Long-term Outcomes of Staged Complete Repair of Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect

BACKGROUND The optimal strategy for pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) without major aortopulmonary collateral arteries is yet to be defined. It remains unclear how primary complete repair compares with staged repair.METHODS This study reviewed the records of 107 patients with PA-VSD who were managed with systemic-to-pulmonary shunts from February 1989 to November 2019. Tables presenting summary statistics of patient and surgi -cal data and Kaplan-Meier curves showing repair, mortality, and reoperation were created. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for repair, morbidity, and mortality.RESULTS A total of 91 (85%) patients achieved complete repair at a median age of 1 year (interquartile range [IQR], 8-20 months). Survival was as follows: 97 (90%) patients at 6 months, 91 (85%) at 20 months, and 87 (81%) at 10 years. A shunt diameter of 3.5 mm or less (P = .006) and shunt after 2009 (P < .001) were associated with earlier progression to complete repair. A shunt diameter of 3.5 mm or less was an independent risk factor for interstage morbidity (hazard ratio, 4.5; IQR, 1.1-18.5; P = .039), but it was not associated with complete repair (P = .75) or mortality (P = .62). The median follow-up period was 10.5 years (IQR, 3.6-18.8 years) from birth.CONCLUSIONS The complete repair and long-term survival rates of staged PA-VSD repair are high. The use of smaller shunts has resulted in earlier complete repair and is associated with increased risk of morbidity but not mortality. (Ann Thorac Surg 2023;115:445-52) Crown Copyright (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Automated summary

This study reviewed the records of 107 patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect who were managed with systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. The results showed that using smaller shunts resulted in earlier complete repair but increased the risk of complications for the patients.