Key result
Among 95 arterial switch operation survivors, 15% required reinterventions, with 10-year intervention-free survival rates of 93% for both neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction.
Why the study?
With a growing population of arterial switch operation survivors, rates of associated late complications are increasing.
Cohort (n=95)
No
Absolute Event Rate: 93% vs 93%
Late complications requiring reintervention occur in approximately 15% of arterial switch survivors within the first decade, with surgical and catheter-based treatments yielding high long-term intervention-free survival even in low-volume centers.
Supports long-term surveillance after arterial switch; leaves open risk stratification and optimal protocols in observational cohorts.
Background and Objectives: With the growing population of arterial switch operation survivors, the rate of late complications associated with the operation is growing as well. The aim of this publication is to share our experience and encourage collaboration between congenital cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in treating late complications after arterial switch operation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of Vilnius University Santaros Clinics Cardiothoracic Surgery Centre arterial switch operation survivors who underwent additional treatment for late neo-pulmonary artery stenosis and aortic arch obstruction between 1989 and 2019 was conducted. Results: Out of 95 arterial switch operation survivors 14 (15%) underwent 36 reinterventions. The majority were treated for neo-pulmonary stenosis. The median time from arterial switch operation to the first reintervention was 1.4 years (interquartile range, 2 months to 2.4 years). 1, 3, 5, and 10 years intervention-free survival in patients treated for neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction was 98, 94, 94, and 93% vs. 95, 94, 94, and 93%, respectively. There were no complications associated with redo surgical procedures, while eight patients who underwent catheter-based interventional treatment had treatment-related complications, including one death. Conclusions: Both neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction (new aortic coarctations or aortic recoarctations) tend to develop in the first decade after an arterial switch operation. Surgical and catheter-based interventional treatment with good results is possible even in a small volume center. Close collaboration of the congenital heart team (congenital cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists) in choosing the best treatment option for an individual patient helps to minimize the risk of potential complications.
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Jonas et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Arterial switch operation survivors with late complications (n=95). Surgical and catheter-based reinterventions was evaluated on 10-year intervention-free survival (neo-pulmonary stenosis vs. aortic arch obstruction). Among 95 arterial switch operation survivors, 15% required reinterventions, with 10-year intervention-free survival rates of 93% for both neo-pulmonary stenosis and aortic arch obstruction.
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