Surgical results of the Senning operation and arterial switch operation for complete transposition of the great arteries

From March 1980 to August 1997, 42 patients with complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA) type I and II underwent arterial switch procedure (n = 20) or Senning (n = 22) procedure in our institution. In arterial switch procedure group, there were two operative death. No late death occurred, and one patient underwent reoperation and one underwent balloon pulmonary angioplasty for right sided obstruction. The freedom from the intervention rate for right sided obstruction was 83.0% at 5 years, subsequently. In Senning procedure group, operative death occurred in two patients with TGA type II, and one patient with TGA type II and two patients with type I died because of cardiac events in the late stage. In this group, two patients died from accident. The survival rate excluding accidental deaths was 77.7% and 77.7% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. However, those patients who died in the late stage had severe pre-operative and post-operative complication. In conclusion, mid-term results of arterial switch procedure is satisfactory, however, reintervention rate was not so low. Long term results of Senning procedure without preoperative or postoperative complication was satisfactory.     

Late reoperations after neonatal arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

The arterial switch operation has become the treatment of choice for neonates with transposition of the great arteries. Currently, the early mortality rate is low as well as the need for early reoperation because of surgical failures; in our experience with 803 neonates, these risks were 3.8% and 1.5%, respectively. The late outcome in terms of survival and functional status is excellent. However, surgical repair is far from anatomical and potential late defects were identified as soon as this procedure was introduced: obstruction of the neo-pulmonary outflow tract, development of obstructions of the reimplanted coronary arteries, dysfunction of the neo-aortic valve, and progressive left ventricular dysfunction. Actually, late reoperations are required in 5-10% of patients (4.5% in our experience with a mean follow-up of 5.8 years). The more frequent indications for reoperation are coronary lesions and right ventricular outflow tract obstructions. Coronary obstructions are, in most cases, detected in patients without any clinical or echocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischaemia. Coronary lesions are progressive and repeated coronary evaluation at regular intervals is necessary. Reoperation is indicated when myocardial ischaemia, at rest or under stress, is demonstrated at myocardial imaging. Satisfactory results can be achieved by surgical coronary patch angioplasty; in selected cases, mammary bypass may be necessary. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction is related either to inadequate growth of the pulmonary anastomotic site, or to inadequate growth of the whole new right ventricular outflow tract in patients with associated aortic arch obstruction. Reoperation is indicated when significant obstruction (gradient >50 mmHg) is detected at routine echo-Doppler evaluation. Although neo-aortic root dilation and minimal aortic valve insufficiency are common, reoperation for severe neo-aortic valve dysfunction is, to date, very rarely necessary. Whether this will remain the case in the decades to come requires further evaluation. Left ventricular function is maintained in the vast majority of patients. Reoperation may be indicated in some patients for other reasons: mitral valve malformation, tracheo-bronchial compression or pulmonary hypertension.     

完全性大血管错位和右心室双出口肺动脉瓣下室间隔缺损伴主动脉弓病变的一期矫治手术

目的评估一期纠治完全性大血管错位(TGA)和右心室双出口肺动脉瓣下室间隔缺损(Taussig-B ing)伴主动脉弓病变的手术疗效。方法2001年1月—2004年6月对8例伴主动脉弓病变的TGA(3例)和Taussig-B ing(5例)行一期手术治疗。3例TGA中,室间隔完整型1例,伴室间隔缺损2例;主动脉弓病变为7例主动脉缩窄、1例主动脉弓中断。手术年龄1例为8个月,7例为5 d~3个月,平均40 d,体重3.5~6.3 kg,平均(4.3±0.5)kg。均采用胸骨正中切口。手术先在深低温、停循环下矫治主动脉弓病变,然后在深低温、低流量下行大动脉转换术(Sw itch术)。体外循环转流时间107~159 m in,平均(126±23)m in,主动脉阻断时间63~118 m in,平均(92±16)m in,停循环14~45 m in,平均(30±12)m in。结果手术死亡1例,为8个月Taussig-B ing伴主动脉弓发育不良、冠状动脉畸形患儿,术后因低心排血综合征、Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞、肺高压危象死亡;1例3月龄患儿术后5 d喂奶时窒息死亡。6例随访5个月~2年,生长发育良好,1例Taussig-B ing主动脉弓中断出现吻合口狭窄,压差60 mm Hg;2例出现主动脉瓣轻微返流,1例肺动脉瓣轻度返流。结论一期纠治TGA和Taussig-B ing伴主动脉弓病变能取得较好手术效果,手术死亡原因为肺动脉高压和冠状动脉畸形。     

Long-term coronary artery outcome after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

Objective: To analyse the long-term patency of coronary arteries after neonatal arterial switch operation (ASO). Methods: A retrospective study of the operative reports, follow-up and postoperative catheterisation data of 119 patients, who underwent the great arteries (TGA) repair since 1991, has been carried out. Patient population: Among the 133 survivors of the 137 ASOs performed between 1991 and 2007, 119 patients have been studied by routine control cardiac catheterisation and form the study population. Median time between repair and the coronary angiography was 2.9 ± 1.9 years. A comparison between the eight patients (6.7% out of the entire study population), known to have postoperative coronary obstructions (group I) and the rest of the cohort with angiographic normal coronary vessels (group II) was performed by univariate analysis of variance and logistic regression models. One patient had surgical plasty of the left coronary main stem with subsequent percutaneous angioplasty, three patients had primary coronary stent implantation and four patients had no further intervention at all. In group I, all but one patient denied symptoms of chest pain and echocardiography failed to show any difference between the two groups in terms of left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction group I 61 ± 2% vs 62 ± 6% of group II, p = 1.0). Results: The association of coronary obstruction with complex native coronary anatomy (Yacoub type B to E) was evident at both univariate (62% of group I vs 22% of group II, p = 0.04) and logistic regression (p = 0.007, odds ratio (OR) 8.1) models. The type of coronary reimplantation (i.e., coronary buttons on punch vs trap-door techniques) was similar between the two groups (punch reimplantation in 25% of patients of group I vs 31% of group II, p = 0.1) as was the relative position of the great vessels (aorta anterior in 100% of patients of group I vs 96% of group II; univariate, p = 0.1). Conclusions: The late outcome in terms of survival and functional status after ASO is excellent. Nevertheless, the risk of a clinically silent late coronary artery obstruction of the reimplanted coronary arteries warrants a prolonged follow-up protocol involving invasive angiographic assessment.     

Late outcome after arterial switch operation for complete transposition of great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up of patients who underwent arterial switch operation for complete transposition of great arteries with anatomic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) has rarely been brought into the focus. METHODS: Of 299 patients who underwent an arterial switch operation between January 1991 and January 2001, 23 patients had anatomic LVOTO. Age ranged from 4 days to 18 years (median 90 days) and weight ranged from 2.6 to 35 kg (median 4.3 kg). Surgical management included arterial switch operation, closure of ventricular septal defect wherever indicated, and excision of LVOTO. RESULTS: Among patients with preoperative LVOTO there were 2 early deaths and 8 patients had mild neoaortic regurgitation at the time of discharge. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 9 years (mean 60 +/- 12 months). In 4 patients who had mild neoaortic regurgitation at discharge, the regurgitation progressed to moderate or severe degree after a follow-up of 22 to 72 months. In 1 patient mild mitral regurgitation present at the time of discharge progressed to severe mitral regurgitation. This patient subsequently underwent double valve replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of preoperative anatomical LVOTO in patients undergoing arterial switch operation predicts high incidence of postoperative neoaortic regurgitation.     

