title: Coronary artery pattern and outcome of arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prior studies of coronary pattern and outcome after arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) have been hindered by limited statistical power. This meta-analysis assesses the effect of coronary anatomy on post-ASO mortality, both overall and adjusted for time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A literature search revealed 9 independent series that reported post-ASO mortality by coronary pattern in a total of 1942 patients. Odds ratios comparing all-cause mortality in patients with usual versus variant coronary patterns were calculated and combined by use of an empirical Bayesian model. Single coronary patterns, both of which loop around the great vessels, were associated with significant mortality (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.8), whereas looping patterns that arose from 2 separate ostia were not (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.9). This latter group includes patients with the most common variant, circumflex from right coronary artery. Patients with an intramural coronary artery had the greatest mortality (OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.9 to 14.2). Overall, patients with any variant coronary pattern had nearly twice the mortality seen in those with the usual pattern (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.4). Single ostium patterns and intramural coronary arteries remained associated with significant added mortality after adjustment for time-trend effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over the past 2 decades, patients with common coronary variants have undergone ASO without added mortality compared with those with the usual coronary pattern. Those with intramural or single coronary arteries have significant added mortality that has persisted over time.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Cardiovascular Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pasquali
authors.forename: Vic
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hasselblad
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013997:Time Factors; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome