Surgical Outcome of Isolated Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection in Adults: A 14-Year Experience

Aim of the study: To investigate the surgical result of adult total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Methods: From March 1997 to March 2011, 12 adult cases of isolated TAPVC, with an average age of 24.9 ± 6.7 years (from 18 to 41 years), underwent surgical repair in our department. All patients suffered from right-sided volume overload with clinical manifestations varying from mild cyanosis to severe heart failure. Results: According to Darling's classification, eight cases were classified as supracardiac type, four as cardiac type. Unobstructed connections were established between the left atrium and the pulmonary common vein in all patients with external cardiac approach in four supracardiac cases, and internal cardiac approach in four cardiac and three supracardiac cases, and Warden technique in one supracardiac patient. Concomitant operations included De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty in six patients, patent arteriosus ductus closure in two. All patients survived the operation, and postoperative follow-up was 100% complete with a period ranging from 10 months to 14 years. NYHA grade decreased from 2.33 ± 0.49 to 1.08 ± 0.29 (p < 0.01). Three patients had postoperative tricuspid insufficiency. Five patients had cardiac arrhythmia, among two symptomatic cases; one controlled with medication, another received a successful radiofrequency ablation for incision-related atrial flutter. Conclusions: Surgical correction of isolated adult TAPVC can be carried out safely with acceptable long-term outcome. Postoperative tricuspid insufficiency and cardiac arrhythmias may have a negative long-term impact, which should be evaluated preoperatively and managed individually during surgery. (J Card Surg 2012;27:736-739)