Atrial switch operation: past, present, and future.
The atrial switch operation was developed by the efforts of many surgeons, with the most notable contributions made by Blalock, Hanlon, Albert, Baffes, Senning, and Mustard. The atrial switch operation was the first definitive repair for patients with transposition of great arteries and produced good results. Although it is rarely performed today, the atrial switch is not merely of historical interest as there remain a few important indications for this operation. A thorough understanding of the atrial switch is still required for surgeons dealing with complex congenital cardiac malformations. Herein we summarize the history, review long-term results, and discuss the future of the atrial switch operation.
Konstantinov
Igor E
IE
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. igorkonst@hotmail.com
Alexi-Meskishvili
Vladimir V
VV
Williams
William G
WG
Freedom
Robert M
RM
Van Praagh
Richard
R
D049673:History, 20th Century; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000266:history*; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery