Staged Correction of Pulmonary Atresia, Ventricular Septal Defect and
Collateral Arteries
Abstract
Objectives Pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD)
and systemic-pulmonary collateral arteries (SPCA’s) has a variable
anatomy with regard to the pulmonary vasculature, asking for an
individualized surgical treatment. A protocol was applied consisting of
staged unifocalization and correction. Methods Since 1989 39 consecutive
patients were included (median age at first operation 13 months). In
selected cases a central aorto-pulmonary shunt was performed as first
procedure. Unifocalization procedures were performed through a lateral
thoracotomy. Correction consisted of shunt takedown, VSD closure and
interposition of an allograft between the right ventricle and the
reconstructed pulmonary artery. Postoperatively and at follow up
echocardiographic data were obtained. Results In 39 patients 66
unifocalization procedures were performed. Early mortality was 5%.
Seven patients were considered not suitable for correction, four of them
died. One patient is awaiting further correction. Correction was done
successfully in 28 patients. Operative mortality was 3% and late
mortality 11%. Median follow-up after correction was 19 years. Eleven
patients needed homograft replacement. Freedom from conduit replacement
was 88%, 73% and 60% at 5, 10 and 15 years respectively. Right
ventricular function was reasonable or good in 75 % of the patients.
Conclusions After complete unifocalization 30/37 patients (81%) were
considered correctable. The main reasons for palliative treatment
without correction were pulmonary hypertension and/or inadequate
outgrowth of pulmonary arteries. Staged approach of PA, VSD and SPCA’s
results in adequate correction and good functional capacity. RV function
after correction remains reasonable or good in the majority of patients.