title: Predictors for late insufficiency of the neo-aortic valve after the switch procedure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aim was to investigate the mid-term risk factors for neo-aortic regurgitation in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and Taussig-Bing malformation after the arterial switch operation (ASO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2001 and December 2007, a total of 202 patients with TGA or Taussig-Bing malformation underwent the ASO at the authors' institution. Subsequently, 185 surviving patients (140 males, 45 females; mean age 14 +/- 28 months) were followed up in the out-patient department, using echocardiography. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for postoperative neo-aortic regurgitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean period of follow up was 35 +/- 22 months (range: 3 to 88 months). Postoperative neo-aortic regurgitation was present in 19 patients; this was mild in 16 cases (9%) and moderate in three (2%). During the follow up, freedom from aortic regurgitation was 90%; the overall rates of freedom from aortic regurgitation at one, three, and five years were 95%, 89%, and 83%, respectively. The mid-term risk factors for neo-aortic regurgitation were ventricular septal defect (VSD) (p = 0.02), operative age >6 months (p = 0.01), and a postoperative neo-aortic valve Z-score >1 (p <0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ASO showed an acceptable midterm function of the aortic valve. The risk factors for postoperative neo-aortic regurgitation included VSD, operative age >6 months, and a postoperative neo-aortic valve Z-score >1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xiangbin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Shengshou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Shoujun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yajuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004310:Double Outlet Right Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome