Results of definitive repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect in neonates and infants.
BACKGROUND
Early surgical intervention for complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) has contributed to a decline in postoperative mortality.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated outcomes in 116 complete AVSD patients undergoing definitive repair from February 1997 through October 2002. Patients with an unbalanced AVSD not suitable for biventricular repair, tetralogy of Fallot, or double-outlet right ventricle were excluded.


RESULTS
Median age at operation was 4.8 months (range, 9 days to 5.4 years); weight was 4.8 kg (range, 2.1 to 23 kg). Follow-up was 93% complete (mean, 27 months; range, 1 to 73 months). Early definitive repairs were performed in 98% (110 of 112) of patients initially presenting to our institution. Ninety-two patients (79%) underwent repair before 6 months of age, including 25 (22%) before 3 months. Actuarial survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 98%, 95%, and 95%, respectively. Seventy-five patients (68%) had trivial to mild left AV valve regurgitation at discharge; moderate or severe left AV valve stenosis developed in 3 (3%). Actuarial freedom from reoperation for left AV valve dysfunction at 1, 3, and 5 years was 94%, 89%, and 89%, respectively. Actuarial freedom from reoperation for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 93%, and 90%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Definitive repair for complete AVSD can be performed in early infancy with excellent results. The two-patch technique is a safe and reproducible surgical method that can achieve low mortality and good midterm outcomes even in very young infants.
Suzuki
Takaaki
T
Section of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Bove
Edward L
EL
Devaney
Eric J
EJ
Ishizaka
Toru
T
Goldberg
Caren S
CS
Hirsch
Jennifer C
JC
Ohye
Richard G
RG
D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000601:surgery