title: Improved results after repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the historical impact on the outcomes of early primary repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) at our institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since 1976, a total of 185 children with complete AVSD have been referred to our unit. Prior to 1990, 78 children received conservative therapy, and selected 51 patients underwent surgical repair (group 1). After 1990, all referred children underwent surgical repair (n = 56; group 2). Pre- and postoperative parameters were analyzed and compared among the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age at operation was 15.4 +/- 20.4 versus 9.9 +/- 18.0 months in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Association with Down syndrome (53% vs. 82%; p < 0.01) and with patent ductus arteriosus (16 vs. 34%; p < 0.05) was less frequent in group 1. No difference was seen regarding preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance index (RPI). Actuarial survival at 15 years has improved in group 2 (69.3 +/- 6.7 vs. 90.8 +/- 3.9%; p < 0.05). Freedom from reoperation of the left atrioventricular valve at 15 years was not significantly different (78.8 +/- 6.8 vs. 90.6 +/- 4.7%; p = 0.23). Risk factor analysis identified an RPI >6.0 WU/m(2) as a risk for early death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By operating on the patients with complete AVSD earlier and not excluding patients with Down syndrome, recent results had definitely improved over the last decades. Despite this positive result, a high RPI exceeding 6 WU/m(2) still remains a risk factor for early mortality independent of early primary repair.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Ono.Masamichi@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goerler
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boethig
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: Mechthild
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westhoff-Bleck
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Breymann
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D015996:Survival Rate