Prevalence and predictors of neoaortic regurgitation after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

BACKGROUND: The fate of the native pulmonary valve after arterial switch operation is still unknown and may become a cause for a secondary aortic valve operation during adult life. We evaluated the prevalence and predictive factors associated with neoaortic valvular regurgitation by a retrospective study of children who underwent arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. METHODS: The onset of neoaortic valvular regurgitation was correlated with demographic data, cardiac anatomy, surgical technique, and postoperative ventricular function. The size of the neoaortic root and ascending aorta was measured in a selected subset of patients. RESULTS: Among 253 survivors, 173 were eligible for the study. After a median follow-up time of 8.2 years, 61 patients showed echocardiographic or angiographic evidence of valvular incompetence, which was progressive in 14 cases; this led to surgical intervention in 2 patients, and there was 1 operative death. At multivariate analysis, the onset of valvular regurgitation was correlated with the trap-door technique for coronary reimplantation (P <.01). A smooth transition from the aortic sinus to the ascending aorta, with loss of the normal sinotubular junction geometry, may be associated with valvular incompetence. CONCLUSIONS: After arterial switch operation, there is an increasing frequency of neoaortic regurgitation, which may lead to significant valvular dysfunction later in life. The trap-door type of coronary reimplantation is associated with an increased risk for valvular dysfunction, possibly because of a distortion of the sinotubular junction geometry. For this reason, we recommend the punch technique for repair in all but the most complicated coronary pattern.     

Three-dimensional geometry of coronary arteries after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries and late coronary events

ObjectiveUsing 3-dimensional (3D) modeling to predict late coronary events after the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA).MethodWe reviewed 100 coronary computed tomography scans performed after ASO randomly selected from free-from-coronary-event patients and 21 coronary computed tomography scans from patients who had a coronary event later than 3 years after ASO. Using 3D modeling software, we defined and measured 6 geometric criteria for each coronary artery: Clockwise position of coronary ostium, First centimeter angle defined as the angle between of the coronary artery ostium and the first centimeter of the vessel, Minimal 3D angle between the coronary first centimeter and the aortic wall, ostium height defined as the distance between the ostium and the aortic valve, distance between the coronary ostium and the pulmonary artery, and distance between the coronary first centimeter and the pulmonary artery.ResultsNone of the right ostium geometric parameters were associated with coronary events. Four out of 6 criteria of left coronary artery geometry were associated to coronary events: Clockwise position of the left ostium >67° (P < .001), First centimeter angle >62° (P < .01), minimal 3D angle <39° (P = .003), distance between the coronary ostium and the pulmonary artery <1 mm/mm (P = .03). The association of first centimeter angle >62° and minimal angle in 3D <39° had a 88% sensitivity and a 81% specificity to predict coronary events (receiver operator characteristics curve, 0.847; 95% confidence interval, 0.745-0.949; P < .001).ConclusionsThe acquired geometric characteristics of the transferred left coronary artery are associated with coronary events. Imaging coronary arteries after ASO might be useful to select patients at higher risk of coronary events and to tailor surveillance.     

Amrinone versus dopamine and nitroglycerin in neonates after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of amrinone and a combination of dopamine and nitroglycerin in neonates after reconstructive surgery for transposition of the great arteries. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five neonates with transposition of the great arteries. INTERVENTIONS: A loading dose of amrinone, 2 mg/kg, followed by a maintenance infusion of 7.5 microg/kg/min, were administered to 16 neonates before separation from cardiopulmonary bypass. The remaining 19 patients were administered a combination of dopamine, 5 microg/kg/min, and nitroglycerin, 1 microg/kg/min. An open-label epinephrine infusion was administered in both groups as required. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The circulatory state of the patients was evaluated from 4 to 18 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. The systemic blood flow index, calculated using the Fick principle, was higher in the amrinone group (1.7+/-0.5 L/min/m2 [mean +/- SD]) compared with the dopamine-nitroglycerin group (1.4+/-0.4 L/min/m2; p < 0.04). The systemic vascular resistance in the amrinone group was lower (26+/-8 Wood units x m2) than in the dopamine-nitroglycerin group (35+/-12 Wood units x m2; p < 0.02). The oxygen extraction ratio was higher in the dopamine-nitroglycerin group (0.34+/-0.08) compared with the amrinone group (0.28+/-0.06; p < 0.02). Lower platelet counts were observed in the amrinone group, but no difference in hemorrhagic complications was seen between the groups. CONCLUSION: With the dosage regimen used, supplemented with epinephrine, amrinone provides a higher cardiac output and more favorable oxygen dynamics than a combination of dopamine and nitroglycerin.     

Mid-term follow-up of neoaortic regurgitation after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of the neoaortic valve after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. METHODS: A retrospective review of arterial switch operations that were performed during the period from 1991 to 2003 was conducted. We followed patients with echocardiography. When regurgitation of the neoaortic valve was observed we analyzed the risk factors. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients underwent a successful arterial switch operation. Eighty-one males and 22 females participated in the study. Follow-up period was 77+/-42 months. The age and body weight at the time of the arterial switch operation were 1.4+/-2.8 months and 3.8+/-1.0 kg, respectively. Preoperative pulmonary valve regurgitation was found in six patients (two patients had grade I and four patients had grade II). In the postoperative echocardiography, 52 patients demonstrated neoaortic valve regurgitation (26 patients had grade I, 25 patients had grade II, and 1 patient had grade III). At the last follow-up visit, 61 patients demonstrated neoaortic regurgitation (18 patients had grade I, 37 patients had grade II, 5 patients had grade III, and 1 patient had grade IV). Neoaortic valve regurgitation increased progressively with follow-up (p-value<0.01). The size discrepancy between the aorta and the pulmonary artery was correlated with neoaortic valve regurgitation (p-value=0.02). The age and body surface area, relationship of the great arteries, coronary arterial pattern, pulmonary artery banding, use of trap-door technique, myocardial ischemic time, use of total circulatory arrest, and existence of ventricular septal defect were not significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Neoaortic valve regurgitation progressed after the arterial switch operation. The degree of regurgitation was more severe in patients with a size discrepancy between the aorta and the pulmonary artery preoperatively.     

Surgical treatment of transposition of the great arteries: the arterial switch operation

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is one of the most common congenital cardiac anomalies resulting in cyanosis. Various atrial-level physiological procedures were developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the Senning and Mustard procedure. In 1975, Jatene et al. reported the first successful arterial switch procedure in a patient with d-TGA and ventricular septal defect. In 1977, Yacoub et al. introduced a two-stage repair comprising initial pulmonary artery banding to retain the left ventricle, supplemented by a systemic-pulmonary artery shunt, thereby potentially expanding the arterial switch procedure to a much wider population of patients. In 1983, the concept of the primary neonatal arterial switch procedure was introduced by Castaneda et al. Since then, the primary artery switch procedure in neonates and early infants has become the standard for the treatment of TGA. This is due to the fact that the only the arterial switch procedure allows complete anatomical repair. In Japan, 102 neonates with simple TGA underwent the arterial switch procedure, with hospital death occurring in 21 (20.6% mortality rate) according to the 1998 annual report. In Okayama University Hospital, 48 neonates, underwent the arterial switch procedure, with 1 hospital death (2.1% mortality rate) and no late deaths since 1991.     

169例动脉调转手术治疗大动脉转位的早、中期结果

目的 探讨大动脉调转手术(ASO)治疗完全性大动脉转位(TGA)的早、中期结果,分析其随访死亡、术后主动脉瓣反流及肺动脉狭窄的危险因素.方法 2004年1月至2007年12月,169例行动脉调转术病儿入选,其中男129例,女40例,平均年龄(11.7±26.3)个月.病儿分两组:Ⅰ组为室间隔完整组(56例),Ⅱ组为室间隔缺损组(113例).所有术后生存病儿均进行超声随访,平均随访时间(27.7±14.6)个月.危险因素采用Logistic回归模型分析.结果 全组住院死亡19例(11.24%),两组间差异无统计学意义.随着整体治疗水平的提高,住院病死率由2004年的16.67%下降到2007年的3.92%.1、3及5年生存率分别为94.00%、91.33%及91.33%,两组间差异无统计学意义.Logistic回归分析发现,ASO术后随访死亡的危险因素为手术年龄大于6个月;术后主动脉瓣反流的危险因素为合并室间隔缺损、年龄大于6个月、术后新主动脉瓣Z值>1;术后肺动脉狭窄的危险因素为手术年龄小于1个月和肺动脉采用补片成形.结论 ASO手术具有良好的早、中期结果,是治疗完全性大动脉转位的理想术式.TGA病儿应该尽早手术治疗,手术年龄大于6个月是随访死亡及主动脉瓣反流的重要危险因素;新主动脉根部与主动脉远端不匹配是术后主动脉瓣反流的危险因素;病儿的生长发育与肺动脉成形材料无生长特性的矛盾是导致术后肺动脉狭窄的危险因素.     

Midterm results after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: a single centre experience

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The arterial switch operation (ASO) has become the surgical approach of choice for d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). There is, however an increased incidence of midterm and longterm adverse sequelae in some survivors. In order to evaluate operative risk and midterm outcome in this population, we reviewed patients who underwent ASO for TGA at our centre. METHODS: In this retrospective study 52 consecutive patients with TGA who underwent ASO between 04/1991 and 12/1999 were included. To analyze the predictors for mortality and adverse events (coronary stenoses, distortion of the pulmonary arteries, dilatation of the neoaortic root, and aortic regurgitation), a multivariate analysis was performed. The follow-up time was ranged from 1--10 years (mean 5 years, cumulative 260 patient-years). RESULTS: All over mortality rate was 15.4 % and was only observed in the early postoperative period till 1994. The predictors for poor operative survival were low APGAR-score, older age at surgery, and necessity of associated surgical procedures. Late re-operations were necessary in 6 patients (13.6 %) and included a pulmonary artery patch enlargement due to supravalvular stenosis (n = 3), coronary revascularisation due to coronary stenosis in a coronary anatomy type E, aortic valve replacement due to neoaortic valve regurgitation (n = 2), and patch-plasty of a pulmonary vein due to obstruction (n = 1). The dilatation of neoaortic root was not observed in the follow up. CONCLUSIONS: ASO remains the procedure of choice for TGA with acceptable early and late outcome in terms of overall survival and freedom of reoperation. Although ASO is often complex and may be associated with morbidity, most patients survived without major complications even in a small centre.     

Modified arterial switch operation by spiral reconstruction of the great arteries in transposition

Background. Spiral relationship of the normally related great arteries (SRGA) has never been reconstructed in an arterial switch operation.

Methods. From March 1998 to April 1999, 9 consecutive cases of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) family (from 2 days to 1.6 years old) underwent arterial switch operations with SRGA at our hospital. Two had a congenitally corrected TGA (plus atrial redirection). Lecompte maneuver was not used in all. The posterior wall of pulmonary trunk was not divided but three were reattached, two of whom had had previous pulmonary trunk banding. Thus the wall was shared between the great arteries facing each other.

Results. All survived the operation. Supraaortic stenosis was balloon-dilated in 2 cases of early series, but technical modifications later were able to avoid it. Angiogram showed smooth flow into SRGA without upward and anterior tilting of the pulmonary bifurcation. All great and coronary arteries were patent. All were doing well on follow-up (16.5 ± 4.2 months).

Conclusions. We concluded that the techniques to relocate the coronary arteries using common wall and in situ switch could also be applied to pulmonary arterial reconstruction, so that SRGA can be resumed in TGA.     

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 artries 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.     

False aneurysm formation of the great arteries after arterial switch operation

An infant with simple transposition of the great arteries underwent a two-staged arterial switch operation, after which mediastinal infection occurred. Continuous irrigation with povidone-iodine solution was performed for 10 days. After that, the patient experienced life-threatening hemorrhage three times. At the time of the second hemorrhage, greater omental transfer was performed. On postoperative day 109, false aneurysm was recognized, having developed from both great arteries. Successful repair was performed on postoperative day 110.