Arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: A single-centre 32-year experience

Objective: Arterial switch operation (ASO) is nowadays the standard of care for neonates with D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA). We evaluated our early and late results with ASO for D-TGA.

Materials and methods: We collected data on 267 patients with D-TGA, either with intact ventricular septum (D-TGA/IVS; n = 182, 68%) and with other associated congenital heart malformations (complex D-TGA; n = 85, 32%) that underwent ASO between January 1987 and July 2018.

Results: Median age at ASO was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR], 6-12 days). Fifteen patients (5.6%) died in hospital (6/182 with D-TGA/IVS, 3.3% and 9/85 with complex D-TGA, 11%; P = 0.02). Median follow-up time was 10.2 years (IQR, 3.7-18 years). There were 2 (0.8%) late sudden deaths. Overall survival at 10 and 20 years was 94% and 93%, respectively. Thirty-five patients (14%) required either reoperations or reinterventions, mainly for right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 28, 11%). Freedom from reoperation/reintervention at 10 and 20 years was 87% and 78%, respectively. All patients were in NYHA I at latest clinical examination. Six over 173 patients (3.4%) who underwent a postoperative evaluation of their coronaries presented acquired anomalies. Forty-four patients (17%) who performed a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have a predicted VO ₂ comparable to normal peers.

Conclusions: The results of ASO for D-TGA are excellent, with a fairly low mortality and reoperation/reintervention rate. Functional capacity evaluated with CPET is comparable to normal peers. Continuous follow-up for detecting asymptomatic acquired coronary artery disease is mandatory. A reassessment of competitive sport eligibility criteria for specific D-TGA patients should be considered.