Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life after Complex Biventricular Repair

Objective Complex biventricular (BiV) and one-and-a-half ventricular (1.5V) repairs are alternatives to single ventricle palliation. We describe one domain of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients undergoing BiV and 1.5V repairs. Methods This single-center study included children ≤18 yo who underwent BiV or 1.5V repairs between 10/1/2022 and 7/29/2024. Parents completed Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM Infant Scales TM or Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM 3.0 Cardiac Modules; physical function and physical symptom scores (<2 yo) and heart problems and treatment scores (≥2 yo) were evaluated. Results Seventy-three patients (n=36 <2 yo, n=37 ≥2 yo) were included. Forty-one patients (56%) underwent BiV surgery, and 32 (44%) underwent 1.5V surgery. Preoperatively, patients <2 yo had a mean physical symptom score of 76 ± 14 and a mean physical function score of 70 ± 20; patients ≥2 yo had a mean heart problems and treatment score of 64 ± 20. Thirty-six patients (n=10 <2 yo, n=26 ≥2 yo) had paired pre- and postoperative HRQOL data. Following repair, physical symptom scores improved among infants 0-12 months (mean 67 vs 79, p=0.033), and heart problems and treatment scores improved (2-4 yo, 69 vs 84, p=0.002; 5-7 yo, 57 vs 86, p=0.044). For patients ≥2 yo, five symptoms drove score improvement: exertional dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, cyanosis, and fatigue. Conclusions Six months after surgery, parents reported improvement in children's HRQOL following complex BiV or 1.5V repairs. Further work is needed to better understand long-term outcomes in this vulnerable population.