Background: There is ongoing discussion as to whether it is beneficial to avoid pulmonary
sinus augmentation in the arterial switch operation. We report a single-surgeon series of mid-term results for direct pulmonary artery anastomosis during switch operation for transposition
of the great arteries (TGA).
Methods: This retrospective study includes 17 patients with TGA, combined with an atrial
septal defect, patent foramen ovale or ventricular septal defect. Patient data was analyzed from
hospital charts, including operative reports, post-operative course, and regular follow-up investigations.
The protocol included cardiological examination by a single pediatric cardiologist.
Echocardiographic examinations were performed immediately after arrival on the intensive
unit, before discharge, and then after three, six, and 12 months, followed by yearly intervals.
Pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) was categorized into three groups according to the Doppler-measured pulmonary gradient: grade I (trivial stenosis) = increased pulmonary flow with
a gradient below 25 mm Hg; grade II (moderate stenosis) = a gradient ranging from 25 to
49 mm Hg; and grade III (severe stenosis) = a gradient above 50 mm Hg. Follow-up data was
available for all patients. The length of follow-up ranged from 1.2 to 9.7 years, median:
7.5 years (mean 6.1 years ± 14 months).
Results: During follow-up, 12 patients (70.6%) had no (or only trivial) PAS, five patients
(29.4%) had moderate stenosis without progress, and no patient had severe PAS. Cardiac
catheterization after arterial switch operation was performed in 11 patients (64.7%) and
showed a good correlation with echocardiographic findings. During follow-up there was no reintervention
for PAS.
Conclusions: Direct reconstruction of the neo-pulmonary artery is a good option in TGA with
antero-posterior position of the great vessels, with very satisfactory mid-term results. (Cardiol J
2010; 17, 6: 574-579