Primary Biventricular Repair of Atrioventricular Septal Defects: An Analysis of Reoperations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting reoperation after primary biventricular atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) repair. Between April 1997 and April 2007, 93 consecutive patients underwent surgery for biventricular correction of AVSD with a median age of 5.8 months (range, 9 days to 68.9 years). Fifty-three patients had complete AVSD, 6 patients had an intermediate type, and 29 patients had partial AVSD; 4 patients had a complete AVSD with associated tetralogy of Fallot, and 1 patient had a complete AVSD with double-outlet right ventricle. There was no in-hospital mortality. There were 2 late deaths (2.2%). Forty-three reoperations were performed in 23 patients (24.7%), of which 18 were for repair of significant left atrioventricular valve regurgitation and 8 were mitral valve replacements. Seven patients (7.5%) required insertion of a permanent pacemaker. The overall 5-year freedom from reoperation after AVSD repair was 73.6% +/- 4.8%. In the multivariate analysis for complete AVSDs, Down syndrome (p = 0.01) and the presence of right ventricular dominance (p = 0.03) were independent predictors of reoperation. At last follow-up, 76 patients (83.5%) were in New York Heart Association class I, and 68 patients (74.7%) were not taking any heart failure medications. Echocardiographic examination showed absent to mild left atrioventricular valve regurgitation in 76.5%; moderate, in 19.8%; and severe, in 3.7% of patients. Down syndrome and right ventricular dominance are independent predictors of reoperation after complete AVSD repair. Biventricular repair of isolated AVSD with a small left ventricle can be successfully accomplished with no mortality.