30 years' experience with the arterial switch operation: risk of pulmonary stenosis and its impact on post-operative prognosis.

Pulmonary stenosis is one of the most common complications in patients with transposition of the great arteries after the arterial switch operation. The reason for this is multifactorial and related to the anterior shift of the pulmonary trunk during the LeCompte manoeuvre, the complex suture line required to fill the gaps after harvesting the coronary arteries, and the need for patch implantation to maintain a tensionless anastomosis.We reviewed all patients with transposition of the great arteries operated on at our institute between 1991 and 2020 to establish the frequency of pulmonary stenosis during post-operative follow-up, reinterventions, and reoperations related to pulmonary stenosis and its potential risk factors.

Intramural coronary pattern in patients with transposition: incidence and impact on follow-up.

Objectives: Coronary complications are still the main reason for early mortality after an arterial switch operation. The high incidence of coronary anomalies in patients with transposition of the great arteries may increase the difficulty of coronary transfer, and among them, an intramural pattern was shown to be an independent risk factor of early mortality. However, recently published studies have reported that this rare coronary variant has no impact on the survival rate.

Neoaortic Regurgitation in Patients with Transposition Long Term After an Arterial Switch Operation and Its Relation to the Root Diameters and Surgical Technique Used.

Neoaortic regurgitation and root dilatation are common findings in patients with transposition after an arterial switch operation. The aim of this study was to describe the relation between neoaortic regurgitation long term after an arterial switch procedure, aortic root diameters, and surgical technique used. We also assessed the agreement of the neoaortic regurgitation grade and root diameters in different imaging modalities.

Can we predict potentially dangerous coronary patterns in patients with transposition of the great arteries after an arterial switch operation?

Introduction: Coronary artery complications are the main reason for early mortality after an arterial switch operation. Late complications are relatively rare, and there is no consensus regarding the need or indications for routine follow-up coronary artery evaluations or the best first-line assessment modality. The aim of this study was to present the long-term post-operative frequency of coronary abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with transposition of the great arteries discovered by coronary CT angiography and potential "red flags" revealed by other examinations.

Successful Late Recruitment of the Occluded Left Main Coronary Artery After Initial Arterial Switch Operation.

We describe a surgical technique for late recruitment of the proximally occluded left main coronary artery (LMCA) after initial arterial switch operation, which had been complicated by severe left ventricular dysfunction. This technique allowed for LMCA recanalization, using the patent conal artery branching off the LMCA close to the ostium. It is particularly useful in small children, where surgical options for coronary arteries are limited and associated with a high risk of restenosis.

Usefulness of Routine Coronary CT Angiography in Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries After an Arterial Switch Operation.

Coronary complications in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after an arterial switch operation (ASO) are relatively rare, but of all the possible postoperative adverse events, they are potentially the most dangerous. The fate of the coronary arteries, which are transplanted during the neonatal ASO, remains uncertain. There is also no consensus regarding their postoperative evaluation, especially in asymptomatic patients.

Coronary Artery Anomalies in Patients With Transposition of the Great Arteries and Their Impact on Postoperative Outcomes.

Background: Coronary anomalies are frequently present in children with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Such anomalies significantly increase the complexity of arterial switch operations and may have an effect on postoperative outcomes. In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency of coronary anomalies in children with TGA and describe their effect on postoperative outcomes.

Fenestration closure with Amplatzer Duct Occluder II in patients after total cavo-pulmonary connection.

Introduction: Creation of a fenestration during completion of a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) has been associated with a reduction in early mortality and morbidity. However, the long-term benefits are negated by an associated limitation in exercise tolerance and the potential risks of thrombo-embolic complications. We sought to describe the safety and efficacy of an Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADO II) for transcatheter fenestration closure following TCPC.

Reoperations and catheter interventions in patients with transposition of the great arteries after the arterial switch operation.

Objectives: Reoperations and catheter interventions after the arterial switch operation (ASO) are relatively rare, but their frequency varies among different centres. They significantly impact the postoperative course of children with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of reoperations and catheter interventions in patients with TGA after the ASO and to identify the potential risk factors.

Severe Congenital Obstruction of the Left Main Coronary Artery Coexisting With Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis in Williams Syndrome: A Dangerous Association.

Congenital obstruction of the left main coronary artery is a complicating feature of supravalvular aortic stenosis. We describe an eight-month-old female patient with Williams syndrome, supravalvular aortic stenosis, and branch pulmonary artery stenosis, with concomitant anomaly of severe obstruction of the left coronary artery orifice.

Repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants.

