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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:234-241
© 2001 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) |
From the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Section of Pediatric Cardiology,a Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine,b Section of Biostatistics,c and Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery,d Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Received for publication June 29, 2000. Revisions requested Aug 24, 2000; revisions received Dec 27, 2000. Accepted for publication Feb 12, 2001. Address for reprints: R. H. Feldt, MD, 200 First St, SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (E-mail: feldt.robert{at}mayo.edu).
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the early and late results for children having operations for defects associated with corrected transposition of the great arteries and other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance.
Methods: Data on 111 children operated on from July 1, 1971, through January 31, 1996, including clinic records, operative reports, and follow-up visits and questionnaires, were analyzed with particular reference to variables associated with early and late mortality, reoperations, ventricular function, and status of the atrioventricular valves.
Results: Complex associated anomalies were common and included double-outlet right ventricle (n = 43) and situs abnormalities (n = 38). Overall early mortality was 16%; for the 29 patients operated on after 1986, early mortality was 3%. Early survival was adversely affected by patch repair of ventricular septal defect and early operative interval. Follow-up of the 93 early survivors extended to 26.5 years (mean 11.4 years). Overall survival was 77% (±4%) at 5 years and 67% (±5%) at 10 years. Late survival was adversely affected by prior operations, more severe preoperative functional class, and cardiac rhythm other than sinus. Reoperation was required for 38 (41%) patients, most commonly for conduit replacement (n = 22) or repair/replacement of the systemic ventricle atrioventricular valve (n = 13).
Conclusions: These results can serve as a basis for comparison with newer surgical alternatives proposed for corrected transposition of the great arteries.
The surgical management of patients with corrected transposition of the great arteries (corrected TGA; atrioventricular discordance with ventriculoarterial discordance) and other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance has been a topic of continued discussion. Previous reports have suggested a pessimistic outlook for patients who have undergone repair of the defects associated with corrected TGA.
1-5 There has recently been interest in alternative operations that allow the morphologically left ventricle to become the systemic ventricle (SV), such as the "double switch" procedure, modifications of the Rastelli procedure, and modifications of the Fontan operation.
6-8 Operative results and early follow-up experience of these new operations have been optimistic.
6,7 However, no intermediate or long-term results of these operations have been published.
Data on long-term follow-up pertaining to ventricular function for patients with corrected TGA have only been reported in relatively small series.
9-11 In addition, patients with corrected TGA have survived into adult life, had children, and functioned reasonably well.
12-14 This subset tends not to have severe impairment caused by associated defects and often has preserved SV function.
The purpose of this article is to present the results of a study of a series of patients with corrected TGA and other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance who were operated on at our institution before 21 years of age and who had repair of the associated congenital cardiac defects. A better understanding of the risk factors for early and late mortality from conventional operations can serve as a basis for comparison with the results of the more recently advocated operations for these anomalies.
Patients and methods
Methods
Patients selected for this study had corrected TGA with significant associated defects that required repair. These included the distinctive syndrome of atrioventricular discordance, double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, and discordant cardiac situs.
15,16 For simplicity, corrected TGA and the other anomalies with atrioventricular discordance will be grouped together under the term corrected TGA for the remainder of this review. In each instance, patients had biventricular repair in which all defects were repaired. Operations corrected the cardiac defects associated with corrected TGA and used extracardiac conduits from the pulmonary ventricle (PV) to the pulmonary artery when indicated. In each instance, the morphologically right ventricle remained the SV and the morphologically left ventricle was made the PV. The atrioventricular valves (AVVs) were assigned to either the SV or the PV.
Patients included were those operated on before 21 years of age from July 1, 1971, through January 31, 1996. Patient charts were reviewed, including results from cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography, and echocardiographic studies. Previous echocardiographic tapes, when available, were reviewed by one of the coauthors (H.M.C.). Preoperative echocardiographic studies were included if they were done within 100 days of the operation. Follow-up data were compiled from subsequent clinic visits, reports from physicians, results of patient questionnaires, and echocardiographic tapes from home physicians. The AVV connecting the morphologically left atrium with the (morphologically right) systemic ventricle (tricuspid valve) was designated as the systemic ventricle atrioventricular valve (SVAVV). The AVV connecting the morphologically right atrium with the (morphologically left) pulmonary ventricle (mitral valve) was designated as the pulmonary ventricle atrioventricular valve (PVAVV).
Data tabulated included age at operation, sex of the patients, and calendar year of operation. Associated defects were recorded, as well as the presence or absence of DORV and situs abnormalities. The number and type of previous operations, data on cardiac rhythm including need for pacemakers, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classifications before the operation and at last follow-up were recorded. Perioperative data recorded included specific type of operative repair, postoperative complications, postoperative cardiac rhythm, and early mortality. Long-term follow-up data recorded included vital status, need for and type of reoperation, and date of last follow-up.
Assessment of ventricular function was derived solely from retrospective review of echocardiograms. Estimates of ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were analyzed as numerical data whenever possible. Early echocardiographic studies did not have numerical assessment of ventricular function. Therefore, all available echocardiograms were reviewed for qualitative assessment of ventricular function. Qualitative assessment of ventricular function was recorded as normal, mildly reduced, moderately reduced, and severely reduced. Ventricular function was considered normal when the EF was 55% or greater, mildly reduced (EF 40%-54%), moderately reduced (EF 30%-39%), and severely reduced (EF 29% or less). SV function was primarily evaluated in a qualitative fashion according to the ACC/AHA Practice Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Echocardiograms (1997).
16a
AVV insufficiency was also assessed from echocardiograms. Qualitative severity of AVV insufficiency was based on visual inspection combining variables of jet area, jet width, atrial size, venous flow, and AVV morphology.
Statistical methods evaluated various preoperative and perioperative factors that may have been associated with early and late mortality. Early mortality was defined as in-hospital death or death within 30 days of the index operation. Univariate associations with early mortality were evaluated on the basis of the
2 test or the Fisher exact test for nominal or dichotomous scaled variables and based on the Wilcoxon rank sum test for ordinal or continuous scaled variables. Late mortality was defined as death after early survival. Survival estimates were calculated by means of the Kaplan-Meier method. Overall survival started at the index operation and late survival started 30 days after the index operation (there were no in-hospital deaths after 30 days). Univariate associations with patient survival were assessed on the basis of separate Cox regression models. Continuously scaled variables were assessed by means of single 1 degree of freedom terms, and categorical variables with k levels were assessed with the use of (K-1) dummy variables in the Cox regression models. The calendar year of index operation was categorized as 1971-1976, 1977-1986, and 1987-1996 and analyzed as an ordinal variable. The first interval (6 years, 1971-1976) began with the availability of extracardiac conduits, the second interval (10 years, 1977-1986) began with our use of cold cardioplegia, and the third interval (10 years, 1987-1996) constituted the most recent 10-year experience. A multivariable Cox regression model using a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify the set of factors most significantly associated with survival. All calculated P values were 2-sided.
Patient population
A total of 111 patients were included in this study, 70 male and 41 female patients. The mean age at operation was 9.0 years with the range being 94 days to 20 years. The operation dates were from July 1, 1971, through January 31, 1996, with the median year of operation being 1980. Complex anatomy and situs abnormalities (defined as situs solitus of viscera and atria with isolated dextrocardia, situs inversus of viscera and atria with dextrocardia, or situs inversus of viscera and atria with isolated levocardia) were common. Thirty-eight (34%) patients had situs abnormalities (Table 1). Forty-three (39%) patients had DORV, and 29 (67%) of those had situs abnormalities(Table 1
).
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The most common procedure performed at the time of repair was patch or suture closure of a VSD (n = 101). Other procedures performed are shown in Table 3.
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Thirty-six patients had both preoperative and pre-hospital discharge echocardiograms (SV, P = .17; PV, P = 1.00; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Of 31 pre-discharge echocardiograms reviewed for SV function, the function was noted to be normal in 10, mildly reduced in 15, moderately reduced in 5, and severely reduced in 1 patient. Of 28 pre-discharge studies reviewed for PV function, function was normal in 23 and mildly reduced in 5 patients.
Forty-one patients had follow-up echocardiographic studies of SV function (range of follow-up, 24 days to 26 years); function was normal in 8, mildly reduced in 23, moderately reduced in 5, and severely reduced in 5 patients. Among 37 patients who had follow-up echocardiographic studies of PV function, function was normal in 25, mildly reduced in 10, moderately reduced in 1, and severely reduced in 1 patient.
Data from patients who had EF estimated on a preoperative echocardiogram and also on a postoperative echocardiogram more than 1 year after surgery were analyzed. In the case of multiple follow-up echocardiograms, the most recent was used (Figure 4, A and B). Mean preoperative SV EF was 49% and follow-up EF was 43% (n = 13) (P = .031). Mean preoperative PV EF was 60% and follow-up EF was 62% (n = 10) (P = .39).
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AVVs
The associations between preoperative ventricular function and presence or absence of AVV insufficiency were analyzed. Preoperative SV EF and SVAVV insufficiency were compared for 33 patients for whom data were available. Twenty-one (64%) patients had no insufficiency, trivial, or mild SVAVV insufficiency, and their mean EF was 49%. Twelve (36%) patients had moderate or severe SVAVV insufficiency, and their mean EF was slightly lower (46%) (P = .50). Preoperative PV EF and degree of PVAVV insufficiency were compared for 24 patients for whom data were available. All 24 patients had no insufficiency, trivial, or mild PVAVV insufficiency, and their mean EF was 55%.
The association between degree of AVV insufficiency and type of cardiac anatomy was also analyzed. The presence of DORV was favorably associated with a lesser degree of SVAVV insufficiency (P = .003). Of 43 patients with DORV, 23 had no insufficiency, mild, or trivial insufficiency, 3 had moderate insufficiency, and only 1 had severe SVAVV insufficiency (in 16 the degree of insufficiency was unknown). Of 68 patients without DORV, 26 had no insufficiency, mild, or trivial insufficiency, 3 had moderate, and 19 had severe SVAVV insufficiency (in 20 the degree of insufficiency was unknown).
AVV status was analyzed among early survivors to assess the tendency for progression of insufficiency. Data were reviewed on 14 patients who had no or trivial SVAVV insufficiency at preoperative assessment, survived the operation, and had a follow-up assessment at least 1 year after the operation (mean follow-up, 9.0 years). Only 2 patients remained free of SVAVV insufficiency on follow-up. Five patients had mild, 5 moderate, and 2 severe SVAVV insufficiency on follow-up. Data were also reviewed on 13 patients who had no or trivial PVAVV insufficiency at preoperative assessment (mean follow-up, 10.1 years). Six of these continued to have no or trivial PVAVV insufficiency, but 3 had mild, 3 had moderate, and 1 had severe PVAVV insufficiency.
Discussion
To our knowledge, this series of 111 patients represents the largest experience and longest follow-up of operations for corrected TGA reported for the pediatric age group. The frequency of situs abnormalities and DORV(Table 1
) with corrected TGA in these patient represents an experience that is equal to or more complex than other series.
1-4
The overall early mortality of 16% and the more recent early mortality of 3% (95% confidence intervals, 0.1%-17.8%) compare favorably with published reports.
1-4 Important risk factors for early mortality were found to be patch repair of a large VSD and earlier calendar year of index operation. These findings have not been emphasized in previous reports. The small number of patients with moderate or severe reduction in ventricular function in this series precluded evaluation of ventricular function as a risk factor.
In previous reports from our institution, we had noted that development of complete heart block at the time of operation was associated with a higher early mortality.
17,18 Such an association was not observed in this series. Current refinements in techniques for avoiding injury to the conduction bundle during closure of the VSD and during relief of PV outflow tract obstruction have led to a lower incidence of perioperative heart block.
19-23
Risk factors for late mortality included more severe preoperative NYHA class, need for previous operation, and preoperative cardiac rhythm other than sinus rhythm. These findings are unique to this report.
There is evidence for poorer prognosis for patients at older age at the index operation if preoperative SV function has been reduced. This finding suggests earlier operation may be indicated for those with impaired SV function.
The need for repair or replacement of the SVAVV was common both at the index operation and at reoperation, but SVAVV insufficiency was not found to be a risk factor for early or late mortality in this pediatric cohort. This observation differs from other reports that include patients of all ages.
24-26 Abnormalities of the SVAVV (morphologically tricuspid valve) in corrected transposition are so common that they may be considered an intrinsic part of the pathophysiology of this condition.
8,24,27 There are often severe dysplastic changes in the leaflets, and the septal and posterior leaflets may be displaced in a "left-sided" Ebstein-type of anomaly.
8,28 In our experience, significant SVAVV insufficiency is best treated by valve replacement rather than valve repair.
In a recent report from our institution in which patients over the age of 20 years were not excluded,
24 the early and late mortality were both associated with an SV EF of less than 44%. This was not found in this series of pediatric patients. Ventricular function, especially SV function, can clearly deteriorate with time in some patients with corrected TGA, as noted in this review; three patients in this series ultimately required cardiac transplantation. SVAVV insufficiency and SV dysfunction are closely interrelated.
24 Accordingly, all survivors should have appropriate follow-up visits with particular attention to SVAVV competence, SV function, and cardiac rhythm. Patients with corrected TGA may have the same long-term outlook as patients who have had the Senning or Mustard operations,
29 but our follow-up period has not been long enough to address this.
Complete heart block was commonly encountered preoperatively, perioperatively, and at follow-up. This finding is consistent with the previous observation by Huhta and colleagues,
27 who noted a significant rate of spontaneous heart block in patients with corrected TGA over time. The fact that almost one third of current survivors have a functioning pacemaker is similar to at least one previous report.
3
The cumulative probability of having a reoperation by 10 years was 41%, and this is similar to that of published reports.
3 Fortunately, the need for reoperation did not affect late survival statistics in this series, as there was no early mortality associated with reoperation except for 1 patient who died after cardiac transplantation. Primary reasons for reoperation included AVV insufficiency and residual/recurrent VSD, as noted in other reports.
1,3 The need for late reoperation for AVV insufficiency, especially SVAVV insufficiency, suggests that, for some patients, AVV insufficiency is progressive. Similar observations have been made by others.
24,25
Advocates of the double-switch procedure (atrial switch [Mustard or Senning] plus arterial switch) or atrial switch plus a modified Rastelli operation have cited concerns regarding SV function and late morbidity and mortality as reasons for undertaking these newer approaches.
6-8 There is a compelling theoretical advantage to making the morphologically left ventricle the SV. There may be less need for reoperation for replacement of the morphologically tricuspid valve, which would function under lower (pulmonary) pressure after a double-switch procedure. In our experience, these operations require a longer operating time, which may adversely affect early morbidity and mortality. They would be vulnerable to the known late complications of atrial and arterial switches and Rastelli procedures as well. The progressive need for pacemaker placement in patients with corrected TGA would probably not be affected by the newer procedures.
This report of early and long-term results in a large series of patients who have undergone conventional operations for the defects associated with corrected TGA should serve as a basis for comparison with newer surgical alternatives.
Acknowledgments
We are indebted to Beth G. Scherer, MS, Department of Biostatistics, for valuable help with the statistical analyses and to Merrilee S. Rogotzke and Lenore M. Bille for excellent secretarial support.
Footnotes
Dr Biliciler-Denktas is currently a Fellow in Pediatric Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. ![]()
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