Early cavopulmonary anastomosis in very young infants after the Norwood procedure: impact on oxygenation, resource utilization, and mortality.
BACKGROUND
The optimal timing of second-stage palliation after Norwood operations remains undefined. Advantages of early cavopulmonary anastomosis are early elimination of volume load and shortening the high-risk interstage period. Potential disadvantages include severe cyanosis, prolonged pleural drainage and hospitalization, and excess mortality. We reviewed our recent experience to evaluate the safety of early cavopulmonary anastomosis.


METHODS
Eighty-five consecutive patients undergoing post-Norwood operation cavopulmonary anastomosis were divided into group I (cavopulmonary anastomosis at <4 months; n = 33) and group II (cavopulmonary anastomosis at >4 months; n = 52). Groups were compared for age; size; early and late mortality; preoperative, initial postoperative, and discharge oxygen saturation; and duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, pleural drainage, and hospitalization.


RESULTS
Group I patients were younger than group II patients (94 +/- 21 days vs 165 +/- 44 days, respectively; P <.001) and smaller (4.8 +/- 0.8 kg vs 5.8 +/- 0.9 kg; P <.001). The preoperative oxygen saturation was not different (group I, 75% +/- 10%; group II, 78% +/- 8%; P =.142). The oxygen saturation was lower immediately after surgery in group I compared with group II (75% +/- 7% vs 81% +/- 7%, respectively; P <.001) but not by discharge (group I, 79% +/- 4%; group II, 80% +/- 4%). Younger patients were ventilated longer (62 +/- 86 hours vs 19 +/- 42 hours; P =.001), in the intensive care unit longer (130 +/- 111 hours vs 104 +/- 94 hours; P =.049), hospitalized longer (12.5 +/- 11.5 days vs 10.3 +/- 14.8 days; P =.012), and required longer pleural drainage (106 +/- 45 hours vs 104 +/- 93 hours; P =.046). Hospital survival was 100% in both groups. Actuarial survival to 12 months was 96% +/- 4% for group I and 96% +/- 3% for group II.


CONCLUSIONS
Early cavopulmonary anastomosis after the Norwood operation is safe. Younger patients are more cyanotic initially after surgery and have a longer duration of mechanical ventilation, pleural drainage, intensive care unit stay, and hospitalization.
Jaquiss
Robert D B
RD
Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Medical College of Wisconsin, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 53226, USA. rjaquiss@chw.org
Ghanayem
Nancy S
NS
Hoffman
George M
GM
Fedderly
Raymond T
RT
Cava
Joseph R
JR
Mussatto
Kathleen A
KA
Tweddell
James S
JS
D000367:Age Factors; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000401:mortality; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018610:Heart Bypass, Right / Q000401:mortality; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007902:Length of Stay; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014922:Wisconsin
D010100:Oxygen