Long-term outcomes after an arterial switch operation for simple complete transposition of the great arteries.
OBJECTIVE
Although coronary artery obstruction, aortic insufficiency (AI), and pulmonary stenosis (PS) have been reported after arterial switch operation (ASO), limited long-term studies on ASO exist. Our study aimed to examine long-term outcomes after ASO for simple complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA).


METHODS
All 108 patients with simple complete TGA who underwent ASO at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1987 and 2004 were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed the patients' medical records and the results of various functional and imaging studies.


RESULTS
Among 108 cases of ASO for simple TGA, 96 have been followed-up through the present time (mean follow-up duration was 11.7+/-8.6 years: range= 4 to 23 years). The 20-year rates of freedom from significant AI, PS, and coronary obstruction were 78.6%, 67.8%, and 95.8%, respectively. AI showed a tendency to progress as follow-up time increased in 21.4% of the population studied (p=0.014); however, AS, PS, and PI showed no such progression. Late coronary artery occlusion was not associated with the initial coronary arterial pattern. Re-operations were done for 13 patients (13.5%) at an average of 8+/-4.3 years after ASO. The survival rate was 96%, while the re-operation-free was 90% at 10 years and 83% at 20 years. Most patients showed normal physical growth with good activity {98%; New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 1 activity} and normal development (96%).


CONCLUSIONS
Although most patients showed normal physical growth and development after successful ASO, meticulous long-term follow-up is necessary because of progressive AI and coronary complications.
Choi
Byeong Sam
BS
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kwon
Bo Sang
BS
Kim
Gi Beom
GB
Bae
Eun Jung
EJ
Noh
Chung Il
CI
Choi
Jung Yun
JY
Yun
Yong Soo
YS
Kim
Woong Han
WH
Lee
Jeong Ryul
JR
Kim
Yong Jin
YJ