Aortopulmonary collaterals in neonates with d-transposition of the great arteries – Clinical significance early after arterial switch operation

Abstract Objectives Purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) during the early postoperative course after arterial switch operation (ASO) in d-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA). Methods Clinical data of 98 patients with simple dTGA between January 2007 and December 2016 at the University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland were analyzed retrospectively. Results 37 from 98 patients (38%) required cardiac catheterization (CC) due to an early complicated postoperative course or difficult coronary transfer due to special coronary anatomy. In 15 (15%) patients, hemodynamically relevant MAPCAs were found during CC and coil embolization was performed. Patients with relevant MAPCAs had a significantly longer PICU stay (7 versus 6 days, p = 0.021), longer hospital stay (41 versus 27 days, p = 0.005), longer mechanical ventilation time (5 versus 3 days, p = 0.005), longer need for inotropic support (5 versus 4 days, p = 0.001) and delayed chest closure time (3 versus 2 days, p = 0.030) in those in whom it was left open in comparison to all other patients. In patients having CC, pre-surgery oxygen saturation was significantly lower in patients with relevant MAPCAs (58% vs 70%, p 0.019). Echocardiography had a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 100% in detecting relevant MAPCAs, accurately. Conclusions MAPCAs are frequently found in dTGA patients and can be associated with lower baseline oxygen saturation and a prolonged postoperative course after ASO. Transthoracic echocardiography cannot replace CC as diagnostic tool. If significant MAPCAs are suspected, early CC should be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons.