title: Influence of bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis and concomitant valve repair on atrioventricular valve annulus and function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) and valve annulus after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BCPA) and adequate indications for valve repair are unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the size of the valve annulus and the grade of AVVR before and immediately after BCPA, and at the most recent follow-up before the Fontan operation in 37 patients with a functional single ventricle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients underwent concomitant valve surgery. The mean z value of the valve annulus was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively in the 28 patients who were not treated by valve surgery (0.45 vs 1.51, p=0.01). However, mean regurgitation scores did not significantly change after BCPA (1.60 vs 1.78, p=0.08). The most recent assessment showed that the mean z value increased compared with that immediately after BCPA (1.36 vs 0.45, p=0.005). This increase was significant in the patients with moderate regurgitation. The mean z value of the valve annulus of the patients treated by concomitant valvuloplasty was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (-0.25 vs 3.9, p=0.0001) and remained low at the latest evaluation. Mean regurgitation scores also significantly decreased after BCPA (2.25 vs 3.37, p=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unloading the systemic ventricle by BCPA leads to a decrease in the relative size of the atrioventricular valve. However, this decrease does not improve the degree of AVVR in the absence of concomitant valve repair. Concomitant valve repair is justified in patients with moderate or worse AVVR and an abnormal valve structure.
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Saitama International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Shunsuke
authors: S
authors: Yamagishi
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Saitama International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Ayumu
authors: A
authors: Masuoka
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Saitama International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Yoshimasa
authors: Y
authors: Uno
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Saitama International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Katogi
authors: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Saitama International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan. Electronic address: tksuzuki@me.com.
authors: Takaaki
authors: T
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000379:methods*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*