Modification of the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries with complex coronary artery patterns

The arterial switch operation has evolved into the treatment of choice for most forms of transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Recently reported operative mortality of the procedure has fallen to the range of 1.1%–6.0%, even for complex forms of TGA. Despite advancement in the technical aspects of the procedure, certain anatomical variations of the coronary arteries, such as a single coronary orifice and/or intramural coronary artery, are still considered surgical risks in many centers. Optimizing the surgical technique for relocating these challenging variations of the coronary anatomy is key to improving the surgical outcomes for the procedure. In this review, the surgical modifications of the arterial switch operation for TGA associated with complex patterns of the coronary arteries are examined. This review was submitted at the invitation of the editorial committee.