Objectives: Anatomical repair seems an ideal method for the surgical treatment of the anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) in infancy. The medium-term outcome has been investigated for infants with ALCAPA following the restoration of a dual-coronary arterial circulation.

Methods: Between April 1995 and July 2012, 23 infants with a median age of 4 months underwent surgical repair of ALCAPA in our department.

A 10-year single-centre experience in percutaneous interventions for multi-stage treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to report our 10 years of experience of interventional treatment of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and to focus on the frequency, type, and results of percutaneous interventions during all the stages of palliation, considering the different techniques, devices, and complications.

Background: Constant progress in surgical treatment of congenital heart defects in the last decade has significantly improved the prognosis for children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. However, morbidity and mortality remain relatively high.

The neoaortic root in children with transposition of the great arteries after an arterial switch operation.

Objectives: Neoaortic root changes in children with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) are reportedly risk factors for the development of neoaortic regurgitation (NeoAR). The aims of this study were to assess the neoaortic root diameter and relative proportion in children with TGA after surgical correction and to identify possible correlations with the development of neoaortic insufficiency.

Methods: Of the 611 children who had the arterial switch operation performed in the Cardiology Department of the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital, 172 consecutive patients were qualified for this study.

Long-term outcome of direct neopulmonary artery reconstruction during the arterial switch procedure.

Background: Neopulmonary stenosis at anastomosis site is one of the most frequent complications after the arterial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries. The surgical technique is a crucial factor associated with the frequency of stenotic complications. We present the outcomes of direct neopulmonary anastomosis during the arterial switch procedure in patients with simple transposition.

Right coronary artery dissection during intraoperative ostium cannulation. Presentation of successful treatment.

Right coronary artery dissection related to medical procedures is a very rare life-threatening complication caused by a combination of vessel occlusion and myocardial ischaemia. This paper presents a case of dissection which occurred during a Ross cardiac surgery procedure. The complication was observed after proximal right coronary constriction on the cannula used to administer cardioplegia.

Use of recombinant activated factor VII for controlling refractory postoperative bleeding in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: To review the efficacy, safety, and dose of recombinant activated factor VII in off-label management of refractory bleeding in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design: A retrospective database analysis with medical records review.

Setting: A single research hospital.

Predictors of long intensive care unit stay following cardiac surgery in children.

Objective: Prolonged length of stay in intensive care units after congenital heart disease surgery is associated with poor outcome, places a considerable burden on the financial resources of hospitals, and is an organizational challenge as well. This research discusses the impact of perioperative factors on prolonged stay in intensive care units.

Methods: This is a retrospective study examining the determinants of prolonged intensive care length of stay in 693 children after cardiac surgery.

Prenatal diagnosis and follow-up of 23 cases of cardiac tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the prenatal characteristics and postnatal outcome of cardiac tumors diagnosed at two prenatal Polish cardiology centers.

Methods: Descriptive analysis of 23 fetuses with cardiac tumors (12 multiple and 11 single) diagnosed over 16 years (from 1993 to 2009). Congestive heart failure was diagnosed when the cardiovascular profile score was seven or less.

Neoaortic valve function 10 to 18 years after arterial switch operation.

Anatomical correction is a procedure of choice for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in neonates. During surgery, the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched-the native pulmonary valve becomes the neoaortic valve. The fate of this valve remains uncertain.

Acute and late obstruction of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt: a two-center experience in different catheter-based methods of treatment.

Modified Blalock-Taussig (B-T) shunt occlusion results in a sudden reduction of pulmonary vascular perfusion, causing dramatic saturation drop and cyanosis which pose a direct hazard to a child's life. The results of percutaneous local r-tpa infusion, balloon angioplasty and additionally stent implantation in obstructed modified B-T shunts were studied to assess their role as an alternative to a re-do surgery. We outline two pediatric centers' experience (period 2004-2008) regarding the effectiveness of various emergency treatment methods for occlusion or critical stenosis of systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunts in 23 children.

Left atrial approach to close the atrial septal defect type II in case of right lung agenesis with extreme dextroversion.

This paper presents a case of a rare combination of right lung agenesis and atrial septal defect type II (ASD II). Successful surgical repair of ASD II was performed at the age of six years with total circulatory arrest (TCA) and deep hypothermia, because of difficult approach. Computed tomography and intraoperative findings are described.

[Early one-stage repair of tetralogy of Fallot].

Objective: To evaluate the outcome after early, primary repair of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in children under 6 months of age.

Methods: 74 infants, who underwent repair of TOF between 1992 and 2003, aged from 1.5 to 6 months, were investigated.