Arterial Switch Operation Surgery Surgical Solutions to Complex Problems
Pediatric Cardiovascular Arterial Switch Operation Surgery Surgical Solutions to Complex Problems Tom R. Karl, MS, MD The arterial switch operation is appropriate treatment for most forms of transposition of Andrew Cochrane, FRACS the great arteries. In this review we analyze indications, techniques, and outcome for Christian P.R. Brizard, MD various subsets of patients with transposition of the great arteries, including those with an intact septum beyond 21 days of age, intramural coronary arteries, aortic arch ob- struction, the Taussig-Bing anomaly, discordant (corrected) transposition, transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and univentricular hearts with transposition of the great arteries and subaortic stenosis. (Tex Heart Inst J 1997;24:322-33) T ransposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a prototypical lesion for pediat- ric cardiac surgeons, a lethal malformation that can often be converted (with a single operation) to a nearly normal heart. The arterial switch operation (ASO) has evolved to become the treatment of choice for most forms of TGA, and success with this operation has become a standard by which pediatric cardiac surgical units are judged. This is appropriate, because without expertise in neonatal anesthetic management, perfusion, intensive care, cardiology, and surgery, consistently good results are impossible to achieve. Surgical Anatomy of TGA In the broad sense, the term "TGA" describes any heart with a discordant ven- triculoatrial (VA) connection (aorta from right ventricle, pulmonary artery from left ventricle). The anatomic diagnosis is further defined by the intracardiac fea- tures. Most frequently, TGA is used to describe the solitus/concordant/discordant heart.
[Show full text]