Impeded coronary flow in anatomic correction of transposition of the great arteries: Prevention, detection, and management

Abstract

Six infants and a 3-year-old boy underwent primary anatomic repair (arterial switch) of their dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). Three died: one on the operating table because of an irreducible kink in the left main coronary artery, one because of postoperative bleeding and tamponade, and one because of a postoperative management error. In the four survivors the preoperative left ventricular-to-right ventricular systolic pressure interrelationships were 35 to 115, 54 to 73, 30 to 80, and 70 to 90 mm Hg. While left ventricular inability to take over the systemic pressure did not appear to be a problem in any of our cases, reduced coronary perfusion seemed to be the rule rather than the exception in this operation. One approach to the problem of obstructed coronary flow is first to construct continuity of the "new" aorta, unclamp it, and mark the appropriate places for coronary anastomoses on the fully distended aorta. It is our conviction that further improvement in the operative technique and better understanding of the risk factors will eventually make the primary anatomic repair of d-TGA the operation of choice for most dextro-transpositions.