used, whereas pharmacological therapy is largely empirical. Mechanical assist device and heart transplantation remain options in end-stage heart failure when other management strategies have been exhausted. The present report focuses on the SRV with its pathological subtypes, pathophysiology, clinical features, current management strategies, and long-term sequelae. Although our article touches on issues applicable to neonates and children, its main focus is on adults with SRV.

Congenitally corrected transposition: complex anatomic repair or Fontan pathway?

Background Successful anatomic repair of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries achieves excellent outcomes. Several centers report excellent long-term survival with the Fontan pathway as well. We have selectively applied both approaches depending on individual patient morphology, with anatomic repair preferred but utilizing the Fontan pathway when high technical complexity or operative risk is anticipated. Methods Hospital records over an 18-year period (1998-2016) were reviewed to identify patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries who underwent surgical management. Physiological repairs and hypoplastic ventricles were excluded. Patient- and procedure-related variables were reviewed. Results We identified 19 patients. Group 1 consisted of 12 anatomic repairs, of which 10 (83.3%) required prior interim staging procedures. Mean age at anatomic repair was 2.6 ± 1.3 years, mean follow-up was 8.7 ± 5.3 years. Nine (75%) patients experienced important complications and 4 (33.3%) required reintervention during follow-up. There were no deaths; one patient required heart transplantation. Group 2 (7 patients) underwent Fontan palliation. Mean age at Fontan completion was 7.2 ± 3.8 years, mean follow-up was 6.3 ± 4 years. There was no reintervention, death, or transplant. Conclusion Patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries and two adequate-sized ventricles do well with both anatomic repair and the Fontan pathway in the medium term. Excellent outcomes with reduced early complication and reintervention rates can be achieved for this cohort of patients when a strategy of avoiding complex anatomic repair in favor of the Fontan pathway is used.