The coronary reimplantation after neoaortic reconstruction technique can make a difference in arterial switch operation.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine if there was a difference between coronary reimplantation after neoaortic reconstruction and open coronary reimplantation technique in arterial switch operation (ASO).

Methods: A total of 236 patients who underwent ASO from March 1994 to August 2018 were enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis was performed for postoperative early mortality. Patients were divided into the open coronary reimplantation and coronary reimplantation after neoaortic reconstruction groups. The 30-day mortality, intraoperative and postoperative coronary artery (CA) revisions, CA-related late morbidity and mortality, and early and late neoaortic valve regurgitations after ASO were compared between the two groups.

Results: Overall postoperative early mortality was 7.2% (17/236). Patients who underwent open coronary reimplantation had higher early mortality as compared with those who underwent coronary reimplantation after neoaortic reconstruction. Risk factors for postoperative early mortality from multivariate analysis were cardiopulmonary bypass time and open coronary reimplantation. There was a higher incidence of CA-related late mortality or morbidity in the open coronary reimplantation group. The open coronary reimplantation group had a higher incidence of intraoperative or postoperative CA revision. There were no differences in the incidence of mild or more neoaortic valve regurgitation at discharge or in the 5-year freedom from mild or more neoaortic valve regurgitation.

Conclusions: CA reimplantation after neoaortic reconstruction yields better results in mortality and intraoperative or postoperative CA-related problems in ASO without increasing postoperative neoaortic valve regurgitation.